College Football Betting Guide: Week 8
The following article contains information that is not representative of the opinions of CommRadio. It solely expresses the opinions of Aidan Torok.
After a huge Week 7, there is finally a shake up in the top 10. There’s a new top four with Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee and Michigan.
Tennessee got over the hump after beating Alabama for the first time since 2006. Now quarterback Hendon Hooker and the Volunteers are primed for a deep run.
Looking ahead to Week 8, there are two marquee matchups that could decide the Pac-12 and ACC. With October ending, teams have a chance to separate themselves and become contenders.
Minnesota at No. 16 Penn State (Penn State -4.0) Pick: Penn State -4.0
It’s White Out week in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are fresh off a disappointing 41-17 loss to the Wolverines.
Penn State got bullied on both lines of scrimmages. Michigan ran all over it, and Blake Corum looked ready to head to New York for the Heisman ceremony after rushing for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
The offense wasn’t much better, and quarterback Sean Clifford was on the run for most of the afternoon. However, the Nittany Lions look to bounce back against a beaten up Minnesota team that might not have quarterback Tanner Morgan.
With or without Morgan, the Golden Gophers are not to be taken lightly. Mohamed Ibrahim is one of the best running backs in the Big Ten, and the Nittany Lions run defense will be tested yet again.
However, this game is a must-win for James Franklin and Penn State with Ohio State coming to town next week. The Nittany Lions have had a history of losing multiple games in a row, but the White Out will motivate this team and they should cover the spread fairly easily.
Minnesota has never played in an environment like the White Out, and potentially being without Morgan will make it that much more difficult.
No. 14 Syracuse at No. 5 Clemson (Clemson -13.5) Pick: Clemson -13.5
No. 14 Syracuse is one of the feel good stories in college football. The Orange are 6-0 and are second in the ACC.
However, Syracuse is now getting tested against one of the top teams in the country. Clemson is the real deal. In a down year, the Tigers won 10 games last year, which is a testament to how strong this program is.
Clemson has one of the best defensive lines in the country and DJ Uiagalelei is finally playing at an elite level. Coach Dabo Swinney has Clemson back and poised to make a run for the College Football Playoff.
Syracuse is a nice story, but its program isn’t on the same level as Swinney’s. The Orange’s undefeated season will end in Death Valley.
Look for Clemson to put up a big number against a team that has upset it before. The line is lower than it should be, because of Syracuse’s undefeated season, but the Orange haven’t really been tested.
No. 9 UCLA at No. 10 Oregon (Oregon -6) Pick: UCLA +6
Two of the top teams in the Pac-12 will square off Saturday. Oregon had a rough start to the season against Georgia, but the Ducks are back on track and are undefeated since.
UCLA is one of the more underrated teams in the country. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a serious Heisman contender.
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has been playing well in his new home, and the Ducks have a great run defense, but this is a rebuilding year for coach Dan Lanning. The Ducks had a lucky win earlier this year against Washington State. They aren’t a true 5-1 team.
Chip Kelly has been building for this moment. UCLA is playing some great football, and it is its year. Look for the Bruins to make a statement Saturday. Take the points.
Other Picks (Best Bets):
Iowa at Ohio State (Ohio State -29)
Texas A&M at South Carolina (South Carolina +3.5)
Ole Miss at LSU (Ole Miss +2)
Texas at Oklahoma State (Texas-6.5)
Aidan Torok is a third-year majoring in telecommunications and minoring in broadcast journalism and political science. To contact him, email ajt6051@psu.edu.
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