College Football Betting Preview: Week 8
The seventh week of the college football season saw a number of the nation's top teams struggle against the number.
Here’s a look at four matchups that will be of note to bettors in Week 8.
Thursday, October 16
20 Utah Utes at Oregon State Beavers
Spread: Utah -2.5
Total: 53
Analysis: Kendal Thompson gets the start at quarterback for the Utes, who seem to have a revolving door at the position at the moment.
Even so, they've steadily climbed the rankings, and will need a win Thursday night if they hope to remain inside the top 25.
Oregon State has tried to replicate what Boise State did in Idaho - and this is a game the Broncos would absolutely win - but the Beavers just don't have that kind of juice this year.
Remarkably, Pac-12 home teams are 4-14 in conference games this season.
Prediction: Utah 31, Oregon State 24
The Play: Utah -2.5
The Trend: Utah is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games when coming off a bye.
Saturday, October 18
14 Kansas State Wildcats at 11 Oklahoma Sooners
Spread: Oklahoma -7.5
Total: 55
Analysis: Oklahoma was let off the hook a week ago by virtue of winning against Texas, but that only hid how poorly its offense performed in that game.
In a 31-26 victory, the Sooners were able to muster only 11 first downs and 232 yards of offense, recording one first down the entire first half.
Jake Waters is doing his best Collin Klein impression for the Wildcats. Put Oklahoma on the very minor upset alert.
Prediction: Kansas State 27, Oklahoma 21
The Play: Kansas State +7.5
The Trend: Kansas State is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven trips to Norman.
10 Georgia Bulldogs at Arkansas Razorbacks
Spread: Georgia -3.5
Total: 54.5
Analysis: While all eyes were on how Georgia would handle the absence of star running back Todd Gurley, many neglected how well the team's defense performed in Columbia.
Freshman running back Nick Chubb filled in admirably for Gurley, racking up 143 rushing yards, even if he did average only 3.8 yards per carry. But the star of the team's 34-0 beatdown of Missouri was Jeremy Pruitt's defense.
Pruitt came to Athens with a pair of national championship rings in his arsenal already, stemming from his time at Alabama and Florida State. He's finally getting the most out of a Georgia defense that has underperformed for years. The Bulldogs held Missouri under 100 yards both running and passing on Saturday.
Arkansas gave Alabama a run for its money last weekend, but it'll have trouble getting up for a marquee opponent two weeks in a row.
Prediction: Georgia 30, Arkansas 17
The Play: Georgia -3.5
The Trend: The Bulldogs are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games after allowing fewer than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at 2 Florida State Seminoles
Spread: Florida State -11.5
Total: OFF
Analysis: Florida State used a lot of smoke and mirrors to stay atop the AP poll for as long as it did, starting with a very soft schedule.
The Seminoles draw their toughest opponent yet Saturday in a Fighting Irish squad that has looked strong on both sides of the ball.
Both teams are ultra-reliant on quarterback play to be effective, but Notre Dame offers more assistance to its star gunslinger.
It's not easy to go into Tallahassee and win, but put the Seminoles on upset alert in this one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Florida State 27
The Play: Notre Dame +11.5
The Trend: Notre Dame is 5-0 ATS in its last five games against opponents with a winning record.
More College Football Betting Resources
Game Day Betting Update (Saturday)