Prognosticators hope to rebound after tough Week 2

Coaches often say their teams make the most improvement between Weeks 1 and 2 of the season.Too bad our Pigskin Prognosticators cannot make the same claim.Our fearless forecasters – sports editor Zach Baker and Methuselah Minion Dave Hanneman – may have gotten a bit overconfident last season. In the 2024 Pigskin Picks, both correctly predicted games at a winning percentage over 82 percent.My how things have changed.After another so-so week, the gridiron gurus are proving what they don't know isn't impressing anybody.Hanneman went 12-4 for the week, and was fortunate to pick up a game on Baker by winning two of the three games they disagreed on. Still, he's just 23-9 two weeks into the season, a paltry 71.9 winning percentage. Baker was 11-5 last week is at 21-11 overall. A winning percentage of 65.6.Both will be looking to improve those averages significantly, but it won't be an easy week for gaining ground with five of the 15 games matching teams with identical records. There's a number of toss-up games on the schedule and our pigskin prognosticators have split on three of those either/or matchups, with Hanneman picking Arlington, Arcadia and North Baltimore this week and Baker pinning his comeback hopes on Ada, Riverdale and Elgin, respectively. Hanneman's PicksLast week: 12-4; overall 23-9FINDLAY over Springfield – Another big test for Findlay's defense against a team that has topped 40 points in both games so far.ARLINGTON over Ada – Two 2-0 teams. Should be a good one. Arlington is at home and the Devils' defense has pitched two shutouts.Arcadia over RIVERDALE – Toss-up. This one could go either way.Leipsic over ELMWOOD – Vikings have scored a lot of points, but they've given up a lot as well.LIBERTY-BENTON over McComb – L-B juggernaut just keps chug, chug, chugging along.PANDORA-GILBOA over Van Buren – Another BVC toss-up. P-G needs to make hay while the home-streak lasts.CAREY over Lima Central Catholic – Blue Devils facing a third straight unbeaten team, but it's their home opener.Bluffton over TOLEDO BOWSHER – Bowsher used to be called the Rebels. Now they're the Blue Racers. Doesn't change my pick, though.PATRICK HENRY over Columbus Grove – Another must-see matchup. Patriots still have not given up a point though.Hardin Northern over CORY-RAWSON – Both teams looking for their first win. Winter's coming, so I'm going with the Polar Bears.WOODMORE over Fostoria – Wildcats have outscored their first two opponents 105-6. That's impressive.NORTH BALTIMORE over Elgin – I'll tell you, Greg Bishop has a knack for designing productive offenses. His Tigers are averaging 42 points a game.Ottawa-Glandorf over KENTON – O-G is 0-2 against two 2-0 teams; Kenton is 0-2 against two 1-1 teams. How that affects my pick? I haven't a clue.Northwood over UPPER SANDUSKY – Northwood wants a shootout; Upper would prefer a low-scoring defensive struggle.NEW LONDON over Vanlue – New London's scores have been close; Vanlue's have not. Baker's PicksLast week: 11-5; overall 21-11FINDLAY over Springfield – Findlay's defense looked good last week in Lima. Look for that to continue.Ada over ARLINGTON – Both teams have been very impressive in first two weeks. I give the edge to the Bulldogs, barely. RIVERDALE over Arcadia – Riverdale being at home makes a difference.Leipsic over ELMWOOD – Leipsic has come charging out of the gate. Look for the Vikings to keep charging.LIBERTY-BENTON over McComb – So far, no one has had an answer for L-B receiver Seth Elchert.PANDORA-GILBOA over Van Buren – Bounce back for the Rockets after last week.CAREY over Lima Central Catholic – Carey looks to avoid 0-3 for second straight year. I think it will.Bluffton over TOLEDO BOWSHER – Bluffton made a statement last week against P-G.PATRICK HENRY over Columbus Grove — Hard to see Grove starting 0-3, but this pick has less to do with that than the way the Patriots have played through the first two weeks.Hardin Northern over CORY-RAWSON – Both are 0-2. Hardin Nothern has shown it can overcome some tough games.WOODMORE over Fostoria – Fostoria needs to show it can be competitive for four quarters.Elgin over NORTH BALTIMORE – North Baltimore has gotten off to a great start. Can the Tigers keep it up? This will be a big test.Ottawa-Glandorf over KENTON – O-G was close last week. Guess the Titans get the W.Northwood over UPPER SANDUSKY – Northwood has already scored 100 points this season. The Rams have six.NEW LONDON over Vanlue – It's been tough for Vanlue so far. It may get tougher.Home team in caps.