Okay, separation is happening. The haves are starting to pull away from the have nots, at least a little bit. Ohio State stepped up, after struggling a bit, though. Alabama continued to distinguish itself, and Utah, Clemson, and Nebraska all survived. This week will provide yet more clarity from coast to coast.
DK’s 2016 Week 8 CFB Game Picks
All game times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Last Week: 7-3 (.700)
2016 Season: 45-25 (.643)
Wisconsin @ Iowa (Saturday, October 22nd, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
Bucky took Michigan and Ohio State to the wire in consecutive weeks. The Badgers mean business this season. This week they take their show on the road to take on Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes. Iowa is tough this season, once again. Wisconsin brings the better team to this game, and will get the win.
Pick: Wisconsin 31, Iowa 17
North Carolina @ Virginia (Saturday, October 22nd, 3:00 p.m., ACCN)
Virginia will keep this game closer-than-you-think behind QB Kurt Benkert. The Cavaliers’ anemic run game will allow the Tarheels to key on the passing game and slow it down just enough. UNC will pick up an important road win in conference.
Pick: North Carolina 31, Virginia 20
“Upset” Special of the Week
Texas A&M @ Alabama (Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Just kidding. Alabama has been destroying teams all season. The Crimson Tide will do so again on Saturday. Texas A&M is having a surprisingly strong season, and may yet land a New Year’s Six bowl bid, but Nick Saban’s squad will roll on this weekend.
Pick: Alabama 38, Texas A&M 10
Memphis @ Navy (Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN)
Navy owns one of the best wins in the nation this season when it knocked off highly-ranked Houston a couple of weeks ago. Inexplicably, Memphis is favored on the road against Ken Niumatololo’s Midshipmen. Navy leads the AAC West division (equally inexplicable, right? How is Annapolis, MD in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference?), and will continue to do so. Navy’s 13th ranked rushing offense will grind out the win, and make it harder for Houston’s road back to a New Year’s Six bowl game.
Pick: Navy 28, Memphis 20
TCU @ West Virginia (Saturday, October 22nd, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2)
This column has picked against the E’ers more than once this season, with disastrous results. What did Einstein say that the definition of insanity is? Oh, yeah. Let’s not do that, then. West Virginia will get the win at home.
Pick: West Virginia 45, TCU 35
Be Careful Here Game of the Week
Utah @ UCLA (Saturday, October 22nd, 4:00 p.m., Fox)
Utah plays the ‘Be Careful Here’ game for the third straight week. Last week, the Utes actually paid attention to the admonition, and eked out a win in Corvalis over Oregon State. UCLA has played selectively well this season, but Utah is legit. The Utes will win, thereby claiming the inside track to the Pac-12 South title.
Pick: Utah 28, UCLA 19
Oklahoma @ Texas Tech (Saturday, October 22nd, 8:00 p.m., Fox)
The Sooners handled Kansas State last week, and still sit atop the Big XII conference. Big showdown games with Baylor and West Virginia loom in the distance, but the Red Raiders will not be able to slow OU’s momentum.
Pick: Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 35
“Flip A Coin” Game of the Week
Mississippi @ LSU (Saturday, October 22nd, 9:00 p.m., ESPN)
Both teams have under-delivered this season, and one of them will fall completely from conference relevance at the conclusion of this game. Ole Miss and Chad Kelly aim to do it through the air, while LSU (with or without Leonard Fournette) will work to do it on the ground. Interim Head Coach (and professional Offensive Line Coach) Ed Orgeron will use the ground and pound approach to get a critical win at home.
Pick: LSU 28, Mississippi 17
Colorado @ Stanford (Saturday, October 22nd, 3:00 p.m.)
The Buffaloes visit Stanford Stadium tied for 1st place in the Pac-12 South. Mike MacIntyre has succeeded in rebuilding Colorado, and the team is on the brink of a major breakthrough. The Cardinal got a much needed win on the road in South Bend in Week 7, signaling that it may not be ready to roll over and pack it in for the season. It’s Homecoming on The Farm, and David Shaw’s young team will find a way. Stanford will get the win.
Pick: Stanford 24, Colorado 21
Arkansas @ Auburn (Saturday, October 22nd, 6:00 p.m., ESPN)
Auburn enters this game ranked, with Arkansas also playing well. Each team has lost twice, both times to ranked teams. Arkansas is big and physical, but Auburn is at home. QB Sean White needs to play well for the Tigers. He will do so.
Pick: Auburn 35, Arkansas 27
