COLLEGE FOOTBALL BEST EARLY BETS WEEK 8
Summary
This week’s NCAA Football schedule features several key matchups between ranked teams. Despite LSU being favored on paper, Vanderbilt is predicted to keep the game close. Undefeated Georgia Tech, a scoring machine, is highlighted against Duke, while Oklahoma is expected to rebound strongly against a struggling South Carolina. The top-ranked Ohio State is heavily favored over Wisconsin, and Texas A&M faces a potentially tough challenge from an improved Arkansas.
Other notable games include USC as an underdog against Notre Dame, and a tight contest is anticipated between Tennessee and Alabama, with recent history favoring the home team. Missouri is a slight favorite over Auburn, and the nightcap features a high-scoring duel between undefeated BYU and Utah. The predictions favor several underdogs against the spread and suggest a couple of high-scoring affairs.
By Adam Greene
Let’s dig into this week’s NCAA Football schedule and pick out the good stuff. We have a solid slate and so many matchups of ranked teams Paul Feinbaum is already coming up with excuses why half of them will lose.
No. 10 LSU AT No. 17 VANDERBILT (-2.5, O/U: 49)
Hey, I understand that Brian Kelly coaches LSU (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and that will always means they will lose multiple games a season they should win. It’s the story of his career. But to Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1)? I know this isn’t your dad’s Vandy and they’re a solid squad, but roster-wise, this should not be close. It will be, because Kelly sucks and Clark Lea is already preparing his speech for when he takes over Penn State in January, but let’s not pretend we’ve walked through some kind of Universe-transporting wardrobe or Pym-Particle device.
Best Bets: LSU +2.5, LSU +115 moneyline, Over 49
No. 12 GEORGIA TECH AT DUKE (-1.5, O/U: 61)
Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0 ACC) has been a scoring machine this year and no one is talking about them. They had a huge win over Clemson (that still counts) and shocked Colorado in the opener. They’re averaging 32.2 points per game against FBS opponents (yeah, I’m tossing out the 59 they put on Gardner-Webb) and have gotten used to tight shootouts. Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC) too has put up some serious points this season, but they don’t quite have the win resume that the Yellowjackets do.
Best Bets: Georgia Tech +1.5, Georgia Tech +105 moneyline
No. 14 OKLAHOMA AT SOUTH CAROLINA (+5.5, O/U: 43.5)
Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC) was publicly shamed by the Arch Manning experience last week, losing 23-6 to Texas. For a team that was undefeated and scoring 24 or more points per game coming into last Saturday, that had to sting. The Gamecocks (3-3, 1-3) have been a disappointment this season, dropping almost as fast as LaNorris Sellers’ draft stock. In their three losses, they scored more than 10 points once.
Best Bets: Oklahoma -5.5
No. 1 OHIO STATE AT WISCONSIN (+24.5, O/U: 40.5)
The Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are rightly the top-ranked team in the country. They’re the defending champs and are probably really enjoying the 2025 ride until they ultimately lose to Michigan and make Ryan Day melt the Grecian formula out of his beard. Wisconsin has been hot garbage all season and nothing’s going to change in this game. The spread is probably safe, but much like your girlfriend’s well-meaning lie, the big ones scare me.
Best Bets: Under 40.5
No. 4 TEXAS A&M AT ARKANSAS (+7.5, O/U: 62.5)
The Aggies (6-0, 3-0 SEC) are tied with Ole Miss atop the SEC scrum right now and I don’t think this game will change that. What I do think is the Bobby Petrino Razorbacks (2-4, 0-2 SEC) are a completely different team a week after the motorcycle and fornication aficionado was named its interim head coach. Arkansas gave Tennessee a real game last week and I think they’ll do the same to the Aggies at home.
Best Bets: Arkansas +7.5
No. 20 USC AT No. 13 NOTRE DAME (-9.5, O/U: 61.5)
Here, two weeks later, USC (5-1) losing a close one to Illinois doesn’t look so bad. Especially after the Trojans delivered a 31-13 beat down to Michigan. Notre Dame (4-2), on the other hand, still has those two stinkers on them to open the year, losing 27-24 to Miami and 41-40 to Texas A&M. Their four wins are over cupcakes.
Best Bets: USC +9.5
No. 11 TENNESSEE AT No. 6 ALABAMA (-8, O/U: 58.5)
Since Josh Heupal has taken over at Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) this game has belonged to the home team. The Volunteers have won both matchups at Neyland Stadium and the Crimson Tide (5-1, 3-0) have managed to take them at Bryant-Denny. This game is, of course, in Tuscaloosa, but those two home wins for Bama were coached by Nick Saban. Kalen DeBoer has yet to beat the Vols. He might this time, but I think it’ll be closer than eight.
Best Bets: Tennessee +8
No. 16 MISSOURI AT AUBURN (+1.5, O/U: 44.5)
Missouri (5-1, 1-1 SEC) almost pulled off the straight upset over Alabama last week. They’re rightly favored over a spunky Auburn (3-3, 0-3) squad by what looks like an outright gift of a spread. We should accept this monetary present as the charity it is intended.
Best Bets: Missouri -1.5
No. 23 UTAH AT No. 15 BYU (+3.5, O/U: 49.5)
Lastly, let’s soak in this nightcap battle between these two ranked group of Mormons. Utah (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) is riding a solid two-game win streak where they’ve eclipsed 40 points after getting the front door slammed in their faces by Texas Tech three weeks before. The Cougars (6-0, 3-0) are perfect and they too are riding high on their bicycles heading into this one. This is the duel of Latter Day Saints you’ll be telling your next three wives about.
Best Bets: Over 49.5
Follow Adam Greene on Blue Sky @AdamGreene13, threads @adam.greene and Twitter @TheFirstMan
