RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Week 9 was a rough week for most of our predictors and with high school playoffs in full gear, it won’t get any easier. Robb Crocker is clinging to a narrow two-game lead – Amanda Malkowski is eager to take back what she thinks is rightfully hers and upstart Will Armbruster is ready to take over the top spot. Hovering close behind, our sports duo of Chip Brierre and Mitch Carr think that they have the rest of the field where they want them. And Kerri O’Brien is one or two good weeks away from jumping back in the mix.
As always, play along at home!
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Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager (last week – 5-3, overall – 50-22)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Manchester Lancers
Manchester is at home and has a higher ranking.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
This will be a close one but I think Monacan will benefit from having a tougher schedule.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Lee-Davis Confederates
Hardest game to pick. Freeman has had a great turnaround campaign, but Lee-Davis has the playoff experience.
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Villanova Wildcats
I think Richmond stumbles in Philly and loses a close one to the Wildcats.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
Easiest game to pick. Virginia is terrible on the road.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Oklahoma Sooners
Baylor will put up a good fight but lose by a field goal.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Expect a high scoring affair. Washington, for a change, has been OK at home this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
No science or analysis behind this pick. I flipped a coin.
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Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Content Producer (last week – 6-2, overall – 48-24)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Manchester Lancers
No. 4 seeded Manchester avenges last week’s 20-14 loss to this same Cosby bunch with a 24-20 at home.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
RB Khalik Hamlin has a big game to lead one-loss Monacan past visiting Dinwiddie and into the second round of the 4A playoffs.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Douglas Freeman Rebels
Douglas Freeman coach Ryan Turnage knows a thing or two about turning a program around. He took over a Jamestown High program in 2007 that had only one winning season in the school’s 10-year history and guided the Eagles to three-consecutive winning seasons, including the team’s first-ever playoff berth. He’s at it again, leading Douglas Freeman (8-2) into the playoffs following a 2-8 campaign last fall.
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Richmond Spiders
If UR and William and Mary both win this weekend that would mean next Saturday’s showdown between the two rivals will decide the CAA title and an automatic postseason bid. Here’s to hoping that happens.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
UVA is a two-touchdown underdog on the road. I don’t see a repeat of last year when UVA fans rushed the field after a late field goal have the Hoos a dramatic win over then No. 21-ranked Louisville.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Baylor Bears
Is Baylor (8-0) a contender or pretender? We’ll find out this week. The Bears and their explosive offense have looked impressive thus far but their competition has been weak (wins over SMU, Lamar, Rice, Kansas … ). Regardless, this Texas shootout will be a fun one to watch. The final score could very well exceed 120 points.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: New Orleans Saints
New Orleans has been playing well of late. But if Washington’s defense can contain Saints’ QB Drew Brees, maybe Kirk Cousins can give the fans something to cheer about against a terrible New Orleans defense.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s not so much a bold prediction given how disappointing Baltimore has been this season, but I see Blake Bortles putting up big numbers while RB T.J. Yeldon continues his impressive rookie season to lead the upstart Jags on the road.
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Amanda Malkowski, 8News Good Morning Richmond Anchor (last week – 6-2, overall – 48-24)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Cosby Titans
No comment, next question.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
No comment, next question.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Lee-Davis Confederates
No comment, next question.
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Villanova Wildcats
No comment, next question.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
No comment, next question.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Baylor Bears
No comment, next question.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: New Orleans Saints
No comment, next question.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
No comment, next question.
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Mitch Carr, 8News Sports Director (last week – 5-3, overall – 46-26)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Manchester Lancers
I cannot confirm this, but I think Manchester Head Coach Tom Hall knew he’d play Cosby again this week in the playoffs, and I think he took it easy in Friday night’s 20-14 loss. I’ve seen that in pro football, and I think that’s what happened here. That’s why Cosby’s win over Manchester last week won’t keep me from picking the Lancers this week.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
Dinwiddie’s biggest weakness this season is a young defense that gives up a lot of points. Offense is a strength for the Chiefs. The defense is good too. I give the edge to Monacan when comparing both offenses and defenses.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Lee-Davis Confederates
It kills me to pick against my alma mater, but what I saw from Freeman against Hermitage last week was not pretty. Hermitage makes a lot of offenses look bad, but last week’s performance the kind of bad that can chip away at a team’s confidence. Lee-Davis has one of the area’s best and most balanced offenses, and I think that gives them the edge
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Villanova is without star QB John Robertson, the 2014 Walter Payton Award winner. Richmond was bound to have a clunker of a game at least once this season, especially with a first year starting QB in Kyle Lauletta. I think last week was a momentary loss of focus, and I believe Coach Rocco and company will right the ship this week.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
I just don’t have faith in the Cavaliers this year. I especially don’t believe they can beat an above-.500 team on the road.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Oklahoma Sooners
Baylor hadn’t played anyone decent all year until Kansas State, and the Bears only beat the Wildcats by three. Baylor is also playing with a backup quarterback after Seth Russell got hurt. That freshman is REALLY good, but he’s also due for some growing pains. Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops has the experience to give him some.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
This is just the sort of game the Redskins win. The Saints defense is atrocious and has been all season. The Redskins’ defense is getting healthier, believe it or not. The Saints have also dropped home games to the Titans and Bucs this season. I believe Kirk Cousins will have one of the best games of his career Sunday in Washington win.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Both of these teams have been bad this season, but the Ravens are a surprise. The Jags are not. I STILL think the Ravens can be good, and I never stopped believe the Jags would be terrible. Also, the game is in Baltimore, so give me the purple and black.
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Chip Brierre, 8News Weekend Sports Anchor (last week – 4-4, overall – 45-27)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Cosby Titans
Yes this is déjà vu for me; I’m sticking with the Titans because they’re the ones trending upward not downward.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
Have liked Monacan all year and they’re back to full health, and at home. Generals have had a good season that will end this Friday I’m afraid.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Lee-Davis Confederates
Lee-Davis has the look of a stronger team, Chase Mummau and Nathan Evans will be too much for the Rebels who couldn’t keep Eli Odom in check last week.
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Richmond Spiders
This is a must win, these last two games are for the Spiders. Now with the edge back, urgency will set in and the Spiders will get back to what made them so great before that trip to New Hampshire, running the ball to set up the play action passes. Defense will have a chip on its shoulder after giving up 30.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
UVA has to win out to be bowl eligible; playing at Louisville is not an ideal start to getting on a three game winning streak.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Baylor Bears
The Bears need a signature win to crack the CFP top four, this is where it happens.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: New Orleans Saints
Tom Brady didn’t need to do much to beat Washington in New England, it’ll be tougher for Drew Brees at FedEx Field but still he is the hottest QB right now and traditionally has played well against the Redskins. Washington is still ok in the NFC East, so not a huge letdown if it slips out of their hands this Sunday.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Both of these teams are dreadful, the bigger surprise being Baltimore. Joe Flacco is coming off the bye and is home, just don’t muck it up.
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Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter (last week – 5-3, overall – 40-32)
Cosby Titans @ Manchester Lancers
Pick: Manchester Lancers
This will be a nail biter but I am going Manchester.
Dinwiddie Generals @ Monacan Chiefs
Pick: Monacan Chiefs
I am taking Monacan, they only have one loss. I think that proves this is a very talented team.
Lee-Davis Confederates @ Douglas Freeman Rebels
Pick: Douglas Freeman Rebels
I think Freeman rebounds after last week’s loss and gets the W.
Richmond Spiders @ Villanova Wildcats
Pick: Villanova Wildcats
I am going Nova…The Wildcats have won seven straight games in a row. They are on fire.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals
Pick: Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals are also on a winning streak. I just don’t see it for UVA.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Baylor Bears
Pick: Baylor Bears
They have had one of the toughest schedules, they rank over Oklahoma. I say Baylor Bears!
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: New Orleans Saints
While the Saints have struggled this season, they have been improving each week. And well, the Skins just haven’t shown us much.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars
Hmm—tough one, these teams are equally unimpressive. I do think the Jags have an edge.
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