Week 8 picks

For all the confusion and convolution involved with the playoff tiebreakers heading into this week, if nothing else we can be thankful that, now, we can at least outline all the scenarios before they happen on Friday night.

Someone’s gotta say it: Remember power ratings?

Yeah, I remember back in the day when we would break out calculators trying to figure out which teams were in the playoffs and which teams were out. I remember trying to track down scores for out-of-state games that influenced seeding and placement for the Wyoming playoffs. I remember one year where the seedings of one playoff race were dependent on what happened in a Montana game on a Saturday afternoon.

No more. Now, thanks to a system that simplifies rather than complicates, we have only to worry about Equality State scores. And we get situations like the ones Wright at Burns face in their 7 p.m. Friday kickoff down in Burns.

The winner is in. The loser is out.

That’s as simple as it can possibly be. And knowing the stakes ahead of time makes it fun.

These two teams don’t have to watch the final scores roll in from hither, thither and yon to know their playoff fate. All the Panthers and the Broncs need to know is that if they win, they’re in.

Sometimes, that’s all you want to know.

In a way, it’s like a de-facto playoff pigtail game. Win and you keep playing, lose and your season is done. A certain amount of comfort comes with that knowledge. It narrows focus and keeps distractions at bay.

In turn, the fans in Burns should see a fantastic game on Friday night.

In what to me looks like a tight game on paper, I’m going with the Broncs at home. Nevertheless, the stakes, plus the two teams engaging in them, should make for a memorable showdown in Laramie County on Friday, no matter who wins.

Here’s the rest of this week’s picks, the final ones of the regular season. Bold teams are the ones I project winning:

Thursday
Class 1A 11-man
Shoshoni at Dubois: The Rams’ magical 2010 season continues. Unfortunately, the Wranglers’ struggles — struggles I see ending within the next year or two — continue for one more game. 4 p.m.
Friday
Class 4A
Cheyenne Central at Kelly Walsh: Simply put, the Indians are unpredictable. At times I think they can beat anyone. At times I think they can’t. But the playoffs are just around the corner, and they know it’s time to buckle down. 7 p.m.
Evanston at Rock Springs: The Tigers might be playing for their postseason lives, but the Red Devils are playing for momentum and a possible spot at home until a possible trip to Laramie beckons. 7 p.m.
Green River at Gillette: Ditto. 7 p.m.
Laramie at Cheyenne East: I’ve watched both of these teams several times this season, and there is no way East should lose this game. But losing streaks are funny, and the Plainsmen have confidence, so who knows? Not me. 7 p.m.
Natrona at Sheridan: How does nine in a row sound, Mustangs? 7 p.m.
Class 3A
Cody at Worland: Above all the confusion in spots 2-5 of the 3A West, the Broncs continue to piece together a solid season. 7 p.m.
Lander at Powell: I fought with this pick for what seemed like hours. These two teams match up well on paper and have incredibly similar motivations driving them this week. As usual in a case like this, I just pick the home team and then allow myself to enjoy what should be a fantastic game. 7 p.m.
Rawlins at Buffalo: This should be a nice little tune-up for the Bison as they try to enter the postseason with purpose. Should be. 6 p.m.
Star Valley at Jackson: Star Valley needs this game more than Jackson does. That will show on Friday. 7 p.m.
Torrington at Douglas: If you’re a Trailblazer, knowing your season ends with this game, can you think of a better way to end the year than with a huge upset? ‘Blazers will be ready and may keep it close, but the Bearcats are focused. 7 p.m.
Wheatland at Riverton: No. 3 seed on the line here — and I can’t rule out the Bulldogs, who have the passing game to come back if they fall behind. 7 p.m.
Class 2A
Big Piney at Lovell: The Bulldogs have won four in a row and continue to look like a real contender in 2A. 7 p.m.
Glenrock at Moorcroft: The Herders took one on the chin this fall but still have what it takes to finish the season with a “W.” 3 p.m.
Kemmerer at Mountain View: The Buffalos need a convoluted set of games to go their way to make the playoffs. The first, though, is that they have to beat the Rangers. If they don’t do that, they can forget the rest. 3:30 p.m.
Lyman at Greybull: They hardly get any bigger than this in the 2A West. The Eagles need this to win the conference outright; that sort of inspiration will show on the field. 7 p.m.
Newcastle at Big Horn: Can anyone stop the Rams? Anyone? Maybe not. 1 p.m.
Pinedale at Wyoming Indian: The Wranglers have more ups and downs than an elevator this season. The Chiefs are hoping to catch them on the ground floor. 6 p.m.
Tongue River at Thermopolis: The Bobcats might want to coast on in to the playoffs — but if they do that, the Eagles have what it takes to make them pay. 7 p.m.
Class 1A 11-man
Cokeville at Burlington: Can’t wait for Cokeville-Lusk on Nov. 13. 1 p.m.
Lusk at Upton: Can’t wait for Cokeville-Lusk on Nov. 13. 7 p.m.
Normative Services at Sundance: The Wolves surprised the Bulldogs in the season finale last year; look for Sundance to dish out a little revenge. 3 p.m.
Rocky Mountain at Saratoga: It’s a long drive and the Panthers have some momentum, but the Grizzlies are looking to grab some momentum before the postseason. 3:30 p.m.
Southeast at Lingle: This is a huge one in the East. It will tell us who stays home in the first round and who has to go on the road. And that, my friends, is a big deal in the playoffs. 6 p.m.
Wind River at Riverside: Coin-flipped it. 7 p.m.
Interstate
Guernsey-Sunrise at Sioux County, Neb.: Speaking of firsts, this is the first interstate six-man game in a looooong time. Cool to see this new rivalry get started — even though it’ll probably go away after this year. 2 p.m.
Open: Farson, Hanna, Meeteetse, Midwest, Pine Bluffs, Snake River, Ten Sleep.

There they are. The picks for the final week of the regular season. What games have you most intrigued? Who do you think will come up big in the final week? Post your thoughts in a comment below.

–patrick