This Week's National Matchups #1-5

#5 Gateway (Monroeville, Pennsylvania) - vs. Mckeesport Avts. Gateway has been utterly dominant all year long and come into this week's game facing a dangerous opponent. Mckeesport has only lost one game this season, to nationally ranked Colerain in overtime during the first week. The only thing that alerts me is that the Tigers have only played two teams in eight games that have a record better than .500. Their opponents record is 24-41. Gateway's schedule hasn't really been much better. They have still taken care of business against every team and this shouldn't be different. The bottom line...Gateway by 14. #4 Byrnes (Duncan, South Carolina) - @ Dorman. The Rebels have played one of the more difficult schedules in the Top 25. Their opponents so far have racked up a 36-24 record. A battle of the undefeateds ensues this week. Dorman comes in matching Byrnes 8-0 record against opponents with a 39-25 record. Byrnes should be on upset alert this week. The Cavaliers are averaging 33 points on offense while giving up only 6. Byrnes is averaging 44 points and allowing 10. These teams seem to match wits. The bottom line...Dorman by 7, because of home field advantage. #3 St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) - vs. South Broward. Coming off the biggest upset and blowout of the year, thus far, the Raiders are riding high. Last week they took care of previously 14th-ranked Deerfield Beach by a tune of 65-10, never allowing the Bucks in the game. This week should be much of the same. South Broward comes to town as they try to turn their season around, after starting 0-3. The Bulldogs have won two of their last three to bring their record to 2-4, but those two wins were against teams that have a combined win total of one. Not exactly something to write home about. The bottom line...the Raiders roll by 30. #2 Armwood (Seffner, Alabama) - @ Hillsborough. One of the stoutest defenses in the land resides in Alabama. The Hawks have had four shutouts in seven games and have only allowed a total of 18 points all year. They seem to be unstoppable with the ball in their hands as well, averaging 38 points per game against good competition. The Terriers come in at 5-2 with their only losses versus teams with a 12-1 record. Hillsborough has the power to put up offensive numbers, but have been somewhat erratic this season, scoring anywhere from 20 to 61 points on a given night. The bottom line...Armwood's defense is too much. Hawks by 20. #1 Trinity (Euless, Texas) - @ Grapevine. What can you say about Trinity that hasn't already been said. They have been incredible against tremendous competition in a football-rich state. Against opponents whose records are 34-15, they have been strong. Unfortunately for Grapevine, they aren't one of those one-loss elite teams. They are hurting and winless and playing the Trojans isn't exactly what they need to gain confidence. Trinity should win, and win really big. The bottom line...Trojans all over Mustangs 56-7. Read about matchups #21-25 Read about matchups #16-20 Read about matchups #11-15 Read about matchups #6-10