BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The Pigskin Prophet had to settle for a .500 record last week which was his worst performance of 2025. As the kids would say, Meh! Piggy was 2-2 on the high school prognostications and 4-4 in college and NFL picks.
Recapping our predictions…
Coldwater 23, Okemos 21 (Cardinals won 42-7)
Union City 24, Reading 22 (Chargers won 32-6)
White Pigeon 42, Bronson 21 (Vikings won 32-6, oops)
Quincy 27, Springport 24 (Orioles lost 36-20, double oops)
COLLEGE PICKS
USC 30, Michigan 28 (USC won 31-13)
Michigan State 26, UCLA 10 (Sparty got humbled 38-13)
Ohio State 48, Illinois 17 (Buckeyes roll 34-16)
Missouri 24, Alabama 21 (Bama won 27-24)
Oregon 58, Indiana 51 (Indiana won 30-20)
NFL
Chiefs 35, Lions 31 (Chiefs won 30-17)
Packers 38, Bengals 17 (Packers won 27-18)
Commanders 42, Bears 23 (Bears won 25-24)
For the season, the PP is 21-6 on the high school picks. Overall, Piggy is 47-22-1.
With two weeks left in the regular season, the latest 11-player high school football playoff rankings from the M.H.S.A.A. show Coldwater, Union City and Bronson in the playoffs while Quincy is one spot away from qualifying. An exciting night awaits in Week 8.
HASTINGS AT COLDWATER
The Cardinals have overcome some key injuries with a “next man up” attitude. They are 6-1 thanks to a four game winning streak. Coldwater has scored over 40 points three times this season.
They have lost to Hastings five straight times including a wild 73-45 shootout last year. The 5-2 Saxons have scored over 50 points in three games but they are coming off a 29-15 loss to Harper Creek in last week’s battle for first place in the Interstate 8.
Friday’s game may end up with a basketball score. Get your popcorn ready.
The PP says Coldwater 52, Hastings 48
SPRINGPORT AT UNION CITY
The Big 8 Conference championship is on the line Friday night at Alumni Field as the Union City Chargers will host the undefeated Springport Spartans. The Pigskin Prophet will be on hand to provide updates during our coverage of the Coldwater game against Hastings.
Union City is 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big 8 while Springport is 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference.
The Chargers defeated Reading last Friday 32-6 thanks to a ground attack that got almost 250 yards. The Spartans were given a tough game by Quincy before they won 36-20.
Union City has a five game winning streak against Springport and the PP thinks the Chargers will make it six straight.
The PP says Union City 22, Springport 14
BRONSON AT READING
As the late Stuart Scott would have said on ESPN, you can call the Bronson Vikings butter because they are on a roll.
The Vikings shocked the world last Friday as they pounded previously undefeated White Pigeon 32-6. Bronson will take a 6-1 record into Friday’s game at Reading and they have scored at least 30 points in all six victories.
Bronson needs to guard against a let down following the White Pigeon win. Reading is always tough on their home field and the Rangers are smarting after they were manhandled by Union City last week. The PP thinks Bronson will keep the train moving.
The PP says Bronson 41, Reading 24
QUINCY AT MAPLE VALLEY
Despite losing three straight games which has seen their record drop to 4-3, the Quincy Orioles still have a shot at the post season but they need a win at Maple Valley on Friday night.
The Orioles gave Big 8 Conference leader Springport a tough game last Friday before they lost 36-20. They will face an improving 2-5 Lions team which has wins over Hartford and Sand Creek. They only lost by a touchdown to Stockbridge last week.
The PP thinks Quincy will get back on the right track this week.
The PP says Quincy 35, Maple Valley 16
COLLEGE PICKS
Michigan 28, Washington 24
Indiana 48, Michigan State 10
Vanderbilt 20, LSU 17
Ole Miss 21, Georgia 13
Alabama 38, Tennessee 30
USC 24, Notre Dame 21
BYU 28, Utah 26
NFL
Bucs 35, Lions 28
Bears 27, Saints 17
Eagles 31, Vikings 27
Packers 27, Cardinals 14
Comments