RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – There was some movement in the standings this week after Kerri O’Brien and Robb Crocker both went 7-1 (thank you Baltimore Ravens for keep both of us from going perfect for the week). Amanda Malkowski continues to cling to a one game lead atop the standings but there are some interesting matchups this week that could change all that.
As always, feel free to play along at home.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Amanda Malkowski, 8News Good Morning Richmond Anchor (last week – 6-2, overall – 28-12)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
I’ve picked Hanover wrong all season. I gave them the benefit of the doubt for a while, but now I’ll head to Varina. Home team advantage.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
Sigh, neither team is very good. I’ll give Virginia this, THIS time.
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Decent season so far and I don’t know a soul who ever went to Rhode Island. I’ll pick the local team.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami Hurricanes
Tech has not impressed me so far. I’ll go with Chip and Mitch’s alumni team!
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan Wolverines
I lived in Lansing for a few years, and I like Michigan State a lot. But I do have to pick Michigan on this one. I think the home team advantage will send them over the edge. Sorry, Sparty </3
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: New York Jets
Jets. They’re improving. Home team advantage. Boom.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Ugh, Let’s go with the 49ers. Both teams are weak right now. Again, I’ll go home team advantage.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
This will be the game to watch this week. They’re tough to beat at home. I’m looking forward to this one.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Content Producer (last week – 6-2, overall 27-13)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
Hanover beat Varina on the road for the first time in school history last year. I like the home team to avenge that loss, especially coming off an impressive 34-14 win over Patrick Henry.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
Neither team is very good. UVA is still looking for its first win over an FBS team, so I’ll take the Hoos at home.
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
The Spiders are favored here, so if they can avoid overlooking this one with a huge showdown with in-state rival JMU looming the following week, they should cruise.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami Hurricanes
Miami still has a sour taste in its mouth following a close loss to rival Florida State last weekend. They’ll take out their rage on a mediocre Tech squad at home.
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan Wolverines
This rivalry has been all Michigan St. in recent years. The Spartans enter as 7-point favorites on the road, but that concerns me as Michigan St. was 13 point road favorites over Rutgers last week but only managed to squeak out a late 31-24 win. The Wolverines, on the other hand, were supposed to be in a rebuilding year but look like a playoff contender under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh.
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: Washington Redskins
What am I doing!? I NEVER pick the Redskins, especially when they’re on the road. I don’t care who they’re playing. It’s just the safest play. But for some reason I just can’t see the Jets moving to 4-1 on the season. The Redskins have been surprisingly strong defensively, so if Cousins and Co. can put some points on the board against a respectable Jets secondary, Washington will have a chance.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
At 1-4 (with losses against Oakland and Cleveland, mind you) Baltimore easily has been the biggest disappointment in the league so far. We expected the 49ers to struggle, which they have, so I’ll just take a flier on the Ravens and assume they won’t add another head-scratching loss to their season resume.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
I feel like the Seahawks do this every year … Limp through the first few weeks of the season and make us question if they’re run as the class of the NFC is over before turning things around. I think this is the week they get back on track. The Panthers, fresh off a bye last week, won’t make it easy, though.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager (last week – 7-1, overall 25-15)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
Varina in a blowout.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
Probably the last winnable game the ‘Hoos have this year.
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Normally, I would never pick the Spiders over the Rams, but this isn’t the real VCU Rams. It’s just Rhode Island. Spiders will put up at least 30 points in the road win.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami Hurricanes
This was a tough one, but playing a Hurricane squad that has the home field advantage and is coming off a stinging loss to their in-state rivals will be too much to overcome for the Hookies.
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State has been flirting with losses all season. Michigan will bully and out muscle Michigan State and hold them to only 14 points. That will be enough to win the game.
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: New York Jets
This Redskin team might be moving in the right direction but they still need to learn how to win “winnable games” like last week’s loss to Atlanta and the Week 1 loss the Miami. This is another one of those “winnable games” that just won’t go in their favor. Interception over/under for Kirk Cousins is 3.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
The Ravens’ season continues to become unhinged as they lose to an equally struggling 49ers squad.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Upset special. The Panthers are well rested. This game will be extremely boring if you like a lot of offense. The return of Luke Keuchly to the Panthers will trump the return of Marshawn Lynch to the Seahawks. Expect the score to be around 13 – 9.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mitch Carr, 8News Sports Director (last week – 5-3, overall – 23-17)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
Hanover is starting to wear down, as evidenced by its major beat down at the hands of Highland Springs. Varina easily defeated Patrick Henry 33-14 a few weeks after Hanover had to get a late touchdown to come from behind against the same team. Blue Devils are at home; I’ll take them.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
This is it. This is the week UVA gets its first win of the season over an FBS team. Syracuse lost to South Florida by three touchdowns. Neither of these teams is very good, so I’ll just take the home team.
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Rhody got a nice win over Delaware, but Delaware isn’t very good. Richmond is playing really confidently, and the Spiders should keep that rolling. What concerns me is this is a noon game on the Rhode (see what I did there?) after three games in four weeks at home and another game that didn’t involve leaving the state. That’s reason enough to come out flat, but JMU is the next game, and that makes this Rhode Island game a trap game. On its face it seems like an easy pick, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rams pulled the upset. I’m still not picking it.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami Hurricanes
Once again I am attempting a reverse jinx on the Hokies. Yes, Miami is my alma mater, but if I continue to get all of my Tech picks wrong (0-4 on the season when VT plays an FBS team), then the Hokies win and this is not a homer pick. It worked against NC State and Purdue. It can work again, here.
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan State
Wouldn’t you like to see Mark D’Antonio and Jim Harbaugh fight? I’m not even sure they’ll shake hands before and after the game. I think they’ll just sniff each other’s butts like the rabid, junkyard dogs they are. Why pick Michigan State? Defense. Michigan’s is good, but Michigan State’s is better and this will be the toughest test the Wolverines have faced since losing at Utah to open the season. Next year Big Blue gets this one, but this year it’s all green.
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: New York Jets
Great secondary + Kirk Cousins + road game = pick-a-palooza. We might even see Colt McCoy in this one before it’s all said and done.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore stubbornly refuses to be good. Colin Kaepernick likewise stubbornly refuses to be good. I think Kaepernick is worse.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Seattle at home against Cam Newton and coming off a loss? Doug Baldwin is just waiting to angrily yell out “NO ONE BELIEVED IN US!!!” Well I did, Doug. I did.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Chip Brierre, 8News Weekend Sports Anchor (last week – 3-5, overall – 23-17)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
The Hawks are coming off a beatdown at the hands of Highland Springs, while Varina is coming off a dominant performance over Patrick Henry. The edge goes to Varina at home, but the Hawks are hungry and have a chip on their shoulder to get back in the win column. But the Blue Devils defense is clicking and the offense is building steam.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
I picked Virginia last week vs. Pittsburgh and it almost happened! A lot of almosts last week for me really. But this is the best chance for the Hoos to get win #2 this season. It’s the largest spread for the Cavs, and they need a win to give the fans some reason to come to games.
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
The Spiders have seemingly hit the peak of their potential in all three phases of the game. That production will get a big test on the road after three straight home games in a month long span. Two things that travel well: defense and running game. Richmond has both and Lauletta is playing lights out.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Miami Hurricanes
This is not a pick from my heart, this is a pick from my brain. Miami fell just short of upsetting FSU and finally snapping a five game losing streak to the Noles (I never got to see the Canes beat FSU while attending college, IT IS SO SAD). The Hokies got a pick me up win behind an impressive performance from Brenden Motley. This is a trap game for Miami, but the Canes showed me enough to believe they can hang on at home. Not counting Hokies out by any means, just don’t think Motley is going to have lightning strike him two weeks in a row.
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan Wolverines
That Utah loss sure looks good for Big Blue. Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines believing they are here now, and hosting their in-state rival at the Big House in front of a national audience it seems like the week Michigan makes it’s long awaited return to the top of college football. Offense needs to make plays against D’Antoni’s Sparty defense to make it happen.
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: Washington Redskins
You can’t put last week’s loss on Kirk Cousins. He made the right play. If Ryan Grant keeps his feet he’s either catching it or batting it away and the Redskins had momentum. That will carry over again on the road, because it’ll be a battle of defenses in East Rutherford. Advantages Redskins, intercepted Matt Ryan for 1st time this season and limited Falcons to just a FG in the 1st half.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
If you haven’t heard or seen San Francisco head coach John Tomsula’s audible flatulence during a post-game presser… here you go…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv_JeoY7AxA
With the giggles out of us, the 49ers showed some good in their loss to the Giants last week. Ravens on the other hand showed more bad in their loss to the Browns. Going from east coast to west coast coming off that deflating result, 49ers my favorite here.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
CAAAAAAM! Superman has the Panthers undefeated and playing stellar football in the Queen City. But they’re not playing in the Queen City; they’re playing against Seattle and the 12th man at CenturyLink Field. And I will NEVER bet against the Seahawks at home, no matter whom it is or what their record is.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter (last week – 7-1, overall – 22-18)
Hanover Hawks @ Varina Blue Devils
Pick: Varina Blue Devils
Varina dominated over Patrick Henry. They just look strong.
Syracuse Orange @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Virginia Cavaliers
I haven’t picked UVA much this season but this week is it. Syracuse lost to South Florida, come on!
Richmond Spiders @ Rhode Island Rams
Pick: Richmond Spiders
The Spiders have been playing with confidence. They seem strong.
Virginia Tech Hokies @ Miami Hurricanes
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
This pick is mostly to tick off Mitch and Chip since they went to Miami. I like to poke. I do think Tech pulls it out here – Miami is nothing special this year.
Michigan State Spartans @ Michigan Wolverines
Pick: Michigan State
This is a tough one both look good but I think Michigan State is slightly better. Plus as an Irish girl and Notre Dame fan, it kills me to ever root for Michigan.
Washington Redskins @ New York Jets
Pick: New York Jets
The Skins continue to look awful. They Jets look great, yes one mishap against my Eagles, but they had the week off. The Jets are well rested — Revis, Marshall — the Redskins are in big trouble!
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers
Pick: San Francisco 49ers
Both teams are struggling but the 49ers are still kicking themselves over that last minute loss to the Giants. Filled with anger they pull out a win.
Carolina Panthers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Panthers won’t be able to hear with at Seattle with the 12th man in place. I go Seahawks.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
