NCAAF Week 8 Preview

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

We’re officially halfway through the college football regular season. The first half flew by, so make sure to enjoy every second of the rest of the season. Here is your preview to get you ready for week 8.

Biggest Games

1. Utah (-3.5) at BYU - 8:00 pm ET

The Holy War. One of the best, least talked about rivalries in college football. We’ve got 2 teams that absolutely LOATHE each other, and there’s Big 12 Championship implications on the line. I can’t wait for this game, even though it doesn’t have the top teams a couple of these other matchups have, it’s the best game of the week, in my opinion.

2. Ole Miss at Georgia (-7.5) - 3:30 pm ET

The marquee matchup of the week, we’ve got Ole MIss and Georgia. If the Bulldogs lose, they're out of the SEC title race. Ole Miss looks like they could be possible title contenders and getting this win would be MASSIVE for them.

3. Tennessee at Alabama (-7.5) - 7:30 pm ET

I’ve seen people hating on this rivalry, but I don’t know why. Personally, I think it’s a fun game every year. Both of these teams have playoffs aspirations and a 2nd loss here would hurt either of them tremendously. Someone will be getting a huge win and someone a crushing loss. This is what we live for.

4. USC at Notre Dame (-8.5) - 7:30 pm ET

One of the most traditional rivalries in college football. USC-ND has been a staple for years, and there’s a lot at stake in this matchup. A loss would eliminate Notre Dame from playoff contention, and, for USC it would make their path to the playoffs almost impossible. 

5. LSU at Vanderbilt (-2.5) - 12:00 pm ET

Vanderbilt favored over LSU? That’s something I never thought I’d see. LSU really needs this win. They haven’t beaten a great team thus far and, although Vandy isn’t necessarily a great team, getting this win would prove a lot. The Commodores are legit in playoff talks with a win here, and 10 wins seems likely if they get this done.

HM. UNLV at Boise State (-10.5) - 3:30 pm ET

Keep an eye on this one, UNLV could suffer their first loss which would all but eliminate them from the playoffs. However, if they beat Boise State, it would put them squarely in the top 3 G6 teams.

Upset Alert

1. Texas Tech (-9.5) at Arizona State - 4:00 pm ET

Coming off a crushing loss, the very talented Sun Devils are going to have a big time bounce back game. Texas Tech looks like one of the best teams in the country, but this is their toughest test to date. Arizona State will certainly come out swinging.

2. Louisville at Miami (-13.5) - 7:00 pm ET Friday

Miami is the best team in the country. However, a Friday night game against a solid team can be trouble. Louisville isn’t to be taken lightly. If the Hurricanes don’t want to be upset they need to lock in.

3. Texas (-12.5) at Kentucky - 7:00 pm ET

Coming off a massive Red River win, going to play at Kentucky might be a little challenge. I expect the Longhorns to take care of business, but they can’t come in expecting to blow them out.

Biggest Storylines

- Mateer & OU bounce back

How will the Sooners respond after getting manhandled in the Cotton Bowl? How will Mateer respond after the worst game of his career? They go on the road to South Carolina, which is a winnable game, but going to be very tough.

- SEC Title favorite

Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Alabama are at the top of the SEC right now in my eyes. Ole Miss and Alabama both have huge games on Saturday, so we could see a clear frontrunner after this weekend.

- USC

I’m very confused with this USC team. Are they playoff contenders or just a decent Big 10 team? We’ll find out when they play at Notre Dame. A win would certainly put them in the top 15.

Weekday College Football

Thursday:

- Tulsa at East Carolina (-17.5) - 7:30 pm ET

The only Thursday night game, I always enjoy watching Tulsa football. They are big underdogs in this one, East Carolina is a very solid team.

Friday:

- Nebraska (-8.5) at Minnesota - 8:00 pm ET

A top 25 team in Nebraska going on the road, that’s a solid game. Minnesota is not great, but they have the potential to win this.

- UNC at Cal (-10.5) - 10:30 pm ET

Most folks on the East coast will be asleep, but it’ll be a fun matchup for those that are tuned in. Bill Belichick has not been doing well, but getting this win would be very nice.

Predictions

- Louisville at Miami (-13.5): Miami

Although it could be an upset, I think Miami will be able to get it done.

- Nebraska (-8.5) at Minnesota: Nebraska

Nebraska is more talented than Minnesota, and they will win on the road.

- North Carolina at Cal (-10.5): North Carolina

I think UNC finally gets a solid win with Bill B.

- Oklahoma (-5.5) at South Carolina: Oklahoma

OU is in store for a huge bounce back game, I’ve got the Sooners by double digits.

- LSU at Vanderbilt (-2.5): LSU

LSU is a better football team than Vanderbilt. It’ll be close, but give me the Tigers.

- Georgia Tech at Duke (-1.5): Georgia Tech

Even though they are technically underdogs, I think Georgia Tech will be able to get the dub.

- Washington at Michigan (-6.5): Washington

This is a criminally underrated Washington team. Michigan hasn’t looked great so far, so I’ve got the Huskies.

- Arizona at Houston (-1.5): Arizona

This will be a fun one, but Arizona has the slight edge in my eyes.

- Baylor at TCU (-2.5): Baylor

Sawyer Robertson is about to go nuts in this rivalry. I’m predicting OT, but the Bears will win.

- Purdue at Northwestern (-3.5): Purdue

Coming off of a big win, the Wildcats are due for a let down game.

- Texas A&M (-7.5) at Arkansas: Texas A&M

They could be the best team in the SEC, and I think they’ll show that.

- Ole Miss at Georgia (-7.5): Georgia

At home, I like the Bulldogs. If Ole Miss was at home, I’d pick them though.

- SMU at Clemson (-9.5): Clemson

In the battle of disappointing ACC teams, Clemson will come out on top.

- UNLV at Boise State (-10.5): Boise State

UNLV has avoided losing for far too long. They will fall to the Broncos.

- Texas Tech (-9.5) at Arizona State: Arizona State

It hurts me to pick against Texas Tech, I’ve been a huge fan of them all year, but this is just the perfect storm for an upset.

- Mississippi State at Florida (-8.5): Florida

The Gators will bounce back from a loss to the Aggies with a big offensive performance.

- Texas (-12.5) at Kentucky: Texas

I want to pick Kentucky, but I just don’t think they have the roster to beat Texas.

- Penn State at Iowa (-2.5): Iowa

Penn State is a dumpster fire. Iowa will hand them their 4th straight loss.

- Maryland at UCLA (-3.5): Maryland

Maryland is going to end UCLA’s little run that people are loving on.

- Tennessee at Alabama (-7.5): Alabama

Alabama has the best roster in the SEC, I think they’ll get a big win over the Vols.

- USC at Notre Dame (-8.5): USC

Notre Dame has some flaws that I think USC can definitely exploit. Jordan Maiava is going to have a day.

- Missouri (-1.5) at Auburn: Missouri

Auburn cannot buy a victory, and they won’t here. They’re going to complain about the refs again, but they’ll be 0-4 in SEC play.

- Utah (-3.5) at BYU: Utah

Utah will win the Holy War, handing BYU their first loss.

- UTEP (-2.5) at Sam Houston: Sam Houston

If there’s ever a time to get your first win, it’s now for the Bearkats.

- Tulsa at East Carolina (-17.5): Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane are going to pull off a pretty big upset in the AAC.

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