Here are my picks for the weekend:
Ravens 24, Chiefs 7
They’re just better. But not 30+ points a game offensively.
Maryland 20, James Madison 6
Madison brings in two new quarterbacks, which makes me think they’ll struggle offensively.
Navy 34, Louisiana Tech 24
This should be fun for the Mids, at least early on
Akron 44, Morgan State 13
It might not be that close. Not that the Zips are particularly good.
Perry Hall 16, Overlea 12
The Gators can’t open 0-2, can they?
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Thursday’s WNST Blogs:
Glenn Clark says Cam Cameron plans on going ‘Receiver by Committee’ offensively
Drew Forrester picks Ravens to win AFC North; Glenn Clark says Wild Card with Suggs as Defensive Player of the Year
Nestor Aparicio says Chris McAlister said he’s returning to NFL next week
Nestor Aparicio picks Ravens to win Super Bowl
Rex Snider celebrating Purple Friday on 9/11
Keith Melchior picks Ravens to top Giants in Super Bowl
Lawson Lambert picks Ravens 2nd in AFC North, Wild Card winner
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says M&T Bank Stadium ranked 2nd best in NFL by Rick Gosselin of Dallas Morning News
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Marshal Yanda, Mark Clayton both expected to play vs. KC Sunday
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says ‘continuity’ expected with Greg Mattison taking over Rex Ryan’s defense
The Official Site says Greg Mattison thinks streak of not allowing 100 yard rusher ‘important’ to Ravens defense
Kansas City Chiefs Official Site says Matt Cassel, Brandon Flowers, Terrance Copper all ‘limited’ in practice
Kansas City Chiefs Official Site says Haley thinks decision on Cassel will go ‘down to the wire’
Kansas City Chiefs Official Site says QB Cassel feels knee ‘making progress’
Kansas City Chiefs Official Site says Flacco may have given RB Larry Johnson ‘bulletin board material’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says finding weapons for Flacco still issues for Ravens
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Hauschka knows creating reputation in Stover’s shadow ‘won’t be easy’
The Sun’s Ken Murray says Pryce believes Mattison’s defense not as ‘violent’ as Rex Ryan’s
The Sun says Chiefs 0-3 all time at M&T Bank Stadium
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens need ‘improvement’ from Flacco, ‘motivation’ from defense, ‘breakthrough’ from Ray Rice
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says health of WR’s Mason, Clayton, success of K Hauschka, consistency of CB’s Washington, Foxworth all potential problem areas for Ravens
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Flacco no Brady or Manning, but Ravens don’t need him to be
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Antwan Barnes facing off with former teammate Dwayne Bowe
The Sun’s Ken Murray explains why he thinks Ravens will win Super Bowl
The Sun’s Edward Lee says ST Coordinator Rosburg told Gano to ‘stay ready’ after cut
The Sun’s Edward Lee says LJ Smith didn’t practice again
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens ‘targeting’ Larry Johnson
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens worked out free agent punter Glenn Pakulak
Kansas City Star’s Kent Babb says Haley hasn’t indicated if Tyler Thigpen or Brodie Croyle would start should Cassel not be able to go
Kansas City Star’s Adam Teicher says Flacco’s comments posted in Chiefs’ locker room
SI’s Peter King picks Ravens 33-9
NFL.com says Ravens have won 5 straight home games in September
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt will be watching DJ Johnson vs. Ray Rice Sunday
NFL.com’s Vic Carucci says defenses will be more ‘familiar’ with Flacco in 2nd season
Fox Sports’ Joe Concha says Ravens-Colts, Ravens-Steelers will help to determine entire NFL season
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco picks Ravens 27-10
ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons picks Ravens to finish 12-4, win Wild Card
ESPN.com’s James Walker picks Ravens 24-10
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Roberts has shot to be first player to reach 60 doubles since ‘36
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says MacPhail thinks minor league system had ‘very good year’
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Arrieta, Xavier Avery, Josh Bell, Zach Britton, Erbe, Hobgood, Steve Johnson, Luis Lebron, Brandon Snyder, Waring all players in O’s organization worth watching
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Matusz to receive Jim Palmer Award as top pitcher, Waring to receive Brooks Robinson Award as top player in organization
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Birds opened Rookie of the Year campaign for Reimold
Examiner Jay Trucker says 2009 Birds “Why Bother” team (BRILLIANT!)
Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown has O’s 27th in power rankings
The Official Site says Tyser Tower dedicated Thursday before Saturday’s home opener
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Ralph wants to get Gary Douglas into tomorrow’s game
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Jamari McCullough will miss JMU game
The Diamondback’s Eric Detweiler says Terps ‘must’ improve Saturday vs. Madison
The Diamondback’s Jeremy Schneider says not all suites, mezzanine seats sold at refurbished Byrd Stadium
The Diamondback’s Greg Schimmel says Chris Turner thinks JMU game ‘very, very important’
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says senior associate AD Ullmann heard ‘not right now’ frequently from fans regarding purchasing luxury seats for football games
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Tony Logan questionable, Kenny Tate will handle punt returns
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps hoping for ‘improvement’ from WR’s after Adrian Cannon, Ronnie Tyler, Torrey Smith only receivers with catches vs. Golden Bears
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says James Franklin thinks Turner could be All-ACC Candidate
Washington Times’ Harrison Goodman thinks ACC should give up revenue to CAA if Dukes join William & Mary, Richmond in beating ACC teams
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Dukes to pick up $325,000 check for game at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens picks Terps 20-9
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says RB Porzel, FB Berman remain OUT for Terps
Harrisonburg Daily News Record’s Mike Barber says Terps will look to pressure Dukes QB’s Justin Thorpe, Drew Dudzik
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says ‘large contingent’ of JMU fans expected in College Park Saturday
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says DC Don Brown thought Cal ‘exposed (Maryland’s) weaknesses’ (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says Ralph happy with week of practice preparing for JMU (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says freshman kicker Ferrara ‘broke the ice’ with first game at California (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem profiles freshman DE Isaiah Ross (must subscribe)
Inside MD Sports’ Seth Hoffman says injury to Bruce Campbell ‘wrinkles’ O-Line
Inside MD Sports’ Seth Hoffman says Terrell Skinner thinks Terps ‘humbled’ by blowout loss in Berkeley
Inside MD Sports’ Jeff Ermann says Virginia TE prospect Josh Lovell’s verbal ‘all but done deal’ for Terps
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Mids commit to playing in 2012 Emerald Bowl
The Official Site says $10 tickets available to kids wearing football or cheerleading uniforms to Saturday’s game against Louisiana Tech
Louisiana Tech Official Site previews tomorrow’s opener at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Louisiana Tech Official Site offers complete Midshipmen/Bulldogs release (pdf)
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Joe Buckley kicker, but Niumatalolo may use Jon Teague for 40+ yard kicks
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Tyler Simmons like extra starting LB for Mids
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Mids would face Pac-10 opponent in San Francisco in ‘12
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Cameron Marshall brings two tours of Iraq, Marines experience to DE spot with Mids
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Mids must limit La Tech WR/KR Livas
Washington Post’s Matt Bonesteel says San Fran game means Mids have postseason appearances nailed down through 2013
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says AD Gladchuk has given Mids ‘long term stability’
Go Mids offers quick facts on Navy, La Tech
The Official Site previews Hopkins/Randolph-Macon
The Official Site offers complete JHU/Randolph-Macon release (pdf)
LOYOLA LACROSSE:
The Official Site says former Hound P.T. Ricci selected by Philadelphia Wings in NLL Draft
The Official Site says Mariners brought back WR Scorpio Brown
Daily Racing Form’s Joe DeVivo says Laurel fall session opens tomorrow
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-I’ll say Derek Jeter breaks Lou Gehrig’s record in his first at-bat tonight. And I won’t care much. Screw the Yankees.
Talk to you this weekend.
-G
Comments on Facebook