Kansas Jayhawks

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 14

It seems that we have arrived at Rivalry Week in college football, atleast the ones left standing after realignment. Most of these games, both college & pro, are happening on Thanksgiving Day & Black Friday, with a couple of huge battles taking center stage on Saturday. I am old enough to remember when only two NFL games…one featuring the Dallas Cowboys and the other with the Detroit Lions…took place on the holiday, but now we’re getting three Thanksgiving pro games and a game on Black Friday, in addition to a half dozen rather entertaining college games. No complaints here. Turkey & stuffing, football, Christmas movies, pie, and a whole lot of football sounds like a great time to me.

Observations from Last Week:

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct on the college level & roughing the passer in the NFL are two of the most ridiculously applied penalties, and that needs to be addressed in the offseason.
  • Why is it a Two Minute Warning in the NFL, but the Two Minute Timeout in college?? Is it a proprietary thing, or are college kids deemed too delicate for an ominous warning?? 
  • When I was a kid and announcers would mention “field goal range”, I thought that meant that the offense was required to make it to a certain area of the field before they were allowed to attempt a FG. I didn’t realize that…theoretically…a field goal can be tried from anywhere, though obviously it is unwise to do so.
  • So…JJ McCarthy is a bust. Alrighty then 🤦🏻‍♂️.
  • I can’t help but wonder what the Steelers offense might’ve looked like with Jameis Winston playing quarterback.

My Season: 42-35

Zach’s Season: 34-43

Ole Miss (-8.5) at Mississippi State 

The conversation surrounding the 122nd Egg Bowl has been dominated by the future of Lane Kiffin, who might be headed for allegedly greener pastures following his sixth season in Oxford. The 10-1 Rebels need help to reach the SEC title game even if they win, but a loss obviously knocks them out. The 5-6 Bulldogs must win to become bowl eligible. Ole Miss leads the series 66-46-6 and have won 4 of the past 5 meetings. I don’t see that changing this year, and though the points do give me pause, I think the favorites win by ten. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Ole Miss 

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss 

Iowa (-4.5) at Nebraska

This is a relatively new and decidedly intermittent “rivalry”. The teams have done battle on the gridiron 55 times since 1891, but after Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011 it has become an annual Black Friday tradition. Both teams are 7-4, and though they’re not in the conference championship conversation, they’d love to finish strong and travel to a great bowl location. It feels like a tossup to me, so I’m riding with the Huskers at home to score a mild upset. Conversely, Zach foresees Iowa slowing the tempo & dominating time of possession en route to a victory.

My Pick: Nebraska 

Zach’s Pick: Iowa

Utah (-13.5) at Kansas

The 9-2 Utes need ALOT of help to back into the Big 12 title game, which seems unlikely. However, the first order of business is to win. That won’t be easy against the 5-6 Jayhawks, who have shown flashes of potential this season but find themselves in a must win scenario to achieve bowl eligibility. I’m not bold enough to pick an upset outright, but I do believe it’ll be closer than two touchdowns. Zach just thinks Utah is the better team. He predicts Kansas will remain competitive thru the first half before the visitors take over and win comfortably.

My Pick: Kansas

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Georgia (-12.5) vs. Georgia Tech

This is theoretically a neutral site game in Atlanta, although Tech’s campus is literally two miles down the road, whereas Athen, GA (home of the Bulldogs) is about 70 miles away. After getting to 8-0 and looking like a sure thing to play for the ACC title, the Yellow Jackets have lost two of their last three games and find themselves on the outside looking in unless a whole bunch of dominoes fall the right way. Conversely, the 10-1 Bulldogs only need Alabama OR Texas A&M to lose to secure a spot in the SEC Championship, which seems plausible. They call this game “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate”, which might be the dumbest freakin’ rivalry name I’ve ever heard. Anyway, Georgia leads the series 72-41-5 and has won seven consecutive matchups. I don’t think that’ll change this year, and I believe it’ll be a rather decisive victory. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Texas A&M (-2.5) at Texas

Forgive me if I’ve mentioned it in previous years, but I always associate this game with the 1982 Burt Reynolds/Dolly Parton classic The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, in which the winning team is rewarded with a visit to The Chicken Ranch. In case you’re unfamiliar with the movie, though there are plenty of legs, thighs, and breasts, there are absolutely no chickens in sight. At any rate, the Aggies are undefeated and have probably locked up a spot in the CFP, but they need to win to guarantee an SEC Championship appearance, otherwise there’s a chance they could miss out. The 8-3 Longhorns haven’t been as successful as they’d hoped entering the season, but are still clinging to slim hopes of a CFP bid. The game being played in Austin concerns me just a bit, but I’m pulling for A&M to come out on top in an all time classic. Zach views the Aggies as well coached and likes QB Marcel Reed. He thinks Texas has shown improvement, but it won’t matter this week.

My Pick: Texas A&M

Zach’s Pick: Texas A&M

Arizona (-1.5) at Arizona State

The 8-3 Sun Devils still have an opportunity to play for the Big 12 title, but they need a couple other teams to lose. The Wildcats are also 8-3 but aren’t in championship contention. They should receive a fun bowl bid though. It is alternatively called the Duel in the Desert (👍🏻) or the Territorial Cup (👀), and there have been 98 previous meetings dating back to 1899. Arizona leads the series 51-45-1, although State has won six of the last eight games. These two teams feel even enough that the home field plays a role, so I am picking the mild upset. Zach thinks Arizona is the hotter team right now so he’s riding that hot hand.

My Pick: Arizona State

Zach’s Pick: Arizona 

Alabama (-6.5) at Auburn 

To be honest, I didn’t originally plan for us to pick this many games, and considered skipping the 90th Iron Bowl. However, despite the fact that ‘Bama has won the past five meetings and Auburn isn’t very good, I just couldn’t do it. The 5-6 Tigers have to win to achieve bowl eligibility, while the 9-2 Tide haven’t locked in a playoff berth just yet. The Tide has rolled to an all time series lead of 51-37-1 dating back to 1893. I would LOVE to see an upset, although I’m not dumb enough to put money on it. However, I think it is very possible that we see a close contest decided by a field goal in the final minute. Zach has faith in the visiting favorites to dominate in the 4th quarter when it matters most.

My Pick: Auburn

Zach’s Pick: Alabama 

Ohio State (-12.5) at Michigan

In my humble opinion, this is THE greatest rivalry…certainly in college football, and perhaps in the entirety of sports. Simply known as The Game, it has been played 120 times since 1897, with Michigan leading the series 62-51-6. Michigan has been victorious the past four years after Ohio St. had won eight consecutive meetings from 2012-19. Unless you’ve been off the grid for awhile you’re aware that the unbeaten Buckeyes have been the #1 team in the country all season. The Wolverines are a rather low key 9-2, with unfortunate losses on the road at Oklahoma & USC eradicating their conference title aspirations. I’d be quite surprised by an Ohio St. loss, but the points scare me, and the status of injured receivers Jeremiah Smith & Carnell Tate remains up in the air. If those dudes play the favorites win comfortably, but if they don’t then the outcome becomes questionable. I will roll the dice on both players being available. Unsurprisingly, Zach is all Blue all the time and has no respect for Ohio St.’s weak schedule.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Michigan 

Green Bay at Detroit (-2.5)

Though it might be an NFC title preview, right now it is a battle for the division crown. The Packers sit a half game behind Chicago, while the Lions are a half game behind Green Bay. The Bears are receiving alot of love at the moment, but I still believe these two teams will surpass them. Green Bay won the season opener at Lambeau, but I think we’ll see a different result this time, with the RB tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery helping Detroit grind their way to an important win. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Kansas City (-3.5) at Dallas

The 6-5 Chiefs saved their season…for the moment…with an overtime win over Indianapolis, but the path doesn’t become easier. The 5-5-1 Cowboys also kept their head above water with a surprising victory over Philadelphia. So, once more unto the breach go two teams that had higher expectations yet find themselves scratching & clawing to avoid irrelevance. I wouldn’t be shocked if both eventually make it to the postseason, but neither will I be surprised if both are sitting at home during the playoffs. This game might be better than sweet potatoes & cranberry sauce, and I believe in KC to continue their climb out of the abyss. Zach, on the other hand, feels like Dallas has the momentum and will continue to improve.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-7)

Anyone with a brain knew that the Ravens weren’t done, despite beginning the season 1-5. Now, after five straight victories (and because the Steelers are mid at best), Baltimore sits atop the AFC North. Meanwhile, the 3-8 Bengals will have QB Joe Burrow back in the saddle for the first time since he injured his toe way back in September. There’s no way Cincy climbs back into playoff contention, but they will undoubtedly be better with their starting quarterback. This is the nightcap on Thanksgiving, and I’ll probably be watching Christmas movies. I would love to see an upset, but unfortunately that seems unlikely. Zach is a bit more hopeful, as he thinks the Bengals can come out on top in a shootout.

My Pick: Baltimore

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati 

Chicago at Philadelphia (-7)

I have absolutely zero interest in Black Friday shopping, but even if I did I believe the way that whole thing works is the stores open obscenely early, and all the wackos who actually enjoy the insanity are finished and home by noon. So if you are participating you should still be able to catch the 3pm kickoff…if you have Prime Video. Anyway, it’s a great matchup featuring the 8-3 Bears, winners of four in a row, including a gritty skirmish with my offensively challenged Steelers, against the 8-3 Eagles, who still hold an overwhelming division lead despite forgetting to show up during the second half in their recent loss to the Cowboys. I may be proven wrong, but I’m still not sold on the Bears & QB Caleb Williams. Conversely, Philly’s track record speaks for itself, and it’s way too early to disregard their chance to be repeat champions. Zach believes the Bears just might be for real, and he predicts they’ll find a way to win a close one.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Chicago

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 9

The NFL schedule is already underway, with the Chargers defeating Minnesota last night. The World Series begins tonight. Dodgers vs. Blue Jays. Absolutely zero interest. The NBA season started this week as well. I’ll check in on that in January. When I’m not watching football in the next week I’ll be embracing the spirit of Halloween, although that probably doesn’t look the same in my world as it does in yours. More on that later. In the meantime, we continue on our gridiron journey. 

Observations from Last Week:

  • Vanderbilt?!?!?? Really?!?!?? Vanderbilt is good at football now?? When did that happen??
  • I stand corrected…Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti just signed a long term deal to stay at with the Hoosiers. That’s probably a wise decision for all involved. 
  • Finally, the Billy Napier Era at Florida is over. He was 22-23 in 3 1/2 seasons. At West Virginia he probably would’ve received a contract extension.
  • I saw a quote that said “Mike Tomlin is the James Franklin of the NFL”, and while I believe it is an apt comparison, the difference is that, unlike Penn St., the Steelers don’t have the courage to do what needs to be done.
  • Justin Herbert looked more like Justin Sherbet in that Chargers’ alternative uniform.

My Season: 24-22

Zach’s Season: 15-31

Boise State (-21.5) at Nevada

I always get the Nevada Wolfpack & the UNLV Rebels mixed up. Boise beat UNLV last weekend, and that might’ve been a better game to pick. Atleast it was high scoring (whoever took the over won some $$). The Broncos are 5-2 and sit atop the Mountain West in their final season in that conference, although they can’t let their foot off the gas since there are a couple of teams in hot pursuit. Nevada is a putrid 1-6, with their only win being over an FCS opponent. The Wolfpack does have the home field, but no one expects that to make much of a difference. The only question is Boise’s margin of victory. I am always wary of a 3+ TD spread, but in this case I think the favorites can get there. Zach has some concerns about Boise’s defense, but he thinks they’ll win big anyway.

My Pick: Boise St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Kansas State at Kansas (-3)

It’s the Sunflower Showdown, which sounds a little wimpy for a football game. It’ll be the 123rd meeting since 1902, with Kansas leading the series 65-52-5, although State has won the past 16 games. Sixteen!! That’s quite a winning streak. I had higher hopes for the 3-4 Wildcats, but it isn’t the first time they’ve disappointed me. Meanwhile, after a malaise of nearly two decades the Jayhawks looked like they’d figured things out last season. However, now, sitting at 3-4, it feels like they may have regressed. So, can visiting underdogs go into hostile territory and continue what has to be one of the longest current win streaks in a rivalry game?? I think Kansas is on the right track in the grand scheme of things, but when it comes to this matchup I see no reason to believe the streak will be broken. Conversely, Zach expects Kansas’ offensive firepower to get the job done.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: Kansas

Ole Miss at Oklahoma (-4.5)

With the exception of the Red River Shootout, the loss of which could legitimately be blamed on QB John Mateer not being 100% after an injury, the 6-1 Sooners have been impressive, although the back half of their schedule is challenging. I feel like we’ve been sleeping on the 6-1 Rebels, despite their 4th quarter implosion at Georgia last week. I’m a little surprised that ESPN didn’t choose this one for Gameday, but I don’t know what factors into those decisions. It’s a Noon kickoff, which feels disrespectful. The underdogs have been in some pretty close contests and won, so I believe they’ll keep things interesting, but with Mateer’s health improving I think Oklahoma is probably a touchdown better. Zach, on the other hand, is a big fan of head coach Lane Kiffin and believes he’ll have some things up his sleeve to lead the visiting underdogs to an upset.

My Pick: Oklahoma

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

NY Giants at Philadelphia (-10.5)

The Eagles have a two game lead in the NFC East, and the Giants have no chance to maneuver themselves into playoff position. However, since pulling the trigger on making rookie Jaxson Dart the starting QB the G-Men have shown flashes of…something. With Dart under center, folk hero Cam Skattebo toting the rock, and receiver Malik Nabers at receiver, there is a very strong core for future success, but Nabers tore his ACL and those other guys are rookies, so everything is on hold. Meanwhile, Philly is 5-2 and leads their division, but they’ve lost 2 out of the last 3 games and something feels…off. Could this be a classic trap game?? The Giants could easily be 4-3 instead of 2-5, while the Eagles have had the ball bounce their way a few times at key moments. It’s not the smart move, but The Vibes smell an upset…or atleast a much closer game than most expect. Zach doesn’t expect an upset, but he agrees that it’ll be a close game.

My Pick: NY Giants

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Dallas at Denver (-4.5)

I will reluctantly give credit not only to the 3-3-1 Cowboys, but also to receiver George Pickens. As a Steelers fan I was hoping Pickens would implode in Dallas, but that hasn’t happened. If it weren’t for one of the worst defenses in the NFL the Cowboys’ record would certainly be much better. The 5-2 Broncos have been better than I anticipated and currently lead the AFC West, with two games against the Kansas City Chiefs still on the schedule. The home field is significant, and I have no faith in Dallas’ defense, so I expect QB Bo Nix to pick them apart. The Cowboys offense will keep it close for awhile, but Denver should pull away late for a double digit win. Zach is rolling the dice on Dak Prescott and his tremendous weapons to somehow pull off a mild surprise.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 13

We won’t rehash last week except to say that I edged Zach by one game. Overall we both sank deeper into the abyss. It might seem like we’re chasing wins with bonus picks now, but that isn’t the case. It just so happens that the schedule is provocative, beginning on Thursday night when our Steelers visit Cleveland and I will regret not having adult beverages on hand. Of course we aren’t dealing with that contest, but I sure do hope it gets the weekend off to a good start. 

My Season: 37-35

Zach’s Season: 32-40

Ole Miss (-10) at Florida 

The 8-2 Rebels find themselves amidst a gaggle of atleast a half dozen teams vying for two spots in the SEC title game, and would like to remain in the very realistic scenario that could see four teams from that conference receive playoff berths. Conversely, the 5-5 Gators would be happy with a bowl bid & a non-losing season. I have to assume that Florida being double digit underdogs in The Swamp is rare, although they’ve lost at home four times this year…all by 13+ points. As much as I hate to point it out, I feel like we’ve landed right back in the era of “style points” being way too important, so for that reason I believe the visitors will deliver the beatdown expected from them. Zach has observed improvement from Florida, but doesn’t believe it’s enough to go against the grain this week.

My Pick: Ole Miss

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

Army vs. Notre Dame (-15.5)

In case you haven’t been paying attention, the Black Knights are unbeaten and ranked in the Top 20. Sadly, their program is treated like the precocious child that adults indulge for awhile at family gatherings before banishing them to the kiddie table. Meanwhile, the Irish still have to be kicking themselves for an inexcusable loss in early September to Northern Illinois (a team that currently finds themselves 6-5). They are virtually a lock for the playoff though, unless some really bizarre things occur. I’d love to pick an upset, but I don’t see any way Army loses the game by less than three TDs. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Notre Dame 

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame 

Wisconsin at Nebraska (-2.5)

Neither team receives much attention in the stacked Big Ten, and considering their matching 5-5 records I suppose that indifference is well deserved. The Cornhuskers have lost four in a row, while the Badgers have dropped their last three games, including a spirited battle against #1 Oregon, which Wisconsin could’ve & should’ve won. I don’t think it’s easy to recover from heartbreak like that, so I’m riding with the home favorites. Zach foresees typical Big Ten, low scoring, smashmouth football. He believes Nebraska is finally headed in the right direction, but predicts a late 4th quarter game winning drive for the underdogs. 

My Pick: Nebraska

Zach’s Pick: Wisconsin 

Colorado (-2.5) at Kansas

I’ll admit that I haven’t shown Coach Prime much respect. He’s an attention whore who led the Buffaloes to an atrocious 4-8 record a season ago. Having said that, credit must be given for a turnaround that finds Colorado 8-2 and ranked in the Top 20. The 4-6 Jayhawks are a huge disappointment after finishing 9-4 last year. However, they have won two consecutive games against ranked opponents and have the home field. Can they do it again?? It’s probably not a very smart pick, but that’s the way The Voices are pulling me. Zach thinks Colorado has a legit shot at earning a playoff spot and sees them winning big this week.

My Pick: Kansas

Zach’s Pick: Colorado 

Indiana at Ohio State (-12.5)

It would be beneficial for college football if this ends up being a more competitive game than the “experts” believe it’ll be. Nearly everyone outside Columbus, OH is cheering on the undefeated Hoosiers. Every March we see a couple of basketball teams bask in the glory of upsetting a blue blood program. They rarely get close to winning the championship, but they earn “one shining moment” in the sun that’ll be cherished for a lifetime. That doesn’t happen as often on the football field, but this could potentially be that kind of occasion. Unfortunately, I think the Buckeyes are just too athletic at every position and the home field is formidable. Being wrong would make me happy in this case, but I don’t think I am. Zach recognizes that Ohio St. has plenty of experience in big games, but his issues with the entire state of Ohio that probably need to be explored by an experienced therapist preclude him from picking them.

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Indiana 

Dallas at Washington (-10.5)

It looks like I was a year ahead of the Cowboys implosion. I don’t know if that makes me vaguely psychic or just one of those hard luck bums who’ll be shown in The Great Beyond just how many times I screwed up, coming oh so close to happiness & success only to miss it by a whisper. At any rate, when I was a kid this was a cool rivalry chock full of Cowboys vs. Indians imagery & analogies, but leftists robbed us of that fun like they do in virtually all areas of society, and this year I don’t even expect it to be very interesting on the field. I just hope Jayden Daniels lights up the scoreboard since he’s my starting quarterback in a few fantasy leagues. Zach opines that Dallas probably needs to just scrap everything from the top down and start from scratch.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington 

Tampa Bay (-5.5) at NY Giants 

The Bucs are 4-6 but could just as easily be 7-3.  It seems that Baker Mayfield is a rather decent quarterback outside the Vortex of Apathy that sucks the joy out of Cleveland, but he has landed with another hard luck franchise. Meanwhile, it looks like the 2-8 Giants will be drafting another QB next spring, as they have finally admitted that Daniel Jones is indeed the epic failure the rest of us knew he was destined to become five years ago. New York could’ve waited until much later in that draft and snagged Gardner Minshew with better results. Anyway, this is exactly the kind of game RedZone was created for, because I’d rather dangle my junk in the kitchen sink at Diddy’s house than watch the entire sixty minutes. Tampa will win, but no one will notice or give a damn. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Tampa Bay

Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Baltimore (-3) at LA Chargers 

Our Steelers beat the Ravens last week and every Baltimore apologist is still crying about it. Don’t misunderstand…I fully realize that it’s way too soon to get cocky, and the AFC North is still a street fight that’s far from over. However, I told y’all in the preseason that I wasn’t all in on the Baltimore hype, and I was right. Conversely, Jim Harbaugh has transformed the 7-3 Chargers into a playoff contender just like I told you he would. It’s a Monday night showdown that probably isn’t receiving enough attention. It won’t be easy, and I think RB Derrick Henry will rebound nicely from the abysmal game he had in Pittsburgh, but I am boldly calling for an upset. Zach enjoys the Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh of it all, and at the end of the day he also likes the former Michigan coach to prevail.

My Pick: LA Chargers 

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers 

2024 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 9

We kept our head above water doing bonus picks a week ago, with point spreads playing a key role in flipping several outcomes one way or the other. I’m glad not to be a gambler because I can imagine having a half point ruin your day could be rather frustrating. At any rate, I extended my season lead by one game, while Zach is one game closer to getting back to the .500 mark. We are each in the same general ballpark as this identical point a year ago.

My Season: 28-24

Zach’s Season: 24-28

Notre Dame (-12.5) vs. Navy

Don’t look now, but two of the service academy football teams are undefeated (sorry about your damn luck Air Force). Party like it’s 1946!! In the grand scheme of things that probably doesn’t mean much since it is doubtful they’d be considered playoff worthy, but it could make the Army-Navy game more consequential than it’s been in quite some time. We’re several weeks away from that though. Meanwhile, the 6-1 Irish are praying that an inexplicable September loss to Northern Illinois doesn’t torpedo their playoff aspirations. This rivalry dates back to 1927, with Notre Dame winning 80 of the 96 meetings. The Midshipmen last won in 2016. For some strange reason the game is being played at the NFL home of the Jets & Giants in New Jersey, meaning it’ll be the most entertaining contest those fans have seen all year. As much as I’d love to predict an upset I cannot imagine Navy overcoming what I assume is a notable disadvantage in size, speed, and athleticism. I’d love to be wrong. Zach believes Notre Dame being overrated is business as usual, and he thinks Navy can hang with them by running the ball and controlling the clock. 

My Pick: Notre Dame

Zach’s Pick: Navy 

Kansas at Kansas State (-9.5)

They call it the Sunflower Showdown, with the victor taking possession of the Governor’s Cup. It is actually the 4th longest active rivalry in college football (thanks realignment 🙄), with the Jayhawks leading the overall series despite the fact that the Wildcats have won the last 15 meetings dating back to 2009. State is 6-1 and has the home field, while 2-5 KU has to be disappointed with how things have gone thus far after winning nine games a season ago. I predicted K-St. would compete for the conference title, and they’re on pace to be in that mix. Zach doesn’t feel like it’ll be particularly close.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: Kansas St.

Illinois at Oregon (-21.5)

The 6-1 Illini announced their presence with authority last weekend, beating Michigan by two touchdowns. Not to be outdone, the undefeated Ducks sit atop the rankings with victories over Ohio St. and…well, okay, they beat Ohio St. and share the Big Ten lead with Indiana. I’d be surprised if Oregon lost at home, but the points concern me. Is Illinois for real?? They don’t have to win the game to gain that legitimacy, but they do need to be competitive. I don’t feel strongly either way, but I’ll roll the dice on the visitors keeping things respectable. Zach has been impressed by Illinois and agrees it won’t be as easy for Oregon as some might assume.

My Pick: Illinois 

Zach’s Pick: Illinois 

Chicago (-2.5) at Washington

It’s supposed to be a marquee matchup pitting #1 overall pick Caleb Williams against #2 overall pick Jayden Daniels, but the Commanders’ rookie QB suffered a rib injury last weekend so his status for this game remains a bit murky. Daniels, to the surprise of no one who pays attention, has been the more exciting & impactful signal caller thus far, leading his team to a 5-2 record and the NFC East lead. Williams has the Bears looking much improved at 4-2, though they have the misfortune of playing in the NFL’s most competitive division. I’m not a Vegas insider, but it isn’t difficult to figure out that the points are all about Daniels’ questionable status. If he plays and is unencumbered by the injury Washington is a clear favorite at home, but if backup QB Marcus Mariota is under center then things obviously tilt toward Chicago. Can Jayden Daniels channel 1997 NBA Finals Michael Jordan?? Holy schneikes that’d be freakin’ cool. Zach has always been more complimentary to Williams than I’ve been, but he likes the Commanders to score the slight upset.

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington 

Dallas at San Francisco (-4.5)

The cool thing about this rivalry is that it isn’t completely about nostalgia. Oh sure, those of us old enough to remember legendary names like Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, Steve Young, Troy Aikman, Jimmy Johnson, Emmitt Smith, Brent Jones, and Deion Sanders in their heyday become a bit sentimental about the classic skirmishes of the past, but the matchup always feels just as relevant as it did decades ago. The 3-4, injury plagued Niners have struggled more than anyone could’ve ever anticipated a few months ago but sit just one game out of the division lead. It’s a similar story for the 3-3 Cowboys, who are currently in third place in the NFC East. They are coming out of their bye week though, which probably offsets Frisco’s home field. It’s the Sunday night game on NBC and will likely get good ratings. I am somewhat surprised that Dallas isn’t favored even though they’re on the road, but watching Jerry Jones get ridiculed by the sports media is delightfully hilarious. Zach  doesn’t have a positive impression of either team, but he thinks San Francisco sucks less than the Cowboys right now.

My Pick: San Francisco 

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco 

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 13

Both of us were 5-5 last week, which almost makes bonus picks feel like a waste of time. However, I can’t go that far really because having the outcome of those games matter makes them more fun to watch. We’re doing something a bit different this week…or are we?? I think we may have tried this concept once…perhaps a couple of times…in the past. Instead of both of us picking the same games we’ll both be picking five separate games. Enjoy!!

My Season: 43-30

Zach’s Season: 36-37

Wake Forest at Notre Dame (-24.5)

It’s the Sam Hartman Bowl!! The Fighting Irish QB spent five seasons in Winston-Salem under center for the Demon Deacons and became the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. Wake is 4-6, so they need to win out to become bowl eligible, while the home team is 7-3 and will probably end up playing in a top tier New Year’s bowl game because that’s how college football seems to work these days. Zach is concerned about the points, but he’s feeling frisky.

Zach’s Pick: Notre Dame

Colorado at Washington State (-4.5)

The talking heads have mostly stopped paying attention to Coach Prime since the Buffaloes are 4-6 and have lost three in a row. Having said that, the Cougars share the same abysmal record and have lost six straight games. Yikes. This is a Friday night game on FS1, which doesn’t bode well for ratings. The Vibes are telling me that the Buffs are desperate enough for the additional attention a post-season appearance brings, so they’ll be motivated to become bowl eligible.

My Pick: Colorado

North Carolina at Clemson (-6.5)

It hasn’t been a great year for the 6-4 Tigers, but they’ve won two in a row and would love to finish strong, building momentum for the future in the process. Meanwhile, the 8-2 Tar Heels hit a snag with two close losses at the end of October, which essentially killed their conference title aspirations. Zach isn’t necessarily predicting an upset, but he foresees a close contest.

Zach’s Pick: North Carolina

Appalachian State at James Madison (-11.5)

ESPN will be on hand for Gameday, and as someone who graduated from a school that took the leap from 1-AA/FCS to playing in a Group of Five FBS conference I understand how much that means to these programs. The 6-4 Mountaineers aren’t going to win the Sun Belt or get to ten wins as had become fairly commonplace until last season, but they’d surely love to go bowling. Conversely, the undefeated Dukes have sparked a debate about an outdated NCAA rule that precludes them from post-season participation because this is only their second year at the FBS level. Meanwhile, last year a 5-7 team got a bowl bid, and nowadays players transfer more frequently than most people change underwear. Make it make sense. Anyway, I think the home crowd & all the hype will help the home team, but the points are just too much. JMU gets the victory, but they’ll win by 7-10 points.

My Pick: Appalachian St.

Oklahoma State (-7) at Houston

The 7-3 Cowboys still have an opportunity to get to the Big 12 title game, but questions remain after the beatdown they received last week at UCF. As for the 4-6 Cougars…well, it’s their first season in the conference, and they’ve proven they can hang despite their record. They need to win out to be bowl eligible. Zach doesn’t think that’s going to happen though, predicting the favorites to grind out a hard fought victory.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma St.

Kansas State (-7.5) at Kansas

The Battle of Kansas is normally more interesting on the basketball court, but with both teams at 7-3 and not mathematically out of the Big 12 title hunt this could be a fascinating game. You may recall that I had high hopes for the Wildcats, but losing at Missouri back in September squashed those expectations. They did push Texas to triple OT a couple weeks ago before losing, which deserves a tip o’ the cap. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks came out of the gate strong but have rode the roller coaster the last two months. It’s a 7pm kickoff on Saturday night and a chance for the folks at FS1 to present a better game than the night before. I won’t be watching because I have plans, but I think the home team gets it done, or atleast stays really close the whole way.

My Pick: Kansas

Cincinnati at Baltimore (-3)

The AFC North is very much up for grabs, with the 5-4 Bengals battling back into contention after a rough start. The 7-3 Ravens are a confusing team, occasionally looking like the championship contenders that the talking heads promote them as being, but sometimes snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. That’s exactly what Zach thinks will happen, with Joe Burrow leading Cincy to a big win on the last possession of the game.

Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati

NY Giants at Washington (-10)

The Giants season has been torpedoed by injuries. At 2-8 they’re in the running to snag the top pick in April’s NFL Draft, which could force them to ponder whether or not QB Daniel Jones, currently on the shelf with a torn ACL, is really their guy. The 4-6 Commanders have shown occasional signs of life, but they could find themselves in the same boat, having to decide if QB Sam Howell is the future. As for this game, Washington isn’t a dominating enough team to beat anyone by double digits.

My Pick: NY Giants

NY Jets at Buffalo (-7)

What’s up with the Bills?? They’ve lost 3 out of the last four games and just fired their offensive coordinator (while Steelers fans everywhere shake our heads in amazement). The Jets have shown potential but are inconsistent. Neither team is out of division title contention, but they need to shape up rather quickly or Miami will win the AFC East easily. Zach has lost faith in Buffalo and thinks they’d be fortunate to win at all, but if it happens it’ll be by the skin of their teeth.

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Philadelphia at Kansas City (-3)

Is it a Super Bowl preview?? Possibly. Both teams should be rested & healthy follow a bye week, and the viewers of Monday Night Football will reap the rewards. The 8-1 Eagles haven’t blown anyone out, but perhaps that’s because they’ve known how good they are and haven’t needed to exert maximum effort. The Chiefs are 7-2 and will cruise to their eighth consecutive division title, but they’ve shown chinks in the armor. Whichever team establishes a ground game, dominates time of possession, and plays better defense will be victorious, and I believe the visiting underdogs are up to the task.

My Pick: Philadelphia

The Madness 2023

Madness in great ones must not unwatched go. – William Shakespeare

No worries Willie Shakes…we’ll be watching. My long weekend is all planned out. Beginning Thursday afternoon the annual hoops smorgasbord will take up the majority of many fans’ time for four straight days…and that’s just the appetizer. The 2023 NCAA Basketball Tournament will conclude on April 3 when new (maybe) National Champions are crowned. What’s odd about March Madness is that the buzz & anticipation peaks at the beginning and decreases as it moves forward. Right now more than five dozen fan bases in every nook & cranny of the country are happy because their team has a shot at the title, but by the end of the month only four will be left standing. Even from a casual fan’s perspective…if you don’t happen to have a dog in the fight…the coolest part of the journey is the opening weekend, which consists of wall-to-wall basketball – 48 games in four days.

You may notice that I do not speak of the “First” Four play-in games taking place on Tuesday & Wednesday night. Perhaps that is unfair, but I am a traditionalist who believes the tournament was perfect with 64 teams and rarely expects much from the superfluous four teams added to the field. It should also be noted that the bracket you see here is my one & only. While I have entered into multiple online contests (because why not) my bracket is the same in every one. I do not have the fortitude or inclination to keep track of multiple entries. I do not have any money invested in these picks because quite honestly I am not that good at prognostication. I am just a regular dude with no special knowledge or insight. I don’t do research or study any kind of data. It takes me about five minutes to fill out my bracket. I have learned thru the years not to go too crazy with first round upsets, but my definition of a true upset might differ from yours. #9 over #8 isn’t a big deal. A 10 seed over a 7 is a mild upset at best. Beyond that and you have the right to get excited.

East

You’ll see alot of chalk with two exceptions. I like the Catamounts of Vermont out of the American East Conference to not only upset #2 Marquette in Round 1, but to make it to the Sweet 16. In the second round they’ll be facing the USC Trojans, who I believe will beat the vaunted Michigan St. Spartans, a team that has played in seven Final Fours in this century alone. I foresee bluebloods Duke & Kentucky surviving the first round, but suffering surprising losses in Round 2. When it’s all said & done I think it’ll be the top seeded Purdue Boilermakers getting past Kansas St. in the Elite Eight. Center Zach Edey, at 7ft.4, is a problem for any opponent.

West

There are some intriguing possibilities in this region, and it could get a little wacky. I am picking the VCU Rams, who made it all the way to the Final Four back in 2011, to beat St. Mary’s in a classic 5/12 upset. They’ll catch a break in the second round because I like the Iona Gaels, coached by the once disgraced Rick Pitino, to beat the 4 seed UConn Huskies. VCU will run into Kansas in the Sweet 16 though, and it won’t end well for them. The 8/9 matchup should be fun, and I like Arkansas to prevail. You’ll probably be surprised to see that I’ve chosen the TCU Horned Frogs to make it to the regional final, a path that includes upsetting Gonzaga in Round 2 and UCLA in the Sweet 16. Nobody is making it past the defending champion Jayhawks though.

Midwest

First off, I don’t believe all that much in the top seeded Houston Cougars. They’ll win easily in the first round, but I’m looking at the Auburn Tigers to pull off an upset after they get past Iowa in Round 1. A similar fate awaits the Miami Hurricanes. Penn St. is the big surprise in this region. I like them to make it all the way to the Elite Eight before falling to Indiana. The Hoosiers might be looking at their first Final Four appearance in over two decades.

South

My West Virginia Mountaineers open the first round Thursday afternoon, and I think they’ll win. However, I would be shocked if WVU stays within ten points of Alabama in Round 2. I’m predicting a pretty big upset with 11th seeded Furman over #4 Virginia, but don’t get too excited Paladin fans…it is likely your team doesn’t make it past the second round. A lot of pundits question whether NC St. even belongs in the tournament, but I think that’ll motivate them to score a first round upset before losing in Round 2. I really like the Baylor Bears to make it out of the region by winning a close one over ‘Bama.

Final Four

That means my Final Four is Purdue vs. Baylor and Kansas vs. Indiana. Nothing too crazy, right?? As much as it pains me to say it, I believe we might end up with repeat champions as the Jayhawks cut down the nets for the fifth time in their history, tying the program with Duke and Indiana.

WINNING & MUSING…VOLUME 2.22 

Greetings sports fans. We’re still talking about football, but there are a couple of other topics thrown into the mix as well. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are and cooler temperatures are giving way to the delightful warmth of spring. 

Heavenly Father, bless Deshaun Watson, for he hath sinned. Now, I bet you think you know what I am referring to, but you’d probably be wrong. Don’t misunderstand…I am not looking past the allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson. However, a grand jury decided there wasn’t enough evidence to convict, so I am left with the impression that he is simply a single, wealthy horndog who enjoys a good massage a bit too much and expects favors many young ladies are not willing to grant. I believe he acted inappropriately, but to my knowledge no one was raped. Deshaun Watson may be creepy, but he’s not a criminal, and since I wasn’t exactly a saint when I was a 20-something I simply hope the young man learned his lesson, has been humbled, and will be better going forward. That being said, I cannot overlook the fact that Watson, who understandably wanted away from the dumpster fire that is the Houston Texans, ended up approving a trade to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns!! This dude could’ve gotten a new start in Carolina, Atlanta, or New Orleans…and he chose Cleveland!! Has he never heard of Tim Couch?? Colt McCoy?? Brady Quinn?? Brandon Weeden?? Hell, I could list two dozen more quarterbacks whose career died in The Factory of Sadness. I’ve been a big fan of Deshaun Watson since his days at Clemson, and I was counting on him to lead my dynasty fantasy team for the next decade, but I can’t cheer for the QB of the Browns, so I traded him for multiple draft picks. Thanks for nothing you moron. 

Baseball’s Opening Day has finally arrived. As a lifelong Pirates’ fan it is difficult for me to be as excited as some of y’all might be, but it is a cultural touchstone and an unofficial (late) welcome to spring, so I am happy to embrace the event in the spirit in which it is intended. Pirates games are soothing background noise while I read a book or mindlessly scroll on my phone, so atleast I have that going for me for the next six months, which is nice. 

I might have more thoughts on the NFL Draft before April 28, but for now let me offer one strong opinion. If my Pittsburgh Steelers mortgage the future to move up & select a quarterback who is far from certain to be a generational talent then the powers-that-be are absolute fools. I don’t think any quarterback in this draft is worthy of a first round pick, and I’m not sure any of them will be that successful in the NFL. I would prefer to see the Steelers address numerous other issues and ride with free agent signee Mitch Trubisky for a season (or two). If that means a couple of losing seasons before rebounding into perennial playoff contention for another long stretch then I’m okay with it. They’ve done a surprisingly good job of improving the offensive line this offseason, and I feel like they’re a wide receiver & perhaps some defensive depth away from being way better than anyone expects, but that isn’t a good enough reason to reach for a rookie quarterback in the draft. 

Congratulations to the Kansas Jayhawks for winning the NCAA Basketball National Championship. To be honest this year’s March Madness wasn’t all that memorable or compelling, although there were some decent games & exciting moments. The tournament felt kind of like cotton candy though…tastes sweet for a few fleeting seconds then melts away into nothingness. After all the hype about Gonzaga and upsets by underdogs like St. Peter’s & Miami (FL) the title game came down to Kansas & North Carolina…two blue-bloods despite the Tar Heels’ misleading #8 seed. As a fan there simply wasn’t anything to keep my attention outside of Coach K’s retirement. The title game being on TBS was weird, and not even One Shining Moment felt like Must See TV. 

It looks like Tiger Woods, a little over a year after suffering career threatening injuries in a car accident, will play in The Masters. As a fan I am excited to see him in the field, although expectations are obviously minimized. No one expects him to contend or even make the cut. As a human being I am fascinated by his redemption & comeback story. The sins of Tiger Woods are well-documented, but I am certainly not inclined to throw stones. The fact is that Woods in The Masters is good for golf and good for sports. If only my man Phil Mickelson were playing in the tournament 🤦🏻‍♂️…but that’s a whole other story. 

Speaking of basketball, it is my understanding that the NBA Playoffs will begin soon. I have no idea who the odds on favorites are or which teams may or may not be in the field. I believe I heard or read that the Los Angeles Lakers will miss the playoffs altogether, which makes me chuckle. Lebron James can pucker up & kiss my crippled fat ass *lol*. 

I suppose I have to address the Tom Brady situation. God knows I’d rather not think about the dude, much less write about him. At any rate, first Adam Schefter broke the news that TB12 was retiring, then Brady’s Dad was like “not so fast”, then a few days later Brady did post a retirement announcement on Instagram, because I guess that’s how it’s done nowadays. But wait…there’s more!! Like Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert, Tom Brady spent 40 days in retirement before resurrecting his career. Much like Halloween‘s Michael Myers, the Clintons, and numerous rock bands who are my grandfather’s age, Brady just won’t go away. The only good to come out of this is the fact that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be forced into the background during the Hall of Fame festivities five years from now. 

The Madness 2022

Two years ago one of the first signs that the Covid-19 pandemic might be a bigger deal than many originally thought it to be was the stunning cancellation of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. March Madness became March Sadness very quickly. In 2021 the tournament returned, albeit with all the requisite virus-related protocols that we now know were pretty much useless. And now, though The Sickness is still an issue, most of us have decided to move forward, live our lives, and do our best without meaningless virtue signaling that does very little to protect anyone from anything. As far as I know that means March Madness will get underway tomorrow with all the pomp & circumstance it deserves. Technically the action is already underway with play-in games, or what the powers-that-be refer to as the First Four. I don’t pay any attention to those games, so for our purposes they’ll simply be overlooked. 

After years of hoping WordPress would create some sort of brackets plug-in to no avail I finally stumbled upon a way to visually represent my entire bracket here. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best I can do. A few things should be noted. First, this is my one & only bracket. I do not create multiple “Sheets of Integrity” (shout out to my guys Mike & Mike). I don’t enter into a bunch of contests trying to make big bucks off of this deal, mostly because I’m not that good of a prognosticator (if you follow our Pigskin Picks of Profundity during football season you’re well aware of that). I did throw $10 into one thing my nephew is doing, but I have low expectations. At any rate, this is really just a way for me to have some fun & make the games a bit more interesting, especially since neither my alma mater Marshall Thundering Herd or home team West Virginia Mountaineers are playing in the postseason. Also, as you’ll see, I really controlled myself when it comes to picking upsets. There’s alot of chalk in these choices. I know there’ll be a few shockers, but I have no idea what they will be so mostly I err on the side of caution and stay rather conservative in my predictions. The truth is that I don’t follow basketball nearly as close as I do football, so I am even more out of my depth than usual. That’s fine with me. I’ll still be glued to my television for the next few days, and if you are here I am guessing you will be too. 

East

The Baylor Bears are the defending National Champions (they beat Gonzaga for the title a year ago in case you forgot), and I think they have as good a chance to repeat as any champion we’ve seen in awhile. I’ve got Virginia Tech upsetting Texas and San Francisco beating Murray St. in Round 1, with the regional final coming down to Baylor & Kentucky. If that comes to pass it could be a hell of a game, but I think the Bears get the job done and return to the Final Four. 

West

I have to give Gonzaga credit. When a basketball team from a school in Spokane, WA  that no one had ever heard of burst onto the scene in 1999 by making it to the Elite 8 I don’t think anyone thought much of it. Just another Cinderella, right?? There’s one or two every year. But here we are, more than two decades later, and the Bulldogs have become not only a tournament mainstay but a consistent Top 10 team. Do they play the same level of competition as programs in the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, etc.?? Maybe not, but that doesn’t seem to matter. They’ve appeared in two Final Fours in the past five years, falling short in the title game both times. Can they go that far again?? Most of the talking heads will say yes, but I disagree. New Mexico St. over Connecticut is my choice for the annual 5/12 upset, but that’s the only surprise I foresee in the first round. Actually, it’s chalk all the way thru except for that game, which would set up an epic Gonzaga-Duke regional final and a bit of cognitive dissonance. I’m an underdog kind of guy, but who could’ve predicted just a few years ago that the Blue Devils would ever be the underdogs in this matchup?!?!?!?? I realize that Duke isn’t the same level of great they might’ve been a decade ago, but they have hovered near the Top 5 most of the season. Perhaps I’m being sucked into the emotional vortex of this being Coach K’s swan song, but I think in this particular circumstance his team has the depth & athleticism to win a squeaker. 

Midwest

I like the Miami Hurricanes to score a mild first round upset, and feel good about predicting the Iowa St. Cyclones to overcome the odds a few times, making it all the way to the Elite 8. They are my Cinderella and I’m pushing all my chips into the center of the table on them…kind of. Ultimately I foresee the Kansas Jayhawks emerging from the region and going to the Final Four. 

South 

Sadly, this is as crazy as it gets for me. I am predicting two big upsets in the first round: Michigan over Colorado St. & Loyola (Chicago) over Ohio St. It’s always fun to see Sister Jean & Loyola’s Gryffindor scarves, right?? Sister Jean is 102 years old, so this might be her last hurrah. I hope her guys give her one final thrill. Unfortunately I don’t believe it’ll be a long ride,  with the dream ending in Round 2. With mostly chalk prevailing I think it comes down to Arizona & Villanova, with the West Coast Wildcats punching their ticket to the Final Four.

Final Four

I am predicting Baylor vs. Duke and Arizona vs. Kansas in the semis. As cool as it would be to see Coach K ride off into the sunset with a sixth National Championship I think he’s going to have to settle for one last Final Four appearance. Baylor is just too strong & athletic. I’m not sure it will even be that close. I also don’t believe Kansas is quite as elite as they typically have been, and think Arizona will expose their weaknesses. So will anyone East of the Mississippi be interested in watching two West Coast teams battle for the championship?? I hope so…¦it could be a very entertaining contest. At the end of the day though I believe Baylor will cut down the nets, becoming the first back-to-back champs since the 2006 & 2007 Florida Gators. 

Let The Madness Begin

Happy days are here again. March Madness is the pinnacle of the college basketball season, packing the punch of a whole year’s worth of excitement into just a few days. It also provides one the rare opportunity to venture out on a limb and either look like a genius or a complete buffoon. It doesn’t even matter if there is money involved, although that’s always a nice bonus. Years ago at a former place of employment I was one of a group of about a half dozen guys that would gamble small stakes on everything from pro football to Triple Crown horse racing, but the crown jewel of our year was The Madness. The money involved was so miniscule it was an afterthought. It was more about pride and bragging rights, proving oneself to be knowledgeable amongst peers. I did not have that outlet for several years, but now, thanks to the various bracket challenges on sites like ESPN and Yahoo, I’m back in the game. And since I am filling out a bracket anyway I decided I’d share my deep well of basketball acumen (or slightly arrogant poppycock) here at The Manofesto. To my knowledge there is no way to insert a filled out bracket into this blog so it’s a low tech effort. I have faith that my readers can adjust.

Before I dive in allow me to share a bit about my methods and some things I have learned over many years of doing this:

    • I do not analyze, study, and stress out about my brackets. I print it out, go down through, and fill it out on the fly. My picks are based on what I know as an average fan and on my vibes. My choices have no basis in scientific investigation of any facts or figures.

    • Will there be upsets?? Yes. But don’t go crazy. The first round has 32 games. Out of those there might be a half dozen upsets. The 5/12, 6/11, & 7/10 games are where to look for upsets. #1 seeds never…ever…lose in the first round, and #2 seeds very rarely lose. Atleast one #12 beats a #5 each year…I don’t know why. 8/9 games are pretty much dead even, so a #9 beating a #8 isn’t really an upset.

    • After the first round it’s a free for all, although that 11, 12, 13, or 14 that got thru one game is unlikely to make it much further. Still though, there always seems to be atleast one. The trick is picking the right one.

    • I am usually a sucker for the underdog, but in all honesty power conference teams will beat a small conference team the overwhelming majority of the time. I put major weight on being battle tested. A team that won 25 games during the regular season but did it against mostly weak competition is like blood in the water for a team from a power conference that might have won only 19 or 20 games and rode the bubble into the tournament.

    • I take into consideration where the games are taking place. If a team is playing close to home and has a bunch of fans in the stands that is important. But it’s not that important, so I consider it yet don’t nuts about it.

So, without further adieu, let’s take a look at each region:

East

This is a killer region. Lots of folks seem to be expecting George Mason to upset Villanova, but I am taking the Big East, battle tested ‘Nova over the small conference team. Sorry Patriot fans…it’s not 2006 anymore. I’m also taking #11 Marquette over #6 Xavier. I am a lifelong fan of the WV Mountaineers, who made it all the way to the Final Four last season, defeating Kentucky (who was darn near an NBA quality team) along the way. Unfortunately that will not happen this time, and I think the Wildcats get their revenge in Round 2. I like Syracuse to defeat Ohio State in the regional final and make it to The Final Four.

West

I have #9 Tennessee taking down #8 Michigan, although that’s not really an upset. #12 Memphis over #5 Arizona fulfills that annual tradition. I also picked #11 Missouri to beat #6 Cincinnati and #10 Penn St. to beat #7 Temple. I also took Penn St., who barely made it into the tournament, to beat #2 San Diego St. in the 2nd round. I just don’t think San Diego St. has played anyone other than BYU, while Penn St. faced Big 10 competition all season. I have #1 Duke facing off against #3 Connecticut in the regional final, with Coach K taking the Blue Devils to yet another Final Four.

Southwest

I have Richmond pulling off another 5/12 upset here by defeating fifth seeded Vanderbilt. I also have #10 Florida St. beating #7 Texas A&M. That’s it for the first round upsets in this region. I have #6 Georgetown beating #3 Purdue and #2 Notre Dame to make it to the regional final, where they ultimately fall to Kansas, the second and final #1 seed I have in The Final Four.

Southeast

I’m taking Old Dominion to defeat last year’s tournament darling and National Title runner-up Butler, but remember…a 9 over an 8 isn’t truly an upset. The only real upset I’m picking here is #10 Michigan St. over #7 UCLA, and even that wouldn’t exactly shock anyone. However, in the second round things get interesting. Pitt a #1 seed?? Okay. But they’ll still choke as usual, and I’m predicting it will be against Old Dominion. #5 Kansas State over #4 Wisconsin is a mild upset. #10 Michigan St. does it again by beating #2 Florida, and #6 St. John’s…battle tested…will take down #3 BYU. In the regional final I have Kansas State vs. St. John’s, with the Red Storm making it to The Final Four.

The Final Four

Syracuse vs. Duke, with the Orange shocking everyone (except me) and quite possibly sending Dick Vitale crawling into a corner in the fetal position.

Kansas vs. St. John’s, with Rock Chalk Jayhawk emphasizing the “chalk”.

Syracuse vs. Kansas in the National Championship, with Kansas proving what many have suspected all along, that they are the best team in the land.

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