Kern Hoff and the Mississippi College Choctaws hope to take theseries lead in the Backyard Brawl when they play the MillsapsCollege Majors tonight. Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Jackson’s MississippiVeterans Memorial Stadium.

Hoff, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, starts at

guard and plays some center, too. He’s anticipating an improvedseason at MC.

“We are looking better,” said Hoff. “Our offense as a whole hasimproved a lot. We’ve had a big turnaround.”

Hoff said a new alignment should provide some punch in theoffense. “We put in the triple-option. We’ve been working on therunning game and it has been working real well.”

The Chocs have a veteran quarterback returning in ScottyElliott. Brian Shumaker, a transfer from Mississippi State, will bethe tailback. Charmer Moore is at wingback and gives MC additionalbackfield speed.

Hoff (6-0, 280), who wears jersey No. 70, and his teammates hada walk-through practice Wednesday afternoon to polish up somethings.

“Practice has been going well,” said Hoff. “We are ready to geta game on.”

Hoff is majoring in business administration.

Another local product, West Lincoln graduate Chris Smith, isplaying outside linebacker as a freshman. “He’s doing a good jobfor us,” said Hoff.

Choctaw fans hope the Chocs will do a good job tonight. Theywouldn’t mind seeing them improve on last year’s 13-0 win overMillsaps.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Professor Hoopla B.S., hopes to doa better job prognosticating this week. He predicted the winners of29 games last week and posted a 24-4 record. The Florida-MiddleTennessee game was postponed until Oct. 16, due to HurricaneFrances.

Here’s a preview of this weekend’s games, starting with twoThursday night community college specials and a Division IIIrivalry.

Co-Lin at Northeast: After a 5-hour bus ride,the Wolves get their legs back just in time to rally past theTigers. Co-Lin 24-17.

Northwest at Southwest: High-powered Rangersraid Summit and take some bear skins back to Senatobia. Northwest36-10.

Millsaps vs. Mississippi College: VeteransMemorial Stadium kicks off its 2004 menu with the Choctaws testingthe Majors. MC 23-7.

Brookhaven at Clinton: Panthers rebound from anovertime loss and escape with a road victory. Brookhaven 16-7.

Amite School Center at Brookhaven Academy:Surprising Cougars get off to a 4-0 start this season. BrookhavenAcademy 36-6.

West Lincoln at Enterprise: In a Lincoln Countyfeud, the Yellow Jackets find some new stingers. Enterprise27-12.

Franklin County at Loyd Star: Bulldogs haverevenge on their minds when they visit Sambo Smith Field. FranklinCounty 22-7.

St. Andrew’s at Bogue Chitto: Bobcats havesuffered a pair of close setbacks and this looks like a third. St.Andrew’s 30-21.

Richland at Wesson: Rebuilding Cobras havetheir work cut out for them in Stone Stadium. Richland 33-20.

Lawrence County at Ridgeland: Cougars andTitans clash on the artificial surface at Millsaps College.Lawrence County 16-10.

Copiah Academy at Central Hinds: Colonels arereaching down deep and coming up with their third win of theseason. Copiah Academy 27-7.

In other area games, West Marion should dumpNorth Pike 22-6, Wayne County should whip McComb 35-7, Jackson Prepshould pop Parklane 22-10, Magee should trample Crystal Springs48-6 and Warren Central should ambush South Pike 28-14. Hazlehursthas an open date.

After draining a Diet Sprite, Hoopla gazes at Saturday’scollegiate scene.

Ole Miss at Alabama: Crimson Tide swamps theRebels on national television. Alabama 30-13.

Auburn at Mississippi State: Now that theadrenalin has worn off in Starkville, Tommy Tuberville coaches theTigers to an SEC victory. Auburn 29-14.

Southern Miss at Nebraska: Perhaps theCornhuskers will be overconfident after last year’s stampedethrough Hattiesburg. Nebraska 28-10.

Northwestern State at Jackson State: The Tigersdon’t have enough muscle to stop the Demons. Northwestern State28-12.

In other action, Alcorn State should shaveNorth Carolina A&T 22-16, Delta State should whip West Alabama29-7, Southern University should smash Valley State 38-14, andUnion should batter Belhaven 31-10.

In SEC games, South Carolina over Georgia27-20, LSU over Arkansas State 38-8, Florida over Eastern Michigan42-6, and Texas over Arkansas 27-17. Vanderbilt, Kentucky andTennessee have open dates to prepare for the academic life.