Another week and another set of picks. My first week did not go quite as planned but a .500 record is nothing to be too upset about. Is it obvious that I am a Cubs fan? Anyways, I appreciate the comments on the site and the emails I received after last week’s article, keep them coming. I am always open to new ideas, which brings me to this week’s edition.

I received an email from a reader (devoted fan) that challenged me to “step out on the edge” with my picks and start predicting scores. So, from now on I will be giving you my winner and the score. That’s a classic two-for-one deal. You are welcome, readers. Also, college football gets into the mix this week, enjoy!

Last Week: 3-3
Overall: 3-3

High School Football Week 2 8/30

Whitko (0-1) at Columbia City (0-1), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Whitko looked lost most of last week and the road does not get any easier. Ethan Nicodemus should have a nice game for the Wildcats again but I do not see a ‘W’ for Whitko quite yet.
The Pick: Columbia City 28, Whitko 10.

Northfield (0-1) at Triton (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: I was right about Triton’s ability to surprise teams this season, I was just wrong about when that trend would start. If that winning trend is going to continue the Trojans will need a bigger push up front so senior Cole Creighbaum can get into the open field. I was wrong about Triton last week, I feel much better about this week’s pick.
The Pick: Triton 21, Northfield 13.

Warsaw (1-0) at East Noble (1-0), 7 p.m.
The Scoop: I like everything that the 2013 Tigers bring to the table. But I have to see Warsaw get a big win before I hop on the bandwagon. The Tigers get some nice wins every season but fall short in the marquee match-ups. This Friday is a marquee match-up. East Noble is coming off a nice win over Fort Wayne Northrop and does not plan on slowing down. This is a “prove it” game for Warsaw. Prove you are for real, Tigers, and you will prove me wrong.
The Pick: East Noble 28, Warsaw 24.

Bremen (0-1) at Tippecanoe Valley (0-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: I looked for Valley’s big statement game to be its opener against a tough Culver Academies squad, and I was wrong. The Vikings have another tough game this week against Bremen and cannot afford to lose. That is the only motivation Ben Shriver and Tanner Andrews should need to light-up the scoreboard in Death Valley this week.
The Pick: Valley 41, Bremen 20.

Wawasee (1-0) at South Bend Saint Joseph’s (1-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Friday night at Father Bly Field will be all about one player. That player is St. Joe senior quarterback Matt Monserez. He torched the Warriors last season and already has 288 yards under his belt this season. I like what I saw from Wawasee last week but they do not have enough to keep up with Monserez and the Indians for a whole game.
The Pick: SB St. Joe 42, Wawasee 21.

High School Volleyball 8/30

Argos at Lakeland Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
The Scoop: No football? No problem! The Friday night lights at LCA will be inside as the Cougars play their first home match of the year against the Argos Dragons. Historically, cougars do not fare well when pitted against dragons but I feel like really going out on the edge with this pick.
The Pick: LCA in five games.

College Football Week 1

Illinois State at Ball State, Thursday 8/29, 7 p.m.
The Scoop: Former Purdue defensive coordinator and current ISU head coach Brock Spack has two things going for him on Thursday night, a solid offensive attack and one of the greatest mustaches in college sports. Unfortunately for Spack, neither of those things will be able to match up with BSU’s offense. BSU quarterback Keith Wenning will be fine coming off of minor knee surgery and help pick up a win.
The Pick: Ball State 52, Illinois State 34

Indiana State at Indiana, Thursday 8/29, 7 p.m.
The Scoop: The last time IU fans really talked about Hoosier football outside of the fall semester was probably when Ronald Reagan was in office. That is not even a joke, it is an educated guess. But Hoosier faithful are talking now thanks to a top-40 recruiting class. IU will win big but will struggle early. Keep an eye on Warren Central product Shakir Bell to break 100 rushing yards for ISU.
The Pick: Indiana 48, Indiana State 21

Purdue at Cincinnati, Saturday 8/30, 12:00 p.m.
The Scoop: Purdue made a great hire in Darrell Hazell. He brings actual hope to West Lafeyette and Boiler Nation will be beaming with pride soon enough. This Saturday, however, is just a tough first game for Hazell and company. Cincinnati is well coached and playing at home which is enough to give the edge to the Bearcats.
The Pick: Cincinnati 24, Purdue 20

Temple at Notre Dame, Saturday 8/30, 3:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Notre Dame had a lot of drama to deal with this off season from the Manti Teo story to the numerous players transferring to losing starting quarterback Everett Golson for academic reasons. The Irish will have a lot of anger to work out of their system and Temple is going to get the brunt of Notre Dame’s frustration. Warning: This could get ugly.
The Pick: Notre Dame 42, Temple 6.