"I write the Predictions" -Barry Manilow

"No No No No... You Da Man!"

I thought I would write Barry Manilow theme predictions this week considering 98% of the readers here probably don't even know who he is. My title of course is referencing his song "I write the songs" which is a classic. Feel free to youtube,spotify,pandora, or call you parents and educate yourself a little on this singing legend. The reason I picked Barry was for the fact about 88% of his songs are jams and that's the same rate as my predictions right now. Though I didn't need to call on "Mandy" for the inspiration on mine. "Ohhh Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking" Hopefully I'll have another perfect week and be singing "Looks like we made it" all the way home.

Greenville @ Northwestern

Not going to waste anytime here and go right to the game that has the most implications out of them all. First things first I'm going to point out that this game is at Northwestern. (if you didn't see the title)  I think this plays a big role in this game. Currently right now Northwestern is undefeated at home and even has a MIAC win on that field. Greenville is used to having that grass field and they're going to have to get used to what high class feels like on Saturday. Rumor has it that Northwestern has a very nice wine bar and a winery tour right next to the field. Now Greenville has 3 of the top 5 yards per game players which clearly leans towards the fact they're going to run the ball. I think that Greenville hasn't even been close to tested this year and that plays a lot into those statistics. Callaway for Greenville is a force to be respected, but I think that Northwestern is going to close up that option real quick. Expect a frustrating day here for Greenville and I wouldn't be surprised if they're forced to try to find a passing game. Fletcher is one of the better quaterbacks in the UMAC throwing wise, but some of his decisions have been ill-advised and he will need to keep turnovers at zero in this game and than they wouldn't have an issue wining this one. Greenville is giving up more than 22 points a game so far against a lot worse teams than Northwestern. (exclude Millikin) Northwestern is only giving up 16 and had to play Scholastica already so just this stat wise shows the favor for Northwestern. I think Northwestern is going to keep that balanced offense this game and expect that wining streak at home to continue

Final Score

Northwestern 48 Greenville 28

Westminster @ IWC

I was already dreading predicting this one because I think IWC is good and I hate picking against them and now they play against a really good team. Plassmeyer is a throwing machine this year and has a good line blocking for him. He is one of the least sacked quaterbacks in the UMAC and he throws the ball more than anyone. This doesn't bode well for IWC who is going to have a tough time stopping that passing. One interesting stat though is that Plassmeyer is the most intercepted quaterback in the UMAC so that leaves an opening for a big pick six or momentum shifter. IWC though is on the way up and I think they've got some real confidence going into this game. I like the fact that IWC here has home field too. Huss is going to need to match Westminster points for points if they want to win this game. Going to be a higher scoring affair here and I need Westminster to win this game big for me to know how good they actually are. IWC loves proving me wrong though so I guess kinda shot in the dark here. 

Final Score

Westminster 32 IWC 26

MacMurray @ Eureka

Neither of these teams have impressed me this year. I had high expectations for Eureka and they fell way short. MacMurray actually isn't doing too bad, but after that Scholastica game I think we know they've got a long way to go before they're in the running or even in the conversation for the UMAC. This is a toughie, but I think that Eureka is going to take this one, but not by that much.

Final Score

Eureka 28 MacMurray 20

Scholastica @ Martin Luther

There is absolutely no reason for me to be worried about this game, but I'm always concerned about a game at Martin Luther.  The "bowl" is going to need to play a big role here in this game if Martin Luther wants to sniff a chance at a win. Scholastica coming off a stomping of MacMurray and firing on all cylinders should be able to destroy Martin Luther, but will they? Martin Luther has the ability to make close games with teams that are better than them. For example a close game against Greenville and Northwestern. So if you look at this game that way maybe they'll have another one. All that being said, I've gotta pick this one as a blow out. Scholastica is just playing too well right now and their defense is shutting down the run pretty well. Martin Luther with 343 yards passing on the year clearly shows they don't have the ability to pass the ball even remotely effective. I do expect to see some sort of trick play from Martin Luther early here. Watch for that running back pass in this game, they've got nothing to lose here. If Cederleaf has quarterback responsibility this game expect Rothe to not be keeping the ball as much as he usually does. Hopefully Mangan is playing dive because he can blow that play up right at the line. I expect Harper to have at least one rushing touchdowns in this game and throws at least two. I want to see if Specht can keep up his play right now so I'll say he catches one and tough to go against "The Irish Blessing" for the other, but I will and say O'Neil gets one. Robinson has a chance to get some yards this game and I think he goes for 104 and he can thank some good blocks from the line. 

Final Score

Scholastica 37 Martin Luther 13

Morris @ Crown

ONE OF THESE TEAMS IS GOING HOME WITH A WIN!!! 

Who is the question? I haven't seen enough of Morris to pick them to win this game. I know Crown is predictable, but they're at home against a team that might not be able to stop predicable. Yep, the more and more I think about this game I think Crown has got a shot to pull this one off. Morris just has only 24 points total in the last three games and I just don't see them scoring easily on Crown. So congrats Crown on your first win!!!

maybe...

Final Score

Crown 28 Morris 20

Well there you go folks! I can afford to get 2 wrong this week and still be at 80% so I don't mind if two of you want to prove me wrong. (Not Martin Luther tho please) Once again ignore all spelling and grammar, because I do.

PS I realize I didn't make another Barry Manilow reference since the intro. So I know I  "Can't smile without you" so keep reading!

Thanks for all the views!

Recapping Perfection

The title explains it all. I'm back baby and sitting happy at 5 for 5 on the week. Just look at the scores too... Basically I nailed every game and you're all super impressed. (most likely don't care) I don't really have much to say about each game, but I supposed I'll say a few words.

Greenville vs Crown 

Now if you believed in my predictions you didn't really need to watch this game. It went just as I expected. I knew Greeenville was going to win this game, but not by the fashion of all the other teams that have dominated Crown. I said that Greenville wouldn't win by more than 20 and I of course was right. I think this game showed some weakness in Greenville in the fact they didn't just score all day with that high powered offense and also gave up 17 points to Crown's quite predicable offense. I'm excited for this Northwestern vs Greenville matchup this week, but from watching this game I think Greenville has some issues that can be exploited by Northwestern. Crown played one of their better games and are just basically getting ready for their shot at Morris.for those keeping track my score prediction was 34-14 and the final score was 35-17 so I was only a combined 4 points off. *pats myself on the back.

Next let's recap that Martin Luther Bs IWC game. From the signs of this game I get the feeling that IWC is pretty dang good this year. Martin Luther of course isn't a great team or anything this year though considering their only win is from a team forfeiting back to back games now for lack of able bodied players. That being said still impressed with IWC for getting a win here and they're starting to remind me of Scholastica from their first few years. The question is do they have an Alex Thiry like back-up on the bench just waiting to take them 7-3 and then 10-0? I guess we will see. I think coach Park really is starting to get the hang of being head coach there. Added note once again I was close on the score difference for this game. *pats myself on other side of back

Now Scholastica had a long trip on over to MacMurray for a long game for MacMurray. I called the slow start per usual on the Saints, but when they came out firing it was like a cannon ball compared to a spitball shooter. Scholastica got a chance this game to get a lot of reps for the back-ups and you saw a lot of touchdowns from a lot of different players. It was good to see Scholastica still has the ability to stomp on the gas pedal and glue it to the floor. I'm really impressed with the return game of the saints and I wonder if teams might just start squibing soon and keep it out of the hands of Jinkins. Specht really starting to show some senior leadership lately and "The Irish Blessing" staying dominate and I think he found out my secret to being a beast as I believe I had a pot of gold sighting at Chipotle. Saint now have some "easier" games until the last game against Greenville. (easier doesn't mean they can't be upset) 

Westminster faced off against Eureka and it played out just as I wanted/expected. I'm really starting to think Westminster is the 2nd/3rd best team in the UMAC right now. Eureka obviously not having the best year right now, but any team you hold to 7 is a good showing and I think Westminster has a great offense and an above UMAC average defense. Not too much to say about this game, but I can't wait for Westminster vs Greenville match a few weeks away.

Northwestern killed Morris as expected, but did it in shut-out fashion which is always good for a team. With the loss to Scholastica Northwestern is still holding on to a shot at a three way tie or a slim shot of winning it with two Scholastica losses. Morris has a solid defense as we have seen in other games and Northwestern put up a nice 33 points (I predicted 34 if you were wondering) and I think that was right on par for this team. I think they'll have to play above Par this game coming up though if they want a shot at that three way tie with a big win against Greenville. I'll talk more about on my next post obviously. As for Morris, keep fighting guys. Play a little spoiler with someone who underestimates you.

Well there's some recaps from someone who barely watched any of the games. Predictions will be out tomorrow or Friday and it's going to be a good week!

Feel free to comment with negative opinions or grammatical corrections that I'll ignore!