Bye-bye Northeast Philly; hello Fargo

FROM KEITH GROLLER

I thought I would be in Philly next Friday night, at Northeast High School to be specific, with colleague Stephen Miller for the PIAA Class 3A semifinal.

That's the much-awaited rematch between Central Catholic and Archbishop Wood. As expected, that game has been set for Northeast High -- that's where Liberty and Easton have had past PIAA playoff games against District 12 opponents -- at 7 p.m. Friday.

But unless the boss has other ideas, I will be in Fargo, North Dakota, for Lehigh's quarterfinal-round playoff game against North Dakota State.

It should be an interesting experience for yours truly.

Gotta say this about being on the Lehigh football beat. In my 11 seasons on the beat, the Mountain Hawks (and I know you Engineers-only people cringe when I use that nickname, but it is the school's official nickname now) have taken me places where I never normally see -- Lynchburg, Va.; Greenville, S.C.; Cedar Falls, Iowa; Durham, N.H., and now Fargo, N.D.

I am very happy for coach Andy Coen and his players. The Patriot League doesn't get a lot of respect in NCAA FCS circles, especially in comparison to the CAA.

So, for Lehigh to beat the CAA champ on its home field was validation for the Mountain Hawks and the entire Patriot League.

I am still sorry I am going to miss the CCHS-Wood game. The over/under on that one has to be 70. You gotta figure that 10 touchdowns will be scored in that baby. Wood has got to be the favorite, but Brendan Nosovitch, Kevin Gulyas, Colin McDermott and Jalen Snyder-Scipio will at least keep it interesting and who knows, the Vikings could shock the world -- or at leas the state.

It is no shock that I had a terrible week with the NFL picks last weekend, going 8-5 outright, 7-6 against the spread and 5-8 on the over/under totals.

That puts me at 118-53 outright, 93-75-3 against the spread, but an abysmal 79-89-3 on the over/under totals.

Thankfully, I never submitted an Eagles pick on Thursday night because I likely would have been wrong again.

HOME TEAMS IN CAPS

PITTSBURGH (-7) 24, Cincinnati 14 -- under the 42.5 -- Bengals just not ready yet to win these types of games.

Atlanta (-2.5) 21, HOUSTON 16 -- under the 38 -- I am surprised that the Texans had no interest in either McNabb or even Favre considering their quarterback woes.

CHICAGO (-7) 20, Kansas City 6-- under the 37 -- I love it when the Chiefs radio announcer shouts "Touch-down Kan-sas Ci-ty!" He has had much of a chance to say that this season and may not get to do it at all at this one.

MIAMI (-3) 24, Oakland 17 -- under the 43 -- I still remember that playoff game between Kenny Stabler and Bob Griese in the 1970s. It was like good vs. evil and evil won.

WASHINGTON (+3) 23, New York Jets 17 -- over the 38.5 -- They will soon be counting the days down until the pitchers and catchers report in New York soon.

Tennessee (+1.5) 30, Buffalo 20 -- over the 43 -- What is it about of these New York teams collapsing like the tree limbs in that Halloween weekend snowstorm?

NEW ENGLAND (-20.5) 34, Indianapolis 6-- under the 47.5 -- Brady, Welker and other stars will be watching the fourth quarter.

MINNESOTA (-1.5) 21, Denver 12 -- under the 37.5 -- Who's playing quarterback for the Broncos again? Haven't heard much about.

Carolina (+2.5) 24, TAMPA BAY 20 -- under the 47 -- Haven't gotten the Panthers right all season, so bet on the Bucs.

Baltimore (-6.5) 20, CLEVELAND 17 -- under the 38 -- Ravens experience a letdown after the Harbaugh Bowl, but survive.

Dallas (-4.5) 27, ARIZONA 13 - under the 47 -- Cardinals probably wish they could play the Rams more often.

NEW YORK GIANTS (+6) 34, Green Bay 28 -- over the 54 -- One thing Eli and Coughlin can do is spoil perfect seasons.

SF 49ERS (-13.5) 33, St. Louis 14 --over the 38 -- Be careful what you wish for Eagles fans ... Steve Spagnuolo could be your 2012 defensive coordinator.

Sunday Night

NEW ORLEANS (-9) 31, Detroit 21 -- under the 53.5 -- The season began with the Saints vs. Packers and the NFC portion of the schedule will end with the same two teams battling for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

Monday Night

San Diego (-3) 24, JACKSONVILLE 17 -- over the 39 -- Might as well get burned by Rivers, Norv and the underachieving Chargers once again. The ones I pity here are ESPN. Why does NBC get all of the good games and ESPN gets this clunker?

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