Finding early line value pays off in the college football picks and predictions realm. Find the early line value below as the lines are sure to shift ahead of their weekend action. Also, aim to get some easy value in midweek action as we progress through the college football regular season.
Week 8 College Football Picks and Predictions
Before you get started, are you looking to cash in on college football this season? With this offer from DraftKings Sportsbook, you can win $200 in free bets by betting only $5. Bet now.
Georgia Southern vs. Old Dominion (pick)
Grab the Old Dominion Monarchs while you can at a pick ’em cost. ODU is the favorite to win the Sun Belt despite a 3-3 overall record. They’re 2-0 in conference play and just manhandled Coastal Carolina in Week 7. ODU runs multiple offensive schemes with their dual-quarterback situation, strong enough to give the Georgia Southern defense fits.
The Panthers come in riding a hot streak after knocking JMU from the ranks of the unbeaten. Yet, it was JMU who shot themselves in the foot on too many occasions in that outing. ODU is a talented team with Blake Watson averaging 6.5 yards per carry and Ali Jennings III hauling in over 20 yards per reception.
The embarrassment of riches also allows for favorable coverage matchups for the massive Zack Kuntz. Georgia Southern better have an answer for Kuntz, Jennings, and Watson or they’re in trouble.
Prediction: Old Dominion 41, Georgia Southern 30
Washington (-8) vs. Cal
After disappointing against Colorado on the road, Cal is back at home to face a terrific Washington offense. Cal has looked like a shell of the team that ran over Arizona just three weeks ago, scoring just 22 points since their 49-point outing. Making matters even more favorable for Washington is the fact that Cal’s defense is giving up 258.7 yards through the air per game, the 98th-ranked team in that regard nationally.
Michael Penix Jr. can sling it to any level of the field, and his rapport with head coach Kalen DeBoer looked strong once again against Arizona on Saturday. Penix and Cameron Davis have been a terrific combination in the backfield for the Huskies while their run defense ranks as the 32nd-best unit in the country. They’ll stuff Cal for a big win to keep pace in the Pac-12.
Prediction: Washington 38, Cal 13
Southern Miss vs. Texas State (-1)
Texas State’s defense has been nothing short of spectacular as of late. Since allowing 40 points to JMU, the Bobcats have quite literally “eaten them up” in terms of opposing offenses. They allowed just 24 points to a dominant App State offense and just 17 points in a loss to Troy on Saturday.
Levi Bell paces Texas State on the interior of their defensive line. He’s recorded nine tackles for loss and five sacks, pushing the pocket with ease at times this season. Bell sets the defense in motion with his pocket-pushing ability that frees up his edge defenders for easy-win situations and his linebackers and defensive backs for potential errant throws.
Southern Miss doesn’t have the quick game to account for Bell’s ability to win. And they certainly don’t have the offensive linemen to hang with Bell, Jordan Revels, Nico Ezidore, and Co. through four quarters.
Prediction: Texas State 27, Southern Miss 17
UCLA (+5) vs. Oregon
The UCLA Bruins are getting no respect in the early line as traveling to Eugene and a week off for both teams will do that for linemakers. Oregon certainly does have the offensive line to dictate the course of this game with both T.J. Bass and Ryan Walk dominating on the interior with Alex Forsyth. Still, they haven’t been tasked with blocking this talented UCLA front quite yet.
Laiatu Latu leads the nation in sacks per game (1.08) off the edge and leads a fierce and ferocious Bruins’ pass rush. The secondary has been their weakest link, but even with an improved Bo Nix throwing the ball for Oregon, they’ve really only been able to exploit one above-average defense this year.
UCLA is tough to figure out on offense to boot as bottling up Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a feat fit for a king. Zach Charbonnet takes the air out of the defense’s sails as well and should be looked at to go over 100 yards and score in this one.
Prediction: UCLA 35, Oregon 31
Toledo vs. Buffalo (over 59.5 points)
Grab the over in this game as both offenses are firing on all cylinders through MAC play. Toledo rides into Buffalo on the heels of scoring 52 points in Week 7 that saw their quarterback Dequan Finn account for seven total touchdowns himself.
On the other hand, Buffalo is playing their best football of late with Cole Snyder anchoring a rushing attack of Mike Washington and Ron Cook. They’ve won four straight games and are 3-0 in conference play. First place in the MAC East and MAC West is on the line in this one so both offenses should come into this game fired up.
Finn is too much to handle and has the arm talent to push the boundary against Buffalo’s talented cornerbacks while avoiding the middle of their defense altogether. With Shaun Dolac and James Patterson patrolling the middle of the field, that’s a great way to win the game and score some points.
Prediction: Toledo 41, Buffalo 37
UAB vs. Western Kentucky (under 59.5 points)
The way to keep Western Kentucky out of the end zone is by simply possessing the football on offense yourself. UAB scores quickly, yet still rank 24th nationally in time of possession on offense.
They’ll hold a distinct advantage over the Hilltoppers in that regard here and should keep the ball long enough to limit much from WKU.
Grayson Cash is fresh off a two-interception performance on the back end for UAB as well and should be counted on to keep the WKU offense in front of him at safety.
Prediction: UAB 27, Western Kentucky 24
UCF (-3) vs. East Carolina
The UCF Knights are starting to play incredibly well together. Their cohesive offense put up 70 points against Temple’s previously-strong defense. John Rhys Plumlee has shown time and time again that he’s capable as a thrower and a runner, leading UCF with seven total touchdowns on Thursday last week.
MORE: College Football Week 7 Stock Exchange
The performance against Temple was even more impressive because UCF’s defense started to play complementary football. UCF cornerbacks were making plays in the backfield, and their linebackers were stuffing run fits like seasoned veterans. It was a complete game for the Knights, and they take that momentum into an ECU team that needed four overtime periods to defeat Memphis.
How much of a toll will that take on the Pirates roster that was already banged up to begin with? Can East Carolina’s defense hang with UCF for even the first half? The answer to both of those questions will dictate the final line, but we lean heavily toward Space U in this one.
Prediction: UCF 40, ECU 21