Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025

Check out the week-by-week predictions from UCR’s staff along with a new, rotating  guest picker each week.

Week 4’s guest picker is Ben Craven, the Herald-Citizen’s award-winning sports editor and graduate of Cookeville High School.

Noah: 26-9

Justin: 26-9

Jacob: 27-8

Goose: 26-9

Guests: 23-12

Upperman at Stone Memorial (Mayberry’s Furniture GOTW)

Noah: Upperman 35-20

Stone Memorial has battled the Bees better than anyone not named Macon County over the past several seasons, and I expect that to continue in this one. The loss of Dylan Phillips hurts the Panthers on the outside, but that doesn’t take away from what Noah Potter is capable of. On the other hand, the Bees offense has been unbelievable through three weeks. Ultimately, I think Bronzden Chaffin does Bronzden Chaffin things and makes just enough plays to propel the Bees to a GOTW victory.

Justin: Upperman 42-28

Upperman’s offense has been a machine through three weeks with scoreboards lighting up every time the Bees take the field. Stone Memorial typically has a few tricks up their sleeve for this game, but ultimately Upperman should get it done.

Jacob: Upperman 35-21

The Bees had their best performance of the season last week against Farragut. Stone took care of business against CC and is rolling into week three. Both teams have had an extra day to prepare and rest and when these two get together it is always fun. I expect the Bees defense to keep Noah Potter and the Panthers offense in check as Upperman gets the job done on the road. 

Goose: Upperman 34-21

Few teams give the Upperman Bees fits quite like Stone Memorial, and Friday could be much of the same in Crossville. Look for coach Derik Samber to get in his bag to give the Panthers a fighting chance, but Upperman’s dynamic offense hasn’t been stopped yet. Give me the Bees in a battle.

Ben Craven: Upperman 31-24

Despite Upperman’s defensive struggles against Greeneville, the Bees have too much going offensively to lose this game. I think Stone Memorial will give them a run for their money like every year, especially with the game in Crossville. However, the Bees’ balanced firepower wins out in the end.

York Institute at Livingston Academy (UCR 2)

Noah: Livingston 28-7

What a win for LA in the Black Hole last week. They now have bonafide momentum behind a tremendous start to the season by Kaiden Weitzel. The Dragons have struggled on both sides of the ball early in the season, and unfortunately for them they have another big challenge this week. 

Justin: Livingston 28-21

Livingston is 3-0 but don’t count out coach Derwin Wright’s York Institute Dragons. They’ve improved throughout the year each of the last three seasons and I think they’ll give Livingston all they can handle.

Jacob: Livingston 28-14

The Wildcats are 3-0 for the first time since 2019 and looking to beat the Dragons for the first time since 2020. I think they handle business at home, but I do expect the Dragons to keep this one within striking distance as their young offensive line makes some strides. Kaiden Weitzel continues his dominance in the end zone and the Wildcats stay undefeated. 

Goose: Livingston 27-16

The undefeated Livingston Academy Wildcats return home this week for an old-school rivalry game against York Institute. Last season’s meeting was all Dragons, but give me coach Qualls’ group to get revenge this year and move to 4-0.

Ben Craven: Livingston 24-16

Livingston Academy is off to its best start in recent memory, and all but one of those wins have been decisive. York has been stumbling out the gates, and none of those losses have been particularly close. I think York finds a bit of an offensive rhythm this week, but give me Hogeye for the win.

Trousdale County at Macon County (UCR 3)

Noah: Macon County 42-6

Another week where the Tigers are an overwhelming favorite. The Yellow Jackets are improving, but they aren’t on the Tigers level. Defending champions roll.

Justin: Macon County 49-14

Macon County should finally play a full game and overpower Trousdale this week. Give me the Tigers comfortably.

Jacob: Macon County 42-0

For three years in a row the Tigers have beaten the Yellow Jackets 42-0. It’s one rivalry the Tigers will always try to win by as much as they can. Macon County continues rolling in week four. 

Goose: Macon County 49-7

This old-school rivalry won’t have the flair it used to, simply because Macon County is on another planet than Trousdale this season. That won’t make the win any less sweet in Lafayette, though.

Ben Craven: Macon County 49-10

It’s hard to pick against the defending state champions in Class 4A here. The Macon County Tigers have looked strong so far, and Trousdale County still seems to be finding its footing, despite a lop-sided win last Friday. Give me the MCHS Tigers, but I think the Yellow Jackets get on the board and maybe force a turnover at some point.

Gallatin at Cookeville (UCR 4)

Noah: Gallatin 21-7

I think this game may end up being a lot closer than many expect, but the Cavalier offense will have to show signs of life before I feel comfortable picking them again. This is a fresh start as they open up region play, and we will see if they take that opportunity to get to 1-0 in the only record that matters.

Justin: Gallatin 38 Cookeville 7

Gallatin has looked good so far and has been firing on all cylinders through three weeks. The Cavs will have their hands full on Friday night and need to play a great game if they want to take home the win.

Jacob: Gallatin 35-14

The Cavaliers have a big opportunity to right the ship and get a win in region play this week, but as Noah and I said on the Tuesday Night Football Show, they have to prove it to us first. Gallatin has looked really solid in two games, especially on offense, and I think that powers them to victory on the road this week. 

Goose: Gallatin 28-21

Cookeville has a tough matchup to begin region play at home this week. This team is too well-coached and has too much talent to stay down and I think they’ll make some big improvements this week, but ultimately Gallatin pulls off the win.

Ben Craven: Cookeville 24-21

I’m going against the grain here, but I think the Cavaliers reverse their fortunes this week. Cookeville’s offense has shown signs of explosiveness, and I think they finally start to hit on a few of those opportunities they’ve been missing. The Cavs have shown a knack for finding a way to beat Gallatin in recent years, and I think they open their region schedule with a down-to-the-wire win.

Tullahoma at White County

Noah: Tullahoma 28-21

Justin: White County 21-20

Jacob: Tullahoma 28-7

Goose: Tullahoma 21-14

Ben Craven: White County 24-21

Red Boiling Springs at Jackson County

Noah: Jackson County 42-0

Justin: Jackson County 35-7

Jacob: Jackson County 42-0

Goose: Jackson County 49-7

Ben Craven: Jackson County 42-7

Liberty Creek at Gordonsville

Noah: Gordonsville 35-6

Justin: Gordonsville 31-10

Jacob: Gordonsville 28-7

Goose: Gordonsville 28-7

Ben Craven: Gordonsville 35-10

Smith County at Westmoreland

Noah: Westmoreland 21-14

Justin: Smith County 24-21

Jacob: Smith County 21-14

Goose: Smith County 17-7

Ben Craven: Smith County 28-24

Friendship Christian at DeKalb County

Noah: Friendship Christian 35-14

Justin: Friendship Christian 45-17

Jacob: Friendship Christian 35-14

Goose: Friendship Christian 42-21

Ben Craven: Friendship Christian 35-21

Pickett County at Sale Creek

Noah: Sale Creek 42-0

Justin: Sale Creek 28-7

Jacob: Sale Creek 35-7

Goose: Sale Creek 35-7

Ben Craven: Sale Creek 38-7

Cumberland County at Kingston (Thursday)

Noah: Kingston 35-6

Justin: Kingston 35-10

Jacob: Kingston 28-7

Goose: Kingston 42-14

Ben Craven: Kingston 42-7