College Football Week 8 Predictions: Ole Miss/Geo, Ala/Tenn, LSU/Vandy, ND/USC

Week 7 saw quality wins by Indiana, USC, Alabama, Texas, A&M, USF, and Northwestern, who beat the Nittany Lions. Penn State lost again as a huge favorite and the powers that be fired James Franklin after 12 years. Week 8 features several essential marquee matchups in the SEC, including the Holy War, as well as multiple interesting games on paper. Around 7 job openings halfway through October is crazy, but money talks, and expectations rise when considering the amount of investment, we see nowadays. The new transfer window will help coaches, especially newly hired, to retain more players instead of a fire sale in early December. Also, having just one window rather than post spring games is crucial.

Marquee Matchups

#5 Ole Miss vs. #9 Georgia: Ole Miss almost got caught looking ahead to this marquee matchup in the SEC, barely getting by Washington State last week. Georgia got off to yet another slow start, only to pour it on Auburn in the 2nd half. The Bulldogs must find a way to get pressure on Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss; otherwise, he will pick them apart with his feet and arm. Georgia should be able to run on Ole Miss’s defense, which gives up 158 yards on the ground per game. A healthy dose of running will help the Bulldogs’ signal caller, Gunner Stockton, as well. Alabama halted the Bulldogs’ 33-game win streak, so the odds of them losing again at home are slim.  Look for Georgia to get off to a better start and close this one out in the 4th quarter.

The Pick: Georgia -7.5

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Georgia -7.5

• Georgia starts slow
• Bulldogs must Pressure QB
• Stockton to play well

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#6 Alabama vs. #11 Tennessee: This will be the 4th ranked opponent in a row for Alabama. Tennessee had a great defense and mediocre offense last year. In 2025, roles are reversed as QB Joey Aguilar has the Vols offense humming, yet their defense has taken a large step back. Bama QB Ty Simpson has lived up to the hype, and even with an up-and-down season for WR Ryan Williams, wideouts Germie Bernard and Isiah Horton have delivered. This feels like a classic Big-12 or old Pac-12 shootout with the over/under set at 58.5. The Vols have won 2 out of the last three meetings. The Crimson Tide will be looking for payback.

The Pick: Alabama wins, but the bet is Tennessee +8.5 

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Tennessee +8.5

• Aguilar to play well
• Vols defense struggles
• High Scoring game

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Under The Radar

#10 LSU vs #15 Vanderbilt: LSU’s offense continues to struggle behind an O-Line that was forced to replace 4 starters. Lucky for the Tigers, their defense has kept them in games. Vandy had a bye week to lick their wounds from a loss to Alabama. The Commodores can stop the run and control the clock with their potent rush attack. Turnovers have been an issue for LSU, and that’s what hurt Vandy versus Alabama. Although Vanderbilt is better as a dog, this College Football podcaster is siding with QB Diego Pavia to get the job done.

The Pick: Vanderbilt –2.5 

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Vanderbilt -2.5

• LSU Offense Struggling
• Vandy will stop the run
• Pavia to play well

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#13 Notre Dame vs. #20 USC: USC ran the ball down Michigan’s throat and at the same time containing the Wolverines run. Notre Dame has bounced back nicely from 2 close losses to unbeatens Miami and Texas A&M. USC ‘s only loss came in heartbreaking fashion after mounting a comeback against Ilinois. This is a high-level quarterback matchup between USC QB Jayden Maiava and Irish QB CJ Carr. Which defense will make the plays necessary to be the difference maker? Truth be told not all that confident the Trojans can do it back-to-back, but the spread is too wide.

The Pick: USC +9.5 

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: USC +9.5

• USC Running Game will be big
• High-Level QB Matchup
• Defense will make the difference

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Saturday Upset Special

Washington pulls off the upset Michigan as a +6 road dog

Purdue defeats Northwestern as a +3 underdog.

Hardcore Barnburners

#12 Georgia Tech vs. Duke: The Yellow Jackets defense surrenders almost 170 rushing yards per game. On the flip side, G-Tech rushes for 238 per game. The Blue Devils offense has lots of success thru the air to the tune of 310 passing yards. As far as ACC opposition this is likely the toughest challenge for Georgia Tech. With close betting odds and an over/under 61.5 makes for the perfect recipe as a hardcore barnburner.

The Pick: Georgia Tech +1.5

#15 BYU vs. #23 Utah: The Holy War is already anticipated, but it’s rare when we get both programs ranked in the rivalry. The stats lineup very close, so mental errors, missed tackles, and redzone efficacy will be the keys to victory.  The Cougars have won the last two wars, so the Utes will be even more energized. Texas Tech appears to be the Big-12 cream of the crop, so the winner will be in great position especially if it’s BYU given Utah got beatdown by the Red Raiders.

The Pick: Utah –3.5

Against The Spread

Louisville +13.5 versus #2 Miami

UNLV +12.5 versus Boise State

Arkansas +7.5 versus #4 Texas A&M

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Quick Hits Recap

-Indiana upset Oregon winning for the first time versus an Associated Press Top 5 foe on the road. Prior to that victory on Saturday, the Hoosiers were 0-46 in that spot.

-Oregon losing to Indiana put a stop to the Ducks 18-game home winning streak which was the longest in FBS.

-Texas Tech RB Cameron Dickey rushed for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 42-17 whooping of Kansas.

-Texas Tech moved to 6-0, winning all six by at least 20 points thus far.

-Washington QB Demond Williams Jr passed for 402 yards and rushed for 136 yards totaling 4 TD’s in a 38-19 over Rutgers.

-Texas A&M moved to 6-0 for the first time since 2016 in a 34-17 win over Florida.

-Texas has outscored Red River rival Oklahoma 136-43, winning 3 of the last 4 matchups.

-Alabama makes it 3 victories in a row over AP Ranked opponents by defeating Missouri 27-24 on the road.

-Missouri had won 15 consecutive games at home before losing to the Crimson Tide last Saturday afternoon.

-Troy QB Tucker Kilcrease put up 415 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in a 48-41 overtime win over Texas State.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show available under The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Umbrella on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts & More! Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio