Blitz Picks - Week 3
WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
OVERALL: 72-108, 66.7%
There is no denying it, we are off to a bad start on the picks. The old coaching cliche says you see the most improvement between week one and week two, well, that did not prove to be the case.
But, overall, it’s not a bad thing. It means teams that have been down recently are turning things around, for one, and the “experts” will have to see them in a different light going forward.
Week three has some great games, many that are very tough to pick.
*The spread is from PigskinPrep.com for 11-man games and Pigskin Prep and sixmanfootball.com for six-man games.
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TOP TEN GAMES OF THE WEEK
#8 KNOX CITY (2-0) AT ABILENE CHRISTIAN (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Greyhounds play away from Knox City for a third straight week to start the season, this time at the beautiful new stadium at Abilene Christian School.
KC used a big second half to get past Strawn last week, while ACS scored on the final play of the game to beat Midland Trinity on the road.
The Panthers have already played one state-ranked 1A D1 team, falling to Jonesboro in the season opener. I expect them to keep it closer than they did against the Eagles, a 60-13 loss, but for Knox City to prevail in the end to move to 3-0.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: KNOX CITY BY 18
THE SPREAD 6MFB: KNOX CITY BY 37
THE PICK: KNOX CITY
#9 SEMINOLE (2-0) AT SWEETWATER (1-1)
Sweetwater leads series 6-2
Last meeting: Seminole 28, Sweetwater 27 in 2017
The Mustangs rallied on the road to beat 4A D2 Midland Greenwood last week, now they return to the Mustang Bowl to face the #9 team in that class, Seminole.
The Indians cruised past West Plains 56-21 in week one and got past Shallowater 14-10 last week.
The Sweetwater offense has yet to really get rolling this season, but if they can on Friday they just might be able to pull off the upset.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: SEMINOLE BY 10
THE PICK: SEMINOLE
#1 GORDON (2-0) AT STRAWN (1-1)
Strawn leads series 39-34-3
Last meeting: Gordon 46, Strawn 0 in 2023
The Longhorns have been dominant through two weeks, taking care of Marfa 51-6 and Valley 68-6 to get to 2-0. They have only ran 19 offensive plays to score their 119 points (hat tip to Jason West, @Westyrangerfan on X) for that note.
Strawn won in Montana in week one, but could not hold onto a small halftime lead in a 75-54 home loss to Knox City on Saturday.
Expect the Longhorns to keep rolling, but Strawn may be able to keep it from being a shutout like last season.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: GORDON BY 30
THE SPREAD 6MFB: GORDON BY 45
THE PICK: GORDON
JIM NED (1-1) AT #9 WALL (1-1)
Wall leads series 27-14
Last meeting: Jim Ned 17, Wall 14 in 2023
Two former district rivals meet in a key non-district game this week as the Indians travel to Wall.
This will be the eighth straight season they’ve played, with Wall winning four and Jim Ned three.
Defensive struggles are usually par for the course. The Indians won 17-14 a year ago, while Wall took a 3-0 decision in 2022.
Jim Ned got the offense rolling last week in a 42-12 win over Lubbock Trinity Christian, while the Hawks couldn't get any offense going, especially in the second half, in a 17-7 loss to much bigger Brownwood.
I’m expecting this one to go down to the wire again, with the Indian defense rising to the occasion to help Jim Ned get the job done on the road.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: WALL BY 12
THE PICK: JIM NED
#10 ROCHELLE (2-0) AT #5 MAY (2-0) - SATURDAY
May leads series 12-10-3
Last meeting: May 58, Rochelle 8 in 2013
The Tigers will face their third straight state-ranked 1A Division II team as Rochelle comes to town this week.
Photo: May Tiger Teams
May took care of Sidney in a 51-0 week one shutout, then beat Oglesby 66-45 to stay perfect on the season.
Rochelle has been impressive so far as well, beating a pair of 1A Division I teams, Medina and Menard, 76-28 and 83-34.
The Hornets defense seems to have improved this season, and the offense is legit. However, May has the total package and should be able to get past Rochelle on Friday night.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MAY BY 20
THE SPREAD 6MFB: MAY BY 38
THE PICK: MAY
COMANCHE (1-1) AT EASTLAND (2-0)
Eastland leads series 30-28
Last meeting: Comanche 46, Eastland 7 in 2023
The Mavericks are a somewhat surprising 2-0 after wins as underdogs over Coleman and Clyde, now they’ll face former district rival and 3A Division I opponent Comanche.
The Indians fell to state-ranked Poth in week one 35-24, but bounced back to top Llano 34-21 last week at home.
Comanche dominated this matchup last season and in 2022, but the Mavericks are loaded on defense this year and getting the job done with the Wing-T on offense. Eastland is the pick in a close one Friday night.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: EASTLAND BY 6
THE PICK: EASTLAND
#2 GLEN ROSE (2-0) AT #7 BROWNWOOD (1-0)
Brownwood leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Brownwood 46, Glen Rose 34 in 2023
The Tigers and Lions meet for the third consecutive season, this time with Glen Rose as the higher ranked team (in 4A Division II).
Brownwood played great defense and used to running game, Duncanville transfer Trey Mosley led the way with 223 yards and two touchdowns, to win at Wall. The Hawks only had 13 yards of offense in the second half.
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Glen Rose rolled past Grandview 49-14 in week one and Gatesville 28-12 in week two and will be tough to stop.
The Lions completed just 5-19 passes for 45 yards last week. You would think that would get better this week, and could be the key to Brownwood pulling off the “upset” on their home field.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: GLEN ROSE BY 3
THE PICK: BROWNWOOD
#4 WESTBROOK (1-1) AT RANKIN (1-1)
Westbrook leads series 5-2
Last meeting: Westbrook 52, Rankin 0 in 2023
The Wildcats and Red Devils meet for the sixth time over the past four seasons on Friday, as Westbrook looks to make it back-to-back impressive wins after falling to Jayton in week one.
Westbrook bounced back to be Jonesboro 68-36 a week ago, while Rankin kept it close in a 44-38 loss to #7 Happy in week one and blew out Irion County 60-12 in week two.
Case Custer impressed against the Eagles, running for 235 yards and three scores. Now he will return to his old hometown to face the Red Devils.
Westbrook just seems to have Rankin’s number and is the pick to get the job done again this week.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: WESTBROOK BY 12
THE SPREAD 6MFB: WESTBROOK BY 28
THE PICK: WESTBROOK
BORDEN COUNTY (1-1) AT #3 BENJAMIN (1-0)
First meeting in series
The Mustangs bring a 30-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the state, into a big-time matchup against 1A D1 power Borden County.
The Coyotes, led by former May head man Craig Steele, fell to Nazareth 32-22 last week and beat Valley 56-8 in week one.
Borden County will have the edge in size and depth, but the Mustangs still have the Hayes brothers, who combined for 236 yards and seven touchdowns rushing, 379 yards and seven touchdowns passing, seven catches for 79 yards and two scores, and 31 tackles in Benjamin’s blowout win over Follett.
The Coyotes will be primed up and ready for this one, but it’s hard to pick against Benjamin until I see them lose.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: BENJAMIN BY 32
THE SPREAD 6MFB: BENJAMIN BY 20
THE PICK: BENJAMIN
#7 ABILENE HIGH (2-0) AT ODESSA PERMIAN (2-0)
THURSDAY
Permian leads series 37-20-2
Last meeting: Abilene 49, Permian 14 in 2023
The Little Southwest Conference rides again this week as Abilene High travels west to face old rival Permian.
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Both teams are 2-0 and looking good through two weeks. The Eagles outscored San Angelo Central 60-36 in week one and topped rival Cooper 42-33 in week two. Permian won at Plano 13-10 in their opener and snuck past El Paso Eastlake 56-49 in week two.
A year ago the Eagles dominated the Panthers in the season opener on their way to a special season.
If their defense can continue to improve and they can eliminate the costly special teams mistakes that plagued them against Cooper, the Eagles should be able to stay perfect with a big-time road win over MOJO.
THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: ABILENE HIGH BY 7
THE PICK: ABILENE HIGH
THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE
San Angelo Central (0-2) at Cooper (0-2)
San Angelo Central leads series 27-22-1
Last meeting: Cooper 53, San Angelo Central 45 in 2023
The Spread: Cooper by 5
The Pick: Cooper
Wylie (1-0) at Coronado (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Wylie by 12
The Pick: Wylie
Godley (1-1) at #1 Stephenville (2-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Stephenville by 34
The Pick: Stephenville
Lubbock High (1-1) at Snyder (1-1)
Lubbock High leads series 5-0
Last meeting: Lubbock 13, Snyder 12 in 1973
The Spread: Lubbock by 6
The Pick: Snyder
Graham (1-1) at Whitesboro (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Graham by 23
The Pick: Graham
Breckenridge (0-2) at Cisco (1-1)
Breckenridge leads series 32-17-4
Last meeting: Breckenridge 41, Cisco 6 in 2023
The Spread: Cisco by 25
The Pick: Cisco
Shallowater (1-1) at Clyde (1-1)
Clyde leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Clyde 26, Shallowater 21 in 2023
The Spread: Shallowater by 19
The Pick: Shallowater
Ballinger (2-0) at TLCA San Angelo (0-2)
Ballinger leads series 3-2
Last meeting: TLCA San Angelo 36, Ballinger 21 in 2023
The Spread: Ballinger by 17
The Pick: Ballinger
Merkel (0-2) at #7 Hawley (2-0)
Merkel leads series 10-6
Last meeting: Hawley 41, Merkel 7 in 2021
The Spread: Hawley by 60
The Pick: Hawley
Brady (1-1) at Ozona (2-0)
Ozona leads series 4-3
Last meeting: Ozona 28, Brady 14 in 2021
The Spread: Ozona by 3
The Pick: Ozona
Dublin (0-2) at Anson (2-0)
Anson leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Anson 20, Dublin 17 in 2023
The Spread: Anson by 25
The Pick: Anson
Junction (2-0) at Early (1-1)
Junction leads series 4-2
Last meeting: Early 33, Junction 18 in 1997
The Spread: Junction by 11
The Pick: Junction
Millsap (1-1) at Tolar (1-1)
Tolar leads series 7-4-1
Last meeting: Tolar 14, Millsap 13 in 2019
The Spread: Tolar by 32
The Pick: Tolar
Tahoka (1-1) at Colorado City (0-2)
Tahoka leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Tahoka 20, Colorado City 14 in 1977
The Spread: Tahoka by 26
The Pick: Tahoka
Lubbock Christian (2-0) at #5 Stamford (2-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Stamford by 17
The Pick: Stamford
TLCA Abilene (0-2) at Haskell (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Haskell by 39
The Pick: Haskell
Bangs (1-1) at Grape Creek (0-2)
Bangs leads series 9-1
Last meeting: Bangs 42, Grape Creek 6 in 2023
The Spread: Grape Creek by 6
The Pick: Bangs
Coleman (0-2) at #10 Mason (1-1)
Mason leads series 7-3-1
Last meeting: Mason 29, Coleman 20 in 2023
The Spread: Mason by 28
The Pick: Mason
Valley Mills (0-2) at De Leon (1-1)
Valley Mills leads series 6-5
Last meeting: Valley Mills 41, De Leon 7 in 2023
The Spread: De Leon by 23
The Pick: De Leon
Munday (2-0) at Chico (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Munday by 11
The Pick: Munday
Seymour (1-1) at Albany (0-2)
Albany leads series 9-5
Last meeting: Albany 41, Seymour 14 in 2023
The Spread: Albany by 30
The Pick: Albany
Cross Plains (2-0) at Hico (2-0)
Series tied 3-3
Last meeting: Hico 31, Cross Plains 7 in 2023
The Spread: Hico by 10
The Pick: Hico
Crosbyton (1-1) at Hamlin (1-1)
Hamlin leads series 4-2
Last meeting: Hamlin 24, Crosbyton 16 in 2023
The Spread: Hamlin by 16
The Pick: Hamlin
Miles (2-0) vs Johnson City (2-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Miles by 7
The Pick: Miles
Winters (1-1) at Sterling City (1-1)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Sterlihng City 21, Winters 20 in 2005
The Spread: Sterling City by 18
The Pick: Sterling City
Gold-Burg (0-2) at #9 Newcastle (2-0)
Newcastle leads series 12-0
Last meeting: Newcastle 78, Gold-Burg 74 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Newcastle by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Newcastle by 45
The Pick: Newcastle
Loraine (1-1) at Hermleigh (2-0)
Loraine leads series 28-19-3
Last meeting: Hermleigh 1, Loraine 0 in 2014
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Hermleigh by 24
The Spread 6MFB: Hermleigh by 45
The Pick: Hermleigh
Baird (2-0) at Highland (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Highland by 45
The Pick: Baird
Robert Lee (1-1) at Ira (1-1)
Robert Lee leads series 5-2-1
Last meeting: Ira 68, Robert Lee 38 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Robert Lee by 1
The Spread 6MFB: Robert Lee by 22
The Pick: Ira
Roby (1-1) at Blackwell (0-2)
Roby leads series 2-0
Last meeting: Roby 13, Blackwell 0 in 1932
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blackwell by 18
The Spread 6MFB: Blackwell by 21
The Pick: Blackwell
Rule (1-1) at Rotan (1-0)
Rule leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Rotban 44, Rule 6 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rule by 5
The Spread 6MFB: Rule by 45
The Pick: Rotan
Zephyr (2-0) at Gorman (1-1)
Zephyr leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Gorman 46, Zephyr 0 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Zephyr by 25
The Spread 6MFB: Zephyr by 27
The Pick: Zephyr
Santa Anna (1-1) at Ranger (0-2)
Ranger leads series 7-2
Last meeting: Santa Anna 21, Ranger 0 in 1997
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Santa Anna by 21
The Spread 6MFB: Santa Anna by 45
The Pick: Santa Anna
Veribest (1-1) at Bronte (1-1)
Veribest leads series 3-1
Last meeting: Veribest 48, Bronte 42 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Veribest by 18
The Spread 6MFB: Veribest by 45
The Pick: Veribest
Trent (0-2) at Priddy (0-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Priddy by 8
The Spread 6MFB: Priddy by 45
The Pick: Priddy
Aspermont (1-1) at Spur (2-0)
Spur leads series 20-15
Last meeting: Spur 72, Aspermont 26 in 2019
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Spur by 9
The Spread 6MFB: Spur by 35
The Pick: Spur
#1 Jayton (2-0) vs Valley (0-2)
Valley leads series 3-2
Last meeting: Jayton 53, Valley 40 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Jayton by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Jayton by 45
The Pick: Jayton
Chillicothe (2-0) at Lueders-Avoca (0-2)
L-A leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Lueders-Avoca 53, Chillicothe 6 in 2013
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Chillicothe by 14
The Spread 6MFB: Chillicothe by 44
The Pick: Chillicothe
Paint Creek (1-1) at Lohn (2-0)
Paint Creek leads series 3-0
Last meeting: Paint Creek 43, Lohn 13 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Lohn by 15
The Spread 6MFB: Paint Creek by 37
The Pick: Paint Creek
Brookesmith (1-1) at Moran (1-1)
Brookesmith leads series 4-2
Last meeting: Moran 63, Brookesmith 52 in 2015
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Brookesmith by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Brookesmith by 45
The Pick: Brookesmith
Throckmorton (0-2) at Bryson (1-1)
Throckmorton leads series 17-8-1
Last meeting: Throckmorton 68, Bryson 24 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Bryson by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Bryson by 45
The Pick: Bryson
Guthrie (0-2) at Woodson (2-0)
Guthrie leads series 5-4
Last meeting: Guthrie 64, Woodson 13 in 2013
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Woodson by 38
The Spread 6MFB: Woodson by 26
The Pick: Woodson
Evant (0-2) at Blanket (1-0-1)
Blanket leads series 17-16-1
Last meeting: Blanket 74, Evant 24 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Blanket by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Blanket by 33
The Pick: Blanket
Perrin-Whitt (2-0) at Rising Star (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Perrin-Whitt by 18
The Spread 6MFB: Perrin-Whitt by 41
The Pick: Perrin-Whitt
Gustine (2-0) at Paint Rock (0-2)
Paint Rock leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Paint Rock 58, Gustine 12 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gustine by 20
The Spread 6MFB: Paint Rock by 15
The Pick: Gustine
Stephenville Faith (0-1) at #8 Sidney (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Sidney by 26
The Spread 6MFB: Sidney by 26
The Pick: Sidney
Panther Creek (0-1) at Water Valley (1-1)
Series tied 2-2
Last meeting: Water Valley 65, Panther Creek 20 in 2007
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Water Valley by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Water Valley by 45
The Pick: Water Valley
#2 Richland Springs (2-0) at Nueces Canyon (0-2)
Richland Springs leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Richland Springs 70, Nueces Canyon 22 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Richland Springs by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Richland Springs by 45
The Pick: Richland Springs
#4 Cherokee (2-0) at Round Rock Christian (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Cherokee by 44
The Spread 6MFB: Cherokee by 45
The Pick: Cherokee
Menard (0-1-1) at (Mullin (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Menard by 5
The Spread 6MFB: Mendard by 45
The Pick: Menard
COLLEGE
#25 ACU (1-1, 1-0) AT NORTHERN COLORADO (0-2) - SATURDAY, 3 P.M.
ACU leads series 10-6-1
Last meeting: Northern Colorado 55, ACU 52 in 2016
The Wildcats beat West Georgia in their home opener Saturday and have entered the national rankings, at #25, for the first time as an FCS program.
To climb in the polls, they’ll have to win on the road Saturday at winless Northern Colorado. The Grizzlies have a 28-7 loss at Incarnate Word and 38-17 loss at Colorado State through two weeks.
THE PICK: ACU
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
#13 HARDIN-SIMMONS (1-0, 1-0) AT CURRY COLLEGE (0-1) - SATURDAY, 11 A.M.
First meeting in the series
The Cowboys are bound for Massachusetts for the second straight season, hoping this trip goes better than the one last year.
In 2023 HSU fell to Endicott 37-10, but Curry is not on the same level. The Colonels are in the same conference, but are coming off a 3-7 2023 and fell in their opener 28-10 at Salve Regina (in Rhode Island).
HSU cruised past Howard Payne 38-6 last week and moved up a little bit in the national polls.
THE PICK: HARDIN-SIMMONS
HOWARD PAYNE (0-1, 0-1) AT NELSON - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
Series tied 5-5
Last meeting: HPU 42, SWAGU 10 in 2023
The Yellow Jackets head to Waxahachie looking for win number one of the season Saturday.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University changed its name to Nelson University this year, and will be playing its season opener against HPU.
THE PICK: HOWARD PAYNE
LYON (1-0) AT MCMURRY (0-1) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
After a 24-20 loss at Southwestern last week the War Hawks will play their season opener, and conference opener, against Lyon College Saturday.
Lyon won 48-28 at Grinnell in Iowa last week.
THE PICK: MCMURRY
