Week 8 in college football is here, and honestly, it feels like the season is flying by. There’s a fresh batch of matchups and, if you’re into betting, plenty of lines that might catch your eye.
It’s a mix this week—big-name programs, a couple of wild cards, and enough uncertainty to keep things interesting. If you’re looking for a quick breakdown or just want a nudge before placing your bets, I’ve got you covered with some key games and picks.
Louisville at Miami -13.5
The Miami Hurricanes are starting to look like a team that could make some noise. They tend to play at a high level for about 45-50 minutes, and when they’re on, they’re tough to stop.
Rueben Bain, Jr. leads a Miami squad that’s expected to handle Louisville, especially since Louisville’s offensive line has been shaky in pass protection. Miami covering the -13.5 spread? That feels like a pretty reasonable bet.
Why Miami Has the Edge
Miami’s defense has been a real strength, especially when it comes to pressuring the quarterback. Against a Louisville team that’s struggled to keep their passer upright, that’s a serious mismatch.
Don’t be shocked if Miami runs away with this one.
Ole Miss at Georgia -7.5
Ole Miss has been kind of a puzzle this season. Some weeks, they look fantastic—other times, not so much.
Georgia, on the other hand, is steady, especially at home. With Ole Miss’s spotty record on the road under Lane Kiffin, Georgia seems likely to cover the 7.5-point spread.
Georgia’s Home Advantage
There’s just something about Georgia at home. Their defense is tough, and the offense can get hot in a hurry.
Ole Miss will have to be nearly perfect to keep this one close, and that seems like a tall order.
Texas A&M -7.5 at Arkansas
Arkansas has had a rough go, especially on defense. Texas A&M, meanwhile, is looking more and more like a legit playoff contender.
The line feels a little low here. Texas A&M to cover the 7.5? That stands out as a solid play.
Texas A&M’s Playoff Aspirations
With playoff hopes on the line, you can bet Texas A&M will come out focused. Their balance on both sides of the ball should be too much for Arkansas.
Ohio State -25.5 at Wisconsin
This one could get ugly fast. Ohio State has been rolling, and a 25.5-point spread might not be enough for Wisconsin to hang in there.
If you’re looking for a blowout, this might be it.
Ohio State’s Dominance
Ohio State’s offense is explosive, and their defense doesn’t give much away. Wisconsin will have a tough time keeping it close.
USC +9.5 at Notre Dame
This rivalry game always brings some drama. USC has had their share of defensive issues, sure, but they’ve shown they can hang with top teams.
The 9.5-point spread in favor of Notre Dame feels a bit generous. USC to cover seems like a good call.
Rivalry Game Dynamics
Rivalry games are weird—just when you think you know what’s coming, something wild happens. USC’s offense has enough juice to keep it close.
Wouldn’t be shocked if it goes down to the wire.
Tennessee at Alabama -8.5
Tennessee’s offense can put up points, but their defense is banged up. Alabama’s offense should be able to take advantage and cover the 8.5-point spread.
Alabama’s Offensive Firepower
This could easily turn into a shootout. Alabama just has more depth and talent, so the edge goes to them.
Tennessee at Alabama; Over 58.5
With both teams able to score and defenses that have some holes, the over at 58.5 points looks tempting. I can see this one turning into a bit of a track meet.
High-Scoring Expectations
Both teams love to push the pace and put up points. Betting the over feels right here.
Georgia Tech at Duke -1.5
Vegas set a surprisingly low spread on this one. Duke’s been solid, and the line suggests they should have the edge.
Duke to cover the -1.5? That seems like the move.
Reading the Vegas Lines
Sometimes you just have to trust the oddsmakers. The low spread hints that Duke’s expected to show up.
North Carolina at California -9.5
North Carolina’s had a rough season—one of the worst among Power Four teams. California at home should be able to handle business and cover the 9.5-point spread.
California’s Home Field Advantage
North Carolina’s struggles probably won’t get any better on the road. California should take care of things at home.
SMU at Clemson -5.5
Clemson looks like they’ve found their groove again. SMU is going to have a hard time keeping up, so Clemson covering the 5.5-point spread feels like a good bet.
Clemson’s Resurgence
Clemson stumbled out of the gate this season. Lately, though, they’ve really found their groove.
Honestly, with the level of talent and coaching on that roster, SMU probably isn’t equipped to keep up. Clemson should win this one without much trouble.
If you want to dig deeper or see what the experts think, check out the full article on State of the U.
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