College Football Week 8 Predictions: Tex/Geo, Ala/Tenn, Mich/ILL, LSU/Ark and more

Week 7 was another amazing chapter in one of the better regular seasons in College Football recent history. Oregon outlasted Ohio State, 4 overtime games in the Top-25 along with several closely contested scraps! Week 8 belongs to the SEC with not one but two marquee matchups that will be of great importance in the conference standings. Three more weeks until the first real rankings come out for the expanded 12-team playoffs.

Marquee Matchups

#1 Texas vs. #5 Georgia: This marquee matchup of epic proportions opened around -3.5 for Texas but has bumped up to -5 quickly. Texas kept its top position in the associated press poll, with an outside argument for Oregon given its victory last Saturday over Ohio State. The Bulldogs were sitting in that same spot until Alabama knocked them out. At this point, on paper, Texas appears to be the best all-around team in the country.

Texas has taken care of business in their most demanding tests of the season. That said, Michigan and Oklahoma on the offensive side of the ball have been really bad. In week 8, Georgia’s top-tier passing attack, which averages 326 yards per game, comes to Austin. QB Carson Beck is on pace for a very solid season, but the Bulldogs are missing key weapons they relied on in recent years. Surprisingly, Georgia has come up short in their ground game as well. We can’t forget Kirby Smart and his Georgia Bulldogs have only lost to Alabama over a long period of time.

The Pick: Texas wins, but Georgia +5 

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Bet Georgia +5

• Carson Beck to play well
• Texas at home
• Texas will win

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#7 Alabama vs. #11 Tennessee: Not long ago the Vols faithful were celebrating a climatic victory over the Crimson Tide throwing the goalpost in a campus river. That team was heavily reliant on their high-octane offense led by QB Hendon Hooker and WR Jalin Hyatt. This year Tennessee’s offense looked unstoppable early. Ever since SEC play kicked in the Vols have been leaning on their defense to win.

Just recently, Alabama was riding high when it defeated its bitter rival, Georgia. Just the opposite of Tennessee, Alabama has a great offense, putting up almost 42 points a game. The problem is on the other side of the ball, giving up 21 points and almost 130 rushing yards a game. For Bama, those numbers are sky-high compared to the last decade plus. Whichever teams get their act together and play complementary football will win this one. This College Football podcaster believes both teams will look more like those with expectations. One thing I do know is this will be a great back-and-forth SEC brawl. I also trust Alabama QB Jalen Milroe more than the freshman on the Tennessee sidelines.

The Pick: Alabama -3

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Bet Alabama -3

• Jalen Milroe to play well
• Tennessee at home
• Bama wins

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Under The Radar

#22 Illinois vs. #24 Michigan: Should Michigan be the favorite on the road facing a quality opponent? Illinois’s main concern is a horrible rush defense. Yes it is true Michigan struggles mightily to pass the ball but it won’t matter all that much if there able to ground and pound in this ranked versus ranked Big Ten tussle. Illinois can throw the ball and the Michigan defense isn’t as stout as the last few years. Can Michigan QB Jack Tussle make even the slightest improvement to provide some resemblance of a pass game? This one will be decided in the last 5 minutes.

The Pick: Michigan -3.5 

#8 LSU vs. Arkansas: This SEC matchup is flying under the radar nationally. The Tigers are on let down alert against a scrappy Razorback club that already pulled a major upset. In fact the last time we saw Arkansas was two weeks ago shocking Tennessee. The Hogs have two losses but it should be noted Arkansas outgained Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. The Tigers defense is starting to turn the corner and LUS does get lots of pressure on the quarterback. The biggest question seems to be how close is QB Taylen Green to being anywhere near 100% healthy?

The Pick: LSU -2.5 

Saturday Upset Special

South Carolina plays road spoiler as a slight underdog at Oklahoma

Hardcore Barnburners

#6 Miami vs. Louisville: Miami is coming off a bye week. Before the break, the Canes have been living on the edge. Giving up big plays on defense and turning the ball over on offense. After losing back-to-back close ones to SMU and Notre Dame, the Cards beat Virginia. Two high-powered offences going head to head will generally result in the offence that doesn’t turn it over winning. That and the defence that forces a field goal or two instead of TDs majorly increase the chance of winning.

The Pick: Miami +5 and over the 59.5 point total. 

#16 Indiana vs. Nebraska: It’s been smooth sailing for the 6-0 Hoosiers, especially on offense. Of course, one could question the weak resume, but we can’t question Indiana’s results. Nebraska was riding high until Illinois beat them at home. The Hoosiers’ first big test in front of a home crowd that will be ready to make noise is the perfect ingredient for a hardcore barnburner.

The Pick: Nebraska +6.5 and the over 49.5 point total. 

Against The Spread

Georgia Tech +10 versus #12 Notre Dame

Virginia +21.5 versus #10 Clemson

South Carolina +1.5 versus Oklahoma and +105 SC moneyline

Colorado +2.5 versus Arizona

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Quick Hits Recap

-Oregon outlasted Ohio State to earn the Ducks first win over an AP Top-2.

-Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel threw for 334 yards and 3 total TD’s. WR Even Stewart had a breakout performance with 7 catches for 149 yards and 1 TD.

-Penn State TE Tyler Warren had 17 receptions for 224 yards and a TD in the Nittany Lions OT victory over USC 33-30.

-Army and Navy are both ranked in the Associated Press Top-25 for the first time since 1960. Also, the first time since 1945 both programs were 5-0.

-Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz reaches his 200th Big Ten victory just 5 games short of the all-time conference win record. Woody Hayes is the currently win leader.

-Pigging backing off that coach stat LSU head coach Brian Kelly has 287 win to his name as a head coach placing him 7th most in FBS history. Nick Saban is at 292 in 6th place.

-Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty rushed for 217 yards in the Broncos 28-7 win over Hawaii and is now up to 17 touchdowns on the season.

-4 overtime games inside the AP Top-25, tied for most in a single day dating back to 1996 when the overtime format began.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio