HANOVER – There is something satisfying about picking upsets. That said, it’s certainly a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. Get an upset right, and you are a genius. But pick too many underdogs and you come across as a dolt.
Hello friends, dolt here.
Week One of the Fearful Forecast finished with a 4-4 record and if that taught one lesson, it is this: Take it easy picking upsets.
With that out of the way, here are this week’s selections, starting with the sold-out Harvard-Brown game at the soccer stadium in Pawtucket.
Harvard (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) vs. Brown (1-0, 0-0 Ivy)
I went with Harvard as my Ivy League favorite so picking Brown to upset the Crimson would be disingenuous. Then again, the last time Brown played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket they knocked off a top-10 Rhode Island team. So am I picking the upset? Absolutely not. Harvard 28, Brown 10
I went with Harvard as my Ivy League favorite so picking Brown to upset the Crimson would be disingenuous. Then again, the last time Brown played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket they knocked off a top-10 Rhode Island team. So am I picking the upset? Absolutely not. Harvard 28, Brown 10
Yale (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) at Cornell (0-1, 0-0 Ivy)
The Big Red has won two of its last three games against what might be much better Yale teams. The Bulldogs didn't exactly distinguish themselves last week against winless Holy Cross. There is again a temptation to go with the underdog but … see above. Yale 35, Cornell 17
The Big Red has won two of its last three games against what might be much better Yale teams. The Bulldogs didn't exactly distinguish themselves last week against winless Holy Cross. There is again a temptation to go with the underdog but … see above. Yale 35, Cornell 17
Columbia (1-0, 0-0 Ivy) at Georgetown (0-2, 0-2 Patriot)
Columbia finally won a share of the Ivy League title two years ago after the Forecast stopped picking ‘em. Last year we got back to picking ‘em, and they let us down. What does if mean if we pick ‘em again? Let’s find out. Columbia 24, Georgetown 21
Columbia finally won a share of the Ivy League title two years ago after the Forecast stopped picking ‘em. Last year we got back to picking ‘em, and they let us down. What does if mean if we pick ‘em again? Let’s find out. Columbia 24, Georgetown 21
Lehigh (4-0, 3-0 Patriot) at Penn (1-0, 0-0 Ivy)
The lock of the week, or so it would seem. The Mountain Hawks survived their first week with a new quarterback. The Quakers will struggle in their second week with their own new QB. Lehigh 35, Penn 14
The lock of the week, or so it would seem. The Mountain Hawks survived their first week with a new quarterback. The Quakers will struggle in their second week with their own new QB. Lehigh 35, Penn 14
Albany (2-2, 1-1 CAA) at Princeton (0-1, 0-0 Ivy)
Did you know Albany’s starting QB last week was a grad transfer from Princeton? The Tigers know who he is and what he can do. Also what he can’t do. Buckle up for the, gulp, upset. Princeton 28, Albany 24.
Did you know Albany’s starting QB last week was a grad transfer from Princeton? The Tigers know who he is and what he can do. Also what he can’t do. Buckle up for the, gulp, upset. Princeton 28, Albany 24.
New Haven (1-3, 0-1 NEC) at Merrimack (1-3, Ind)
As an independent, the Warriors have had a very challenging early season schedule. The Chargers absolutely, positively will not be that kind of challenge. Merrimack 24, New Haven 7
As an independent, the Warriors have had a very challenging early season schedule. The Chargers absolutely, positively will not be that kind of challenge. Merrimack 24, New Haven 7
LAST WEEK
This BGA Guy Is A Genius
Predicted: Brown 38, New Haven 21
Actual: Brown 17, New Haven 10
Comment: History said Brown would score more points and give up more points. Current events said otherwise.
This BGA Guy Is A Genius
Predicted: Brown 38, New Haven 21
Actual: Brown 17, New Haven 10
Comment: History said Brown would score more points and give up more points. Current events said otherwise.
Predicted: Colgate 35, Cornell 31
Actual: Colgate 20, Cornell 7
Comment: Colgate might be back. Cornell might not.
Predicted: Penn 24, Bucknell 14
Actual: Penn 20, Bucknell 7
Comment: Penn defense dominated. Or was the Bucknell offense that bad?
Actual: Colgate 20, Cornell 7
Comment: Colgate might be back. Cornell might not.
Predicted: Penn 24, Bucknell 14
Actual: Penn 20, Bucknell 7
Comment: Penn defense dominated. Or was the Bucknell offense that bad?
Predicted: Tarleton 48, Merrimack 14
Actual: Tarleton 45, Merrimack 20
Comment: As expected.
Actual: Tarleton 45, Merrimack 20
Comment: As expected.
This BGA Guy Is A Dolt
Predicted: Lafayette 28, Columbia 14
Actual: Columbia 40, Lafayette 34 ot
Comment: Not a typo. Columbia actually scored 40 points for the first time since 2022.
Predicted: Lafayette 28, Columbia 14
Actual: Columbia 40, Lafayette 34 ot
Comment: Not a typo. Columbia actually scored 40 points for the first time since 2022.
Predicted: New Hampshire 28, Harvard 21
Actual: Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Comment: Wildcats or mildcats?
Actual: Harvard 31, New Hampshire 7
Comment: Wildcats or mildcats?
Predicted: Princeton 24, Bryant 21
Actual: Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Comment: Tigers had their chances.
Actual: Bryant 21, Princeton 14
Comment: Tigers had their chances.
Predicted: Albany 34, Monmouth 32
Actual: Monmouth 28, Albany 20
Comment: Got the one-score game thing right. Just had the wrong team.
Actual: Monmouth 28, Albany 20
Comment: Got the one-score game thing right. Just had the wrong team.
Last Week: 5-5 (.500)
Year To Date: 5-5 (.500)
Year To Date: 5-5 (.500)