It’s time for Week 8 in college football. And it’s time for predictions. Lots of good football and interesting match-ups. Be sure to check out the ATS picks at the end.
Top 25
(25) Coastal Carolina 31 Georgia Southern 27
This won’t be an easy game for the Chanticleers. Georgia Southern can give teams fits with the option and senior QB Shai Werts is dangerous passing the ball as well. I have this as a potential upset game, but I’ll pick Coastal to win in a close one.
(22) Marshall 34 Florida Atlantic 14
The Herd are third in college football in Points Allowed, giving up just 9.5 points per game. Expect Marshall to stay perfect on the season and get the win.
(20) Kansas State 34 Kansas 17
With a loss the Jayhawks would drop to 0-5 on the season, and without RB Pooka Williams, who just opted out, Kansas doesn’t have much of a chance.
(19) Virginia Tech 38 Wake Forest 24
The Hokies were one of the best rushing teams in college football, and now with Hendon Hooker at QB they’re a juggernaut. Don’t expect the Demon Deacons to be able to stop Virginia Tech on offense.
(18) Michigan 27 (21) Minnesota 24
Both teams have a lot of unknowns. Minnesota only returns 33% of production on defense. Michigan only returns 49% on defense and 36% on offense. This game is a complete toss up.
(16) SMU 28 (9) Cincinnati 24
The Mustangs have been impressive this season. Losing WR Reggie Roberson for the season was a big loss but WRs Danny Gray and Rashee Rice have stepped up big time. QB Shane Buechele leads them to victory this week over a Top 10 Bearcats team.
(14) Wisconsin 24 Illinois 14
This Illinois will be better than most people expect this season, but the Badgers get the win.
(14) UNC 31 (23) NC State 17
With Devin Leary at QB, the Wolfpack could’ve won this game. However, with Bailey Hockman in for the injured Leary, I have to pick the Tar Heels.
(12) BYU 49 Texas State 17
Zach Wilson for Heisman? He’s definitely making a great case and improving his draft stock as well. He stays on fire here, and BYU wins big.
(11) Miami 31 Virginia 17
The Canes are still competing to make it to the ACC Championship game and the Hoos have been struggling since QB Brennan Armstrong went down. Give me the Canes by two TDs.
(8) Penn State 31 Indiana 28
Losing LB Micah Parsons (opted out) and Journey Brown (injury) will definitely hurt. But Penn State has valuable replacements in LB Brandon Smith and RB Noah Cain. The Hoosiers are a sneaky good team who could get a big upset this season, and don’t be surprised if it happens here. I’ll take the Nittany Lions in a close one.
(5) Ohio State 42 Nebraska 20
Justin Fields and the Buckeyes offense will be too much for the Cornhuskers to stop.
(3) Notre Dame 23 Pittsburgh 14
Pitt is a dangerous, cornered animal right now with 3 losses. They’re not a team the Irish can overlook. Expect this one will be close.
(2) Alabama 35 Tennessee 17
The Crimson Tide are only 21 point favorites in this game. After watching both teams play last week, you have to think what does Vegas know? I think the Vols could play inspired this week and cover the spread.
(1) Clemson 52 Syracuse 7
What do you tell your team when they’re 46-point underdogs? That has to inspire them to play as hard as they can right? Well, it might, but the Orange are outmatched and the talent gap is enormous. Clemson wins easily.
Best Unranked Games
Louisville 31 Florida State 24
FSU has the talent to compete with anyone as we witnessed last week when they upset UNC. Coming into the season, I thought Louisville would be a Top 5 team in the ACC and right now they’re 0-4 in ACC play. The Cardinals play their best game of the season this week and get their first ACC Win.
Oklahoma 34 TCU 20
The Sooners haven’t got off to the start they had hoped for, but they get an impressive win over a tough TCU team this weekend.
Boston College 31 Georgia Tech 24
The Eagles have exceeded expectations so far this season, and I’ve been impressed with QB Phil Jurkovec. The Yellow Jackets have showed potential with true freshman QB Jeff Sims and RB Jahmyr Gibbs. The Eagles win a close one.
Texas 34 Baylor 21
The Longhorn fans aren’t pleased with how things are going right now. They’re 2-2 (1-2) with the #5 ranked roster in college football and a senior QB. For head coach Tom Herman’s sake, the Longhorns need a win badly here. Losing to an in-state team with far less talent would send the fan base over the edge.
Texas Tech 28 West Virginia 24
A lot of bets (66%) are coming in for the Mountaineers -3.5. , in fact 66% of bets are. Red Raiders QB Henry Colombi is better than people are giving him credit for. Texas Tech gets a big win here.
Auburn 35 Ole Miss 28
This match-up features two QBs who were terrible last week. This game could honestly go either way, but I’ll bank on Bo Nix finally getting his act together.
South Carolina 31 LSU 28
Myles Brennan is expected to be out which means the Tigers will have to start a Freshman at QB. I’ll roll with the Gamecocks in this one.
Remaining Games
- Iowa 31 Purdue 28
- Michigan State 20 Rutgers 13
- Northwestern 24 Maryland 21
- Kentucky 26 Missouri 23
- Army 33 Mercer 14
- Liberty 34 Southern Miss 27
- Memphis 41 Temple 24
- UCF 42 Tulane 31
- Houston 34 Navy 24
- Charlotte 27 UTEP 17
- Rice 27 MTSU 24
- WKU 34 Chattanooga 21
- UTSA 30 LA Tech 24
- Boise State 41 Utah State 24
- Wyoming 31 Nevada 27
- Fresno State 38 Hawaii 28
- Air Force 42 San Jose State 24
- SDSU 31 UNLV 17
- Georgia State 38 Troy 34
- South Alabama 31 ULM 16
- Appalachian State 34 Arkansas State 27
- FIU 36 Jacksonville State 28
- Tulsa 27 USF 20
- UAB 27 Louisiana 24
Free Picks ATS 🤑💰🔥🤑💰🔥
- Illinois +20
- UAB +2.5
- Louisville -5
- Georgia Southern +6
- Nebraska +26
- Oklahoma -6.5
- Syracuse +46.5
- Tennessee +21.5
- Iowa State +3.5
- South Carolina +7
- Nevada +4.5
- Texas Tech +3.5
