Here are your weekend picks:
Ravens 24, Bengals 16
Everything comes down to red zone defense. If the Ravens keep Ochocinco and Benson out of the end zone, they’ll win. If they don’t…..this one could be close.
Wake Forest 30, Maryland 27
I think Maryland is improving; but they have ALWAYS struggled with outside running. If Wake can get the ball outside early, the Terps will be in trouble.
Navy 34, Rice 17
Rice is not any good at all. Navy hasn’t been putting up points the way they have in the past; but they won’t have a problem against the Owls.
Towson 10, Rhode Island 9
It won’t be pretty. But I think Rob Ambrose’s spirit can will his team to another win Saturday.
Morgan State 23, North Carolina A&T 10
The Bears are playing good football. They won’t lose at Hughes Stadium.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Thursday’s WNST Blogs:
Glenn Clark says Le’Ron McClain ‘disappointed’ he hasn’t been on field in big short yardage situations
Rex Snider suggests ideas for 2010 promotions at Camden Yards
Bob Haynie wonders if Flacco or Palmer will have more passing yards Sunday
Thyrl Nelson thinks Flacco, McGahee, Mason Top 10 Fantasy plays vs. Cincy
Rex Snider still would take Terrell Owens with Ravens
Tom Clayton says Ravens need ‘big play’ from Ed Reed
Ed Frankovic says Caps ‘lethargic’ in 4-3 loss to Rangers
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Chris Carr, Lardarius Webb will continue to be involved in return game
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Jarret Johnson, Derrick Mason returned to practice; Jared Gaither, Demetrius Williams remained out
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Reed will be ‘tested’ by Carson Palmer
The Official Site says Rosburg believes Ayanbadejo will return to team to work as ‘assistant coach’
The Official Site says Terrell Suggs knows Ravens ‘can’t stop being aggressive’ even with penalties against New England
The Official Site says Bengals returned 250 tickets for Sunday’s game; available via Ticketmaster
Bengals Official Site says Cedric Benson would like to be 2nd Cincinnati RB to snap long Ravens streak of not allowing 100 yard rusher (Corey Dillon snapped a 50 game streak in ’01)
The Sun’s Ken Murray says high draft picks Keith Rivers, Maualuga, Leon Hall, Jonathan Joseph paying off for Bengals
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens need to run football, protect Flacco, get big returns
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens must avoid turnovers, stay strong defensively in red zone, and can’t allow Bengals to put together dramatic drive late
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Jeff Triplette’s crew will officiate Ravens-Bengals Sunday; crew led NFL in holding calls last season
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says defense trying to ‘mesh’ with Greg Mattison
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Lardarius Webb will be primary kick returner Sunday
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Jarret Johnson knows defense supports Mattison
The Sun’s Mike Preston wonders if Tavares Gooden better served playing safety
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Lardarius Webb can get ‘wild’
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Reed, Ngata, Gooden fully practiced
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain, Dannell Ellerbe will all play Sunday
The Sun remembers Flacco winning NFL debut last season against Cincinnati in Baltimore
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens ‘comfortable’ if Oher has to start at LT
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Chris Carr remains primary punt returner, nickel back
Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Erardi says Bengals DT Tank Johnson believes Ravens capable of running for 300 yards or throwing for 300 yards
Dayton Daily News’ Kyle Nagel says Ray Lewis believes there’s still something special about facing Marvin Lewis
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger and Joe Theismann picked Ravens, Shannon Sharpe picked Bengals
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt looking forward to seeing Bengals’ Andrew Whitworth vs. Ravens’ Terrell Suggs
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer picks Ravens 27-13
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco gives Ravens B+ for first 4 games of season
ESPN.com’s Mike Sando has Flacco 8th in MVP rankings
ESPN.com’s James Walker doubts Benson can reach 100 yards
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Kelley Washington has something to show against former team
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Davin Meggett, Demetrius Hartsfield will carry flags for Terps before Wake kickoff
Wake Forest Official Site says Terps trying to avenge choke job in last trip to Winston-Salem back in ‘07
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Bruce Campbell OUT for tomorrow’s game
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Fridge believes Morgan Green ‘hasn’t really progressed’
The Diamondback’s Adi Joseph says Terps have chance to contend in ACC Atlantic if they beat WFU
The Diamondback’s Eric Detweiler says O-Line has allowed ACC-high 18 sacks this season
The Diamondback’s Michael Katz says Friedgen knows Jim Grobe likes to ‘think outside the box’ offensively
The Diamondback’s Adi Joseph says Mike Barbour out tomorrow, David May to travel as backup kicker
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell picks Wake 26-23
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Pinegar, RJ Dill to start at OT positions
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says freshmen D-Linemen Isaiah Ross, A.J. Francis, Zach Kerr, Carl Russell give Terps ‘bright future’
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens picks Terps 21-20
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps lead all-time series with Wake 41-15-1
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Travis Baltz ‘questionable’ for next week against Virginia
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps likely to ‘lean heavy’ on Da’Rel Scott, Gary Douglas this week
Washington Examiner’s Kevin Dunleavy says Terps must slow down Wake combo of Riley Skinner, Marshall Williams
Winston-Salem Journal’s Dan Collins says CB Kenny Okoro to make first start for Deacs Saturday against Terps
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Grobe believes Chris Turner ‘owned’ Deacs last season
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Terps have won 6 of last 8 with Wake
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Terps have offered Connor Wujciak (Alex’s little brother)
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich picks Deacs 21-14
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says Nick Ferrara putting together impressive resume with Terps (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says backup center Danny Edwards will miss tomorrow’s game with concussion (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s Matt Owings breaks down Terrapins-Demon Deacons
Turtle Sports Report’s John Talty says Maryland interested in ’11 prospect Lamonte Clark (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says Germany native/Point Pleasant Beach (NJ) prospect Jarelle Reischel visiting campus (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter says commit Whitney Bays had ‘comfort level’ in College Park (must subscribe)
NAVY FOOTBALL:
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Teich won’t rule himself out of Rice game in native Houston
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Buddy Green ‘preaching preparation’ for Mids
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Tuani leader on field even if he isn’t stats guy
Washington Times’ Mike Fratto says Pospisil ‘emotional leader’ for Navy
Washington Examiner’s Kevin Dunleavy says Mids showing ‘improvement’ defensively even without Nate Frazier
Go Mids breaks down “need to know” facts about Midshipmen, Owls
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
Examiner Matthew Schlissel says Tigers, Rhode Island each looking for first CAA win tomorrow
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Greyhounds AD Joe Boylan will end 19 year run as Athletic Director next year with retirement
HOPKINS LACROSSE:
Washington Examiner’s Brian McNally says former Blue Jay Rabil amongst greatest athletes in DeMatha history
ORIOLES:
The Sun says Markakis finalist for Hutch award
Examiner Jay Trucker thinks Matusz, Guthrie, Tillman, Bergesen looks for Birds’ rotation in ‘10
ORIOLES MINOR LEAGUES:
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Josh Bell top 3B in organization
CRYSTAL PALACE USA:
The Official Site says Palace hosting Team USA’s U-17 squad next Saturday at Loyola
HORSE RACING:
Daily Racing Form’s Jay Privman says Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird reunited with jockey Borel for Goodwood Stakes
Daily Racing Form’s Jay Hovdey says New Mexico has rallied behind Mine That Bird trainer Woolley
RUNNING:
The Sun’s Mike Klingaman says Ellicott City’s Timothy Kirby to race ‘shadow’ run in Iraq while marathon held tomorrow
FIGURE SKATING:
The Sun’s Candus Thomson says Meissner withdraws from competition for spot on 2010 Olympics team
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Might as well give Lardarius Webb a shot to return kicks. It won’t change the team, but it’s worth the look.
Talk to you from Owings Mills.
-G
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