RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – It’s another week of our competition and another week where Amanda Malkowski sits atop the standings with a two-game lead. Picking Michigan looked like a great pick for six of the eight prognosticators – until the final, unlikely play. And, almost everyone had Seattle as a lock. As they say, that’s why they play the games.
Speaking of games, here is what we say will happen this week. Feel free to play along at home.
Amanda Malkowski, 8News Good Morning Richmond Anchor (Last week – 5-3, overall –33-15)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Texas A&M
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: JMU
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: Patriots
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: Giants
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Redskins
Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Content Producer (last week – 4-4, overall 31-17)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs Springers
Highland Springs is one of the area’s top teams – our guys have them ranked No. 3 – with their only loss being a one-point setback against No. 2 Hermitage in OT. I like the Springers this week at home.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies are still (barely) in the hunt for the Coastal division title in the ACC, and I think they’ll be fired up with Michael Brewer, who was impressive in the season-opener vs. Ohio State, returning under center.
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Ole Miss
This was supposed to be one of the marquee games of the season a few weeks ago, but reports indicate the loser of this one will likely drop out of the AP Top 25. It should still be an entertaining SEC matchup, though, and since the experts have Ole Miss as six-point favorites, I’ll take the Rebels at home.
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
UNC is 5-1 (2-0 in ACC) and leads the ACC in scoring offense. UVA (2-4, 1-1), meanwhile, is the worst defense team in the ACC, ranked dead last in scoring defense and total defense. Now do you understand why the Tar Heels are 18-point favorites at home?
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
How big is this first-place CAA showdown? It’s homecoming for JMU and their playing one of their biggest rivals in a matchup that could very well decide the conference title. Oh, and did we mention the College Game Day crew traveled to Harrisonburg to broadcast the game live on ESPN? There could be just as many UR fans in attendance – they easily have a much better and more loyal following than the Dukes – but I still like JMU at home.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
It’s been a fun and impressive 4-1 start, New York. Hope you enjoyed it.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: Giants
The Cowboys bailed on Brandon Weeden and will start a much more proven Matt Cassell at QB this week. The Giants are coming off an ugly 27-7 loss to Philadelphia. I like the Giants to rebound, but the division race should still be wide open after this week, regardless of the outcomes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I have zero faith in either team, so I’ll just pick the team that I like more.
Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager (last week – 6-2, overall 31-17)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs Springers
Highland Springs is ranked #4 in the state. Henrico is ranked #49. I’m going to go with the higher ranked team.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Duke Blue Devils
I do not trust this Hokie team, even with Michael Brewer returning.
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Ole Miss Rebels
Just a hunch.
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
Virginia might not win another game this year. If Virginia was my best friend, I would stage an intervention.
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Richmond is the homecoming game for JMU. The homecoming game? Was Elon not on the schedule for JMU this year? Richmond squeaks past JMU in a close one.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
Tom Brady has only lost four AFC East games at home – two of those were in week 17. P-A-T-S, Pats, Pats, Pats…
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Two teams in turmoil. I’ll take the home team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Two teams in turmoil. I’ll take the home team (Yes, I did just repeat myself).
Mitch Carr, 8News Sports Director (last week – 5-3, overall – 28-20)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs Springers
The Springers have been absolutely dominant since losing their first game of the season. They’ve destroyed the last two ranked opponents they’ve played. Henrico is really good. The Springers are better.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Duke Blue Devils
Two years ago Duke picked off Logan Thomas four times and upset the #14 Hokies 13-10 in Blacksburg. It was a shocker. Duke comes into this game as a better team. The roles have switched quite a bit, as Duke comes in the ranked team. I’ll take the Blue Devils to get it done again.
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Ole Miss Rebels
Memphis is good. Florida was good before Will Greer got suspended. Those are the Rebels’ two losses. A&M only has one less, but it’s to a team Ole Miss beat easily (Alabama). I think the Rebels will play just enough defense to get the win.
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
UVA needed three overtimes to beat the other worst team in the ACC … at home. I don’t like their chances going on the road to play a much better UNC team.
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
The Dukes have been running through FBS and FCS competition alike all season, and so have the Spiders. I like Vad Lee. He’s an FBS guy playing in the FCS and plays like a man among boys. According to SB Nation, JMU averaged more fans in attendance than the capacity of its home stadium in 2011. That’s what I call a home field advantage.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
If Tom Brady and the Pats lose a game in the AFC East this season, this’ll be it, but I don’t think they will. The Pats have the look. They’ll be tough to beat by anyone this season. I’m not PREDICTING an undefeated season, but if I had reasonable odds to gamble away money on it, I’d probably place a bet.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Eli Manning is bad, but he’s not worse than Matt Cassell and Brandon Weeden. Watch him prove me wrong!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Kirk Cousins may be colorblind; I don’t know; I don’t have a better explanation for him consistently throwing to the wrong team. Even so, The Bucs aren’t good enough to capitalize on his mistakes. Jameis isn’t there yet.
Chip Brierre, 8News Weekend Sports Anchor (last week – 5-3, overall – 28-20)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs Springers
The fact of the matter is, Highland Springs offense is so good it doesn’t matter what defense you throw in front of it this season. That will be different in the playoffs with potential matchups against Hermitage and L.C. Bird lurking in the shadows. Henrico’s defense is really good, but Springers at home with a hot Juwan Carter at QB doesn’t give me too much confidence in the Warriors getting it on the road.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
Michael Brewer is back, FINALLY. No disrespect to Brenden Motley, but Brewer looked impressive vs. Ohio State and in the moments he played vs. Miami. In a must win game for the Hokies against the top team in the Coastal, Hokies rally at home and win to at least have a sniff at fighting for a Coastal Division title.
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels lost to an undefeated Memphis team that has caught the whole nation by surprise. MEMPHIS! Beating the team that beat Alabama! The Rebels are up against the Aggies who just lost to Alabama at home. It’s a tough matchup to call, but I’ll take Ole Miss with home field advantage.
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
All week, Christina Feerick has been fist pumping during out sports shows whenever we bring up it being Tar Heel week for the Cavaliers. With good reason, North Carolina’s defense has come into form under new defensive coordinator and former Auburn head coach Gene Chizik. He’s completely turned them around, now at 5-1 and 2nd in the Coastal behind Duke with a defense that was 117th in total last season to 35th this year! Mike London is going to be shaking his head a lot on Saturday.
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: Richmond Spiders
College Gameday, the Quad, 1st in the CAA, a tight rivalry series record… all the pieces are in place for an EPIC battle between this year’s conference heavyweights. The Spiders get my pick because they’re defense has the one tipping point in my eyes, turnovers — 10 on the season to lead the CAA and a turnover margin of +9! Richmond doesn’t turn the ball over and they take it away consistently. Plus, Todd McShay says…
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
The Jets have quietly positioned themselves in 2nd of the AFC East with a good chance of making the playoffs this year. The New England Patriots have loudly stated they’re the best team in the AFC and look to be the favorite to go back-to-back Super Bowls. Patriots run away with this rivalry game.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
The NFC LEast’s primetime Monday Night Football game between New York and Philly was completely overshadowed by the premier of the final Star Wars Force Awakens trailer reveal (which is NERDVANA!). Sad and telling, because even the Washington Redskins still have a shot at taking the division. Just give me New York and let’s watch Star Wars again and again and again…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Speaking of a galaxy far, far away…
The Redskins injury bug is a big reason they are on a two game losing streak. Tampa Bay coming to FedEx Field before the bye week, with the Buccaneers coming off one, is a tough spot to be in. If Chris Culliver, DeAngelo Hall or Keenan Robinson can power through one game then have two weeks off, it will go a long way to get the Redskins back on track against the Bucs.
Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter (last week – 4-4, overall – 26-22)
Henrico Warriors @ Highland Springs Springers
Pick: Highland Springs Springers
Really strong offense.
Duke Blue Devils @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
I was just at Tech this week working on a story and the campus was buzzing about this game. The students feel confident in a win here; I am putting my faith and prediction in the hands of the Hokie students.
Texas A&M Aggies @ Ole Miss Rebels
Pick: Texas A&M Aggies
The Rebels are suffering injuries and their rushing attack is basically non-existent.
Virginia Cavaliers @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
Those 5-1 Tar Heels are having a strong season, and have good D. They, and their alumni Christina Feerick and Claudia Rupcich, have made me a believer.
Richmond Spiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
JMU is 7-0. Undefeated and always a tough football team even before ESPN noticed, enough said.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Pick: New England Patriots
As much as a think the Jets are playing good ball, the Brady is just excellent. The Jets don’t have a good history playing against the Pats. And we all know the Belichick has been secretly recording the Jets again.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
While the Cowboys are still without Dez and Romo they are coming off a bye. They rest will do them well and did you see the Giants on Monday night? It was probably the worst football ever played at the NFL level!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Well here is an evenly matched up of two teams struggling terribly. Yikes, who to pick? While I want the Bucs to win (for my Eagles) I am going Skins. They Skins have shown they can have shining moments. They beat the Rams and oh yeah …my Eagles.
