Chieftain sports staff football picks

LUKE LYONS

Last week: 6-3. Overall: 12-4, .750.

South at Centennial: South will kick off its season against a winless Centennial team. Centennial has the benefit of practice, but South should be ready. Colts win, 24-10.

Central at East: This is going to be a competitive contest. Both teams are tough. East is a bit better in terms of finding the endzone. I'll give the Eagles the advantage. East wins 21-17.

Durango at Pueblo County: This is a huge game in terms of league standings. Pueblo County can really make a case for the playoffs with a win. I'll go with the home Hornets, 31-28.

Pueblo West at Mesa Ridge: Pueblo West looks to continue its eight-quarter shutout streak, as long as its 14-game league win streak on the road against Mesa Ridge. 

Colorado Springs Christian at Rye: CSC is tough to beat, even at home. Going to be a long, cold night for the Thunderbolts. Christian wins, 34-17.

Swink at Dolores Huerta: Both teams enter 1-1 overall. DHPH is still a bit away from being a contender. I'll give Swink the edge. Lions win, 17-14.

Air Force at San Jose State: San Jose State lost to Air Force last season. The Falcons are still solid defensively and are always a threat to run the ball. I'll give the Falcons the edge. Air Force wins, 16-9.

Nebraska at Ohio State: The Ohio State will have little to no trouble against the Cornhuskers. Buckeyes win, 41-17.

Baylor at Texas: I shalt not ever pick Texas to win. Bears win, 45-44.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: Tough game for the Broncos coming off their big win over New England last week. I think Denver will play KC close, but ultimately I'll give the edge to Sir Patrick Mahomes and company. Chiefs edge the Broncos, 20-17.

JEFF LETOFSKY

Last week: 8-2. Overall: 12-5, 705.

South at Centennial: Colts finally get onto the gridiron and take out their frustrations on the Bulldogs. South 32-6.

Central at East: A good intra-city matchup that should be a touchdown game.

Durango at Pueblo County: This could be the game that propels the Hornets into the playoffs against the No. 2-ranked Demons.

Pueblo West at Mesa Ridge: Cyclones have scored 75 points in two games and given up zero, zilch. Could be another shutout. P-Dub 33-0.

Colorado Springs Christian at Rye: CSCS is among the top 10 in the 1A ranks. That doesn't bode well for the T-bolts, who were shut out last week. Lions 38-12.

Swink at Dolores Huerta: Was hoping the Scorpions would enter this game with a 2-0 record. But they should still show well again. Swink 30-20.

Air Force at San Jose State: I've seen the Falcons play and have been impressed. That's all I need. Falcons 31-10.

Nebraska at Ohio State: Tough to pick these games as we know very little at this early juncture of the season. I'm a homer. Buckeyes 31-24.

Baylor at Texas: Showdown in the state of Texas. Have to go with the home team for no other reason than I like the Longhorns. Texas 30-21.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: Chiefs are on a short week where they have to travel. Denver has been waiting for this game all season. Broncos 24-21.

AUSTIN WHITE

Last week: 4-5. Overall: 8-8, .5.

South at Centennial: South has been off for a couple weeks and I feel that could be a potential advantage. Colts start their even shorter season with a W. Colts 47-10

Central at East: Central's ground game is no joke with their stable of backs, but I think East's athleticism proves too much. Eagles 28-21.

Durango at Pueblo County: Durango seems like the best team in the state to me. They have playmakers all over the field and size up front. But I think County is ready to make a huge statement. Hornets 34-33.

Pueblo West at Mesa Ridge: The Cyclones' defense is a machine and nothing changes on the road against Mesa Ridge. PW 45-0.

Colorado Springs Christian at Rye: CSC is one of the best programs in Class 1A and Rye is still trying to build to that point. CSC 34-6..

Swink at Dolores Huerta: DHPH's defense is strong this year, now the offense needs to get it going. I think they can do it in their second home game of the year. DHPH 20-16..

Air Force at San Jose State: San Jose State wouldn't be a good FCS program. Air Force 44-7.

Nebraska at Ohio State: THE Ohio State isn't going to start off with a loss to some cornhuskers. Buckeyes 36-20.

Baylor at Texas: Texas lost barely to Oklahoma last week, so I think they can handle Baylor alright. UT 44-23.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: Impressive road win for the Broncos last week, but Mahomes hasn't had problems going against Denver in his career so far. Chiefs 40-19..

NOTE: If games are postponed or canceled, picks will won't be reflected in the results

Chieftain interim sports editor Jeff Letofsky can be reached by email at jletofsky@chieftain.com or at twitter.com/JeffLetofsky. Help support local journalism with a subscription to the Chieftain at chieftain.com/subscribenow.