RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The battle continues as we come down the stretch. Robb Crocker continues to lead the pack. This week, we are college heavy – could we see a change at the top of the standings?
As always, feel free to play along at home.
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Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager (last week – 6-2, overall 65-31)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is the best team in the nation.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
See above… Clemson is overrated and does not deserve to be No. 1. They would have finished fourth in the SEC West.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
It’s not Iowa’s fault that they are undefeated – they played who they were scheduled to play. That being said, they don’t match up well against the battle-tested Spartans.
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
Stanford is the better squad.
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Richmond has William & Mary’s number.
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
Colgate plays football? You learn something new every day.
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Miami Dolphins
I almost forfeited this game.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
Did not see this coming at all.
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Amanda Malkowski, 8News Good Morning Richmond Anchor (last week – 4-4, overall – 62-34)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: Clemson Tigers
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Miami Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
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Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Content Producer (last week – 4-4, overall 61-35)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
For Alabama it’s simple: Win and you’re in (the playoffs). The Crimson Tide fumbling this one away would be a monumental upset.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: Clemson Tigers
How many people had UNC being one win away from a potential playoff berth on the final week of the regular season? Clemson is the real deal, and I see them solidifying themselves as the No. 1 overall seed with a convincing win.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Pretender or contender? Iowa is undefeated but owns one of the weakest schedules in college football.
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
Something tells me this will be the most entertaining of Saturday’s conference championships with Stanford squeaking out a thriller in OT.
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: William & Mary Tribe
These two longtime rivals have never met in the playoffs. In their last three meetings, Richmond is 3-0. The Tribe is itching for some revenge, and will get it thanks to a huge game from tailback Kendell Anderson.
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
DUUUUUUUUUKKKKES at home.
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Miami Dolphins
After a dreadful start to the season, Miami looks more like the team many considered a possible AFC playoff dark horse under head coach Dan Campbell.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Dal, errrrr … Washington (sigh)
I will never buy Washington as a legit division winner – even if they end up winning the NFC East – but Dallas is just terrible (and severely banged up).
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Mitch Carr, 8News Sports Director (last week – 5-3, overall – 57-39)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
Florida beat Vanderbilt, South Carolina, and Florida Atlantic (a combined 9-24) by a combined 18 points and then managed only 2 points in a 25-point loss to arch-rival Florida State. This would be w huge upset if Florida won, but it’s more than likely just going to be a huge blowout.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: Clemson Tigers
North Carolina has won 10-straight but hasn’t played Clemson, FSU, or BC in the ACC this year. I bring up BC because they have one of the conference’s best defenses. They have a great offense statistically, but those stats haven’t seen anything like Clemson’s D.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Iowa is the North Carolina of the Big Ten. They somehow dodged every good team in their conference en route to a perfect conference record. That ends Saturday. I look forward to a UNC-Iowa Orange Bowl, though.
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
Stanford seems to have gotten better as the season has continued, and that happens with big physical teams as the flashier ones that don’t hit as hard start to wear down. USC is playing well right now, but I’m going with the team that beat Notre Dame last week, not the one that has struggled with stability this season.
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: William & Mary Tribe
I picked the Tribe over the Spiders last times around, and I was wrong. This time, I think I’m right. I just think the Tribe is a better team.
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
Amazingly, Vad Lee’s injury could not sink the Dukes, and that home crowd is incredible in Harrisonburg.
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Miami Dolphins
I believe Matt Schaub is starting for the Ravens, so there you have it. Sorry UVA fans.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
The Cowboys are 0-7 without Tony Romo. What I just said about Matt Schaub? It goes for Matt Cassell too.
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Chip Brierre, 8News Weekend Sports Anchor (last week – 5-3, overall – 57-39)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Florida Gators
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: The University of Southern California Trojans
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: William & Mary Tribe
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: Colgate Raiders
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Baltimore Ravens
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Dallas Cowboys
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Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter (last week – 5-3, overall – 53-43)
Florida Gators vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama for sure…blow out.
North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers
Pick: Clemson Tigers
UNC is good this year not doubt but their schedule is easy; they have not yet played a team of this caliber.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State….just bigger, better players. And who has Iowa really played?
Stanford Cardinal vs. The University of Southern California Trojans
Pick: Stanford Cardinal
I am going Stanford this team really impressed me in their big win over Notre Dame last week.
William & Mary Tribe @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: William & Mary Tribe
The Spiders beat the Tribe the last time and I think they do it again. They have this team figured out.
Colgate Raiders @ James Madison Dukes
Pick: James Madison Dukes
I am going with the home team advantage here
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins
Pick: Miami Dolphins
Ugh, do we really have to pick from this? We certainly don’t have to watch. Both teams look bad! But I think Tannehill will have a slight edge and win it.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Washington Redskins
No Romo again for the Cowboys and the Skins are on a roll.
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