Last week in the picks I took on my nemesis Jackson Peck and had to defeat him very handily. For now, he’s headed back to the minor leagues to work on his game, but I’m sure we’ll be hearing back from him later in the season.

Today, I’m taking on my co-worker Dan Rasmussen. You know him from his tireless work covering boys’ soccer, swimming, 1A baseball, Real Salt Lake and various other duties here. It will be tough to beat him. I’m somewhat alarmed, and nervous, that we are disagreeing on so many games (five).

DR: I enjoyed reading through the prep football picks of my esteemed colleague each fall when he wrote for another publication. However, as time went on and he started referring to himself as “The Broom,” I couldn’t help but think, “Man, how fun would it be to beat his picks down?”
Well, as Eminem famously rapped, “Here I go, it’s my shot. Feet fail me not. This may the only opportunity that I got.”

AA: I forgot about “The Broom” until he reminded me of it yesterday. Let’s just pretend I never wrote that. I can’t think of any lyrics to get me pumped up, but wait, what is that going through my head? I think I’m hearing the Rocky theme.

Park City at Morgan:
DR: In just seven days, these two teams have reversed roles. A week ago, Park City was seemingly on top of the world and Morgan was coming off a potentially disastrous opening-night loss to Juab. Now, Morgan’s flying high after it surprisingly dominated Wasatch 49-0, while Park City is dealing with a humbling loss to nemesis Logan. So what gives? I look for Park City to bounce back, but it won’t be easy. Park City 31, Morgan 24.
AA: Dan is on the money with this one. I’m still shocked by Morgan’s 49-point win over Wasatch, and I thought Park City would give Logan a tougher game. I agree that the Miners will bounce back in a good game. Park City 21, Morgan 20

Skyline at Highland:
DR: This one should be a dandy. For the second week in a row, Skyline High faces a cross-town rival. However, after eking out a 12-9 win over a good, but not great, East squad seven days ago, I look for Highland to send the Eagles back down to earth. I was still in high school the last time Skyline beat Highland — that’s six seasons ago for those keeping score at home, and I have the bald head to prove it — and I think Highland has the right stuff to pull out a win in what should be a tight, tight affair. Highland 17, Skyline 13.
AA: I’ll admit it. I messed up my Highland pick last week. I should have known the Rams would bounce back after playing hot potato with the football against Mountain Crest. Highland showed last week that it is for real, and the Rams have owned this series in recent years, as Dan pointed out. Highland 24, Skyline 14.

Pine View at Cottonwood:
DR: I’ve been pretty high on Pine View all summer and stayed on the bandwagon even after star Robert Evans went down with a season-ending injury. Accordingly, I’m not gonna jump off now. I don’t think the Panthers will be intimidated at all by having to travel for five hours to get to Cottonwood High, and I like them in this game. Pine View 35, Cottonwood 31.
AA: This is one of the most intriguing games of the preseason, and a possible Rice-Eccles preview. Pine View’s defense is playing better than Cottonwood’s right now. But the Colts’ offense has been as explosive as expected, and I don’t know if any team in the state can stop it. I’m going with the Colts. Cottonwood 35, Pine View 28.

Logan at Sky View:
DR: If I were from Sky View, I’d be sick and tired of hearing about how good Logan is. To be fair, I think we all know that all three Cache County teams are outstanding this year, but this is a big opportunity for the Bobcats to take the spotlight away from their rivals to the south and show that they’re for real. However, can they do it? I think Sky View is very, very solid, but I’m gonna give the edge to Logan all-everything QB Jeff Manning and his troops. Logan 28, Sky View 21.
AA: Here’s my theory on this game. No one expected Logan to beat Sky View at home last year. It seems that no one expects Sky View to win this season. So in this big rivalry game, I’m going with the home team. Real scientific analysis, I know. This is the game I’m covering and I want to be allowed on to the field. Sky View 35, Logan 31

Timpview at Lone Peak:
DR: The Lone Peak Knights have definitely been one of the state’s biggest surprises in the early-going, but I think they’re gonna be introduced to big-time football tonight. Timpview is absolutely loaded, and after enduring a hiccup in Week 1 against Pleasant Grove, the T-Birds “bounced back” from the close win by whipping Spanish Fork seven days ago. I don’t think Lone Peak will get blown out, but I don’t this one will be close in the second half, either. Timpview 34, Lone Peak 16.
AA: OK, I’m doing it. Despite beating two excellent programs in their first two games, the Knights don’t seem to be getting any respect. They are the last team to beat the T-birds, and I think they end the streak tonight. No really, I do. Lone Peak 14, Timpview 13.

Mountain Crest at Northridge:
DR: Speaking of teams I’ve been high on, I’ve had Northridge ranked third behind Alta and Timpview in each of my Top 25 ballots, and I think the Knights are gonna be outstanding this fall. In order to prove they’re for real, though, they have to win a game like this against a very good opponent at home. A week after falling short in the fourth quarter, I look for them to get the job done in that period tonight. Northridge 31, Mountain Crest 21.
AA: This will be an entertaining game. Northridge’s offense is extremely fun to watch. And safety Chris Washington is a big-time hitter. I say the Knights prevail in a shootout. Northridge 38, Mountain Crest 35.

Bountiful at Viewmont:
DR: I was told by one of my peeps back in the preseason that Bountiful was gonna be absolutely loaded this fall, so I was as surprised as anyone when the Braves were shut out by Lone Peak on opening night. However, they righted the ship last week, and I think they’ll have the upper hand against their neighbors. The Vikes aren’t bad at all, but I think Bountiful is going to be too good. Bountiful 27, Viewmont 14.
AA: Here’s another great rivalry game going on tonight. I’ll admit, I’m concerned about Bountiful’s offense. It’s averaging 8.5 points per game. The Braves’ defense will keep the team in this game, but I’m going with Viewmont. Viewmont 17, Bountiful 10.

Layton at Jordan:
DR: I don’t think I fully appreciated how big a win Jordan registered at the Football Hall of Fame until I noticed a full-blown documentary on the team they beat — Massillon High of Ohio — on iTunes the other night. Once again, Jordan has registered a huge out-of-state win against one of the country’s biggest high school football programs. But how will the ‘Diggers fare back in Utah? Their long-term prospects are certainly unknown, as they need to prove they can peak at the right time. Having said that, I like them in this game. Jordan’s offense looks awfully solid — as it has for several years now — and I think the Beetdiggers will have enough offensive firepower tonight. Jordan 35, Layton 27.
AA: Jordan did pick up a big win against a traditional power last week. But I don’t know how we really judge the victory because we don’t know that much about the players they beat. Layton, I’m sure, is angry after letting the Cottonwood game slip through its hands last week. I think the Lancers will wear the Beetdiggers down with their run game, and have just enough defense to pull out the win. Layton 28, Jordan 27.