Week 8 — Tuesday, October 20
Note: These games are listed as Results rather than Predictions and do not count toward the prediction record.
4:00 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
Middle Tennessee (4–3) at Florida International (3–4)
Location: Pitbull Stadium — Miami, FL
Result: Middle Tennessee 26–23
4:00 PM PT — ESPNU
Missouri State (2–5) at Delaware (3–4)
Location: Delaware Stadium — Newark, DE
Result: Delaware 61–38
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
South Alabama (4–3) at Marshall (4–3)
Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium — Huntington, WV
Result: Marshall 20–13
Week 8 — Wednesday, October 21
5:00 PM PT — ESPN2
New Mexico State (3–4) at Sam Houston (1–6)
Location: Elliott T. Bowers Stadium — Huntsville, TX
Result: New Mexico State 30–24
Week 8 — Thursday, October 22
4:00 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
Liberty (5–1) at Kennesaw State (1–5)
Location: Fifth Third Stadium — Kennesaw, GA
Prediction: Liberty 35–20
4:00 PM PT — ESPNU
James Madison (7–0) at Appalachian State (4–2)
Location: Kidd Brewer Stadium — Boone, NC
Prediction: James Madison 42–24
4:30 PM PT — ESPN2
East Carolina (3–3) at Memphis (5–2)
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — Memphis, TN
Prediction: Memphis 35–30
Week 8 — Friday Slate
Friday, October 23
4:00 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
UMass (4–3) at UConn (3–3)
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium — East Hartford, CT
Prediction: UConn 38–28
4:00 PM PT — ESPN
Duke (4–2) at Virginia (4–3)
Location: Scott Stadium — Charlottesville, VA
Prediction: Duke 27–24
5:30 PM PT — ESPN2
Army (4–2) at Tulsa (4–3)
Location: Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium — Tulsa, OK
Prediction: Tulsa 31–21
6:00 PM PT — The CW
Air Force (5–1) at Wyoming (4–3)
Location: War Memorial Stadium — Laramie, WY
Prediction: Air Force 35–17
7:30 PM PT — ESPN
NC State (3–3) at Stanford (3–4)
Location: Stanford Stadium — Stanford, CA
Prediction: Stanford 28–20
Week 8 — Saturday Morning Slate
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM PT — ESPN
Pittsburgh (5–2) at No. 1 Miami (6–0)
Location: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL
Prediction: Miami 38–24
The newly appointed No. 1 team in the nation, the Miami Hurricanes, are looking to hold this spot for the rest of the season. To do so, they will need to take care of business at home against the Pittsburgh Panthers. All season long, this offense has shown why many expected it to be one of the best in the country. Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney get much of the headlines, deservedly so, but their offensive line and running game have been excellent as well. Alongside an elite defense, the Hurricanes are coming off a win against their rival Florida State.
I am confident that Miami will beat the Panthers, who have struggled recently. After starting 5–0, they have lost their last two games after losing their starting quarterback to a season-ending injury. Depending on how Pittsburgh comes out, this could be very interesting. Do they come out feeling defeated after two straight losses, or motivated to beat the No. 1 team? I think they come out slow and suffer their third straight loss.
9:00 AM PT — FOX
No. 6 Indiana (6–1) at Michigan (4–2)
Location: Michigan Stadium — Ann Arbor, MI
Prediction: Indiana 30–24
Fresh off their first home loss in the Cignetti era, the main question fans are focusing on is how the Hoosiers will recover. There have been games where their offense comes out slow, something that cannot happen in a hostile environment. Thus far, the Hoosiers have been stellar defensively, which should bode well for them against Tommy Carr, who is expected to make his first start after replacing Bryce Underwood last week. When he took over for the Wolverines, Carr had their offense humming on all cylinders. Pair this newfound confidence on offense with their excellent defense, and fans should expect an improved Michigan team for the rest of the season. However, Wolverines fans will leave disappointed, as Cignetti will have the Hoosiers ready to go. I expect this to be a close one, favoring Indiana.
9:00 AM PT — FS1
No. 8 Texas Tech (6–0) at Cincinnati (4–2)
Location: Nippert Stadium — Cincinnati, OH
Prediction: Texas Tech 35–21
9:00 AM PT — ABC
No. 18 LSU (5–2) at Auburn (4–2)
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, AL
Prediction: LSU 28–27
This game features two exciting dual-threat quarterbacks who will do anything to help their teams prevail. LSU will rely on Sam Leavitt, who has struggled to take care of the ball this season. If he can perform anywhere near last week’s level, he should help lead his team to victory. The defense has been great this year, but in its two losses, LSU has allowed over 30 points in each, which is something to keep an eye on.
The Auburn Tigers have been inconsistent on offense, yet these struggles have not derailed their season. Fans and teams across the country know that much of their offense is focused around the mobility of Byrum Brown. In their win over No. 1 Georgia last weekend, he rushed for 115 yards, a feat many running backs struggle to achieve against the Bulldogs’ defense.
Whichever quarterback can have the greatest impact will lead his team to victory. I anticipate this one coming down to the wire, with the LSU Tigers squeaking out a win.
9:00 AM PT — The CW
California (3–4) at No. 23 SMU (5–1)
Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium — University Park, TX
Prediction: SMU 38–17
9:00 AM PT — Peacock
Rutgers (2–4) at No. 24 Northwestern (5–1)
Location: Ryan Field — Evanston, IL
Prediction: Northwestern 27–21
9:00 AM PT — ESPN2
West Virginia (4–3) at TCU (3–3)
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium — Fort Worth, TX
Prediction: West Virginia 28–24
9:00 AM PT — ESPNU
Rice (1–6) at Florida Atlantic (4–2)
Location: FAU Stadium — Boca Raton, FL
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 35–27
9:00 AM PT — CBS Sports Network
Western Michigan (5–2) at Toledo (5–2)
Location: Glass Bowl — Toledo, OH
Prediction: Toledo 31–28
10:00 AM PT — TNT
Baylor (4–2) at Kansas (2–4)
Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium — Lawrence, KS
Prediction: Baylor 35–28
10:00 AM PT — ESPN+
Miami (Ohio) (4–3) at Central Michigan (3–4)
Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium — Mount Pleasant, MI
Prediction: Miami (Ohio) 24–17
10:00 AM PT — ESPN+
Akron (1–6) at Kent State (2–5)
Location: Dix Stadium — Kent, OH
Prediction: Kent State 24–20
Week 8 — Saturday Afternoon Slate
12:00 PM PT — Big Ten Network
Oregon (4–2) at Illinois (3–3)
Location: Gies Memorial Stadium — Champaign, IL
Prediction: Oregon 35–21
12:30 PM PT — ABC
Texas A&M (4–3) at No. 13 Alabama (5–2)
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, AL
Prediction: Alabama 38–28
12:30 PM PT — ESPN+
Sacramento State (1–6) at Ball State (2–5)
Location: Scheumann Stadium — Muncie, IN
Prediction: Ball State 38–24
12:30 PM PT — ESPN+
Bowling Green (2–5) at Buffalo (4–3)
Location: UB Stadium — Amherst, NY
Prediction: Buffalo 35–27
12:30 PM PT — ACC Network
Boston College (3–3) at Georgia Tech (2–4)
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium — Atlanta, GA
Prediction: Boston College 31–21
12:30 PM PT — FS1
No. 15 Iowa (5–1) at Minnesota (4–2)
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, MN
Prediction: Minnesota 24–20
12:30 PM PT — SEC Network
Oklahoma (3–3) at Mississippi State (4–2)
Location: Davis Wade Stadium — Starkville, MS
Prediction: Mississippi State 30–24
12:30 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
North Texas (4–2) at Navy (2–4)
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — Annapolis, MD
Prediction: North Texas 31–21
12:30 PM PT — Mountain West Network
Hawai’i (1–6) at Northern Illinois (0–6)
Location: Huskie Stadium — DeKalb, IL
Prediction: Hawai’i 28–14
12:30 PM PT — ESPN
No. 11 Tennessee (6–1) at South Carolina (3–3)
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium — Columbia, SC
Prediction: Tennessee 31–24
12:30 PM PT — FOX
No. 2 BYU (6–0) at UCF (3–3)
Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium — Orlando, FL
Prediction: BYU 35–14
12:30 PM PT — CBS
Michigan State (2–5) at No. 9 UCLA (6–0)
Location: Rose Bowl — Pasadena, CA
Prediction: UCLA 42–17
12:45 PM PT — ESPN2
Kansas State (4–2) at Arizona State (3–3)
Location: Mountain America Stadium — Tempe, AZ
Prediction: Kansas State 31–24
1:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Eastern Michigan (4–4) at Ohio (5–2)
Location: Peden Stadium — Athens, OH
Prediction: Ohio 34–30
1:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Louisiana-Monroe (0–6) at Troy (3–3)
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium — Troy, AL
Prediction: Troy 42–10
2:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Old Dominion (2–5) at Louisiana Tech (4–2)
Location: Joe Aillet Stadium — Ruston, LA
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 38–10
2:00 PM PT — Mountain West Network
San José State (4–3) at Nevada (2–4)
Location: Mackay Stadium — Reno, NV
Prediction: San José State 35–28
2:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Louisiana (5–2) at Southern Miss (1–5)
Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium — Hattiesburg, MS
Prediction: Louisiana 38–21
3:00 PM PT — USA Network
No. 21 Boise State (5–1) at Washington State (1–6)
Location: Gesa Field — Pullman, WA
Prediction: Boise State 38–28
3:30 PM PT — The CW
San Diego State (3–4) at Colorado State (2–4)
Location: Canvas Stadium — Fort Collins, CO
Prediction: San Diego State 30–21
Week 8 — Saturday Evening Slate
4:00 PM PT — ESPN
Virginia Tech (5–2) at Clemson (4–2)
Location: Memorial Stadium — Clemson, SC
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31–27
4:00 PM PT — ESPN+
Georgia State (4–2) at Arkansas State (3–4)
Location: Centennial Bank Stadium — Jonesboro, AR
Prediction: Georgia State 38–31
4:00 PM PT — FS1
Colorado (2–4) at Oklahoma State (4–2)
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium — Stillwater, OK
Prediction: Oklahoma State 45–14
4:30 PM PT — ABC
No. 7 Ole Miss (5–1) at No. 19 Texas (4–2)
Location: Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium — Austin, TX
Prediction: Texas 28–27
The main storyline in this game is not the two top-20 teams playing against each other, but rather whether Arch Manning will be benched. Texas, which seemed to be at the top of the world a few weeks ago, has lost its last two games against Oklahoma and Florida. Arch Manning and the offense have seemed out of whack for most of the season. Couple that with the recent losses, and Sarkisian may be thinking a change is necessary. They have plenty of weapons offensively and should be better, especially since Colin Simmons and their defense have been stout for much of the year. Regardless of whether Arch is benched or not, expect to see an inspired performance.
Ole Miss could potentially come in overshadowed by the outside noise. Trinidad Chambliss continues to show why he is in the race for the Heisman on a weekly basis, and Kewan Lacy has been incredibly reliable in the running game. These two will have to avoid Colin Simmons as much as possible because he can disrupt an offensive scheme by himself. I think this will be close, but the inspired Texas offense and Colin Simmons-led defense will pull this out at home.
4:30 PM PT — NBC
No. 16 USC (6–1) at Wisconsin (4–2)
Location: Camp Randall Stadium — Madison, WI
Prediction: USC 34–24
4:30 PM PT — SEC Network
Vanderbilt (3–4) at No. 12 Kentucky (6–1)
Location: Kroger Field — Lexington, KY
Prediction: Kentucky 38–17
4:30 PM PT — ESPN2
Iowa State (3–3) at No. 25 Arizona (5–1)
Location: Casino Del Sol Stadium — Tucson, AZ
Prediction: Arizona 35–14
4:30 PM PT — ACC Network
Syracuse (2–4) at North Carolina (4–2)
Location: Kenan Stadium — Chapel Hill, NC
Prediction: North Carolina 28–17
4:30 PM PT — CBS Sports Network
Utah State (2–4) at Texas State (3–3)
Location: UFCU Stadium — San Marcos, TX
Prediction: Texas State 49–20
5:00 PM PT — ESPNU
UTSA (6–1) at Tulane (3–3)
Location: Yulman Stadium — New Orleans, LA
Prediction: UTSA 35–28
Week 8 — Saturday Night Slate
7:00 PM PT — The CW
North Dakota State (6–1) at New Mexico (5–1)
Location: University Stadium — Albuquerque, NM
Prediction: New Mexico 31–30
In a late clash between two of the best teams the Mountain West has to offer, the Bison travel to Albuquerque to take on the Lobos. This game has conference championship and potential playoff implications. New Mexico sits atop the conference standings, while North Dakota State is among the teams chasing them, setting up an intense matchup.
North Dakota State has been a revelation in its first season at the FBS level. Offensively, the Bison have been putting up solid numbers; however, their defense has been especially tough. They have 11 interceptions as a team on the season and have recorded 12 total sacks. Their defense may have to adjust, as New Mexico has been a great rushing team. The Lobos run the ball nearly 70% of the time and look to wear down the opposing front seven.
The home-field environment is going to pay dividends in a close one as the Lobos get the home victory. This win will help keep them at the top of the Mountain West Conference, with their only loss coming in a 35–27 game at Oklahoma.
7:15 PM PT — ESPN
No. 14 Houston (6–1) at No. 10 Utah (6–0)
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium — Salt Lake City, UT
Prediction: Houston 27–20
A matchup with postseason implications on the line, fans will want to stay up late and take notice. The Houston Cougars have one loss on the season, and it came against No. 8 Texas Tech on the road. Weigman has been dynamic this season, with 26 total touchdowns. He is an experienced leader whom the Cougars can rely on regardless of the situation. Defensively, Houston will have its hands full with Utah’s explosive offense. Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker have set the tone for the Utes’ offense. These two pose a threat to the Cougar defense in both the passing and running games. Utah’s defense has also been tough for opponents to handle in nearly every game.
Pair that with a home-field advantage, and many would think Utah should win. Not me. Houston will use its experience from battles with tough teams and rely on one of the nation’s best leaders. Expect the Cougars to get the victory on the road.
