Carpenter’s Crunch Time Column; There have to be better days ahead right?

Duane Carpenter
October 9, 2021

BUCKHANNON – It was a tough week on the football field as the Bucs, Mountaineers, Bobcats, Thundering Herd and Steelers all lost last week.

As I stated before, I know some of you aren’t shedding any tears over the Steelers’ loss.

There has to be better days ahead right? Of course there are.

Brian and I weren’t much better last week as we both posted 2-3 records.

Standings

Brian 12-8 (2-3 last week)

Duane 12-8 (2-3 last week)

Our first game is the Route 33 Rivalry.

Lewis County (1-4) at Buckhannon-Upshur (1-4) — I thought the Bucs played well last week in their game with John Marshall, but you can’t turn the ball over four times and win many games. Look for the Bucs to feed the ball to junior tailback Savion Farmer a lot in this game. Lewis County has just one win on the season, but played No. 1 in Class AA Lincoln very close last week. Should be your typical hard-hitting B-U-Lewis County game. My pick: Buckhannon-Upshur, 21-18; Brian’s pick: Buckhannon-Upshur, 20-6.

Lincoln (4-0) at Robert C. Byrd (2-2) — Speaking of Lincoln, they vaulted to the top spot this week in the WVSSAC rankings. Does that mean they are the best team in Class AA? Of course not, but making the short trip to Robert C. Byrd and knocking off the Eagles could certainly solidify the Cougars as one of the best. Will it happen? I doubt it as the Eagles will be the toughest competition to date for Lincoln. My pick: Robert C. Byrd, 35-25; Brian’s pick: Lincoln, 35-14.

West Virginia State (2-3) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-5) — You have to score to win, pretty simple. The Bobcats have been shutout the last two weeks. They have to find a way to get into the end zone. I think this could be a game that goes down to the wire. My pick: West Virginia State, 24-21; Brian’s pick: West Virginia State, 17-14.

Old Dominion (1-4) at Marshall (2-3) — The wheels have simply come off the Thundering Herd train. Marshall turned it over six times in a 34-28 loss to Middle Tennessee State last Saturday. ODU has just one win on the season as that should help Marshall get back into the win column. My pick: Marshall, 34-23; Brian’s pick: Marshall, 35-17.

West Virginia (2-3) at Baylor (4-1) — Wins and losses will take care of themselves, but sometimes it’s how you lose. That final 90 seconds of the WVU-Texas Tech game was some of the most mind-numbing football I have ever seen. WVU had no clue of what to do or how to handle the situation given them. I lost a lot of confidence in Neal Brown to lead this team, but I am still willing to give him some time, but last Saturday wasn’t encouraging. My pick: Baylor 41-21; Brian’s pick: WVU, 24-21.