SOUTH FLORIDA BLITZ PICK SIX WEEK 5 PREVIEW: Columbus (Miami) vs. Miami Northwestern

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Traz Powell Stadium, Miami

Broadcast/streaming info: None

Records: Columbus, 2-2; Miami Northwestern, 2-2

Rankings: Columbus No. 4 in Class 7A; Miami Northwestern No. 11 in Florida Top 25, No. 3 in Class 3A

What To Know: Columbus is coming off a 17-14 victory over Miami Palmetto in Week 4 … Miami Northwestern was defeated by a slight margin by rival Miami Norland, 21-17 in Week 4 … The visiting Explorers have struggled this year so far in their first four games having not scored more than 17 points in any game so far with 17 points being the most they have scored in each of their two victories … The host Bulls have been a team that is starting to get similar compared to the times when now-head coach Teddy Bridgewater was the starting quarterback for the Bulls in the mid-to-late 2000s… Miami Northwestern has scored 146 total points this season in four games with games against Coconut Creek, Venice, and Miami Carol City all reaching past the 40-point margin … Expect Columbus to continue to rotate between two quarterbacks in Vicente Gonzalez and Jason Barket Jr., both seniors, who have taken a compare number of snaps … Outside linebacker Ethan Barosela lead the Explorers with four sacks so far through the first three games reported by MaxPreps … For the Bulls Leon Strawder is the one to watch under center who has already amassed 924 yards passing in four games this season along with 15 touchdowns against just four interceptions …. Calvin Russell Jr. and Darius Johnson are Miami Northwestern’s leading receivers and the top targets for Strawder with Rusell leading with 383 yards receiving on 17 catches and seven touchdowns while Johnson has 312 yards receiving on 16 catches and three touchdowns … The Northwestern defense has racked up 178 total tackles on the season with defensive back Tywan Cox leading the pack at 23 total tackles.

Josh’s Pick: Given Columbus’ struggles both offensively and defensively and how the Bulls have been playing given both teams are 2-2, the pick in this one goes to the Bulls and I think they will win soundly.  MIAMI NORTHWESTERN OVER COLUMBUS

Disclosure: FloridaHSFootball.com is an affiliate partner of the NFHS Network. By clicking and/or purchasing via the links to NFHS Network, we may receive an affiliate fee. This affiliation has no influence or impact on the coverage of the schools, teams, and athletes we bring to you on FloridaHSFootball.com.