College Football Week 8 2020 Predictions

Week 7 that gave us fans some a few upsets & competitive games along with a Dominate win by Alabama over Georgia.  Week 8 marks the return of the Big Ten conference along with a few marquee matchups in the Big-12 and AAC. Before you know it the Pac-12 will be back and the sprint to the finish will be a blast for us hardcores and a nightmare for the rankings committee. 

Marquee Matchups

#6 Oklahoma State vs. #17 Iowa State: The quality of opponent thus far for the Cyclones has been far and away in favor of Iowa State. Their only loss is to a pretty scrappy team in the Ragin Cajuns from Louisiana. Just how good is this Cowboys defense and overall having struggled mightily with Tulsa in the opener? One thing we do know is Oklahoma State can depend on running the ball with Chuba Hubbard. Iowa State RB Breece Hall is no slouch and they do have the experience of a sturdy QB in Brock Purdy. On paper the Cowboys have the better defense but will it hold up versus a ranked foe?

The Pick: Iowa State 30 Oklahoma State 27

#18 Michigan vs. #21 Minnesota: The Wolverines head into Gopher land with temps chillier than expected even for Minnesota standards in an October game. The absence of WR Nico Collins, the most productive yards-wise wideout Michigan had returned, only adds to the losses of early entry WR Donovan Peoples-Jones along with 4 starters from the O-line. In contrast, Minnesota returns their whole offensive line, QB Tanner Morgan, and WR Rashod Bateman but will miss Tyler Johnson and especially Antoine Winfield Jr. in the defensive secondary. Michigan will be breaking in junior QB Joe Milton, who is a physical presence and could make an early impact having not seen much tape at the college level. Experience is on the Gophers side, high-level talent and speed leans to the Wolverines.  

The Pick: Minnesota 23   Michigan 20

Under The Radar

#9 Cincinnati vs. #16 SMU: This American Athletic Conference matchup of unbeaten squads should give us fans something to cheer about this Saturday. SMU has back-to-back victories over Memphis and Tulane per usual they can light up the scoreboard averaging almost 43-points a game. The Bearcats have a more balanced approach still able to put up points but with a stronger on defense. This is close to a pick’em type game which makes me side with Cincinnati because I like the run/pass option their QB Desmond Ridder brings to the table and SMU has snuck by two close outings in a row.  

The Pick: Cincinnati 34 SMU 30

Saturday Upset Special

Georgia Southern will pull off a minor upset as a 5.5-point dog at #25 Coastal Carolina

Hardcore Barnburners

Auburn vs. Ole Miss: Both Teams have struggled of late which means one of them will finally break thru but it won’t come easy and likely it will come down to the wire. 

Oklahoma vs. TCU: With a win over Texas and a very close loss to Iowa State can the Horned Frogs do the unthinkable and beat the Sooners who don’t look their normal self?

Against The Spread

#23 NC State probably shouldn’t be ranked but they will lose by less than 15.5-points to #14 North Carolina. 

(Honorable Mention: Tulane as a dog keeps it under the 19-points in a loss to Central Florida.)

Take it to the Window

 #8 Penn State will cover as a 6-point favorite at Indiana. 

Quick Hits Recap

-Clemson stud signal-caller Trevor Lawrence had 391 passing yards and threw for 5 TD’s in the first half alone, the score was 52-7 in 30 minutes of play versus Georgia Tech.  

-Florida State shocked #5 North Carolina 31-28 earning the Seminoles their first win over a Top-5 AP poll team since 2007.

-Tennessee suffered their worst loss (27 points) as a ranked team to an unranked in school history after a 34-7 ransacking by Kentucky. 

-On the other hand that victory gave Kentucky their first win at Tennessee since 1984. 

-Central Florida vs. Memphis game featured QB’s Dillion Gabriel and Brady White throwing for over 450 yards and at least 5 TD’s for only the 2nd time in the last 20 years in a 50-49 comeback victory by the Tigers. Gabriel finished with 601 yards and 6TD’s. 

-Arkansas State set a single game school record and tied a Sun Belt record accumulating 8 TD’s thru the air in a 59-52 win over Georgia State. 3 different Red Wolves players threw touchdowns. 

-SMU QB Shane Buechele moved to 3rd on the active touchdown list with 75, standing behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Longhorn Sam Ehlinger.   

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or TheGruelingTruth.Net

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