I realized just today (on Lehigh's bye week, unsurprisingly) that I've neglected to make Patriot League picks for the first three weeks of the year. This is largely because I've been such a maniac in doing stuff for the College Sporting News, this blog, Facebook, and (oh yeah) the rest of my life, too. (You should see my garage.)
But for those of you that are unaware I write the CSN Way at the College Sporting News, and I make picks over there. This week I pick several games in my regular CSN Way column, and I'll reprint them here for everyone's enjoyment. And I'll add in exclusive coverage of the other games this week. (Besides, I made the poll over there picking how the Patriot League will do this weekend, so I'd better be honest and say what I think too, eh?)
For those that care, I'm 4-3 on the year in Patriot League games so far.
Holy Cross at Harvard. Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph won’t have Harvard’s Stephen Williams to pick on anymore, but to me this just seems like the perfect time for Holy Cross to play Harvard: the Crimson haven't had a chance to work out all the kinks, and the Crusaders' offense and special teams are running on all cylinders. On a special Friday Night of Patriot League football, give my Holy Cross.
Cruisin’ Crusaders 37, Hoppin’ Harvards 29.
Cornell at Bucknell. Confidence is contagious in football. Could Bucknell jump out to a 3-0 start and start to make Patriot League watchers turn their heads at runningback A.J. Kizekai and the triple-option-powered Bison? They’ll have their hands full in the season opener for local rival Cornell, and quarterback Nathan Ford will be eager to erase the memory of last year’s loss to Bucknell as well. While the Bison are improved from last year, Cornell will prove to them their first great test – and, just barely, they’ll survive.
Bison – Undefeated? 23, Big Red – Winless? 21.
Georgetown at Yale. The Hoyas' defense is improved - led by linebacker Nick Parrish -- but they will face a much tougher challenge against an Ivy League title contender in Yale. Here's where the fact that the Eli haven't played a game yet works to the Hoya's disadvantage: if Yale is indeed opening up the offense a bit more to take pressure off of runningback Mike McLeod, that will not help this defense. The Hoyas battle hard, but take it on the chin.
Elated Eli 35, Hopeful Hoyas 23.
Colgate at Dartmouth. The Raiders have failed to impress after three games - sure, their offense, led by runningback Jordan Scott, is as powerful as ever. But their defense, who has given up 42 points apiece to Stony Brook and Furman, has struggled to find their stride. Dartmouth on the surface would seem to be an opponent that the Raiders could dispatch without a problem since they're picked to finish in the lower half of the Ivy League. But this team seems, well, different. Runningback Milan Williams is the linchpin in what seems to be an improved Big Green squad - and I see them pulling off what could be considered an "upset".
Very Green Kegs 34, Very Red Raiders 23.
Fordham at Columbia. One of my favorite games - the "Liberty Cup" - is gaining popularity in New York City as Fordham looks to put their 23-20 upset behind them against Dayton of the Pioneer Football League. The series tied at 3-3, Columbia always comes out strong for this game while the Rams' loss to Dayton exposed some problems, notably of special teams. Despite the fact that Fordham was picked to win the Patriot League this year, this will be a close game - but a fired-up Ram team looks to be able to put the Lions away.
Rebounding Rams 24, Leapin' Lions 18.
But for those of you that are unaware I write the CSN Way at the College Sporting News, and I make picks over there. This week I pick several games in my regular CSN Way column, and I'll reprint them here for everyone's enjoyment. And I'll add in exclusive coverage of the other games this week. (Besides, I made the poll over there picking how the Patriot League will do this weekend, so I'd better be honest and say what I think too, eh?)
For those that care, I'm 4-3 on the year in Patriot League games so far.
Holy Cross at Harvard. Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph won’t have Harvard’s Stephen Williams to pick on anymore, but to me this just seems like the perfect time for Holy Cross to play Harvard: the Crimson haven't had a chance to work out all the kinks, and the Crusaders' offense and special teams are running on all cylinders. On a special Friday Night of Patriot League football, give my Holy Cross.
Cruisin’ Crusaders 37, Hoppin’ Harvards 29.
Cornell at Bucknell. Confidence is contagious in football. Could Bucknell jump out to a 3-0 start and start to make Patriot League watchers turn their heads at runningback A.J. Kizekai and the triple-option-powered Bison? They’ll have their hands full in the season opener for local rival Cornell, and quarterback Nathan Ford will be eager to erase the memory of last year’s loss to Bucknell as well. While the Bison are improved from last year, Cornell will prove to them their first great test – and, just barely, they’ll survive.
Bison – Undefeated? 23, Big Red – Winless? 21.
Georgetown at Yale. The Hoyas' defense is improved - led by linebacker Nick Parrish -- but they will face a much tougher challenge against an Ivy League title contender in Yale. Here's where the fact that the Eli haven't played a game yet works to the Hoya's disadvantage: if Yale is indeed opening up the offense a bit more to take pressure off of runningback Mike McLeod, that will not help this defense. The Hoyas battle hard, but take it on the chin.
Elated Eli 35, Hopeful Hoyas 23.
Colgate at Dartmouth. The Raiders have failed to impress after three games - sure, their offense, led by runningback Jordan Scott, is as powerful as ever. But their defense, who has given up 42 points apiece to Stony Brook and Furman, has struggled to find their stride. Dartmouth on the surface would seem to be an opponent that the Raiders could dispatch without a problem since they're picked to finish in the lower half of the Ivy League. But this team seems, well, different. Runningback Milan Williams is the linchpin in what seems to be an improved Big Green squad - and I see them pulling off what could be considered an "upset".
Very Green Kegs 34, Very Red Raiders 23.
Fordham at Columbia. One of my favorite games - the "Liberty Cup" - is gaining popularity in New York City as Fordham looks to put their 23-20 upset behind them against Dayton of the Pioneer Football League. The series tied at 3-3, Columbia always comes out strong for this game while the Rams' loss to Dayton exposed some problems, notably of special teams. Despite the fact that Fordham was picked to win the Patriot League this year, this will be a close game - but a fired-up Ram team looks to be able to put the Lions away.
Rebounding Rams 24, Leapin' Lions 18.
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