Holy Toledo, Batman! The college football regular season’s almost over?
*Adam West’s Batman slaps Burt Ward’s Robin*
Robin, there’s nothing holy about Toledo on NIU grounds! But yes, the clock’s ticking faster than UMass can shoot off fireworks after a pity field goal in a blowout — and there’s evil afoot!
The Northern Star’s sports staff has concocted a most daring and devious plan to pick winners of five games! Hawaiians playing on the Las Vegas Strip! Owls and Bears fighting each other! Mass hysteria!
Come along, sidekick! There’s no time to waste! To the Batcave!
Err… I mean, to the picks!
Hawai’i @ UNLV
9:30 p.m. CT | Friday, Nov. 21 | FS1
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (33-27): UNLV — Last time I picked against Hawai’i they made me look stupid, but I really think the UNLV Rebels will take this one.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (40-20): UNLV — Every part of me wants to believe in Rainbow Warrior magic, but this showdown’s going down in Sin City. And if there’s anything I know about Vegas, it’s that the house always wins.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (40-20): UNLV — I’m picking UNLV because Eric is picking them and I will also be in Vegas from Friday through Sunday.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (30-30): UNLV — I rode a mechanical bull in Las Vegas once. I think my experience might mimic that of watching the highs and lows of UNLV football. Go Rebels, I guess?
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (36-24): UNLV — Joey is going to Las Vegas this weekend, so that is the reason for my pick.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (35-25): UNLV — Las Vegas has the more balanced attack, plus they have home field advantage.
Missouri State @ Kennesaw State
1 p.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 22 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Kennesaw State — The Owls are a better mascot than the Bears. Tried and true method.
Kisellus: Kennesaw State — This team screwed me over last week. Still, against my better judgement, I’m giving the Owls a chance to redeem themselves — and shove the bum below me back into second place, where he belongs.
Segreti: Kennesaw State — I picked against Kennesaw State last week and it helped me tie Skyler in the standings so I will pick them to win this week to show my gratitude for their performance last week.
Valenti: Kennesaw State — I lived in Missouri for a year of my life, and I can honestly say I never want to go back. I’m picking Kennesaw on principle.
Avila: Kennesaw State — Randy Orton is billed from St. Louis Missouri, and he punted an old lady, and that’s not nice. Nobody from Kennesaw ever punted an old lady.
Whittington: Kennesaw State — The Owls have the deeper, well everything. It should be a close game but I have Kennesaw winning.
Sam Houston @ Middle Tennessee
2 p.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 22 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Middle Tennessee — “Kalin, I told you we were doing some garbage bowl games this week” is what Skyler said when I asked why we were picking this game. Middle Tennessee is favored so I guess we’ll go with that.
Kisellus: Middle Tennessee — A matchup like this is made for the diehards, degenerates and Sickos of college football. I don’t really care who wins, but I’ll take the Blue Raiders, because they produced my glorious king, Kevin Byard III.
Segreti: Middle Tennessee — These are two horrible teams but I’m going to have to give the edge to Middle Tennessee because the current leader in interceptions this season is Middle Tennessee alum and Bears legend Kevin Byard III.
Valenti: Sam Houston — I hear both of these teams are bad, but let’s see if the Bearkats can pull this one out. Bearkat made me think of a Kit Kat, so if someone can get me one, that would be baller.
Avila: Middle Tennessee — Only because they’re home I’m picking them, these are both two terrible, not so very good teams. Also, Miley Cyrus is from Tennessee, “It’s the climmbbbbbb.”
Whittington: Middle Tennessee — Both of these teams reek more than NIU football. With that in mind, Blue Raiders quarterback Roman Gagliano will lead Tennessee to their second win of the season.
No. 22 Pitt @ No. 16 Georgia Tech
6 p.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 22 | ESPN
Schaefer: Georgia Tech — I’ve been told that the ACC missing the CFB playoffs is a real possibility, so we’re rolling with the Yellow Jackets.
Kisellus: Georgia Tech — Was that win over Boston College way closer than it should’ve been? Yes. Was that Week 10 loss to NC State a total embarrassment? Absolutely. Am I still drinking the Georgia Tech Kool-Aid anyway? You bet.
Segreti: Georgia Tech — Legendary NFL receiver Calvin Johnson attended Georgia Tech and he was really good at football. Clearly, Georgia Tech is going to win this game easily.
Valenti: Georgia Tech — When it comes to a ranking system, I’m pretty sure 16 is higher than 22. Since Georgia Tech is the one ranked 16th, that’s my pick.
Avila: Georgia Tech — My cousin Oscar is from Georgia, so that is why I think the Yellow Jackets will secure their berth to the ACC championship game by beating Pitt.
Whittington: Georgia Tech — Both teams have amazing offenses, but I think the Yellow Jackets can edge out Pitt.
Bowling Green @ UMass
3:30 p.m. CT | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | ESPNU
Schaefer: Bowling Green — UMass made NIU look like a good football team, so Bowling Green is going to win this game by 100.
Kisellus: Bowling Green — I don’t care that Bowling Green is down to its fourth QB. UMass could be playing a school for the blind, and I’d still pick the other side.
Segreti: Bowling Green — I simply can’t pick UMass to win, any team that gets embarrassed by the 2025 NIU Huskies doesn’t deserve to win a single game ever again.
Valenti: Bowling Green — Lighting fireworks after scoring a field goal is embarrassing. UMass needs to take a nap.
Avila: Bowling Green — I like bowling, so for that sole reason I am picking Bowling Green. I also like the color green. Also, UMass is also terrible, and also 0-11.
Whittington: Bowling Green — If UMass can’t win against NIU, they can’t win against anyone.
