Week 3 Predictions- Jay and Tommy

Jay’s Picks (5 of 5 Week 2, 8 of 9 on the Season)

Week 3 UMAC picks. I’m feeling pretty confident this week after getting them all right last week. Teams that figure to be in the running for the conference championship separated themselves last week which leaves some teams that need to do some serious catching up. Also, Tommy needs to stop picking against St. Scholastica.

Greenville @ Minnesota Morris- Greenville makes another trip to Minnesota still wincing from that shellacking courtesy of St. Scholastica. Interesting fact: Greenville has been outscored 95-20 in its two games this season. On the other hand, Morris is one of those teams that every year you just cannot put your finger on exactly how they are winning. It’s not pretty but they have gotten it done the first two weeks. They are basically the UMAC version of the Arizona Cardinals through two weeks. Unfortunately, I think Greenville will make sure to show us exactly how Morris won’t be winning this week. Greenville 40 Morris 21

MacMurray @ Northwestern- Can you believe that only two years ago this game was a three point win by Northwestern? Last year Northwestern blew out MacMurray, but that was before MacMurray won the last two games of the season and has hung tough against its last two UMAC opponents this season. So far MacMurray has not faced anything close to an offense as explosive as Northwestern's, and I don’t think they are ready for it. This is the Eagles home opener after three straight road games. I think they come out of the gates fast and put MacMurray away early. Northwestern 49 MacMurray 13

St. Scholastica @ Martin Luther- St. Scholastica is 1-4 against Martin Luther all-time. In fact, that last time the Saints have lost on the road in the regular season was at the hands of the Knights two years ago. Weird things happen in New Ulm, but not this Saturday. The Knights could have more turnovers than points for the second week in a row. Scholastica rolls. St. Scholastica 56 Martin Luther 6

Simpson @ Eureka- This is a non-conference game for the Red Devils and their home opener. Traditionally, Simpson has been known for an extremely physical football team that pounds the football and a hard-nosed defense. Eureka is not built for this type of game on offense or defense, but if they can provide QB Sam Durley with some pass protection they could make it interesting. I am of the opinion that Simpson will keep Durley and the offense off the field and will be too much for the Red Devils to handle. Simpson 48 Eureka 17 

Game of the Week

Westminster @ Crown- This is the game of the week because it is the most evenly matched game this week. The jury is still out on Westminster after a blowout loss to Northwestern and a win by virtue of the gifts from Martin Luther (eight of them to be exact). Crown is coming off a tough, heartbreaking loss to Eureka, and it will be interesting to see how they respond this week against a good opponent. Crown might not be special in any one area, but they are solid everywhere and more importantly they seem to want it more than other teams. The buzz from St. Bonifacius is growing and it should be; I’ve got them winning the game of the week in another nailbiter. Crown 27 Westminster 26


Tommy’s Picks (4 of 5 Week 2, 5 of 9 on the Season)

Last week was a much stronger showing for me. Yes, Jay may be beating me but I can only compare myself to my own best self. And I have finally learned my lesson about Scholastica. I am not picking against the Saints the rest of the year.

Greenville @ Minnesota Morris - I think that Greenville is much better than they showed last week and I think that Morris is not as good as their 2-0 conference record would indicate. Greenville does have to make another long journey up to the Minnesota for the second consecutive week and we know that the Cougars will be amped to play at home. Still, Greenville will be hungry after last week's letdown and is all-around the better team. Greenville rushes for 300+ yards en route to a win. Greenville 31 Morris 7

MacMurray @ Northwestern - MacMurray has done a good job of hanging around so far this season. They have been very close to winning two games already. However, the reality is they lost at home to two teams that are not considered contenders in the UMAC. Now they go on the road to face a tough Northwestern team and moral victories don't count for anything at this point. Northwestern gets up early and cruises to victory. Northwestern 41 MacMurray 7

St. Scholastica @ Martin Luther - Jay listed an interesting statistic in his prediction. - that Scholastica is 1-4 against MLC all-time. This would be the perfect opportunity for a let-down. St. Scholastica is coming off two big home wins and if they are going to overlook someone it could certainly be the turnover-plagued Knights. However, the talent difference between these two teams is equivalent to the difference between Oklahoma State and Savannah State. Martin Luther has no chance. Just pray to get out without any big injuries. St. Scholastica 35 Martin Luther 0

Simpson @ Eureka - I don't know a whole lot about Simpson College this season. I do know that they are typically a tough program from a better conference. Eureka has been wildly disappointing in their first two games. I don't think they have the offensive or defensive lines to stay in this. Simpson 38 Eureka 10

Game of the Week

Westminster @ Crown - I am actually pretty excited for this game. If you would have asked me at the beginning of the season I would have said that Westminster would steam roll right through Crown. But, now I don't know. Crown is playing a lot better than expected and seems to be a program on the rise. Westminster, on the other hand, is still a question mark after getting blown out by Northwestern in week 1. We will see if Crown is really a team that should be taken seriously or if they are the Crown of years past. We will also find out if Westminster simply had a bad game against Northwestern or if they are really that much of a disappointment. I think Westminster is still a little bit better team and they pull out a close one. Westminster 24 Crown 21