Old man Morris took one on the chin last week. Oregon was a big disappointment as Washington State appears to be real. And Michigan State had every opportunity to both win and cover the game but the calls didn’t fall our way and we finished the week below 500. As always, we’ll get right back on the horse with our Week 8 college football predictions against the spread this week.
We’ve got 3 games this week between top 25 teams including the world’s largest cocktail party between Florida and Georgia. This is also the last week before the official College Football Rankings are revealed. The biggest game is the 3:30 slot between #9 Florida and #7 Georgia. No. 18 Iowa also travels to No. 17 Penn State in that time slot. No. 14 Washington State travels to No. 24 Stanford in the primetime slot at 7:30 p.m. in another Pac-12 showdown.
Georgia -7 at Florida
Early smart money came in on Georgia. The line opened at 6.5, and the Bulldogs got a half-point bump. . Florida ranks third in the SEC with 22 sacks, while the Bulldogs rank last with nine. The Gators are good enough to pressure Jake Fromm and hang around in this game, but we think Georgia pulls it out in a nail biter.
Baylor at West Virginia -14
The Mountaineers are coming out of a bye week against an improved Baylor team, which has already played at Oklahoma (33-point loss) and Texas (six-point loss). West Virginia had five turnovers in its last two games before the bye week. This used to be a game where 70 points was required to win. Now, 40 will be fine. West Virginia comes off the bye focused and powerful. Wins and covers the 2 TD number.
Utah -10 at UCLA
The Bruins have won two games in a row under Chip Kelly. The Utes have hit their stride, too, with 40-plus points in three consecutive games. This is an opportunity for the Bruins at home, and we’re just skeptical about a double-digit road favorite in college football anyway. Utah wins but can’t cover the number.
Clemson – 14 at Florida State
Jersey is begging you to take the points here. And that might not be a bad idea. The Tigers have split the last two meetings in Tallahassee, and won their last meeting by just three points. Willie Taggart has the Seminoles trending in the right direction, and we could see FSU rising up for the cover here.
Wisconsin -5.5 at Northwestern
The Big Ten West is wide open, and these teams have split the last four meetings. It’s a contrast of styles, and Alex Hornibook will be on the spot again, but we like Jonathan Taylor to make a few big runs that prove to be the difference. Wisconsin ranks first in the Big Ten in rush offense (282.1 yards per game). Northwestern is last (78.1) but that’s only because they throw the ball every down. Northwestern sticks around to the bitter end and stays within the number.
Kansas State + 23 at Oklahoma
The Sooners have to put up big scores in order to stay relevant in the national picture. The Wildcats are coming off an impressive win against Oklahoma State. The Sooners have covered as 20-plus point favorites in that situation against Baylor and TCU, and they’ll do it again at home. Oklahoma wins huge on Saturday.
Iowa +5 at Penn State
The Hawkeyes need this one badly in order to keep their Big Ten West and Playoff hopes alive. It’s a tall order on the road against a Penn State team that refocused after heartbreaking losses to Ohio State and Michigan State. This is a chance for the Hawkeyes to avenge last year’s loss as well. The Hawkeyes are good enough to steal this win, but we can’t see the Nittany Lions losing three. They get there by a touchdown.
Washington State at Stanford (-3)
The Cougars are riding the hot hand of Gardner Minshew and have a chance to take control of the Pac-12 North race here, but it comes on the road against the Cardinal. And of course, after the Oregon beatdown the public will be ready to back them in this affair. And the Cougars have won the last two meetings. But not this time. Stanford is often the ultimate wake up call for the Pack 12 challengers and they will be again on Saturday.
Good luck with your selections. See you at Wannamakeabet.com this Saturday.