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Okay, okay, so maybe, just maybe
I underestimate things.
As you may (or may not have)
read in last week's column I picked Nevada-Las Vegas to
defeat the Vols.
I was wrong.
But think about it. UNLV has
been better. I knew it wouldn't be a 62-3 debacle like
it was last time the two played. John Robinson has the
Runnin' Rebels in bowl contention and they way they
started out, they looked like they were going to give
Tennessee all it could handle.
Consider that the Vols had two
freshmen quarterback starting against a crafty coach who
was going to throw the house at them.
Consider that Cedric Houston
hasn't been impressive (I'll give him a semi pass since
he is hurt quite a bit) and that Jabari Davis is slower
than me with Louie Anderson on my back.
Also consider that Jason Allen
is the lone returnee in the secondary and that the
Tennessee front seven, while highly regarded, hasn't
produced that well (I point to the South Carolina game
last year as well as Clemson).
So it seemed reasonable that
UNLV could pull the upset.
I was wrong.
Forgive me.
But I have said all along that
my picks don't reflect my hopes, only my opinions. And
you know what they say about opinions.
Understand, when I'm not wearing
my reporter hat, I'm a Vols fan. But this won't be the
last time I pick against them in this corner. Consider
that a heads up.
McKenzie had a heads up this
week when Camden posted 17 points without reply to start
the game last Friday night. One loss does not a season
make. Credit the Rebels for providing a solid effort to
come back.
But this performance does
underscore the need for the Rebels to be more focused
Monday-through-Thursday. It is essential that McKenzie
play every play, every period, every practice as if the
state championship depended on it. Everyone must pull on
the Rebel rope if they are to be successful this year.
Last week I was 14-5 in my picks
which brings me to 74.4 percent for the season at 32-43.
Improvement is needed in the
worst way. You already have a prognosticator...in the
worst way.
McKenzie over Dyer County: The
Choctaws always give McKenzie a tougher game than it
expects, but the Rebels have a streak going against
them. Even at Newbern, I think the Tribe will have its
hands full.
Huntingdon over Lexington: This
will be a dandy game, pitting two teams teeming with
size, strength and athletes. The Big Red will give the
Mustangs a test, but Huntingdon will prevail.
West Carroll over Catholic: I
have a feeling the War Eagles could name their score
with this one.
USJ over Hollow Rock-Bruceton:
Central coach Tim Gilmer's return to Jackson will be an
interesting one, but the ride back to Bruceton won't be
pleasant. The Bruins win in a close one.
Perry County over Gleason: I was
tempted to go with the Bulldogs on this one, given how
close they've come. This could be the upset special of
the night, but for now, I go with the Vikings.
Pikeville over Bethel: Who
knows, maybe a little reverse prescience is in order
here?
In other action,
I see:
Lake Co. over Fulton Co.; South Fulton
over Fulton City, Greenfield over Middleton, JCS over
Halls, McNairy over Riverside, Adamsville over Peabody,
Dresden over Lighthouse, Milan over Manassas, Hardin Co.
over Bolivar, Humboldt over Liberty, Crockett Co. over
Gibson Co., Obion over Westview, JCM over South Side,
Dyersburg over Kingsbury, Henry Co. over Clarksville
Northwest, Munford over Carver, Bolton over Brighton,
Covington over Millington, Harding over Fayette-Ware,
North Side over Union City and Haywood over Ripley.
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