WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
OVERALL: 124-172, 72.1%

Well now, that is a little bit better — a nearly 20 percentage jumps on the picks in week three.

However, there are some very good and tough game to pick in week four… time to see if we can get things rolling or fall back into the pit of bad picks!

*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!

TOP TEN GAMES OF THE WEEK

There were several more 11-man games that just missed the cut. Great lineup of games this week!

BLUFF DALE (3-0) AT #6 SIDNEY (2-1)

Bluff Dale leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Sidney 56, Bluff Dale 6 in 2023

The Eagles are up a couple of spots in the state rankings after their easy win over Stephenville Faith last week.

Now they host an unbeaten Bluff Dale team in week four. The Bobcats have two wins over winless teams so far, Throckmorton and Covington, and a 32-20 victory over 2-1 Brookesmith.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: SIDNEY BY 13
THE SPREAD 6MFB: SIDNEY BY 8
THE PICK: SIDNEY

HAMLIN (2-1) AT MUNDAY (3-0)

Hamlin leads series 18-11-1
Last meeting: Hamlin 38, Munday 7 in 2023

The Moguls put their perfect record on the line against a Hamlin team that has impressed over the last two weeks.

Munday won at Chico in week three and have wins over teams that are a combined 2-7 on the season.

Hamlin won at Seymour in week two and used a big second half to get past Crosbyton in week three.

This will be Munday’s early season measuring stick to just how good they really are.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MUNDAY BY 4
THE PICK: HAMLIN

SANTA ANNA (2-1) AT BLANKET (2-0-1)

Santa Anna leads series 18-12
Last meeting: Santa Anna 59, Blanket 38 in 2023

The Tigers and Mountaineers game has been shifted to Thursday, where Blanket hopes to keep their early season defensive prowess going.

Blanket leads the Big Country, allowing under five points per game on defense.

The Santa Anna offense is coming off a great performance at Ranger, where William Perry led the way with seven touchdowns in a 69-24 victory.

Blanket can score as well, and their defense will give them edge in this one.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: BLANKET BY 2
THE SPREAD 6MFB: BLANKET BY 14
THE PICK: BLANKET

BAIRD (3-0) AT VERIBEST (2-1)

Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Veribest 60, Baird 12 in 2023

The Bears look to get to 4-0 under new head coach Dale Means as they visit 2-1 Veribest.

The Falcons 45’d Bronte last week 52-6 and shut out Santa Anna 78-0 the week before. Their only loss was a 29-27 defensive battle against Zephyr in week one.

Baird knows a thing or two about defense. The Bears shut out their first two opponents and are giving up just ten points per game.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: VERIBEST BY 8
THE SPREAD 6MFB: BAIRD BY 1
THE PICK: BAIRD

HASKELL (2-1) AT ANSON (3-0)

Haskell leads series 46-45-1
Last meeting: Anson 21, Haskell 20 in 2023

Two old rivals meet again as Haskell and Anson play for the 93rd time in their history this week. The series is remarkably close after all this time, and Anson would love to get to 4-0 and even it up in the process.

The Tigers have been playing some great offense over the first three weeks, scoring 34 against Hamlin, 50 at Archer City and 49 against Dublin.

The Indians shut out TLCA Abilene 52-0 last week and got past Quanah the week before.

Look for the Tigers to have just a bit more firepower and pull this one out on their home field.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: ANSON BY 15
THE PICK: ANSON

#4 JACKSBORO (3-0) AT JIM NED (1-2)

Series tied 2-2
Last meeting: Jim Ned 14, Jacksboro 6 in 2013

After falling on a two-point try at the end of the game last week against Wall, the Indians have to get ready for what looks like an even tougher challenge against fourth-ranked Jacksboro.

The Tigers enter with a 3-0 record and are the fourth highest scoring offense in 3A Division II at 49 points per game.

The Jim Ned defense will have its hands full, and a big part of this one will be if the Indian offense can ground and pound enough to keep the ball out of the Tigers hands.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JACKSBORO BY 3
THE PICK: JACKSBORO

#5 MAY (3-0) AT #9 NEWCASTLE (3-0)

May leads series 7-5
Last meeting: May 55, Newcastle 0 in 2021

The May Tigers will face their fourth state-ranked team in as many weeks as they head north to Newcastle to face the #9 Bobcats.

May has wins over Sidney, Oglesby and Rochelle, all ranked 1A Division II teams. This will be their first contest of the season against a fellow D1 opponent, and it’s a good one at that.

Newcastle is third in 1A DI in points per game at 61, right behind #2 May who scores 67 per contest. This could be a shootout, and team with the better defense, as is often the case, will likely prevail.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: MAY BY 14
THE SPREAD 6MFB: MAY BY 24
THE PICK: MAY

DE LEON (2-1) AT #4 HAWLEY (3-0)

Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Hawley 43, De Leon 7 in 2011

De Leon has played one of the stronger schedules in the Big Country thus far, and it only gets tougher this week as they head to Hawley to face the #4 Bearcats.

De Leon has already faced #1 Stamford, now they get a Hawley squad that is giving up just nine points per game. The De Leon offense will have to continue to be potent for them to have a shot to win, while the Hawley offense has been solid all season against quality competition.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: HAWLEY BY 22
THE PICK: HAWLEY

#1 STEPHENVILLE (3-0) AT WYLIE (2-0)

Stephenville leads series 8-4
Last meeting: Wylie 42, Stephenville 32 in 2023

Wylie dominated Coronado on the road last week and looks to keep the momentum rolling as it hosts Stephenville, the number one ranked team in 4A Division I.

The Bulldogs won at Stephenville last season, so they should be confident entering this one. The biggest matchup will be the Wylie defense against a Yellow Jacket offense that averages 47 points per game, sixth best in the state in 4A D1.

Wylie’s offense has been pretty good itself, and will need to put as many points as possible on the board in what could be a shootout at Hugh Sandefer Stadium.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: STEPHENVILLE BY 22
THE PICK: STEPHENVILLE

#1 JAYTON (3-0) AT #8 KNOX CITY (3-0)

Knox City leads series 7-1
Last meeting: Jayton 46, Knox City 30 in 2021

#1 Jayton has yet to be tested this season, but that could change against Knox City this week. The Greyhounds enter as the #8 ranked team in 1A D1 and have solid wins over Klondike, Strawn, and Abilene Christian.

The Jaybirds have cruised to wins over Westbrook, Klondike, and Valley so far, ending one game in the third and two by the half. Jayton beat Klondike 50-0, while Knox City knocked them off 42-30.

THE SPREAD PIGSKIN PREP: JAYTON BY 11
THE SPREAD 6MFB: JAYTON BY 34
THE PICK: JAYTON

THE REST OF THE SCHEDULE

Midland Legacy (0-3) at Abilene High (2-1)
Legacy leads series 37-23
Last meeting: Legacy 48, Abilene 17 in 2023
The Spread: Abilene High by 3
The Pick: Abilene High

Cooper (0-3) at Lubbock Coronado (1-2)
Cooper leads series 13-6
Last meeting: Coronado 27, Cooper 21 in 2023
The Spread: Cooper by 7
The Pick: Cooper

Waco La Vega (1-2) at Brownwood (1-1)
La Vega leads series 6-2
Last meeting: La Vega 49, Brownwood 33 in 2021
The Spread: Brownwood by 5
The Pick: La Vega

Decatur (1-2) at Graham (2-1)
Graham leads series 20-8-1
Last meeting: Decatur 37, Graham 14 in 2021
The Spread: Graham by 3
The Pick: Graham

Snyder (1-2) at Clyde (1-2)
Snyder leads series 6-0
Last meeting: Snyder 37, Clyde 12 in 2011
The Spread: Clyde by 11
The Pick: Snyder

Breckenridge (0-3) at Eastland (2-1)
Breckenridge leads series 30-15-2
Last meeting: Breckenridge 41, Eastland 35 in 2023
The Spread: Eastland by 23
The Pick: Eastland

Comanche (2-1) at Tolar (2-1)
Series tied 5-5
Last meeting: Tolar 41, Comanche 18 in 2023
The Spread: Comanche by 3
The Pick: Comanche

Sweetwater (1-2) at Lubbock Estacado (1-2)
Estacado leads series 12-8-1
Last meeting: Estacado 49, Sweetwater 14 in 2023
The Spread: Pick ‘em
The Pick: Estacado

#5 Albany (1-2) at Merkel (0-3)
Albany leads series 19-3
Last meeting: Albany 43, Merkel 20 in 2010
The Spread: Albany by 37
The Pick: Albany

Brady (2-1) at Ballinger (3-0)
Ballinger leads 59-35-1
Last meeting: Brady 34, Ballinger 27 in 2023
The Spread: Brady by 2
The Pick: Ballinger

Bowie (2-1) at Dublin (0-3)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Bowie by 15
The Pick: Dublin

Peaster (2-1) at Early (1-2)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Peaster by 26
The Pick: Peaster

Grape Creek (1-2) at Colorado City (0-3)
Colorado City leads 8-2
Last meeting: Colorado City 51, Grape Creek 0 in 2011
The Spread: Grape Creek by 6
The Pick: Colorado City

Cisco (2-1) at Coleman (0-3)
Coleman leads series 24-19
Last meeting: Coleman 31, Cisco 7 in 2021
The Spread: Cisco by 11
The Pick: Cisco

Roscoe (0-2) at #1 Stamford (3-0)
Roscoe leads 7-6
Last meeting: Roscoe 37, Stamford 26 in 2021
The Spread: Stamford by 49
The Pick: Stamford

Bangs (1-2) at TLCA Abilene (0-3)
First meeting in series
The Spread: Bangs by 26
The Pick: Bangs

Cross Plains (2-1) vs Tahoka (2-1) at Snyder
First meeting in series
The Spread: Tahoka by 14
The Pick: Tahoka

Miles (3-0) at Eldorado (1-2)
Eldorado leads 13-2
Last meeting: Eldorado 64, Miles 14 in 2021
The Spread: Miles by 26
The Pick: Miles

Iraan (3-0) at Winters (1-2)
Winters leads series 2-1
Last meeting: Winters 40, Iraan 6 in 2019
The Spread: Iraan by 41
The Pick: Iraan

Midland Holy Cross (1-2) at Highland (1-2)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Highland by 8
The Spread 6MFB: Highland by 21
The Pick: Highland

Ira (2-1) at O’Donnell (1-2)
Ira leads 6-0
Last meeting: Ira 47, O’Donnell 0 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Ira by 15
The Spread 6MFB: Ira by 4
The Pick: Ira

Petersburg (1-2) at Roby (2-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Petersburg by 17
The Spread 6MFB: Petersburg by 45
The Pick: Petersburg

Northside (2-1) at Rotan (2-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Northside by 11
The Spread 6MFB: Northside by 25
The Pick: Northside

Nazarene Christian (3-0) at #1 Gordon (3-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gordon by 30
The Spread 6MFB: Gordon by 45
The Pick: Gordon

Gorman (1-2) at Iredell (2-1)
Series tied 1-1
Last meeting: Iredell 64, Gorman 18 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Iredell by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Iredell by 34
The Pick: Iredell

Cranfills Gap (0-3) at Ranger (0-3)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Cranfills Gap by 2
The Spread 6MFB: Ranger by 1
The Pick: Ranger

Blackwell (0-3) at Robert Lee (1-2)
Robert Lee leads series 8-2
Last meeting: Robert Lee 58, Blackwell 8 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Robert Lee by 28
The Spread 6MFB: Robert Lee by 45
The Pick: Robert Lee

Menard (1-1-1) at Bronte (1-2)
Bronte leads series 14-13-1
Last meeting: Menard 56, Bronte 28 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Menard by 7
The Spread 6MFB: Menard by 14
The Pick: Menard

Sands (2-1) at Loraine (1-2)
Loraine leads 18-10-1
Last meeting: Sands 70, Loraine 62 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Sands by 24
The Spread 6MFB: Sands by 45
The Pick: Sands

Lohn (2-1) at Olfen (0-1)
Lohn leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Lohn 53, Olfen 6 on 9/20
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Lohn by 24
The Spread 6MFB: Lohn by 45
The Pick: Lohn

Trent (1-2) at Rule (1-2)
Series tied 10-10
Last meeting: Rule 58, Trent 8 in 2016
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rule by 16
The Spread 6MFB: Rule by 45
The Pick: Rule

Amarillo Holy Cross (1-1) at #8 Benjamin (1-1)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Benjamin by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Benjamin by 45
The Pick: Benjamin

Woodson (3-0) at Aspermont (1-2)
Woodson leads 7-3-1
Last meeting: Woodson 68, Aspermont 46 in 2007
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Woodson by 1
The Spread 6MFB: Aspermont by 18
The Pick: Woodson

Lueders-Avoca (0-3) at Three Way (3-0)
First meeting in series
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Three Way by 38
The Spread 6MFB: Three Way by 45
The Pick: Three Way

Patton Springs (2-1) at Paint Creek (2-1)
Series tied 4-4-1
Last meeting: Paint Creek 27, Patton Springs 13 in 2010
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Paint Creek by 24
The Spread 6MFB: Paint Creek by 39
The Pick: Paint Creek

Moran (1-2) at Mullin (1-2)
Mullin leads 8-3
Last meeting: Moran 68, Mullin 67 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Mullin by 17
The Spread 6MFB: Mullin by 37
The Pick: Mullin

Bryson (2-1) at Strawn (1-2)
Strawn leads series 25-7
Last meeting: Strawn 56, Bryson 0 in 2021
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Strawn by 5
The Spread 6MFB: Strawn by 22
The Pick: Strawn

Priddy (0-2) at Gustine (2-0)
Gustine leads 3-0
Last meeting: Gustine 46, Priddy 32 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Gustine by 29
The Spread 6MFB: Gustine by 42
The Pick: Gustine

Rising Star (1-2) at Paint Rock (0-2)
Rising Star leads 5-1
Last meeting: Rising Star 54, Paint Rock 6 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Rising Star by 19
The Spread 6MFB: Rising Star by 45
The Pick: Rising Star

Lingleville (0-2) at #9 Zephyr (3-0)
Zephyr leads series 4-0
Last meeting: Zephyr 78, Lingleville 20 in 2017
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Zephyr by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Zephyr by 45
The Pick: Zephyr

#2 Richland Springs (3-0) at Burkeville (0-1)
Richland Springs leads series 1-0
Last meeting: Richland Springs 70, Burkeville 20 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Richland Springs by 45
The Spread 6MFB: Richland Springs by 45
The Pick: Richland Springs

Abilene Christian (1-2) at Lubbock Kingdom Prep (3-0)
ACS leads series 3-2
Last meeting: ACS 56, Kingdom Prep 8 in 2023
The Spread Pigskin Prep: Kingdom Prep by 6
The Spread 6MFB: ACS by 34
The Pick: Abilene Christian

COLLEGE

#4 IDAHO (2-1) AT #19 ACU (2-1) - SATURDAY, 7 P.M.

First meeting in series

The Wildcats have their toughest FCS test to date and maybe of the entire season as they host fourth ranked Idaho Saturday.

ACU escaped with a last-second field goal to beat Northern Colorado last week, and now get ready for a Vandal team that only fell 24-14 at nationally ranked Oregon, beat Wyoming the road 17-13, and beat U Albany 41-13 last week.

ACU is ranked #19 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and #23 in the FCS Coaches Poll. Idaho is ranked #4 in both polls.

This will be the first top 25 match-up of ACU's Division I era
The last time ACU was ranked and played a ranked opponent was Sept. 8, 2012 when #9 ACU lost to #23 Texas A&M-Kingsville at Shotwell Stadium (Division II)
Saturday will be the first-ever meeting between ACU and Idaho. ACU will complete the home-and-home series by visiting Idaho in 2026.
ACU is 3-8 vs. nationally ranked teams in the Div. I era with wins over #24 Stephen F. Austin (2014), #11 Nichols (2018) and #15 Nicholls (2019).
ACU's next home game is Oct. 5 vs. Central Arkansas, which is currently ranked #8. The final two home opponents (Eastern Kentucky and Southern Utah) are both receiving votes in at least one of the national polls.

THE PICK: IDAHO

HOWARD PAYNE (0-2, 0-1) AT LYON (1-1, 0-1) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.

Howard Payne leads series 1-0
Last meeting: HPU 85, Lyon 0 in 2023

The Yellow Jackets are off to a 0-2 start and looking for win number one of the season as they head to Arkansas to face Lyon.

Lyon was in Abilene last week, falling to McMurry 48-6, while HPU dropped a 29-27 decision at Newman.

THE PICK: HOWARD PAYNE

TEXAS LUTHERAN (2-0, 1-0) AT MCMURRY (1-1, 1-0) - SATURDAY, 6 P.M.

TLU leads series 21-14
Last meeting: McMurry 36, TLU 33 in 2023

The War Hawks have a big conference games on their hands already this young season when they host Texas Lutheran.

The Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Trinity 35-20 and Centenary 31-8 to kickoff the season.

McMurry fell at Southwestern in week one before trouncing Lyon last week in the home opener.

This is the first of two SCAC meetings between the teams that look to be the favorites to win the conference.

THE PICK: TEXAS LUTHERAN

TRINITY VALLEY (1-1, 0-1) AT CISCO COLLEGE (0-1, 0-0) - SATURDAY, 2 P.M.

It’s the SWJCFC opener for the Wranglers Saturday when they welcome Trinity Valley to town.

The Cardinals are coming off a 14-7 overtime loss at Tyler last week in their conference opener and beat Independence, Kansas (of Last Chance U fame on Netflix a few years ago) 37-30 in their opener.

The Wranglers were off last week and fell to Coffeyville, Kansas at home 37-19 two weeks ago.

THE PICK: TRINITY VALLEY

Blitz Picks - Week 4

WEEK 1: 33-47, 70.2%
WEEK 2: 39-61, 63.9%
WEEK 3: 52-64, 81.3%
OVERALL: 124-172, 72.1%