RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Week 3 for our panel of experts is here. Newcomer Ron Carthen continues to show why he was added to the field and Amanda Malkowski had a strong seven-win week. Chip Brierre continues to stumble this season — we forgot to tell him that there is no preseason for prognosticators.
As always, feel free to play along at home.
Ron Carthen, 8News Editor & Vlogger (Last week – 6-2, Overall – 13-3)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
I see a close one but Bryce Witt and the Generals offense will be too explosive for the Blue Devils on the road.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
This will be a huge Big Ten opener for both teams but I see the Spartans spoiling the first start of redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook.
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
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Pick: Florida Gators
Even with Luke Del Rio out with a sprained knee, I see the Gators D making enough stops against Joshua Dobbs to extend their winning streak against the Vols at 12.
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
I can’t see the Cavaliers defense making enough stops against the Chippewas offense that averages 41 points per game.
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
The Hokies defense will force turnovers to win a close one against the Pirates offense.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Huge letdown for the Spiders against Stony Brook but I think they will bounce back at home this week.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Even matchup but I think the Giants receivers will have a great day against the Redskins secondary.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
I think the Panthers will need to win this one not only for them but for the city after a brutal week.
Amanda Malkowski, 8News Good Morning Richmond Anchor (Last week – 7-1, Overall – 12-4)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Tennessee Volunteers
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
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Pick: East Carolina Pirates
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Will Armbruster, 8News Digital Producer (Last week – 4-4, Overall – 10-6)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
Dinwiddie (3-0), ranked No. 1 in our #8SportsBlitz poll, has overpowered each of its first three opponents but will get a real test this week on the road against Hopewell. I like the Generals to prevail, but this one will be close.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan Spartans
Wisconsin scares me. They barely squeaked by Georgia State last week and will again be without their top RB. Give me the Spartans at home.
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Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Florida Gators
Tennessee has lost 11-straight against Florida. That streak’s gotta end sometime, right? Why not when the Vols are -6.5 favorites at home.
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas won’t need a Hail Mary at the gun (although it shouldn’t have counted anyway) to beat an awful UVA team, even on the road.
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: East Carolina Pirates
ECU has a six-game winning streak against ACC opponents, but as much as I like to pick against Va. Tech, the Hokies’ offense has looked impressive under QB Jerod Evans, who threw a school-record 5 TDs last week against Boston College.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
The Spiders are a much better team than they showed during last week’s head-scratching loss to Stony Brook and will rebound this week at home.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: Washington Redskins
I expected the Redskins to return to mediocrity this season, but I didn’t see 0-3. Wait, am I really about to pick the ‘skins? This is groundbreaking.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Even with AP I still don’t like the Vikings chances in Carolina.
Kerri O’Brien, 8News Investigative Reporter (Last week – 4-4, Overall – 10-6)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
They are undefeated. They look tough and big. Hopewell struggled against Powhatan.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Wisconsin Badgers
This is a tough one — these are two very good teams. The Spartans are home with a big crowd but I think the Badgers great looking D stops the Spartans Offense. I am also going with my heart, I was almost a Badger. True story, college decisions came down to Wisconsin’s J-School or Maryland’s J-School. Fear of winter in Wisconsin made the final decision for me. I still love that school though. Go Badgers!
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Florida Gators
Tennessee needed overtime to take down Appalachian State, enough said.
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Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
While the Cavaliers are dying for a win, I just don’t see it happening this weekend. Central Michigan is very balanced and can make big plays.
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
The Pirates were sloppy last week turning the ball over 4 times. You can’t win games that way and I think the Hokies offense is clicking now.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
I still think they are a good team this year. They bounce back from last week.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Ok, I am off the Redskins love. I kept saying they were the best in the NFC East but they keep disappointing. I do not think the Giants are much better. This will be a low scoring, boring game.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Minnesota Vikings
Reality check for Bradford here. I do not believe he is the outstanding QB some have been playing him up to be after the win against the Packers.
Tracey Smith, 8News Reporter (Last week – 5-3, Overall – 10-6)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
High school is always a guess for me. I’m going with Dinwiddie.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
This is a shot in the dark. I’ll go with Michigan State. Hopefully, they come through for me
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Florida Gators
No reason here. Just like to say, “if you ain’t a gator you’re Gator bait.”
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
After last week, I am definitely not picking UVA. That game was painful. So until otherwise, I’m betting against them.
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East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: East Carolina Pirates
ECU has won the last few times these two teams have met. Virginia Tech has also not impressed me this year.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
I’m hesitant about this one but I will give UR another shot.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
I have no faith in Captain Kirk. Giants will take this one.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
Panthers take this one. Without AP, I just don’t know how the Vikings are gonna cut it.
Robb Crocker, 8News Digital Content Manager (Last week – 4-4, Overall – 9-7)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
No one beats the Blue Devils on their home turf… except the Generals. Sorry Hopewell.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State
I almost lost sleep with this pick. Wisconsin hasn’t won in East Lansing since 2002 but has a better defense. The Spartans are starting to click on all cylinders while Wisconsin tends to come out of the gate a little sloppy. I’ll take Sparty by three.
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee will face a tough Florida defense but will take advantage of an offense that is just not quite there. Vols by seven.
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
The Cavs are very close to rock bottom.
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
I hate this game. There I said it. Tech wins.
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Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Come on Richmond, you’re better than that – my reaction to last week’s loss. The Spiders will show me that they are better than that this week.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
I threw up on my keyboard while typing that. Washington has had no luck in New York over the past few years. And while their season may be on the line (they are on pace to go 0-16), I don’t believe they will be ready for this test. The defense is porous, there is no running game, Kirk Cousins can’t get out of his own way, and they take too many bad penalties.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
We will now see the real Sam Bradford (until he gets hurt). Sorry Vikings, no AP, No Bridgewater, no playoffs.
Mitch Carr, 8Sports Director (Last week – 3-5, Overall – 9-7)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
The Generals are stacked with talent, including TE / WR / LB K’Vaughan Pope. I just watched his highlight reel. He could play college ball NOW. He’s a junior. Hopewell has a decent shot, though, because Ronnie Walker is a stud, too. I’m taking the Generals because I think they are the best team in our area, but I was outvoted in our #8SportsBlitz poll
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Wisconsin may have beaten LSU, but 1) LSU is bad and 2) the Badgers benched the QB that won them that game after struggling with…Georgia State…at home. Sparty on.
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Florida Gators
It gnaws at me to pick the Gators in anything, but Tennessee has beaten App State and Ohio by a COMBINED 16 points and both games were actually closer than the final margin. Also, both games were at home, so nuts to home field advantage.
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Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
If you didn’t know who was playing and I told you: Home Team is 0-3 and has lost to an FCS team AND UConn while Away Team is 3-0 and beat a ranked Big XII team on the road, you would probably pick Away Team. Away Team is Central Michigan, the Fightin’ Katie Duprees (Class of 2010).
East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
It’s funny how when you don’t give the ball away you win games. The Hokies figured that out in a blowout of BC. I think they’ll be ok at home against ECU.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
I think this team is good and that last week’s blowout loss at Stony Brook was just a weird, weird day.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
I can’t wait to see Josh Norman on Odell Beckham, Jr. the problem is the offense still can’t run the ball, Kirk Cousins is calculating next year’s contract in his head while he passes like a fantasy player checks his FantasyCast every 30 seconds, and Eli Manning now has a BUNCH of weapons in OBJ, Cruz, Larry Donnell, and rookie Sterling Shepard. Advantage: Giants.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
The Vikings defense is nasty, but the offense just lost Adrian Peterson AND Matt Khalil. Good luck running the ball. Sam Bradford can win with a running game, but he will not beat the Panthers — another nasty D — by himself.
Chip Brierre, 8Sports Anchor (Last week – 3-5, Overall – 5-11)
Dinwiddie Generals @ Hopewell Blue Devils
Pick: Dinwiddie Generals
Generals are undefeated and #2 in our poll, Hopewell lost to Powhatan and doesn’t have the size that Dinwiddie does.
Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan State Spartans
Pick: Michigan State Spartans
Go Sparty Go!
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Pick: Tennessee Volunteers
As a Miami Hurricane alum, there’s no school I can’t stand more than Florida.
Central Michigan Chippewas @ Virginia Cavaliers
Pick: Central Michigan Chippewas
Can you say 0-4?
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East Carolina Pirates @ Virginia Tech Hokies
Pick: Virginia Tech Hokies
Even though ECU has beaten Va. Tech 2 years running, Jerod Evans throws all over the Pirates.
Colgate Raiders @ Richmond Spiders
Pick: Richmond Spiders
Let’s hope Spiders don’t find themselves in another sticky situation.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: New York Giants
Until proven otherwise, I don’t trust Kirk Cousins right now.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Carolina Panthers
No Teddy Bridgewater and now no Adrian Peterson? Woof, Vikings can’t catch a break.