Thursday, September 4, 2025
Check out the week-by-week predictions from UCR’s staff along with a new, rotating guest picker each week.
Week 3’s guest picker is Upperman baseball head coach Wes Shanks, who has put a TSSAA state championship, state runner-up and four district championship trophies in the trophy case within the last four years. Shanks also calls football games on the UCR Media Network.
Noah: 16-8
Justin: 17-7
Jacob: 17-7
Goose: 16-8
Guests: 16-8
Farragut at Upperman (Thursday, UCR Broadcast):
Noah: Upperman 35-20
A fun Thursday night matchup in Baxter as the Bees face another solid squad. How will Upperman respond from their first regular season loss in over a thousand days? I think Bronzden Chaffin has another big night as they get back in the win column.
Justin: Upperman 28-27
Upperman has a tougher game than people think this week with a battle-tested Farragut squad rolling into Baxter. It’s gut-check time for the Bees and I say they pass.
Jacob: Upperman 33-14
The Bees tested themselves last week against a really good Greeneville team and now return home for the first time this season. I expect the Bees defense to make some strides against a Farragut team that won’t be too overpowering on offense. Expect the home atmosphere to play a big factor tonight as well.
Goose: Upperman 34-17
Upperman returns to the Hive this week with a sneaky tough matchup against 6A Farragut. Don’t let Farragut’s record fool you; Sevier County and Powell are both fantastic teams and the Admirals held their own. Upperman needs to tighten up a few things on defense this week and ultimately I think they will. Give me the Bees to pull away in the second half.
Wes: Upperman 29-7
If the BEES were playing Farragut Baseball…I’d choose the 4x consecutive State Champion Admirals. BUT they aren’t, they are rolling into small town Baxter with no idea of what to expect. BEES by multiple TDs and a Defensive TD to add the icing on the cake in the first HOME game of the season.
Cookeville at White County (Mayberry’s Furniture GOTW)
Noah: Cookeville 28-14
It’s the Alamo for the Cavaliers, they have to find a way to win to turn the early tides of their season. On the other hand, Sparta was impressive last week in a dominant win at York. If Easton Davidson and the Cookeville wide receivers can connect I think there may be an opportunity for success for the road team. This should be another great one in one of the best rivalries in the UC.
Justin: Cookeville 28-7
This game speaks for itself: Cookeville at Sparta. Give me the size up front for the Cavaliers to control the game and win their third straight in the series.
Jacob: Cookeville 21-7
The Cavaliers desperately need a win and especially this week in Sparta. Cookeville’s offense was lackluster in week one and looked a little better in week two. Sparta seems like they’ve found some rhythm offensively as well, but I think the size of the Cavaliers will be the difference in this one.
Goose: White County 21-17
Perhaps the biggest rivalry in the Upper Cumberland is as toss-up as it gets this season when Cookeville hits the road down Highway 111 to Sparta. The last three meetings have been barn burners with Cookeville winning the previous two 42-35 and 42-34 while Sparta won 59-54 in 2022. I see both defenses stepping up more this year and making the game a four-quarter war. Points will be a premium and it should come down to the final possession, but give me the Warriors in a nail-biter.
Wes: Cookeville 35-13
Rivalry Week for Cavs & Warriors. This muli-generational rivalry has been circled by both teams since last year. The last two contests have been exciting, high scoring with big plays by Owens, Pinion, & Dowell. Even though there is still a Dowell & Pinion for WHCS…They will fall to a Cavs team who will find a few big plays from the Davidson led offense, score a Special Teams TD, and give zero points up in the first half to the Warriors.
Livingston Academy at Smith County (UCR2)
Noah: Livingston 21-14
Livingston has been great through two weeks, now the competition level gets significantly tougher. This is a game that will be won or lost in the trenches. Smith County is trying to find a rhythm, while it appears Livingston may already have it. A great matchup in the Black Hole.
Justin: Livingston 21-17
It’s been a while since we’ve been this high on Hogeye, but they’ve earned respect after two big wins to start the year. The competition ramps up severely this week with a well-coached Smith County team, but give me the Wildcats.
Jacob: Livingston 28-14
It’s the first real chance for the Wildcats to prove that they are “back”. Livingston has been nothing but dominant in the first two weeks of the season and get their first real test against a Smith County squad looking to get back in the win column. If the Wildcats defense can hold strong I think LA’s offense will do the rest.
Goose: Livingston 28-14
I’ve struggled with this pick for about 5 days now. Livingston is off to a fantastic start and has taken care of business in dominant fashion through two weeks. Smith County has been in two dog fights and was a play away from being 2-0 entering this contest. Both teams have big-play ability behind their gunslinger quarterbacks Riley Martin (SC) and Adrian Jenkins (LA) along with a stable of good receivers. Nothing would surprise me in this game. Preseason I would’ve taken Smith County, but give me a revved up Hogeye to enter one of the Upper Cumberland’s toughest places to play and leave with a win.
Wes: Smith County 20-14
12th man elevates the Owls in a nailbiter with a late go ahead TD in the final 4 min. Plus, I can’t pick HOG-EYE…in any sport…ever
Greenbrier at Macon County (UCR3)
Noah: Macon County 42-0
Another game Macon County should have little trouble in. They’re the better team here, the only question is if it will be a little cleaner in the execution than in their first two wins.
Justin: Macon County 35-14
Macon County returns home and renews an old rivalry with Greenbrier. This one isn’t what it used to be, and Macon does what they need to do to get a comfortable win.
Jacob: Macon County 42-7
Macon has taken care of business the first two weeks of the season and I think that continues against the Bobcats. Look for the Tigers snaps to be much improved this week as well.
Goose: Macon County 45-7
The undefeated start to Macon’s season should continue at Pat Parker on Friday against an old region foe from back in the day Greenbrier. The Bobcats have an all-time 25-11 series advantage against Macon, but the Tigers should get some revenge on Friday comfortably. I want to see Macon get off to a good start this week and handle business in the first half.
Wes: Macon County 31-21
In tribute…”closer than the experts think”
Stone Memorial at Cumberland County (Thursday):
Noah: Stone Memorial 49-7
Justin: Stone Memorial 49-10
Jacob: Stone Memorial 42-7
Goose: Stone Memorial 42-14
Wes: Stone Memorial 38-6
Jackson County at Clay County
Noah: Clay County 28-21
Justin: Clay County 28-24
Jacob: Clay County 28-14
Goose: Jackson County 21-20
Wes: Clay County 34-21
Gordonsville at Fayetteville
Noah: Gordonsville 35-28
Justin: Gordonsville 21-20
Jacob: Gordonsville 35-28
Goose: Gordonsville 28-10
Wes: Fayetteville 42-21
DeKalb County at Watertown
Noah: Watertown 21-13
Justin: DeKalb County 21-10
Jacob: Watertown 21-14
Goose: Watertown 20-13
Wes: DeKalb County 16-6
Westmoreland at Red Boiling Springs
Noah: Westmoreland 35-0
Justin: Westmoreland 35-7
Jacob: Westmoreland 28-7
Goose: Westmoreland 41-7
Wes: Westmoreland 55-6
Meigs County at York Institute
Noah: Meigs County 28-13
Justin: Meigs County 49-21
Jacob: Meigs County 35-14
Goose: Meigs County 42-21
Wes: Meigs County 28-27
Pickett County at Cannon County
Noah: Cannon County 49-6
Justin: Cannon County 56-14
Jacob: Cannon County 49-7
Goose: Cannon County 49-13
Wes: Cannon County 43-0