Blitz Picks - Week 10
WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
WEEK 4: 43-56, 76.8%
WEEK 5: 50-64, 78.2%
WEEK 6: 33-41, 80.5%
WEEK 7: 47-56, 83.9%
WEEK 8: 49-54, 90.7%
WEEK 9: 47-55, 85.5%
OVERALL: 393-500, 78.6%
Blitz Picks stayed pretty hot last week, the second-best weekly effort of the season, following the best of the season the week before.
Week 10 will bring the playoff picture into better focus, with plenty of great games up and down the schedule.
*The spread is from PigskinPrep.com for 11-man games and Pigskin Prep and sixmanfootball.com for six-man games.
Reach out (email cody@bigcountryblitz.com) if you’d like to sponsor a week of content on bigcountryblitz.com and Big Country Blitz social media!
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Photo: May Tiger Teams
May leads series 14-9
Last meeting: May 62, Lometa 54 in 2023
The Hornets have to win this one if they want to stay in the playoff chase, but the fourth ranked Tigers have been a powerhouse all season. May is the pick to get the job done on the road.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MAY BY 33
THE SPREAD 6MFB: MAY BY 45
THE PICK: MAY
Knox City leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Knox City 72, Perrin-Whitt 26 in 2019
The Greyhounds can clinch the District 6 crown with a win, while the Pirates are in a do or die situation to stay in the postseason picture. I expect this one to go the distance, and Knox City is the pick.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: KNOX CITY BY 6
THE SPREAD 6MFB: KNOX CITY BY 15
THE PICK: KNOX CITY
Richland Springs leads series 48-17-2
Last meeting: Richland Springs 56, Rochelle 24 in 2023
The Hornets are likely the only team in the district that can play past the half against the Coyotes, but Richland Springs is the pick to keep things rolling and move to 9-0 on the season.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: RICHLAND SPRINGS BY 21
THE SPREAD 6MFB: RICHLAND SPRINGS BY 45
THE PICK: RICHLAND SPRINGS
Gordon leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Gordon 56, Baird 8 in 2023
The Longhorns haven’t been tested all season, and the Bears are the only team in District that can possibly hang. However, Gordon is just too strong and the pick to stay unbeaten on the season.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: GORDON BY 45
THE SPREAD 6MFB: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON
Aspermont leads series 27-15
Last meeting: Jayton 48, Aspermont 0 in 2023
Once again, the home team is the biggest challenger in the district, but probably doesn’t have enough firepower to keep up. Jayton is the pick to earn the win and clinch the district championship.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JAYTON BY 45
THE SPREAD 6MFB: JAYTON BY 45
THE PICK: JAYTON
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Ira leads series 29-20
Last meeting: Ira 54, Hermleigh 36 in 2023
These two Scurry County rivals are more than likely meeting in a playoff elimination game. Ira has the home field advantage, but the Cardinals have the hot hand as winners of six of seven this season. Hermleigh is the pick to win and set up a district title showdown with Westbrook next week.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: HERMLEIGH BY 45
THE SPREAD 6MFB: HERMLEIGH BY 10
THE PICK: HERMLEIGH
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Clyde leads series 11-8-1
Last meeting: Clyde 29, Jim Ned 14 in 2023
The Bulldogs battled for a half at Sweetwater last week and now get the second of back-to-back tough road games at Jim Ned. The Indians are the pick to defend the home field and get past Clyde.
THE SPREAD: JIM NED BY 24
THE PICK: JIM NED
Photo: TexPix.com
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Abilene High leads series 18-8
Last meeting: Abilene High 59, Monterey 14 in 2023
The Eagles play their final game of the regular season and can wrap up back to back district titles with a win. Monterey has won its last three after a 1-4 start. The Warbirds barely escaped over Tascosa last week. Look for them to be more dialed in and get their 12th straight district victory.
THE SPREAD: MONTEREY BY 2
THE PICK: MONTEREY
Photo: Getchasomepics
Brownwood leads series 48-35-2
Last meeting: Stephenville 27, Brownwood 17 in 2023
The Yellow Jackets have won the last four in the series and are favored to make it five straight. The Lions keep it close, but Stephenville is the pick to win.
THE SPREAD: STEPHENVILLE BY 29
THE PICK: STEPHENVILLE
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Albany leads series 27-10
Last meeting: Albany 44, Roscoe 7 in 2023
The Lions have roared to six straight wins after an 0-2 start, while Roscoe has won four in a row after starting 0-3. This should be a tight one, but Albany is the Blitz Pick to extend its district winning streak to 23.
THE SPREAD: ALBANY BY 10
THE PICK: ALBANY
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Lubbock Cooper leads series 6-1
Last meeting: Wylie 35, Cooper 34 in 2023
The Bulldogs can take a huge step towards winning the district title, but it won’t be easy. The Pirates are sure to be angry coming off a one-point loss to Wichita Falls Memorial. Wylie is playing with a ton of momentum right now and the pick to keep things rolling in a close one over Lubbock Cooper.
THE SPREAD: WYLIE BY 2
THE PICK: WYLIE
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
Big Spring (3-5, 0-1) at Lake View (2-6, 0-1)
Big Spring leads series 22-9
Last meeting: Big Spring 63, Lake View 43 in 2023
The Spread: Big Spring by 1
The Pick: Big Spring
#2 Brock (8-0, 3-0) at #5 Graham (7-1, 3-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Brock by 2
The Pick: Graham
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
Sweetwater (5-3, 3-0) at Breckenridge (0-8, 0-4)
Sweetwater leads series 25-15-1
Last meeting: Sweetwater 22, Breckenridge 9 in 2015
Last Breckenridge win: 1979
The Spread: Sweetwater by 36
The Pick: Sweetwater
Photo: Texpix.com
Photo: Skyler Blanton
TLCA San Angelo (0-8, 0-4) at Comanche (5-3, 2-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Comanche by 70
The Pick: Comanche
Stanton (5-2, 2-0) at Coahoma (4-3, 0-2)
Coahoma leads series 37-28-2
Last meeting: Coahoma 70, Stanton 28 in 2023
The Spread: Coahoma by 3
The Pick: Stanton
Grape Creek (3-6, 1-2) at Merkel (0-8, 0-2)
Merkel leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Merkel 34, Grape Creek 18 in 2019
The Spread: Grape Creek by 15
The Pick: Merkel
Brady (7-1, 3-0) at Tolar (7-1, 3-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Tolar by 17
The Pick: Tolar
Dublin (1-7, 1-2) at Clifton (5-3, 2-1)
Clifton leads series 15-6-1
Last meeting: Clifton 30, Dublin 7 in 2015
The Spread: Clifton by 23
The Pick: Clifton
Photo: Mike Jones/Brownwoodnews.com
Eastland (3-5, 0-3) at Early (1-7, 0-3)
Eastland leads series 13-5-2
Last meeting: Eastland 59, Early 23 in 2019
The Spread: Early by 2
The Pick: Early
Photo: Cassie Gang
Colorado City (2-6, 0-3) at Reagan County (7-1, 3-0)
Colorado City leads series 11-7
Last meeting: Colorado City 51, Reagan County 0 in 2018
The Spread: Reagan County by 37
The Pick: Reagan County
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Cisco (5-3, 1-2) at Anson (5-3, 1-2)
Cisco leads series 19-12-1
Last meeting: Cisco 38, Anson 19 in 2023
Last Anson win: 1989
The Spread: Pick ‘em
The Pick: Cisco
Photo: Skyler Blanton
TLCA Abilene (0-8, 0-3) at #5 Hawley (8-0, 3-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Hawley by 84
The Pick: Hawley
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Photo: Skyler Blanton
#1 Stamford (8-0, 3-0) at Olney (2-6, 1-2)
Stamford leads series 16-7
Last meeting: Stamford 58, Olney 16 in 2023
The Spread: Stamford by 70
The Pick: Stamford
Coleman (1-7, 1-2) at Ballinger (4-4, 1-2)
Ballinger leads series 58-30-4
Last meeting: Coleman 40, Ballinger 0 in 2023
The Spread: Ballinger by 2
The Pick: Coleman
De Leon (5-3, 3-0) at Bangs (2-6, 0-3)
De Leon leads series 24-6-2
Last meeting: De Leon 40, Bangs 21 in 2023
The Spread: De Leon by 41
The Pick: De Leon
Hico (5-3, 1-2) at #10 Hamilton (8-0, 3-0)
Hamilton leads series 39-21
Last meeting: Hamilton 30, Hico 0 in 2021
The Spread: Hamilton by 33
The Pick: Hamilton
San Saba (6-2, 3-0) at Holland (6-2, 2-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Holland by 10
The Pick: San Saba
Munday (4-5, 1-4) at Seymour (2-6, 1-3)
Seymour leads series 56-21-4
Last meeting: Seymour 49, Munday 0 in 2023
The Spread: Seymour by 12
The Pick: Seymour
Photo: Cross Plains School Yearbook
Cross Plains (3-5, 0-3) at Hamlin (5-3, 1-2)
Hamlin leads series 6-2
Last meeting: Cross Plains 28, Hamlin 6 in 2023
The Spread: Hamlin by 18
The Pick: Hamlin
Photo: Gary Ford
Photo: Dency McClure
Miles (6-2, 2-1) at Winters (2-6, 0-3)
Winters leads series 7-3
Last meeting: Miles 66, Winters 36 in 2023
The Spread: Miles by 45
The Pick: Miles
Golthwaite (4-4, 3-2) at Meridian (1-7, 1-4)
Goldthwaite leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Goldthwaite 35, Meridian 0 in 2009
The Spread: Goldthwaite by 44
The Pick: Goldthwaite
Northside (4-4, 0-2) at Bryson (4-4, 0-2)
Northside leads series 11-4-1
Last meeting: Northside 96, Bryson 51 in 2013
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bryson by 25
The Spread 6MFB: Bryson by 45
The Pick: Bryson
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Highland (4-5, 1-2) at Rotan (3-5, 0-3)
Highland leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Highland 46, Rotan 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 10
The Spread 6MFB: Highland by 45
The Pick: Highland
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
Roby (3-5, 0-3) at #9 Westbrook (6-2, 3-0)
Westbrook leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Westbrook 49, Roby 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Westbrook by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Westbrook by 45
The Pick: Westbrook
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Irion County (3-5, 1-1) at Water Valley (6-2, 2-0)
Irion County leads series 36-14
Last meeting: Water Valley 78 Irion County 32 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Water Valley by 42
The Spread 6MFB: Water Valley by 28
The Pick: Water Valley
Robert Lee (6-3, 2-1) at Veribest (6-2, 1-1)
Robert Lee leads series 16-1
Last meeting: Robert Lee 80, Veribest 54 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Veribest by 4
The Spread 6MFB: Robert Lee by 7
The Pick: Robert Lee
Gorman (3-5, 1-1) at Ranger (2-6, 0-2)
Ranger leads series 21-19-2
Last meeting: Ranger 38, Gorman 14 in 2014
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gorman by 14
The Spread 6MFB: Gorman by 43
The Pick: Gorman
Photo: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan
Santa Anna (3-5, 0-1) at #6 Jonesboro (6-1, 1-0)
Jonesboro leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Jonesboro 54, Santa Anna 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Jonesboro by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Jonesboro by 45
The Pick: Jonesboro
Bronte (2-6, 1-1) at Trent (4-4, 1-1)
Bronte leads series 14-7
Last meeting: Bronte 54, Trent 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bronte by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Bronte by 45
The Pick: Bronte
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
Loraine (5-4, 2-1) at Olfen (0-5, 0-2)
Loraine leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Loraine 50, Olfen 0 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Loraine by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Loraine by 45
The Pick: Loraine
#5 Benjamin (5-1, 2-0) at Crowell (3-5, 2-0)
Benjamin leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Benjamin 56, Crowell 8 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Benjamin by 34
The Spread 6MFB: Benjamin by 45
The Pick: Benjamin
Paint Creek (5-3, 0-2) at Lueders-Avoca (0-8, 0-2)
This one is a Waters’ family reunion, as Paint Creek head coach Shannon Waters will go up against his brother Donnie and the Raiders.
A win will give the Pirates their first winning season since 1994.
Lueders-Avoca leads series 27-12-1
Last meeting: Paint Creek 52, Lueders-Avoca 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Paint Creek by 34
The Spread 6MFB: Paint Creek by 45
The Pick: Paint Creek
#8 Strawn (5-2, 1-0) at Moran (1-7, 0-1)
Strawn leads series 39-15-2
Last meeting: Strawn 66, Moran 6 in 2017
Last Moran win: 1991
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Strawn by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Strawn by 45
The Pick: Strawn
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
FORFEIT
Woodson (6-3, 2-0) at Throckmorton (0-9, 0-2)
Throckmorton had to forfeit due to a lack of players.
Throckmorton leads series 19-2-1
Last meeting: Throckmorton 54, Woodson 8 in 2023
Last Woodson win: 1974
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Woodson by 33
The Spread 6MFB: Woodson by 45
The Pick: Woodson
Iredell (7-2, 3-0) at Three Way (8-0, 2-0)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Three Way 1, Iredell 0 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Iredell by 17
The Spread 6MFB: Iredell by 45
The Pick: Iredell
Rising Star (4-5, 1-2) at Gustine (6-1, 1-1)
Gustine leads series 6-5
Last meeting: Rising Star 57, Gustine 50 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gustine by 19
The Spread 6MFB: Gustine by 5
The Pick: Gustine
Photo: Zephyr Bulldog Booster Club
#10 Zephyr (7-1, 2-0) at Sidney (3-4, 0-2)
Zephyr leads series 18-8
Last meeting: Zephyr 21, Sidney 20 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Zephyr by 34
The Spread 6MFB: Zephyr by 45
The Pick: Zephyr
Brookesmith (4-4, 1-2) at Lohn (5-3, 1-1)
Brookesmith leads series 20-18
Last meeting: Brookesmith 60, Lohn 12 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Lohn by 4
The Spread 6MFB: Brookesmith by 31
The Pick: Brookesmith
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
Buckholts (2-6, 0-1) at #6 Cherokee (7-1, 1-0)
Cherokee leads series 10-8
Last meeting: Cherokee 57, Buckholts 12 in 2020
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Cherokee by 45
The Spread 6MFB:
The Pick: Cherokee
Keller Harvest (2-6, 0-2) at Abilene Christian (4-3, 1-1)
ACS leads series 2-0
Last meeting: ACS 47, Keller Harvest 0 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Abilene Christian by 31
The Spread 6MFB: Abilene Christian by 43
The Pick: Abilene Christian
COLLEGE
SOUTHERN UTAH (4-4, 3-1) AT #17 ACU (5-3, 4-1)
SATURDAY, 3 P.M.
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Southern Utah 52, ACU 14 in 2023
The Wildcats return to action after a bye week with their final scheduled home game of the season against Southern Utah.
The matchup is a key one in UAC play, as Southern Utah is a half game behind ACU for second place (behind Tarleton State) in conference action.
Info from ACU:
» The Wildcats are nationally ranked for the seventh straight week. They’ve been inside the top 20 each of the past six weeks.
» Before ACU’s open week, the Wildcats used a dominating final 20 minutes to put away Eastern Kentucky, 34-20.
» The victory put ACU at 4-1 in UAC play, which is 0.5 games behind first-place Tarleton State (4-0).
» Senior WR Blayne Taylor set a career-high with 154 receiving yards on 10 catches and 2 TD vs. EKU. It was his fourth 100-yard game at ACU.
» Taylor was named UAC Offensive Player of the Week, while DB Izaiah Kelley was the Defensive Player of the Week. Kelley intercepted a pass in the endzone, and then a second to allow the Wildcats to kneel out the clock.
» ACU picked off three EKU passes (2 by Kelley, 1 by Will Shafer). It was the first 3-INT game by an ACU defense since Oct. 31, 2015 against McNeese.
» This is ACU’s final home game of the regular season. The next three games are on the road in Clarksville, TN, Stephenville, TX, and Nacogdoches, TX. ACU’s last 3-game road swing was in 2022 (L at North Dakota, W at Tarleton and W at Sam Houston).
» This will be the third meeting between ACU and Southern Utah. ACU won in Abilene in 2022 (21-18), and lost in Cedar City, UT, in 2023 (52-14).
AN ACU WIN WOULD...
» Be ACU’s third win in 2024 over a team that is ranked or receiving votes in a national poll.
» Push ACU to a 5-1 conference record, which would keep pace with 1st place Tarleton State. TSU enters Saturday undefeated in the UAC. The Wildcats and Texans play in Stephenville on November 16 at 6 p.m.
» Improve ACU’s home record to 4-1 this season which would tie for the best single-season record at Wildcat Stadium (ACU went 4-1 in 2022).
» Make Keith Patterson 11-4 at home, and 7-2 in home conference games, as ACU’s head coach.
» Be ACU’s first win on Senior Day since 2016 (W 25-22 vs. Northwestern State).
THE PICK: ACU
HOWARD PAYNE (1-5, 0-3) AT #5 HARDIN-SIMMONS (7-0, 3-0)
FRIDAY, 7 P.M.
HSU leads series 46-24-4
Last meeting: HSU 38, Howard Payne 6 on Sept. 7
The Cowboys and Yellow Jackets will meet for the second time this season, this time under the Friday night lights as the game was moved up a day to avoid forecasted bad weather on Saturday.
HSU knocked off East Texas Baptist last week 38-22 to stay perfect in ASC play, while Howard Payne is coming off a bye week.
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
AUSTIN COLLEGE (1-7, 1-5) AT MCMURRY (4-3, 4-1)
SATURDAY, 1 P.M.
Austin College leads series 37-34-2
Last meeting: McMurry 34, Austin College 9 on Sept. 28
McMurry and Austin College will finish their home and home series Saturday afternoon.
The War Hawks hope to snap a two-game losing streak as they host a Kangaroo squad that is coming off a 41-21 loss at Centenary last week.
THE PICK: McMURRY
