It is a light week across the country but our College Football picks have brought you the best five games from Week Eight action. We have covered games for four of the top six teams but the biggest game of them all may be LSU at Ole Miss, given the news from the week that Ed Orgeron will no longer coach the Tigers after this season.
Don’t miss out on our preview for each game along with our College Football Picks for the five best games of this week’s schedule!
#2 Cincinnati @ Navy – 12pm EDT
Cincinnati has moved up to #2 in the AP Rankings on the back of an undefeated start to the season. They now get on the road to face a Navy side that may be 1-5 in the standings but has a very good defense and could make this one more interesting than it looks on paper.
Tim Newton
The recipe for the Bearcats seems to be dominating non-Power Five teams. Cincinnati have had four such games this season and won each of them by 35+ points, highlighting their ability to dominate teams that they should be. The Bearcats may not actually be the second best team in the country, but they deserve the #2 spot based on their performances so far this season.
Meanwhile, Navy could actually cause some trouble for Cincinnati, given they have a good defense, particularly on the ground. They have also kept within eight points of an undefeated SMU side and a 5-1 Houston side, indicating their ability to keep it close against top-level teams.
With the spread currently set at 27.5 points, it comes down to whether Navy’s defense can slow down the freight train that is Cincinnati. Given Navy is coming off an 18 point loss to Memphis last week, and this Bearcats side is much better than Memphis, I think they should be able to add another big win to their resume.
Tim’s College Football Pick: Cincinnati -27.5 (-120)
Jerome Ford has hit the end zone FOUR TIMES in just the first half for @GoBearcatsFB 😳 pic.twitter.com/LU0fWnLo8Z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 16, 2021
Tony Battalio
Cincinnati is on a quest to be the first Group of 5 team to make the College Football Playoff. Even though that will no longer be the case soon and they will be Big 12 members in just a few years. But for the time being they are dominating everyone they come across this season. However in just a few short weeks they will meet fellow undefeated SMU in what is likely to be their first of two games against them. This game should be no different than weeks prior as Cincinnati will steamroll another opponent. Navy has looked mediocre on the season, while limping to a 1-5 record thus far with the Naval Academy’s only win coming against Central Florida at home.
Cincinnati’s high flying offense is led by superstar quarterback Desmond Ridder and it does not look to be stopping anytime soon. They have scored over the half century mark in each of their last two games. Meanwhile the Bearcats defense has given up more than 24 points in just one game this year. Cincinnati is favored by 27.5 points this Saturday, however because of Navy’s slow style of play I do not expect them to cover the spread. While they should still win easily it is safer to take the Moneyline this week.
Tony’s College Football Pick: Cincinnati (-6000)
Noah Dunlap
Is the pressure of being ranked second in this week’s AP poll going to be enough to slow down the Cincinnati Bearcats? What about the possibility of them becoming the first Group of 5 school to make the College Football Playoff, if they can win out? They’ve been destroying anyone who stands in their way so far this season, and the next victim looks as if it is Navy. On the year, Navy is 1-5, but after a horrible start over the first two weeks, their losses are getting closer. Add in a slow, option-based scheme that all service academies seem to run, and I think possessions are going to be few and far between in this one.
The problem is that Navy’s secondary is atrocious, and Cincy’s Desmond Ridder is on fire so far this season, as he tries to get his name in the Heisman conversation. While I do think the Bearcats slip up this season, I don’t see that happening this week. With little value in taking the Cincy moneyline, take a slight risk and take the ‘Cats to win and cover. My prediction is the Bearcats win this one 41-10 and we get the cover, albeit closer than you’d like.
Noah’s College Football Pick: Cincinnati -27.5 (-120)
#3 Oklahoma @ Kansas – 12pm EDT
The Oklahoma Sooners finally made their quarterback swap and it paid dividends. Caleb Williams was officially given the starter job and delivered a 295 yard, 4 touchdown masterpiece against TCU last week. The Sooners now turn their attention to the Kansas Jayhawks, who are coming in off five straight 19+ point losses.
Tim Newton
This is a tough game to pick as FanDuel currently has the spread set at 38.5 points, which is massive. But, Oklahoma, under Caleb Williams, can definitely cover. Kansas has given up over 40 points in each of their last five games, and has only scored over 15 points in two of them.
While the Sooners haven’t actually won a game by this margin so far this season, things got off to a shaky start under Spencer Rattler and they look like a much better team now, indicating they could be ready to explode against a lacklustre Jayhawks football side.
After Alabama’s loss early this month and Williams’ promotion to starter, many elevated Oklahoma to being the second best team in the country, behind Georgia. However, if they want to stay up the top of the charts, they will need to win big here. I think they should do it, but am extremely wary that this is a massive line and will instead, go the over.
Tim’s College Football Pick: Over 66.5 (-112)
Tony Battalio
The Oklahoma Sooners football team seems to have finally found the spark they have been searching for all season long. After falling behind early to rival Texas in the Red R iver Showdown they made adjustments and have taken off ever since. After making the switch from Spencer Rattler to Caleb Williams at the quarterback position, they came back to beat Texas and in Williams’ first start absolutely destroyed TCU in their following game.
This game should be no different for the Sooners, as they face Big 12 doormat, Kansas. After grinding out and surviving one possession wins the previous 5 games, it must have felt like a welcome relief for fans to see them crush a team they should be beating by several scores. Oklahoma comes into this game as 38.5 point favorites and I look for them to cover every single point of it.
Tony’s College Football Pick: Oklahoma -38.5 (110)
Noah Dunlap
Let’s be honest, there’s not much to break down with this one. Since moving on from Spencer Rattler, the Caleb Williams-led OU offense has finally reached its potential, and the Sooner defense, apart from the Red River Showdown/Shootout (whatever you prefer to refer to it as), has shown massive improvements this season. On the other side, Kansas is still well… Kansas. They’re awful. Nothing more needs to be said about the Jayhawks. Oklahoma wins big, much bigger than the measly 38.5 number that the books are giving you. Take the OU cover and win the easy money.
Noah’s College Football Pick: Oklahoma -38.5 (-110)
Northwestern @ #6 Michigan – 12pm EDT
While last week’s result was closer than they would have liked, the Michigan Wolverines continued their winning ways, remaining undefeated on the season. They now host Northwestern, who are just 3-3 overall and only 1-2 in conference play so far this year.
Tim Newton
There is an interesting formline with this game. Michigan just beat Nebraska by three points before their bye last weekend, who happened to beat Northwestern by 49 points just two weeks earlier. So does that mean that Michigan is a 52 point better team than Northwestern? And with the spread set at just 23.5 points for this game, surely that is a lock?
I am going against that mantra and taking the Wildcats with the points. Michigan is definitely the better side in this matchup, but they have their big rivalry game with Michigan State next week and they may be caught looking ahead. This could potentially be one of Jim Harbaugh’s toughest games as coach, not because of the strength of the opposition but because he will have to work extremely hard to get the Wolverines to focus on the task at hand, rather than the one waiting for them a week later.
That should give the Wildcats, who only average 30 yards per game less than the Wolverines, an opportunity to keep this within three touchdowns, hopefully.
Tim’s College Football Pick: Northwestern +23.5 (-108)
Starting a new 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲.
The upcoming matchup against Northwestern will kick off the rivalry game for the George Jewett trophy. The first Black player to compete in the Big Ten and attend both academic institutions. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/afvtnhqrPr
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) October 21, 2021
Tony Battalio
This year may finally be Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football’s year. They could finally be on the revenge tour we have been hearing about for a few seasons now. However the bus nearly came to a crashing halt before their bye as it took a late touchdown to beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers a few weeks ago. The Northwestern Wildcats come to Ann Arbor to play the Wolverines, and this one should be much easier for Michigan to handle. Northwestern has limped it’s way to a .500 record, being 3-3 on the season.
While the season will get much harder for Michigan in the coming weeks, there is no reason why they should not cover and win at home in this game. They are currently listed as 23.5 point favorites. The over/under is listed around the 60 point mark and Michigan may just score 60 by themselves. This will be another stop on the revenge tour and another victory for Michigan as dates with Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State are fast approaching.
Tony’s College Football Pick: Michigan -23.5 (-110)
Noah Dunlap
Has Jim Harbaugh finally found the secret key to success in Ann Arbor? After advocating for his removal after last season, I will admit that I like what I’ve seen from the Wolverines this year. Apart from a tight ballgame in Lincoln two weeks ago against Scott Frost and Nebraska, Michigan has been absolutely rolling this season. And now they get the less-than-stellar Wildcats from Northwestern at the Big House this weekend. This should be an easy win, and probably an easy cover, for the Wolverines…but it won’t be.
Michigan struggles to throw the football, relying too heavily on the run game, and with a date against bitter rival Michigan State next week, as well as Penn State and Ohio State coming up all in the next 5 weeks (all three are top-10 teams), look for the Wolverines to sleepwalk through this one. I still think they get the win, but the 23.5 seems a touch too high.
Noah’s College Football Pick: Northwestern +23.5 (-110)
LSU @ #12 Ole Miss – 3:30pm EDT
It was announced during the week that Ed Orgeron is out as coach at the end of the season, but there are still games to be played, including facing Ole Miss on the road this weekend. Will the Tigers rally behind their departing coach or will the Rebels continue their rise up the charts?
Tim Newton
I’m typically a massive advocate for betting on teams to win after their coach has been fired, but this is a slightly different situation. Ed Orgeron is out as coach, but not until the end of the season, meaning these middle games could be awkward. Combine that with the fact that Matt Corral is back to looking like a Heisman contender and the Rebels’ offense has bounced back after their loss to Alabama, this one could get ugly.
Ole Miss is undefeated at home this season while the Tigers are just 1-2 on the road, indicating that a rocking Vaught-Hemingway Stadium could make a massive difference in this clash. The worry is that Corral is a game-time decision for this clash, and his absence could leave a massive hole that the Rebels might not be able to fill, especially against a LSU side that has everything to play for this week.
With there still no decision on Corral at the time of writing, I have to take the Tigers with the points and hope that he misses. FanDuel is currently giving LSU more than a touchdown, so I’m happy to take that and wait to see the injury report on game day.
Tim’s College Football Pick: LSU +9.5 (-112)
Tony Battalio
After last week’s chaotic victory at Neyland Stadium, Ole Miss is facing another up and down SEC team. This week it will be the LSU Tigers, who recently announced they will be looking for a new head coach at season’s end. Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral will be looking to move his Heisman hype train along with another huge conference victory to keep pace with fellow one loss team Alabama. Especially when considering that they cannot afford to drop another game because Alabama owns the head to head tiebreaker between the two.
Meanwhile LSU will just be looking to find some sense of direction after the weird season they have had. No one could have expected the Tigers to fall this far, only being two seasons removed, from having one of the greatest years in college football history. After 2019’s College Football Playoff national title win, people expected more of the same but got the exact opposite with this team. This is a game Mississippi should win easily, as they are 8.5 point favorites at home in Oxford.
Tony’s College Football Pick: Mississippi Rebels -9.5 (-108)
Noah Dunlap
As an Ole Miss graduate, I have immense interest in this game. Coming off of a wild, wacky win last weekend at Tennessee, the Rebels look to ride the momentum and continue to eye a potential 11-1 season. LSU, on the other hand, is seeking to find a replacement for Coach O, as he is out at season’s end, a mere two years after leading the Tigers to one of the best college football seasons anyone has ever seen.
So there are three things to keep in mind with this matchup. Number one is that Ole Miss QB Matt Corral, who currently sits at second in the Heisman race, is questionable for this one according to head coach Lane Kiffin, after suffering a lower-leg injury against UT last weekend. If Corral doesn’t play, the easy bet is LSU, bar none. Number two is that Ole Miss-LSU is always close. Regardless of year or talent level, this is a rivalry that always seems to be one score games late – don’t expect a blowout. Number three is that the LSU admin had already made the Orgeron decision before beating Florida last weekend, meaning the players clearly haven’t given up on the season quite yet.
All of this, added with the fact that Ole Miss’ defense is abysmal and won’t be able to stop Tiger RB Tyrion Davis-Price, who just ran for an LSU record 287 yards last week, means that there’s no way the Rebs cover the 9.5. Ole Miss may get the win, but the line is way too high in this one, even with the game being in Oxford.
Noah’s College Football Pick: LSU +9.5 (-112)
#5 Ohio State @ Indiana – 7:30pm EDT
We round out the night with the most exciting offense in the country getting on the road for a big clash against Indiana. The Ohio State Buckeyes put some supporters off with their slow start to the season, but they have reeled off four wins and a row, with the Hoosiers next in line for a chance at taking them down.
Tim Newton
Well, hasn’t Indiana had a real tough go of it lately. They are coming off back to back losses to top-10 sides and now face to face another, the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Big-10 East is clearly stacked with talent, it is just unfortunate for Indiana that they aren’t one of those teams, considering that the top four are all in the top 10 of the AP Rankings.
The Buckeyes are currently the only team in the country that averages over 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards per game, ranking first for total yards in all of college football. When looking at margins of victory, since their wake up call against Oregon, Ohio State have won four straight by 21+ points, with their last three all being by 39 points or more. This includes a 66-17 thumping of Maryland in their last game, two weeks ago, who started the season 4-0 and were ranked because of that.
Indiana isn’t in the same ballpark as Maryland and while they kept it close against the Spartans last week, only losing 20-15, I don’t think they can keep up with the dynamic offense of Ohio State.
Tim’s College Football Pick: Ohio State -20.5 (-118)
𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆. 🎬🔥🍿 (feat. @Ericthomasbtc)#TheTrailer #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/UdaRESODC2
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 21, 2021
Tony Battalio
After a slow start to the 2021-22 season, Ohio State has found their form and look like national championship contenders for yet another year. Despite the early season loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes have since rebounded and punished teams they have come across on their schedule. However, years past has shown us that Ohio State struggles to beat at least 1 middle of the road Big Ten team away from the friendly confines of Columbus, Ohio.
This week they will face exactly that in a 2-4 Indiana Hoosier squad in Bloomington, Indiana. Even though the Hoosiers record may not show it, they are a good football team. Those 4 losses just happened to come to 4 of the best teams in the country this season. They gave Cincinnati and Michigan State all they could handle and almost caused major upsets twice this season. Is the third time the charm for the Hoosiers or will the Buckeyes contine this high wave of success before going through the meat grinder schedule they have to end the season. I look for Indiana to at least cover the 20.5 point spread, if not shock the Buckeyes on Saturday night.
Tony’s College Football Pick: Indiana +20.5 (-104)
Noah Dunlap
Ohio State, apart from Georgia, is the most dominant team in college football right now. After an early season mishap against Oregon, they’ve just been steamrolling opponents and now they get a mediocre Indiana team in Bloomington. This seems like an easy Buckeye cover, but with OSU’s recent history of picking one conference opponent and just forgetting how to play football (said game is always away from Columbus, and nearly always a night game), I’m hesitant to just assume that this won’t be one such spectacle that we see Saturday night.
Indiana has been hit or miss this season, as they’ve been boat-raced by Iowa and Penn State, but played Cincinnati and Michigan State well. This makes me nervous to try to decipher which Hoosier team shows up in this one. Because of this, I would encourage everyone to stay away from the spread. Instead, take the over 60.5, as I expect OSU to score 35+ win or lose, and if they play well, I could see them scoring 52 easily, meaning we would only need nine points from IU. This all adds up to the 60.5 not standing a chance, so go ahead and get in early.
Noah’s College Football Pick: Over 60.5 (-110)
*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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