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We highlight the college football games of Week 8 that are the most important or should be the best games to maximize your viewing pleasure.
The 25 Best College Football Games Of Week 8
It was carnage for coaches in Week 7, including Penn State doing the unthinkable and firing James Franklin after a loss to Northwestern. Missouri is still the bridesmaid. UCLA continues to destroy all comers. Indiana gets the biggest win in program history. Texas, backed against the wall, dominated in the Red River Shootout. What’s in store for us this week? All times are in Eastern time.
25. (24) Cincinnati at Oklahoma State
Where to watch: ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Section 231. Enough said. This Cowboys team may be the worst since pre-Mike Gundy, but Section 231 is going to have fun anyway.
24. Michigan State at (3) Indiana
Where to watch: Peacock, 3:30 pm
I hate these Peacock games more than life itself. How can you put the third-ranked team in the country on Peacock for some golf, especially when there is a golf channel specifically for this? Anyway, we’re watching this game to see if Indiana’s ranking goes to its head after the biggest win in program history. Aidan Chiles is talented enough to make life tough in the Hoosier state if Indiana doesn’t show up prepared. That hasn’t been a problem under Curt Cignetti, but this is literally uncharted territory for Indiana. They have never been ranked this high in 138 years of Hoosier football.
23. UTSA at North Texas
Where to watch: ESPN+, 3:30 pm
The storm is over in Denton after Byrum Brown and the Bulls came in and won the most important game in UNT history in the last 50 years. This is a sometimes dangerous UTSA team that somehow always plays much worse on the road. I didn’t expect this from Owen McCown. Speaking of McCown, the showdown between him and Drew Mestemaker is going to make this game worth watching. It’s going to be a positively offensive game in Denton.
22. (22) Memphis at UAB
Where to watch: ESPN2, 4 p.m.
This features one of the best rivalry trophies in the game. The prize is a 100-pound bronze rack of ribs known as “the Bones.” The Battle for the Bones” has become a fun rivalry in the AAC, even if it does lose some of its luster with UAB coach Trent Dilfer getting fired. You’re watching this game just to see how many Memphis players it takes to lift that glorious trophy.
21. Penn State at Iowa
Where to watch: Peacock, 7 p.m.
Well, that Peacock subscription is a necessity today with NBC buying too many games for its britches. Penn State will be without James Franklin on the sidelines for the first time in more than a decade. Iowa is a last-second field goal in ¡El Assico! and a thrilling come-from-behind touchdown from Indiana away from being undefeated. I want to see how Penn State will look without Franklin and Drew Allar. I want to see whether this team can still make a bowl for outgoing stars Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton.
20. Florida Atlantic at (19) South Florida
Where to watch: ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.
Bryum Brown is one of the more electric players in the game. FAU flies the friendly skies more than just about any team in college football. We saw what gunslinging got you against the USF defense last week. It could be another big moment for the USF defense, but facing a team that is this prolific a passing team is always an adventure.
19. Maryland at UCLA
Where to watch: FS1, 7 p.m.
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to play the Bruins right now. The 30-day portal window that opened with the firing of Deshaun Foster closed without one player leaving the program—the players and what little fans UCLA has have responded well to Tim Skipper. I wish UCLA had the stones to hire him. This team is now fun to watch. Speaking of fun to watch, Maryland freshman Malik Washington has been one of the more electric first-year players in college football this year. Watching him against a rejuvenated Nico Iamaleava is going to be a low-key great matchup. UCLA is actually favored in this game. A month into the season, we were talking about UCLA having its first 0-12 season in history. That’s all on Tim Skipper.
18. (7) Texas Tech at Arizona State
Where to watch: FOX, 4 p.m.
This could be a tougher game for Tech. They passed the Utah test, but many are going to sleep on this game since Arizona State got blown out in Salt Lake City and Tech won big there a few weeks ago. The Sun Devils will have Sam Leavitt back under center in this game, which makes them a different team. FPI only gives the Sun Devils a slim 24.4% chance of a win. Vegas has Tech favored by just 7.5 points now as the line adjusts to the Leavitt news. Making this a little more interesting is the status of Texas Tech QB Behren Morton. Morton left last week’s win early in the second quarter and is listed as questionable for this game. Backup Will Hammond steered the team to a win in Salt Lake City and was solid in leading the offense against Kansas after Morton went down last week.
17. Arizona at Houston
Where to watch: FS1, noon
This should be an interesting one since FPI has Houston favored (50.6%) and Vegas has Arizona favored by 1.5. This line did open with Houston favored, but money is coming in on the Cats. Arizona nearly beating undefeated BYU last week is having an effect on this week’s betting. This should be a really good game throughout, and this is likely the first real test for Houston this year. Not counting section 231 in Boone Pickens Stadium, of course.
16. (14) Oklahoma at South Carolina
Where to watch: SEC Network, 12:45 p.m.
Oklahoma was embarrassed by the Gamecocks in Norman last year, with South Carolina scoring three touchdowns before half the fans were even to their seats. You know that Oklahoma has its eyes on revenge in this one. Vegas foresees a close game in this one with Oklahoma a 5.5-point road favorite. FPI is a little less certain, with Oklahoma only having a 55% chance to win. The Sooners are 90-22-8 in games after Texas. Gary Gibbs is the only Oklahoma head coach to have a losing record in the game after Texas. Barry Switzer’s only loss in such games was in 1985 when Jerome Brown snapped Troy Aikman’s leg.
15. (16) Missouri at Auburn
Where to watch: SEC Network, 7:45 p.m.
Jackson Arnold has already been sacked 21 times in just half a season. The Missouri line didn’t create a lot of pressure against Alabama. We all know that Auburn’s defense has been very good. If Missouri can’t get that push, this is a dangerous road game. FPI agrees, giving Auburn a 46.5% chance to pull the upset. This line opened in Vegas with Auburn favored by 2.5, but has flipped to Missouri in most spots. At any rate, we should see an entertaining game. Let’s just hope the officials don’t hijack this one.
14. (12) Georgia Tech at Duke
Where to watch: ESPN, noon
Georgia Tech is still undefeated by luck and bad officiating. Vegas (-1.5 Duke) and FPI (61.7% Duke) have made that clear. What does that say about the No. 12 team in the country if it can’t go on the road and win against an unranked team who usually doesn’t sell out the football stadium? Someone is wrong, which usually means this is going to be a fun game for us fans to watch, especially if we don’t have a dog in the fight.
13. Washington at Michigan
Where to watch: FOX, noon
This is going to be a showcase for two of the most exciting quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Washington’s Demond Williams Jr. set career highs in both rushing and passing against Rutgers last week. Michigan’s Bryce Underwood was turned loose a little with Sherrone Moore suspended, but it has been slow going for him in recent weeks. Michigan doesn’t need Underwood to carry the team. Washington needs Williams to do so. FPI has Michigan as a big favorite (67.7%). Vegas has the Wolverines favored by 6.5. That means we should have a good game to go with the quarterback showcase.
12. Georgia State at Georgia Southern
Where to watch: ESPN+, 7 p.m.
This game should at least be on one of the gaggle of networks ESPN has. This is Modern Day Hate! Both teams really don’t like each other, so you can throw out the records in this one. Streaks have defined this rivalry on the gridiron. The road team won the first three games of this series. Georgia State has two separate three-game winning streaks in the series. Georgia Southern has never won three in a row. They get a chance to do so again this year.
11. UNLV at Boise State
Where to watch: FS1, 3:30 pm
This was a huge game in the Group of 5 world last year, and could be again this year. The Rebels are undefeated heading onto the Smurf Turf, but Boise is a big (12.5-point) favorite. FPI agrees, with Boise a 71.1% favorite to win. UNLV can score with anyone and has been living dangerously all season. The Mountain West’s last gasp for a playoff team is already here in Week 8. UNLV goes on the road needing a win in what has become a rivalry in recent years.
10. Old Dominion at James Madison
Where to watch: ESPNU, 3:30 pm
Old Dominion lost to Marshall last week, or the Royal Rivalry would have been for the Sun Belt lead this year. The Dukes and the Monarchs had a trophy created for this series that is fit for royalty in what has become an enjoyable rivalry. Despite the loss last week, FPI has the Monarchs as a 53.6% chance of pulling a road victory. Vegas disagrees, with the Dukes a slight 1.5-point favorite at home. Either way, this should be a fun one, and make sure you check out the trophy at the end of the game.
9. Louisville at (2) Miami (FL)
Where to watch: ESPN, 7 p.m. (Friday)
Both teams are coming off a bye week. Crazy things have happened in the ACC on weeknights over the years. Just this year, Virginia dumped the Florida State that beat Alabama on a Friday night and sent the Seminoles into a three-game tailspin. Miami is the overwhelming ACC favorite now, as they are in this game. FPI gives Miami an 84.9% chance of a win. Vegas has the Hurricanes favored by 13.5. For the record, Florida State was only favored by 6.5, and they were on the road.
8. (4) Texas A&M at Arkansas
Where to watch: ESPN, 3:30 pm
On paper, Arkansas should have little chance to win this old Southwest Conference rivalry. FPI agrees, giving the Hogs just a 30.1% chance at the upset. Vegas has the Aggies as a 7.5-point favorite in Fayetteville. The reality is that A&M struggled against an explosive Notre Dame offense. Arkansas is more one-man gang than an explosive offense, but Taylen Green has been outstanding both running and passing this year. O’Mega Blake gives him a huge target that A&M could have problems with. If A&M doesn’t show up ready (as Tennessee didn’t when they traveled to Fayetteville last year), this is a very dangerous game.
7. (25) Nebraska at Minnesota
Where to watch: FOX, 8 p.m. (Friday)
Here we have the first trophy game born on Twitter. Before Nebraska played Minnesota in 2014, a Twitter exchange between Faux Pelini, a Nebraska fan account, and Goldy, the Minnesota Gopher mascot, turned into a bet. Goldy asked about a friendly wager. The team that scored the most points would get a conference win. Faux Pelini retorted, “OK, how about if we win, you give me $5, if you win, I get to smash a wooden chair over your back.” Goldy responded with “just as long as we can turn that $5 or bits of broken chair into a trophy for next year’s game.” Some Gopher fans created the trophy and brought it with them to Lincoln. Minnesota won the game 28-24, and Goldy took the fan-made trophy to several events throughout the year.
Apparently, the athletic departments of the universities were unhappy with this new tradition, and the trophy was nowhere to be found after the 2016 game. The next year, a group of Nebraska fans recreated the trophy. Now it makes appearances throughout the year, and it raises money for charities supported by each university. Let’s see those fun killers try to get rid of it now! Nebraska is an overwhelming FPI favorite (75.5%) and a strong Vegas favorite (-8.5). This line is another big mover, with it up three points. That means a lot of money is coming in on Nebraska.
6. (10) LSU at (17) Vanderbilt
Where to watch: ABC, noon
What’s crazier than this being a ranked matchup? This will be Vanderbilt’s 78th game against a top 10 team since 1978. This is the first one the Commodores have been favored in. This is also the first time Vanderbilt has been favored over LSU since 1948. Vanderbilt hasn’t beaten LSU since 1990. Vegas has the Commodores as a 2.5-point favorite. RPI has Vandy at a 60.6% chance of a win. This is going to be an interesting game in the SEC race.
5. (20) USC at (13) Notre Dame
Where to watch: NBC, 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame already won one stick. Now they get to play for the bedazzled version. The famed Jeweled Shillelagh is on the line in this one. More importantly for the Irish, USC is back in the top 20, so Notre Dame has a shot at a ranked win for likely the last time this season. If the Irish have any chance at the playoff, this is a must-win game.
The good news is that FPI gives the Irish a 68.9% chance of a win. Vegas has the Irish up to 9.5-point favorites. The line opened at 7.5. I’m a little bit surprised by this, but Notre Dame has been embarrassing opponents since the loss to Texas A&M at home on a missed extra point in Week 2.
4. (5) Mississippi at (9) Georgia
Where to watch: ABC, 3:30 pm
Mississippi struggled at home against a lackluster Washington State team last week. Will they be ready for this one between the hedges? FPI doesn’t think so, with Georgia a 69.7% favorite. Vegas has the Bulldogs as an 8.5-point favorite. This line is up two points since it opened. I think I get it. Georgia’s defense could cause some big problems for Trinidad Chambliss in this one. LSU has a stronger secondary. Georgia’s defensive line could change this game.
3. Baylor at TCU
Where to watch: ESPN, noon
Did your school allegedly burn down your rival’s school just to get them to leave town? No? How can you call yourself a real rivalry then? That’s what happened in the early years of the Revivalry (this will never EVER be the Bluebonnet Bowl to anyone who loves college football). TCU was located just outside of Waco, and the night before the rivalry game, the school mysteriously caught fire. The school was rebuilt in Fort Worth, and the Revivalry still lives on.
If you love offense, you’re going to love this game. Sawyer Robertson of Baylor leads FBS in passing yards. TCU’s Josh Hoover is second. The over/under is set at 67.5, and I wouldn’t be shocked if it went over. FPI gives TCU a 63.5% chance of a win. Vegas agrees with TCU a 3.5-point favorite.
2. (11) Tennessee at (6) Alabama
Where to watch: ABC, 7:30 pm
It’s the Third Saturday in October. The rivalry may not have the greatest name, but the victors still get to smoke a victory cigar. That’s how old this rivalry is. This stipulation is grandfathered in. FPI considers Alabama a heavy favorite (72.7%). Vegas also has the Tide favored, but the line has dipped to -7.5. After losing 15 straight in the series, Tennessee has won in two out of the last three years. Both of those were in Knoxville. Tennessee hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2006.
1. (23) Utah at (15) BYU
Where to watch: FOX, 8 p.m.
This is what we wanted when the Big 12 made the Holy War a conference game. It was cool having the Holy War in Sin City and all, but we knew it would reach a fever pitch if a conference title were on the line. It isn’t quite to that level yet, but this could easily decide Texas Tech’s opponent in Dallas for the Big 12 Championship game.
FPI has this as a toss-up with BYU a 51% favorite at home. I’m surprised that the spread in Vegas is 3.5 points. I’m also surprised that Utah is favored. FPI and Vegas don’t agree. That means we can expect the unexpected, and we should get a great game here from two teams that absolutely hate each other. Though this rivalry isn’t as well-known east of Utah, it brings all the heat of the Red River Shootout and the Iron Bowl.
