Games This Weekend

WEST ORANGE-STARK over HAMSHIRE-FANNETT—The Mustangs finally got that first district victory with hopefully many more to come. This very well could be the start of another long skein of league wins, but it won’t be easy Friday night because it’s on the Longhorns’ home turf. The ‘Stangs just need to continue doing what they did last week at Homecoming against Liberty.

LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEVILLE over VIDOR—I’m picking this as my Upset Special because with the Pirates enjoying the home field advantage, they also are coming off an open date last week to help heal and the bumps and bruises. The Battlin’ Bears need to have a staunch defense against Vidor’s great ground game.

JASPER over BRIDGE CITY—The Bulldogs are coming to town undefeated in district play and intend to stay that way after Friday. However, the Cardinals should have something to say about that scenario, but may not be able to stymie that dream.

ORANGEFIELD over TARKINGTON—The Bobcats pulled off a big upset last week at Anahuac and return home to play another good opponent while sitting atop District 10-3A. The trick will be to remain in that envious position.

EVADALE over DEWEYVILLE—This District 12-2A opening game is rated as a toss-up with Evadale getting the nod because the game is being played on its home field. Both teams are well rested because of last week’s open date, so the last team to score could be the winner.

INCARNATE WORD over LAMAR---The Cardinals’ foe Saturday is fresh from walloping my McNeese Cowboys 48-20 last week and should continue their onslaught of bad teams in the Southland Conference. However, the Redbirds came back from a 30-point deficit against Houston Christian last week and perhaps that spark has not gone out.

HIGH SCHOOL---Humble over Beaumont West Brook (Thursday); Atascocita over Beaumont United, Port Arthur Memorial over LaPorte, Nederland over Santa Fe, Fort Bend Willowridge over Port Neches-Groves, Liberty over Hardin-Jefferson, Huffman over Livingston, Lumberton over Splendora, Newton over Hemphill, Trinity over Kountze, Woodville over Coldspring, Anahuac over Kirbyville, East Chambers over Buna, High Island over Summit Christian Academy, Hull-Daisetta over Sabine Pass, Beaumont Kelly over The Woodlands Christian, Beaumont Legacy Christian over Faith West Academy.

COLLEGE---Central Florida over SMU (today); Nebraska over Rutgers, Memphis over Houston, San Jose State over UNLV, Nevada over Colorado State (all Friday); Georgia over Auburn, Alabama over Texas A&M, Ohio State over Michigan State, Michigan over Indiana, Clemson over Boston College, USC over Washington State. Kentucky over South Carolina, LSU over Tennessee (Upset Special), Oklahoma State over Texas Tech, North Carolina State over Florida State, Utah over UCLA, Oregon over Arizona, Ole Miss over Vanderbilt, Washington over Arizona State, Baylor over West Virginia, Texas over Oklahoma (Upset Special),Notre Dame over BYU, Mississippi State over Arkansas, Wake Forest over Army, Pittsburgh over Virginia Tech, Kansas State over Iowa State, Kansas over TCU, Louisville over Virginia, Bowling Green over Buffalo, Maryland over Purdue, Florida over Missouri, Western Michigan over Eastern Michigan, Georgia Southern over Georgia State, Ohio over Akron, Cincinnati over South Florida, Liberty over UMass, Toledo over Northern Illinois, Wisconsin over Northwestern, Kent State over Miami, O., Tulsa over Navy, UAB over Middle Tennessee State, Central Michigan over Ball State, Tulane over East Carolina, North Carolina over Miami, Duke over Georgia Tech, UTSA over Western Kentucky, James Madison over Arkansas State, Air Force over Utah State, UTEP over Louisiana Tech, Troy over Southern Mississippi, UConn over Florida International, Wyoming over New Mexico, Appalachian State over Texas State, Illinois over Iowa, Coastal Carolina over Louisiana-Monroe, Boise State over Fresno State, San Diego State over Hawaii, Oregon State over Stanford, Stephen F. Austin over Abilene Christian, Alabama A&M over Grambling State, Jackson State over Alabama State, Texas Southern over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Northwestern State over Eastern Illinois, Nicholls State over Houston Christian, Southeastern Louisiana over Texas A&M-Commerce (all Saturday).

PRO PICKS---Indianapolis over Denver (Thursday Night); Jacksonville over Houston, Dallas over LA Rams (Upset Special), Green Bay over NY Giants, Tampa Bay over Atlanta, Minnesota over Chicago, New England over Detroit, LA Chargers over Cleveland, Miami over NY Jets, Buffalo over Pittsburgh, New Orleans over Seattle, Tennessee over Washington, San Francisco over Carolina, Philadelphia over Arizona, Baltimore over Cincinnati (all Sunday); Kansas City over Las Vegas (Monday Night).