Another weekend of college football, another top team falls. This past weekend wasn’t as wild as some of the previous weekends have been, but it wasn’t far off. It all started when the number two ranked team in the country, Iowa, fell to unranked Purdue on Saturday afternoon. Boilermaker head coach Jeff Brohm has his team playing tough going into November. After that, Oklahoma State knocked Texas down off the pedestal, beating them 32-24. “Bedlam” is setting up to be one of the best rivalry games we’ve seen in years. Finally, Georgia stuffed Kentucky all night winning 30-13. However, the night didn’t end there.
Over in Knoxville, as the Vols were taking on Ole Miss, things got out of hand. The first mistake that was made, was a pretty clear refereeing error that really lit the fire under Volunteer fans. Then, when they failed to convert a 4th and long, things really started to hit the fan. Students and other spectators began throwing empty water bottles, full water bottles, golf balls, and even a mustard bottle. Now, in no way are Tennessee fans in the right here. They acted like children when a call didn’t go their way. However, I think the NCAA or SEC needs to take some responsibility for the horrible refereeing display that has gone on throughout the college football world and even into the NFL. With that being said, it’s time to look at the best bets for week 8.
Best Bets For Week 8 | College Football Betting
College football betting odds are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Player to Watch: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
Kenny Pickett is having one of the best under-the-radar seasons we’ve seen in a while. He’s completing 70% of his passes on the 23rd-ranked Panthers. Pickett is third in the country with a 181.8 quarterback rating this season, and has thrown 21 touchdowns to only one interception. This weekend, the Panthers will host Dabo Swinney and Clemson. This is the biggest football game Pitt has hosted in a very long time, so if Pickett can perform, he might find his way in the thick of the Heisman race. He’s going off at some pretty good odds right now, so wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a flier on.
College Football Pick: Kenny Pickett To Win the Heisman Trophy (+2500)
Oklahoma State vs Iowa State
Spread: OSU +7 (-115) | ISU -7 (-105)
Moneyline: OSU (+215) | ISU (-260)
Total: 47 — Over (-115) | ISU (-105)
While glancing over this game, I noticed something that was kind of funny. Oklahoma State, who sits in eighth in the latest AP poll, will take on unranked Iowa State in Ames. Had you looked at this game before the season started, the rankings would have been reversed, as Iowa State was ranked ninth in the preseason AP Poll. However, this is where we are.
Oklahoma State is coming off a huge win over Texas in Austin. Quarterback Spencer Sanders passed for a touchdown and ran for one as well in the fourth quarter. The Oklahoma State defense kept Bijan Robinson under control in the second half and picked off Casey Thompson twice to seal the win.
This year, Mike Gundy’s Cowboys hang their hat on their defense. They are ranked 18th in the country in total defense and 16th in rush defense. They will force Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy to make mistakes. On offense, Sanders is a hell of a player, but he’s joined in the backfield by Jaylen Warren, who already has over 700 yards rushing this season. If they can play relatively mistake-free football, they should have a great chance to win.
Matt Campbell and his Iowa State Cyclones didn’t have the best start to the season, but have rebounded well. After losing to Iowa and Baylor early, Campbell has turned the year around. With a veteran backfield of Brock Purdy and Breece Hall, it’s almost surprising they’re not ranked. Hall has 10 rushing touchdowns on the year, but he still flies under the radar. Campbell will give his tailback a heavy workload because he knows Hall can handle it. Purdy is one of the most up and down quarterbacks in college football this year. He’s very good when he’s on, but when he’s off, it’s very bad. Defensive ends Will McDonald IV and Eyioma Uwazurike are terrors on the edge, combining for 9.5 sacks this season. With all that being said, I think Iowa State knocks off Oklahoma State, but they don’t cover.
College Football Pick: Oklahoma State +7
Cincinnati vs Navy
Spread: UC -28 (-110) | NAVY +28 (-110)
Moneyline: UC (-4100) | NAVY (+1225)
Total: 49 — Over (-105) | Under (-115)
Cincinnati will travel to Annapolis this weekend to take on the Midshipmen. Cincinnati finds itself square in the middle of the College Football Playoff conversation. Ranked second in the latest AP Poll, they will need to win out to have a shot. On top of that, they need to win out impressively to make themselves more attractive. Cincinnati averages 43.5 points per game themselves. If you add in Navy’s 17.5 points per game, the over should hit no matter what.
Now, on top of all that, let’s go back to the point that Cincinnati needs to impress the Playoff Committee to strengthen their claim to a spot. Since beating Notre Dame three weeks ago, the Bearcats have beaten Temple (52-3) and UCF (56-21) in the last two weeks. Head coach Luke Fickell knows they need to put on a show, and he’s been doing it. No reason they stop now.
College Football Pick: Over 49
Oregon vs UCLA
Spread: ORE +1 (-110) | UCLA -1 (-110)
Moneyline: ORE (EVEN) | UCLA (-120)
Total: 60.5 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
A couple of weeks ago, this is a game I was very excited about. Both teams have faded as of late, but I’m still very excited for this game on Saturday afternoon. After losing to Stanford three weeks ago, the Ducks have bounced back, beating Cal 24-17 a week ago. The loss of running back CJ Verdell really was a crushing blow to Oregon’s playoff hopes post-Ohio State win. However, quarterback Anthony Brown is a dynamic playmaker and can keep the offense afloat. Travis Dye has filled in nicely for Verdell, rushing for five touchdowns on the year. On defense, the Ducks make their money forcing turnovers. They are fourth in the nation with a +9 turnover margin, and stats like that make and break close games.
For Chip Kelly and his Bruins, they got off to a hot start, beating LSU. Since then, they have lost to Fresno State and got dominated by Arizona State. They are an inconsistent team, but just like Brock Purdy, when they are on their game, they are damn good. Michigan transfer Zach Charbonnet has rushed for nearly 700 yards this season while pitching in 10 touchdowns. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Bruin signal-caller, might be more explosive than Brown. However, he has been prone to be careless at times this season. Defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight is a leader on the defensive side of the ball. He sticks his nose in every play and has forced three fumbles this year alone. This one should be a great game, which is rather unusual for the Pac-12.
College Football Pick: Oregon +1
Ohio State vs Indiana
Spread: OSU -21 (-110) | IU +21 (-110)
Moneyline: OSU (-1600) | IU (+800)
Total: 59 — Over (-110) | Under (-110)
After nearly knocking off the Buckeyes last year at the Horseshoe, Indiana will be very excited for this one. Michael Penix Jr., the Indiana signal-caller, has been inconsistent all season and will still likely be out for this one after separating his shoulder a couple of weeks ago. Unsurprisingly, I think Jack Tuttle, the backup, is the better overall player for the Hoosiers. Tom Allen’s squad has a tough time getting the run going, so Tuttle will need to play well. Tyler Fryfogle has had a slow year, but he’s the best option for Tuttle. On defense, I don’t think they can slow down the Buckeyes, but they will try to limit big plays. Linebackers Micah McFadden and Cam Jones lead the defense, but slowing down TreVeyon Henderson, CJ Stroud, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and company is no small task.
It finally seems as though Ohio State has found their groove since their Week 2 loss to Oregon. Stroud is on fire lately, throwing for 18 touchdowns to only three interceptions on the year. Out on the edge, Olave and Wilson are the best wide receiver duo in the country. Finally, true freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson has been great. If he has a good game on Saturday, he could find himself in the middle of the Heisman conversation. On defense, the Buckeyes have gotten better. Denzel Burke has been a rock at corner, and he’s only a freshman. Tyliek Williams has four sacks on the year. Watch out for Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, two more freshman who are going to be big factors the rest of the season. The Buckeyes have scored 118 points in their last two games combined. I like the over.
College Football Pick: Over 59
