In college football, Chris “The Bear” Fallica is a name that really stands out. His knack for predicting game outcomes and digging up sharp insights has made him a go-to for fans and bettors alike.
For Week 8 of the 2025 season, Fallica’s expert picks are back. He’s got thoughts on everything from big-name clashes to sneaky underdogs, and honestly, some of these matchups look wild.
Let’s take a look at his top picks for the week and see what he’s thinking about each game. Maybe you’ll find something useful for your own wagers—or maybe you’ll just get a kick out of his takes.
Top Picks for Week 8
Fallica’s picks for Week 8 include some pretty interesting games, with both ranked and unranked teams in the mix. Here’s how he’s breaking it down, one matchup at a time.
Duke vs. Georgia Tech
Fallica is pretty high on Duke to take down No. 12 Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils’ offense has been solid lately, especially since they’ve kept turnovers to a minimum over their last three games.
Georgia Tech’s defense is hurting, too—missing their top defensive back, Amari Harvey, which only helps Duke’s cause.
- Pick: Duke (-1.5) to win by more than 1.5 points
Georgia vs. Ole Miss
In this battle of top-10 teams, Fallica is leaning toward No. 9 Georgia over No. 5 Ole Miss. Sure, Georgia has some injury worries up front, but their running game and lines still look stronger overall.
Plus, Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss is making his first SEC road start. That’s a tough spot, and it could give Georgia the edge they need.
- Pick: Georgia (-7.5) to win by more than 7.5 points
Washington vs. Michigan
Washington’s 5-1 record? Fallica isn’t fully convinced by it. Meanwhile, Michigan is coming off a loss to USC and probably wants to prove something.
Even without Justice Haynes, Michigan’s defense—led by Wink Martindale—should be able to keep Washington’s Demond Williams in check.
- Pick: Michigan (-5.5) to win by more than 5.5 points
Iowa Team Total Under 21.5 Points
Penn State’s defense hasn’t exactly been lights out, but Iowa’s offense is, well, not great. With Penn State likely to run the ball a lot, Iowa might not get many chances to score.
Fallica doesn’t see Iowa going over 21.5 points here.
- Pick: Iowa team total Under 21.5 points
Underdogs to Play on the Moneyline
Looking for some underdog magic? Fallica’s got a handful of teams he thinks could deliver surprise wins this week. Here are the ones he likes for the moneyline:
- South Carolina +180
- Baylor +130
- Penn State +130
- Central Michigan +165
- UL Monroe +195
- Georgia State +210
Bear Bytes: Key Insights and Trends
Fallica always has a few nuggets that make you pause and think. Here are some trends and insights that might shape this week’s games—or at least give you something to chew on.
Unranked Teams Favored Over Ranked Opponents
This week, Duke is the only unranked team favored against a ranked squad—No. 12 Georgia Tech. Historically, unranked favorites have done well in these spots, winning five out of six such games this year.
Ranked Teams on the Road
There are eleven ranked teams traveling to face unranked opponents this week. Some of the matchups:
- Nebraska (-8.5) at Minnesota
- Oklahoma (-5.5) at South Carolina
- Texas A&M (-7.5) at Arkansas
- Texas Tech (-9.5) at ASU
- Missouri (-1.5) at Auburn
- Georgia Tech (+1.5) at Duke
Teams Undefeated in Conference Play
Six games this week feature a winless conference team up against a team that’s undefeated in conference play. These could be classic trap games—never know when the underdog might bite.
- Cincinnati at Oklahoma State
- Memphis at UAB
- Texas A&M at Arkansas
- MSU at Indiana
- OSU at Wisconsin
- Buffalo at UMASS
Additional Matchup Insights
Fallica doesn’t stop at the headline games—he’s got thoughts on a few more matchups that could shake things up.
Louisville vs. Miami
Louisville’s coach Jeff Brohm has a habit of pulling off wins as a big underdog. Meanwhile, Miami tends to start with the best field position in the nation against Power Four teams.
Oklahoma vs. South Carolina
Oklahoma hasn’t exactly thrived in October or later under Brent Venables—they’re just 1-7 in their last eight games after September. South Carolina’s defense is feisty, too, forcing the second-most turnovers in the country.
Florida State vs. Stanford
Florida State is in a rough patch, with eight straight ACC losses and a 1-10 record in conference play going back to last year. Not the best trend heading into their matchup with Stanford.
Texas vs. Kentucky
Texas has a weird habit of not covering the spread after playing Oklahoma, a trend that goes back to the Tom Herman days. Kentucky might be a sneaky upset pick here.
Conclusion
Chris “The Bear” Fallica’s picks for Week 8 of the 2025 college football season are worth a look if you’re into betting or just want to keep up with the action. His takes run the gamut from big-name clashes to those sneaky underdogs that make you second-guess your gut.
Curious for more? You can check out all of Fallica’s picks and deeper analysis over at FOX Sports.
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