Sports reporter Mark Nesbitt (19-4) now leads sports editor Adam Krebs (16-7) by three games in the standings after Adam's pick of Monroe over Oregon failed to boost his spot in the standings.
Monroe at Fort Atkinson
Adam: So far I am just 1-2 picking my alma mater, but I'm looking at evening the count this week. The Cheesemakers take on a perennial bottom-dweller in the Badger South, which may help kick-start an offense that has scored just one touchdown all season. Once again, turnovers will be key. Pick: Cheesemakers
Mark: Monroe has been looking for a breakout game on offense and I think this is it. The Cheesemakers have scored two touchdowns in three games and this is where they pick up their first win. The Blackhawks are off to a 0-3 start and have been shutout in three straight games. Fort has been outscored 126-0 in losses to three of the state's top teams in Waunakee, Reedsburg and Monona Grove. Pick: Monroe
Southwestern at Darlington
Adam: I was the only AP voter this week to vote the Redbirds as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Small School division. Darlington's offense has yet to be stopped, and the defense can stop any offense it needs to. At 3-0 already, Darlington (Ranked No. 3 in the AP Small School Poll and second in the WisSports.net Division 5 poll) is looking like one of the top teams in state, regardless of division. Pick: Redbirds
Mark: The Redbirds will not have any letdowns after a big 42-28 SWAL win over Fennimore. Darlington should roll and could have two running backs break 100 yards this week. The Redbirds have too many weapons for Southwestern. Pick: Darlington
Brodhead-Juda at Evansville
Adam: The Cardinals went for the win last week in overtime against Big Foot, and the gamble didn't pay off. Brodhead-Juda has shown time and time again to pick themselves up after tough defeats. I envision a big night both offensively and defensively from the Cards. Pick: Cardinals
Mark: After losing an overtime heartbreaker to Walworth Big-Foot, the Cardinals will face another big game against Evansville which lost 20-19 to McFarland last week. This could be a battle of passing attacks. The Cardinals have proven that quarterback David Earleywine can make plays passing the ball with a talented group of wide receivers. Evansville quarterback Casey Moseley passed for 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans last week. The difference will be the Cardinals' defense forcing turnovers. Pick: Brodhead-Juda
New Glarus-Monticello at Poynette
Adam: NGM finds itself 3-0 and ranked 14th in both state polls. Poynette (3-0, ranked ninth in the WisSports.net Division 5 Poll) will be quite the challenge for the Knights, especially with NGM playing on the road. Pick: NGM
Mark: The Glarner Knights haven't faced a test as big as they will against Poynette. Poynette has an explosive offense that likes to pound the ball with a first team all-conference 207-pound fullback in Shawn Lenius and a playmaker at running back in Levi Campion. Campion has rushed for 436 yards and five touchdowns in wins over Howards Grove and Wisconsin Dells. Poynette quarterback Adam Ray rushed for 186 yards in a 17-3 win over Marshall. The Knights will have a big challenge slowing down Poynette's offense. Pick: Poynette
Belleville-Albany at Lakeside Lutheran
Adam: Lakeside Lutheran is 2-1 with its only loss coming to McFarland (3-0) by just one score. McFarland is ranked fifth by the AP. Belleville-Albany (0-3) has shown the ability to hang with good teams when on top of its game, but turnover issues have kept the Wildcats winless. Pick: LL
Mark: The Wildcats will have their hands full trying to slow down Lakeside Lutheran. Lakeside running back Caleb Gartner has rushed for 403 yards and three touchdowns. Lakeside played McFarland in a close game before falling 13-7. Pick: Lakeside Lutheran
River Ridge at Black Hawk
Adam: River Ridge (3-0) turned some skeptics into believers by knocking off Pec-Argyle big in Week 3. Black Hawk (2-1) has turned up its offensive prowess by scoring 78 points in its last two games. Look for a track race in South Wayne. Pick: Black Hawk
Mark: The Warriors' offense has been clicking on all cylinders behind quarterback Michael Wolff. Black Hawk running back Jace Johnsrud gave some balance with 162 rushing yards last week in a big 40-14 wins over Benton Scales-Mound (Ill). The Warriors are one of the best early season stories and they will avenge a 21-14 loss to River Ridge from last year. Pick: Black Hawk
Pecatonica-Argyle at Highland
Adam: The Vikings were dealt an unfortunate defeat a week ago. The offense has shown the ability to score, but the defense has had trouble stopping teams early on this year (118 points allowed in three games). Luckily Highland has just one win and 124 total points scored (5.9 points per game) since the start of the 2008 season (21 games). In that same time, the Cardinals have allowed 728 points (34.6 ppg). Pick: Pec-Argyle
Mark: The Vikings will pick up their first win with a dominating performance. Look for Jared Johnson to have a big game running the ball. The Vikings scored 28 points last week and this is a critical game to build momentum. Pick: Pecatonica-Argyle
Arizona State at Wisconsin
Adam: John Clay is just getting going and freshman Johnny White is the Badgers version of Barry Sanders in college. ASU is a solid team in most conferences, but after a pair of games where Wisconsin hasn't looked like the 11th-ranked team in the nation, I think this is the game UW shows its promise. Pick: Badgers
Mark: The Badgers played a sloppy game against San Jose State. Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson is 3-0 coaching against the Badgers. ASU quarterback Steven Threet is a Michigan transfer who led the Wolverines to a comeback 27-25 win over the Badgers in 2008. Threet will challenge the Badgers' secondary with a spread offense. UW will pass the test. Pick: Badgers
Buffalo at Green Bay
Adam: Green Bay was dealt a moderate blow with Ryan Grant and Justin Harrell being placed on the IR. However, for now the offense is pass-happy and can still score points. Against Buffalo, the running game won't matter much. Pick: Packers
Mark: Any one who enjoys playing fantasy football will love the Packers offense this week. I picked up Brandon Jackson in one of my fantasy leagues. Play every Packer you have because Aaron Rodgers and Co. will score at least 35 points against the Bills. Pick: Packers
Monroe at Fort Atkinson
Adam: So far I am just 1-2 picking my alma mater, but I'm looking at evening the count this week. The Cheesemakers take on a perennial bottom-dweller in the Badger South, which may help kick-start an offense that has scored just one touchdown all season. Once again, turnovers will be key. Pick: Cheesemakers
Mark: Monroe has been looking for a breakout game on offense and I think this is it. The Cheesemakers have scored two touchdowns in three games and this is where they pick up their first win. The Blackhawks are off to a 0-3 start and have been shutout in three straight games. Fort has been outscored 126-0 in losses to three of the state's top teams in Waunakee, Reedsburg and Monona Grove. Pick: Monroe
Southwestern at Darlington
Adam: I was the only AP voter this week to vote the Redbirds as the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Small School division. Darlington's offense has yet to be stopped, and the defense can stop any offense it needs to. At 3-0 already, Darlington (Ranked No. 3 in the AP Small School Poll and second in the WisSports.net Division 5 poll) is looking like one of the top teams in state, regardless of division. Pick: Redbirds
Mark: The Redbirds will not have any letdowns after a big 42-28 SWAL win over Fennimore. Darlington should roll and could have two running backs break 100 yards this week. The Redbirds have too many weapons for Southwestern. Pick: Darlington
Brodhead-Juda at Evansville
Adam: The Cardinals went for the win last week in overtime against Big Foot, and the gamble didn't pay off. Brodhead-Juda has shown time and time again to pick themselves up after tough defeats. I envision a big night both offensively and defensively from the Cards. Pick: Cardinals
Mark: After losing an overtime heartbreaker to Walworth Big-Foot, the Cardinals will face another big game against Evansville which lost 20-19 to McFarland last week. This could be a battle of passing attacks. The Cardinals have proven that quarterback David Earleywine can make plays passing the ball with a talented group of wide receivers. Evansville quarterback Casey Moseley passed for 144 yards and three touchdowns against the Spartans last week. The difference will be the Cardinals' defense forcing turnovers. Pick: Brodhead-Juda
New Glarus-Monticello at Poynette
Adam: NGM finds itself 3-0 and ranked 14th in both state polls. Poynette (3-0, ranked ninth in the WisSports.net Division 5 Poll) will be quite the challenge for the Knights, especially with NGM playing on the road. Pick: NGM
Mark: The Glarner Knights haven't faced a test as big as they will against Poynette. Poynette has an explosive offense that likes to pound the ball with a first team all-conference 207-pound fullback in Shawn Lenius and a playmaker at running back in Levi Campion. Campion has rushed for 436 yards and five touchdowns in wins over Howards Grove and Wisconsin Dells. Poynette quarterback Adam Ray rushed for 186 yards in a 17-3 win over Marshall. The Knights will have a big challenge slowing down Poynette's offense. Pick: Poynette
Belleville-Albany at Lakeside Lutheran
Adam: Lakeside Lutheran is 2-1 with its only loss coming to McFarland (3-0) by just one score. McFarland is ranked fifth by the AP. Belleville-Albany (0-3) has shown the ability to hang with good teams when on top of its game, but turnover issues have kept the Wildcats winless. Pick: LL
Mark: The Wildcats will have their hands full trying to slow down Lakeside Lutheran. Lakeside running back Caleb Gartner has rushed for 403 yards and three touchdowns. Lakeside played McFarland in a close game before falling 13-7. Pick: Lakeside Lutheran
River Ridge at Black Hawk
Adam: River Ridge (3-0) turned some skeptics into believers by knocking off Pec-Argyle big in Week 3. Black Hawk (2-1) has turned up its offensive prowess by scoring 78 points in its last two games. Look for a track race in South Wayne. Pick: Black Hawk
Mark: The Warriors' offense has been clicking on all cylinders behind quarterback Michael Wolff. Black Hawk running back Jace Johnsrud gave some balance with 162 rushing yards last week in a big 40-14 wins over Benton Scales-Mound (Ill). The Warriors are one of the best early season stories and they will avenge a 21-14 loss to River Ridge from last year. Pick: Black Hawk
Pecatonica-Argyle at Highland
Adam: The Vikings were dealt an unfortunate defeat a week ago. The offense has shown the ability to score, but the defense has had trouble stopping teams early on this year (118 points allowed in three games). Luckily Highland has just one win and 124 total points scored (5.9 points per game) since the start of the 2008 season (21 games). In that same time, the Cardinals have allowed 728 points (34.6 ppg). Pick: Pec-Argyle
Mark: The Vikings will pick up their first win with a dominating performance. Look for Jared Johnson to have a big game running the ball. The Vikings scored 28 points last week and this is a critical game to build momentum. Pick: Pecatonica-Argyle
Arizona State at Wisconsin
Adam: John Clay is just getting going and freshman Johnny White is the Badgers version of Barry Sanders in college. ASU is a solid team in most conferences, but after a pair of games where Wisconsin hasn't looked like the 11th-ranked team in the nation, I think this is the game UW shows its promise. Pick: Badgers
Mark: The Badgers played a sloppy game against San Jose State. Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson is 3-0 coaching against the Badgers. ASU quarterback Steven Threet is a Michigan transfer who led the Wolverines to a comeback 27-25 win over the Badgers in 2008. Threet will challenge the Badgers' secondary with a spread offense. UW will pass the test. Pick: Badgers
Buffalo at Green Bay
Adam: Green Bay was dealt a moderate blow with Ryan Grant and Justin Harrell being placed on the IR. However, for now the offense is pass-happy and can still score points. Against Buffalo, the running game won't matter much. Pick: Packers
Mark: Any one who enjoys playing fantasy football will love the Packers offense this week. I picked up Brandon Jackson in one of my fantasy leagues. Play every Packer you have because Aaron Rodgers and Co. will score at least 35 points against the Bills. Pick: Packers
