Pick 6! CFB Predictions for Week 9
The 2019 College Football season continues shock and surprise. At this time last week, I presumed we’d be looking forward to today’s clash of two unbeaten Big Ten teams. Instead, the first of our Pick 6 games this week features the big surprise of Week 8.
Scrap that, the entire season to date.
Unbeaten Wisconsin, home of the meanest defense in the nation, couldn’t stop Reggie Corbin and Illinois. Irish kicker, James McCourt, kicked a winning field goal as time expired to shock the Badgers.
There were other shocks, including Vanderbilt taking down a Missouri team that hadn’t lost since Week 1, and BYU ending Boise State’s unbeaten run.
The unpredictability of College Football is one of the reasons we created Pick 6. What could be more fun than trying to predict the unpredictable?!
Each week we choose 6 games from the College Football schedule and the trio of College Chaps attempt to use statistics and history (guesswork) to pick the winners.
Each week we’re joined by a guest picker, who not only contributes towards a guest season total, but battles it out to head up the guest leaderboard.
Predictions Table After Week 8:
- Alex Chinery – 35
- Guest – 34
- Oliver Hodgkinson – 34
- George Somerville – 31
Guest Leaderboard After Week 8:
- Cam Mellor – 6
- Nat Coombs – 5
- Dane Brugler – 5
- Brian Baldinger – 4
- Trevor Sikkema – 4
- NFL Draft Diamonds – 4
- Mello – 3
- Ross Dellenger – 3
This week we’re pleased to be joined by Olivia Dekker.
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you’ll know Olivia from covering College Football for ESPN and SEC Network.
You may not know, however, that she made history alongside her father, as the first father-daughter team to call an NFL game. You can find her on Twitter at @OliviaDekker, for from the sideline coverage of College Football.
So, to this week’s games!
Wisconsin @ Ohio State
- Venue: Ohio Stadium; Columbus, Ohio
- Date: Saturday 26th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 17:00
Alex Chinery: Ohio State
Wisconsin will come out angry, it will be close. But the duo of Ryan Day and Justin Fields are just too good. Ohio State continues to roll as they dispatch a Wisconsin team that hangs around into the fourth quarter. Jeffrey Okudah picks off Jack Coan to put the game on ice.
George Somerville: Ohio State
As much as I am BIG on the Badgers this year, I’m eating slices of Ohio State humble pie right now. The OSU are steamrolling all before them. #GoBuckeyes
Oliver Hodgkinson: Ohio State
There could be a bit of wet weather in Columbus on Saturday which could alter the dynamic of the game. Don’t sleep on J.K. Dobbins. Whilst focus will be on Jonathan Taylor, Dobbins is just 10 rushing yards shy of the revered Badgers back.
Olivia Dekker: Ohio State
Auburn @ LSU
- Venue: Tiger Stadium; Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Date: Saturday 26th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 20:30
Alex Chinery: LSU
It would be very LSU to lose this weekend and muck up their best ever playoff chances. I think the Joe Burrow led offense will fare better against this Auburn defense than when the rolls are reversed. Burrow is the clear leader in the Heisman race, he further helps his stock here.
George Somerville: LSU
This should be a ding dong clash of SEC Titans. But I’m not betting against the Tigers in Death Valley. No sirree Bob as the they say down South. #geauxtigers
Oliver Hodgkinson: LSU
LSU hasn’t really faced anyone like Derrick Brown yet this season. The dude is a beast. However, the LSU defense isn’t too shabby either. Joe Burrow and the Tigers offense prove too strong, and go in to the game with Alabama unbeaten.
Olivia Dekker: LSU
Maryland @ Minnesota
- Venue: TCF Bank Stadium; Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: Saturday 26th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 20:30
Alex Chinery: Minnesota
Maryland’s brief but bright burn out as the nations best offense was fun. But this team regressed to the mean hard. Minnesota have quietly built themselves into a team that will play in a premier bowl game this year. They keep rolling.
George Somerville: Minnesota
Maryland’s electric start to the season has since ground to a halt. I’m also a fan of PJ Fleck, so it’s row the boat for me. #GoGophers
Oliver Hodgkinson: Minnesota
The Gophers have quietly gone about their best start since 1960. In his sophomore season, Tanner Morgan has improved his accuracy and is primed to row the boat over the Terps.
Olivia Dekker: Minnesota
Weber State @ UC Davis
- Venue: UC Davis Health Stadium; Davis, California
- Date: Sunday 27th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 00:00
Alex Chinery: UC Davis
I know criminally little about the FCS. So I’m going with UC Davis here because they’ve produced NFL players in the past few years, whereas the only sporting star I know that went to Weber State was Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard and he plays basketball not football.
George Somerville: UC Davis
Well, given Oliver Hodgkinson has just done a blazing interview with Jake Maier, it’s difficult not to pick UC Davis for this one. #GoAggies
Oliver Hodgkinson: Weber State
This is a real head over heart affair for me. Weber State are 5-2, ranked fourth, and have the historical advantage. UC Davis, led by Jake Maier, will put up a good fight and it’ll be a close game. Watch out for WSU’s RB Josh Davis. He rushed for 328 yards last week.
Olivia Dekker: Weber State
Notre Dame @ Michigan
- Venue: Michigan Stadium; Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Date: Sunday 27th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 00:30
Alex Chinery: Michigan
This game is a pick em! Michigan played better than many thought last week against Penn State. The national spotlight will be on this game, which scares me for my pick Michigan. Jim Harbaugh’s team are famous for laying eggs in games like this, but I think things begin to change this week.
George Somerville: Michigan
I mean, this is a lick your lips, clash to get the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Sadly neither are on fire at the moment. But as mixed a season as the Wolverines have had, I have a sneaky feeling Big Blue pulls this out the bag. I expect news of Harbaugh looking elsewhere is enough to spur the Blues on to victory. Hail to the victors!
Oliver Hodgkinson: Notre Dame
I’m not sold on Michigan. I’m not sold on Notre Dame. Which puts me in a spot. I believe Michigan will be out for revenge after losing Week 1 last year. I don’t believe Shea Patterson is the man to deliver said revenge. The Fighting Irish throw the (Ian) Book at the Wolverines.
Olivia Dekker: Michigan
Cal @ Utah
- Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium
- Date: Sunday 27th October 2019
- Kickoff Time: 02:00
Alex Chinery: Cal
The Utah defense is better than the Cal defense. Neither side is great on offense but this Utah front seven will dominate the game. However this is the Pac-12 so I am going with the Golden Bears because the Pac-12 is weird.
George Somerville: Utah
The Utes have been a mixed bag this far but are picking up a head of steam. Utes for me in a close one.
Oliver Hodgkinson: Utah
Tyler Huntley is better than Chase Garbers. Zack Moss is better than Chris Brown Jr. Utah is better than Cal. End of. Utah have won three in a row. Cal have lost three in a row. Make it four all round.
Olivia Dekker: Utah
