The coffee pot on the kitchen counter lets out a hiss. The brain fog clears like the darkness at dawn with each sip. What a treat. What a blessing to get to enjoy a cup of heaven every morning. This morning’s cup of Joe was prepared by my better half and set on the counter next to me as I sat huddled over this typing machine in the dark kitchen. She nicked me with a kiss on the cheek and a morning greeting before leaving me with my stacks of notes and thoughts for the day. That’s the ‘real stuff’ right there. That’s the real treasure; the true blessing.

Football both round and oblong is secondary to blessings such as a fresh cup of coffee made exactly how I love it by the one that loves me the most.

So, with this cup steaming to my right and the soft tunes of Eric Church playing in the drop-down den, this is how I will approach this weekend’s entertaining weekend.

APPROACH to the FOOTBALL WEEKEND 9/18-21

THURSDAY

• (4-1) Lehi @ (4-1) Skyridge 7PM

The football weekend begins with a ‘Friday Night Lights’ matchup on Thursday between Region 3 rivals Lehi and Skyridge. Only 3.1 miles separate the schools, and the familiarity could add a fun element to an already good matchup. This will also be each team’s first regional game and every win matters more in the Region.

Lehi have only given up 31 points so far this season. This defense will need to bring their A game to slow Skyridge who have scored 263 through five games.

• Prime NFL Miami @ Buffalo

Sonny doesn’t have any players on either team, but I’ll probably tune in after the Region 3 game. Buffalo wins that right? By a lot? I mean, it’s the only way I see it. 20 to nothing seems close. Not saying the Bills couldn’t pile it on because I think they could. Could be 44-11 for all I know. Hopefully it’s a good game late somehow.

FRIDAY

• It’s all about ‘Friday Night Lights’
  • Corner Canyon @ Lone Peak will have my full attention. It can be seen on ChargersTV
    • Look for preview
  • I’ll follow up on all of the big games that were mentioned in this past “General Update.”
    • “General Update” is released every Sunday evening
• Nothing groundbreaking in college, but I’m rooting for the Scarlet Knights over the Hawkeyes. A 4-0 Rutgers is just what this season needs. The game is on Fox at 6:00

SATURDAY

Saturday Morning I’ll get up a mountain and back, but by 10ish to check out Maryland at Wisconsin.

• (3-0) Maryland at (2-1) Wisconsin at 10 on Peacock is an intriguing game. Maryland’s Freshman QB Malik Washington on the road in Madison raises my curiosity. He’s looked completely capable against the opponents I’ve watched, but this will be the toughest defense he’s faced so far. Overall, how will Wisconsin respond off their blowout loss to the Tide? That was a rough game last week. As a Badger Lover this season, I expected Luke Fickel’s Badgers to keep it closer than they did. I want to see the young Malik perform on the road and continue to grow in his confidence but would love to see the Badgers win. I’ll take 34-31.
  • Player to watch: Maryland Freshman DB Messiah Delhomme. #33 on defense and Special Teams. Explosive player that can change games.
• (2-1) Purdue @ (0-2) Notre Dame follows the Badger game on the same network and is an equally intriguing game. Both teams are coming off a loss and Notre Dame desperate for a win. Notre Dame with Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price running the ball and Leonard Moore shutting down his side of the field at corner are by far the better team, but they will not beat the Boilermakers without a fight. Purdue against USC played all four quarters and played with belief. Pad-popping belief. This game might be low scoring, but Purdue is an underdog worth watching. Coach Barry Odom is the perfect fit for this squad. He’s a gritty guy and this is a gritty team. Keep Notre Dame under 20 and you have a chance.
• (2-1) Michigan @ (3-0) Nebraska. This game is on Paramount+ at the same time as Notre Dame but is also a game worth watching. How real are the Cornhuskers? What version of Bryce Underwood will be shown? Will Michigan let him throw? This has high scoring potential. 35-30 or so, but only if the Wolverines unleash Underwood. I think Nebraska will certainly score. Will Michigan keep up? I’d love to see the two young QB’s dual it out.
• (3-0) Illinois @ (3-0) Indiana 5:30 Peacock
  • This one has classic written all over it. A straight coin-flip for me. It’s whoever wants it most at the end. I’ll take Bielema on the road.
• (2-0) Washington at (2-1) Washington St 5:30 Paramount+
  • An early season Apple Cup is always fun. Washington does not need to worry about style points in this one. Keep it simple. Get the win on the road. The Huskies are the better team, but they won’t just wake up with a win. I’m looking for Washington QB Demond Williams to limit his mistakes and hit a few big plays that showcase his Heisman ability and the Huskies to simply get a win. Washington host Ohio St next week.

SUNDAY

Sunday starts with ‘The Round Game.’

• Aston Villa @ Sunderland 7:00 AM
  • Sunderland currently 6th are tough to beat at home. Winless Aston Villa, currently second from bottom of the league are desperate for one. I’ll take a 3-3 draw. One can dream. Could be closer to 0-0.
• Man City @ Arsenal 9:30 on Peacock
• Como @ Fiorentina 10:00 Paramount+
  • It was a tough way to draw this past Monday. Como held the lead from the 14th minute until the end of the 90, but a goal in the second minute of stoppage time from Patrick Viera’s Genoa stole the point from the home team.
    • Como’s Nico Paz is a rising star.
• (2-0) Indianapolis @ (0-2) Nashville
  • Can the Titans win? How many touchdowns will future MVP Daniel Jones score? I’m calling three rushing at least.
  • I’d love to see Cam Ward have a confident game. He’s still growing and will be great.

• NFL Denver @ Los Angeles 2:05
  • Sonny needs Courtland Sutton to produce. I’ll take Denver to win on the road. 30-20. Sutton two TD’s

There is a Sunday Night game, but I’ll be missing it this week. Giants and Chiefs. Chiefs are 0-2. That’s a weird sentence. Al Michaels will make it fun to watch somehow. He always does.

END of Football weekend.

So, if you want to know what I’ll be intentionally eyeballing there it is. There are many other intriguing matchups including one I didn’t mention, the Hometown Tigers that I’m sure I’ll be back and forth on.

Simultaneously there will be a monster game taking place twenty-five minutes up the street at Rice-Eccles. Texas Tech and the Red Raiders are coming to Salt Lake City for a massive Big12 showdown. This game has attracted the interest of Dave Portnoy and the FOX football coverage team, and this includes former Utes Coach Urban Meyer making a homecoming. The pregame show alone will be worth watching. Utah fans are ready to believe and will bring the energy. Which reminds me, I need to check on Bruce. Maybe I’ll drive up the hill in the next couple of days for his perspective.

The Big12 is wide-open, and this undefeated matchup is causing lots of buzz in the land of the Bees and across the country. Absolutely worth watching and going to if you have the means.

It’s the last day before the Football weekend begins. Let’s get outside and walk a trail between now and then.

Both round and oblong, let the football be entertaining this weekend.

My bride will be by my side for most of it. She loves football as much as I do. Again, I count my blessings. Grateful every day.

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.