Some of craziest games happened this past week since the start of this column in 1988.
Jonathan Alder beat Bellefontaine in what some may consider an upset.
Oklahoma had a wild finish to beat Texas.
The Bengals lost because they couldn’t get a field goal and the Packers could.
The Browns lost a shootout in LA to the Chargers.
All-in all, it was still a pretty good week for the Pickers.
The worst records were 9-3, turned in by sports editor Tim Miller and managing editor Chad Williamson.
Publisher Kevin Behrens continues to lead this titanic struggle.
He went 11-1, while reporter Mac Cordell and sports writer Aleksei Pavloff were both 10-2.
Behrens leads the race with a season record of 56-17.
Cordell is 54-19, Miller stands at 53-20, Williamson sits at 50-23 and Pavloff is 20-11.
Our guest pickers are Dean Cook of Dean Cook Nationwide Insurance, Dave Laslow of Donato’s Pizza, Bob VanHoose of VanHoose Garage Doors and Rob Eubanks of Eubanks Electric.
A note: Ohio State is on a bye week.
Marysville-Olentangy Berlin
Williamson: Marysville by 9
Miller: Marysville by 7
Behrens: Marysville by 1
Cordell: Monarchs by 2
Pavloff: Marysville by 14
Cook: Marysville by 12
Laslow: Marysville by 6
Van Hoose: Marysville by 7
Eubanks: Marysville by 4
Fairbanks-West
Jefferson
Williamson: West Jeff by 17
Miller: West Jefferson by 10
Behrens: WJHS by 2
Cordell: Roughriders by 11
Pavloff: West Jefferson by 7
Cook: Fairbanks by 3
Laslow: Fairbanks by 7
Van Hoose: Fairbanks by 6
Eubanks: Fairbanks by 3
North Union-
Indian Lake
Williamson: NU by 10
Miller: NU by 6
Behrens: NU by 3
Cordell: Wildcats by 7
Pavloff: North Union by 7
Cook: North Union by 21
Laslow: NU by 7
Van Hoose: NU by 7
Eubanks: NU by 11
Jonathan Alder-
Tecumseh
Williamson: Jonathan Alder by 9
Miller: Jonathan Alder by 7
Behrens: Jonathan Alder by 4
Cordell: Pioneers by 12
Pavloff: JA by 14
Cook: Jonathan Alder by 6
Laslow: JA by 7
Van Hoose: JA by 6
Eubanks: JA by 6
Triad-Northeastern
Williamson: Northeastern by 7
Miller: Northeastern by 7
Behrens: Northeastern by 5
Cordell: Jets by 16
Pavloff: Northeastern by 10
Cook: Triad by 3
Laslow: Triad by 6
VanHoose: Triad by 6
Eubanks: Triad by 4
Kentucky-Georgia
Williamson: Georgia by 14
Miller: Georgia by 10
Behrens: Georgia by 6
Cordell: Dawgs by 2
Pavloff: Georgia by 21
Cook: Georgia by 6
Laslow: Georgia by 10
VanHoose: Georgia by 7
Eubanks: Georgia by 6
Oklahoma State-Texas
Williamson: OK State by 9
Miller: OK State by 6
Behrens: Texas by 7
Cordell: Horns by 1
Pavloff: OK State by 7
Cook: Oklahoma State by 12
Laslow: Texas by 7
VanHoose: Texas by 3
Eubanks: Oklahoma State by 7
Browns-Cardinals
Williamson: Cardinals by 3
Miller: Cardinals by 6
Behrens: Cardinals by 8
Cordell: Arizona by 2
Cook: Browns by 14
Pavloff: Cardinals by 14
Laslow: Browns by 6
VanHoose: Browns by 6
Eubanks: Browns by 7
Bengals-Lions
Williamson: Bengals by 10
Miller: Bengals by 10
Behrens: Bengals by 9
Cordell: Cincinnati by 11
Pavloff: Lions by 3
Cook: Bengals by 14
Laslow: Bengals by 21
VanHoose: Bengals by 6
Eubanks: Bengals by 14
Disclaimers:
Williamson: “I thought the Darby game at home this year was big, but Friday night at Marysville will be a huge game. If not for the threat of rain, it would probably be the biggest crowd the stadium has seen. There will be a lot of eyes on that game and I look for Berlin to head home disappointed. NU/Indian Lake is another shootout. Like I said in the Journal-Tribune Podcast this week, people in Indian Lake like this team and are feeling confident. I still think NU is a better team.”
Miller: “The Monarchs face another big challenge on Friday. However, I feel they will remain unbeaten by the end of the evening.”
Behrens: “Doesn’t look like there will be much change in the standings this week besides Pavloff’s Lions pick.”
Cordell: “Fairbanks has a tough stretch to close the season. WJ is not the killer it has been in the past, but the Riders are really good. I am, historically, bullish on UGA, but I think this Kentucky team is very good, especially on defense and expect the Cats will be surprisingly competitive for a basketball school.”
Pavloff: “Joe Burrow needs to learn how to slide. I’m taking the hungry Lions this week.”
Cook: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Laslow: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Van Hoose: “Good luck to the local teams!”
Eubanks: “Good luck to the local teams!”