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At least Steve Rivera of FoxSportsArizona.com got UNLV’s total right, but the longtime Tucson journalist and most everyone else did not foresee Arizona’s abundant scoring Saturday night.
Rivera predicted Arizona to defeat host UNLV 27-13. The Wildcats routed the Rebels 58-13. That’s a differential of 31 points (31 off the Arizona score and on target with the UNLV total).
Rivera qualified for the pick to top in our “Beat the Experts” contest over Anthony Gimino of TucsonCitizen.com, who predicted a 34-24 outcome in favor of Arizona. The differential with Gimino’s pick is 35 points (24 off Arizona total and 11 off UNLV’s score).
Half of the field of contestants survived to Week 2 by picking Arizona and having a predicted points difference of 31 points or less. The best pick belonged to Matt Neely of Tucson. He picked Arizona to win 42-10 (a total points difference of 19).
Here is the breakdown:
PICK TO BEAT
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OTHER EXPERT
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ADVANCING
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ELIMINATED
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The rules:
1. Contestants move on to the next week if they pick the right winner of Arizona’s game and their projected scoring total is closer than what Gimino and Rivera select. The best pick between Gimino and Rivera will be what contestants must beat. Predictions made by Gimino and Rivera will not be revealed until game time. For those who survived, get your picks in before kickoff or you will be disqualified.
2. Everybody survives to the next week if nobody tops either prediction made by Rivera or Gimino.
3. Predicted scores will serve as tie-breakers in the end, if necessary.
4. For those alive in the competition, to make picks you must enter them below in the Facebook comment section below! All you have to type is Arizona or UTSA and then your predicted score. If you feel you have to explain your pick, feel free.
5. An Arizona-related prize will be awarded to the winner.
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes blogs for Lindy’s College Sports, TucsonCitizen.com and Sports Illustrated-sponsored site ZonaZealots.com.
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