The Banner Staff
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
After one week of The Duncan Banner Pigskin Prognosticators, Banner sports editor Ben Whitehead is out in front.
Whitehead picked 15 out of 19 games correctly, including a 12-1 mark in the college picks.
There is a logjam behind Whitehead for second, as four prognosticators are tied with a 14-5 record.
It must be noted that since Velma-Alma and Comanche ended in a tie, The Banner threw that game out and did not count it toward the week’s record.
Tommie Ellis, Sherrie McCormack, Wayne McKinney and Robert Cowan will look to separate from the rest this week. Banner sports writer Matt Tillson is just behind that group with a 13-6 record. Managing editor Ron Booth (11-8) and Joe Hicks (10-9) round out the leader board.
This week’s slate of games features high school, college and professional games, as the NFL gets underway tonight with the New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings. Based on the picks, the Saints are the overwhelming favorite.
There won’t be any contests this week between area schools. Duncan is a favorite in its home opener with Noble. Other area favorites are Central High over Paoli and Velma-Alma over Wynnewood.
Comanche, Empire, Marlow and Waurika each received split, or close to split, picks. The Indians host Class A power Ringling, Empire hosts Maysville, Marlow travels to Elgin and Waurika hosts Walters.
Jenks at Union is also on the slate, with most of the prognosticators taking the host Union Redskins.
Several college games of intrigue are Florida State at Oklahoma, Miami (Fla.) at Ohio State and Penn State at Alabama. All state schools (OU, Oklahoma State and Tulsa) are favorites this weekend.
In the pro ranks, Dallas is picked by most to beat Washington. A few Sam Bradford believes have chosen St. Louis to upset the Matt Leinart-less Arizona Cardinals. New England is favored over Cincinnati and Indianapolis is picked to beat the Texans in Houston.
