This has been excruciating.
The Ravens are better now than they were when they lost 13-10 to the Titans; but the Titans are better as well.
The Ravens have looked EXTREMEMLY impressive in their last 3 games; but the Titans absolutely MANHANDLED a Steelers team that beat the Ravens twice.
This has been painful to try to pick.
Ravens 19, Titans 16
The Titans’ offense will struggle; but will hit a big play at some point. The Ravens MUST play from ahead, as the Titans defense will be even better if they establish an early advantage. Call me a homer if you want; but I think this team is ready to make the plays when needed.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say……
Best of Thursday’s WNST Blogs:
Nestor Aparicio says McNair back IN as party host tonight
Nestor Aparicio says Flacco getting comparison to Sesame Street character
Alex Thomas says Titans defense feels need to ‘prove themselves’
Casey Willett says Harbaugh disappointed Modell eliminated from Hall of Fame consideration
Casey Willett says excitement evidence at Ravens Nest event
Keith Melchior says ‘both teams will be ready’ Saturday
Nestor Aparicio says Reed could have even covered President Bush vs. shoe
Drew Forrester says Orioles, Caps, UMBC, Towson all pitch in to help Maryvale
Bob Haynie says Terps must do better than 8-8 in conference play
Jason Jubb starting to think it’s time for Gary to ‘move on’ from Maryland
Ed Frankovic gives highest first half praise to Ovechkin, Boudreau, Varlamov, Alzner
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Rex Ryan candidate for Jets, Lions, Rams
The Official Site details Purple Friday events
The Official Site says Harbaugh thought players ‘sharp’ in practice Thursday
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Flacco thought his play ‘boneheaded’ in first loss to Titans
The Official Site’s Daniel Wilcox says team knows ‘what’s at stake’ tomorrow
NFL.com’s Thomas George says Titans defense nothing to sneeze at
Titans Official Site says Fisher thinks Titans ‘anxious to play’
The AP’s Teresa Walker says tomorrow opens ‘new chapter’ in Ravens-Titans rivalry
The AP’s Teresa Walker says Ravens, Titans to play another ‘classic’
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says L. McClain’s life ‘changed’ by birth of daughter
4 of 7 Sun writers pick Ravens
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens need to harass Collins, force turnovers, and play 4 quarters of defense
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Ravens will have ‘hands full’ with Titans’ D-Line
The Sun’s Mike Preston says HoF safety Houston thinks Reed amongst greatest ever
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens want to be just 2nd 6th seed to beat top seed
The Sun looks back on regular season loss to Titans
The Sun’s Ray Frager says Ravens’ ratings up 12 percent this season
The Sun’s Mike Preston says picking Titans ‘logical’
The Sun’s Mike Preston says passing on Rex Ryan shows Browns ‘clueless’
The Sun’s Bill Ordine says Fuller can’t hide Baltimore past
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says DC Schwartz another Baltimore Titan
The Examiner’s Phil Macek thinks Reed ‘in Collins’ head’
The Examiner’s Steve DeClue says Titans will have to battle Ngata with backup center
Aaron Wilson says Anderson, Ravens have been ‘perfect fit’
Aaron Wilson says Heap doesn’t practice again, says he’ll be ready to go Saturday
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Rex ‘building resume’ as defense continues to roll
The Tennessean’s Gary Estwick says reserve center L. Harris facing ‘most daunting task’ of his career
The Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt says WNST’s Aparicio thinks Titans fans should ‘ease up’ on McNair
Nashville City Paper’s Terry McCormick says Collins has own Ravens demons to exercise
Nashville City Paper’s Terry McCormick picks Titans 17-16
Nashville City Paper’s Terry McCormick says WNST’s Clark (that’s me!) reports McNair doing event for ‘charity’
ESPN.com Page 2’s Bill Simmons picks Titans 19-10
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Reed fan of Polamalu
ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky says Titans fans haven’t forgotten about ‘01
4 of 5 ESPN Sunday Countdown Analysts pick Titans (When did Tom Jackson get on the bandwagon?)
ESPN.com’s John Clayton says Mawae’s absence could ‘hurt Titans’ vs. Ngata, Ravens
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt says Suggs vs. Roos will be interesting matchup
Fox Sports’ Adam Schein says Ravens’ defense ‘most difficult to prepare for’
Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez says Flacco ‘grew up’ after loss to Titans
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer picks Titans 20-17
CBS Sports’ Charley Casserly thinks Ravens will win
Yahoo! Sports’ Jason Cole says Flacco not only rookie playing tomorrow with ‘chip on shoulder’
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Georgia Tech ‘clearly vulnerable’
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps have been ‘susceptible’ to struggling on offensive boards
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Jackets winning with ‘force’
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Gary wants more free throw attempts
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Gary thought Terps played about six good minutes vs. Morgan
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says ‘match-ups’ hurt Terps vs. Morgan
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Vasquez critical of himself after game
DC Examiner’s Rick Snider thinks Terps ‘probably will be fine’ entering ACC play
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says Terps looking to ‘regroup’ as ACC play begins tomorrow (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter profiles prospect Roscoe Smith (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The AP says Terps open on 20-0 run, cruise to win over Wake Forest
The Sun’s Patrick Gutierrez says 6,000 see Terps knock off Deacs
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Brenda thinks Terps made ‘statement’ before Monday’s Duke showdown
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says Cloud thought Maryland commitment ‘easy decision’ (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Sun says Portis felt he had ‘to move on’ from Maryland
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says ‘bond with coaches’ brought deSouza to Maryland
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says North Carolina game may have sealed Portis’ fate at Maryland
The Examiner’s Ben Shlesinger hopes Portis succeeds in future
Washington Post’s Josh Barr says Hawkins still committed to Terps, could take other visits
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Portis’ role would have been ‘in question’ had he returned
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says T. Logan, R. Tyler, T. Smith all candidates to return punts next season
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says ‘potential’ wasn’t enough for Portis
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps hurting for depth behind Turner next season
TOWSON BASKETBALL:
The Official Site previews tomorrow’s trip to Northeastern
The Official Site offers complete Towson-Northeastern release (pdf)
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Donatelli to return to staff
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Tuani to be honored by ECAC
ESPN.com’s Robert Weintraub remembers Navy-Texas after JFK assassination
MT. ST. MARY’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says 8 ‘Eers scored at least 8 points in win over Fairleigh Dickinson
Carroll County Times’ Bob Blubaugh says ‘Eers get first NEC victory
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says ‘Eers improve to 6-9 overall with win
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Hounds return home to face Fairfield tonight
The Examiner’s Dave Carey previews tonight’s contest with Fairfield
MORGAN BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Mike Klingaman says win over Terps still resonating for Bears
The Examiner’s Sean Welsh says Holmes thinks Bears best college hoops team in state
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Bears putting together historic resume for MEAC team
COPPIN BASKETBALL:
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says McKee playing like ‘NBA Draft prospect’
ORIOLES:
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says availability of Hudson slowing trade talks for Roberts
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. thinks Bergesen will have similar season to Penn at Norfolk
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Ft. Myers could be new Spring Training home for Orioles
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says J. Castro signs with Dodgers
The Examiner’s Jay Trucker says Wigginton could be possibility for Birds
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Congratulations to SunTrust Athlete of the Morning: The Calvert Hall Marching Band. I was informed that the band won a competition at the Orange Bowl; and performed last night at the BCS Championship Game. Good stuff, Congratulations to the Cardinals.
-Maryland 72, Georgia Tech 66. But they will have to play from behind.
-Northeastern 80, Towson 68. Towson is not at the top of the CAA yet.
-UMBC 75, Maine 72. They have revenge on their minds from last year.
-Morgan State 68, North Carolina A&T 57. Todd Bozeman will NOT let his team rest on one big win.
-Coppin State 63, Norfolk State 49. The Eagles are out to prove that they are still in the top tier of the MEAC.
I’m sticking around this weekend; so I’ll see you tonight at Maryvale; and I’ll be in College Park for Maryland-Georgia Tech before the Ravens game tomorrow. Talk to you then.
-G
Comments on Facebook