Now that we’re in the meat of the college football schedule, every week brings new changes to the NCAA odds board. The Georgia Bulldogs were the No. 3 favorites to win the National Championship, and No. 3 in the polls – until they lost 20-17 to the South Carolina Gamecocks (+21.5 away) on Saturday. Georgia can still make the College Football Playoff by winning out, but that’s a tough row to hoe; the Bulldogs have fallen to seventh on the NCAA football betting futures, and No. 10 in the national rankings.
With the turbulence of Week 7 behind them, the SEC will step out of the spotlight for a moment or two. This week’s marquee matchup on the NCAA football lines takes us to Beaver Stadium, where the balance of power in the East Division hangs on a razor’s edge. Then it’s off to the Pac-12 for a pair of Top-25 battles that could decide whether anyone from this conference will be invited to the CFP.
NCAA Odds Week 8: Best Odds and Matchups
1. No. 16 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
It’s too early to nail the coffin shut for Michigan (5-1 SU, 2-4 ATS). They’ve won three straight at 2-1 ATS, but that includes victories over the two worst teams in the conference: Rutgers (+28 away) and Illinois (+24.5 at home). This is why the Wolverines are getting nine points against Penn State (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS), and that might still be a few points short – even though the Lions have played an even weaker schedule thus far.
2. No. 12 Oregon Ducks at No. 25 Washington Huskies (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, ABC)
The Pac-12 is back – sort of. They have four teams in the rankings, but none higher than the Ducks (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS), who will likely have to run the table to get into the CFP. Their next challenge is Washington (5-2 SU and ATS), arguably the second-best team in the conference despite barely cracking the Top 25. They should have some value here as 3-point home dogs. The total for Saturday is 50.5 points on the NCAA football odds, as this is expected to be a sloppy game in Seattle, with the rainy season about to descend on the Pacific Northwest.
3. No. 17 Arizona State Sun Devils at No. 13 Utah Utes (Saturday, 6 PM ET, PAC12)
Two of the “small market” teams in the Pac-12 will collide in this matchup, relegating it to the Pac-12 Network – but this game should be reason enough to subscribe if you haven’t already (and you should, if you bet on NCAA football). Statistically, the Utes (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) have performed a shade below Washington’s level, although they’ve also played the weakest schedule in the conference. Arizona State (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) have made it into the Top 25 for the first time this year after back-to-back upsets over Cal (–4.5 at home) and Washington State (–2 away). They’re worth a look as 13.5-point road dogs in this contest, which should be another soggy affair at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
4. Tennessee Volunteers at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (Saturday, 9 PM ET, ESPN)
The long march to the CFP continues for the Crimson Tide (6-0 SU, 3-3 ATS). They’re favored by 35 points over Tennessee (2-4 SU and ATS); the only question is whether ‘Bama will cover this massive spread, and it’s a fair question – the Tide are 2-3 ATS this year when laying at least three touchdowns. Good weather in Tuscaloosa should help get them the points they need. As for their No. 1 spot in the rankings, it’s hardly unanimous, with three other teams getting first-place votes heading into Week 8.
5. No. 3 Clemson Tigers at Louisville Cardinals (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
That includes Clemson (6-0 SU, 4-2 ATS), although the AP writers prefer the LSU Tigers for the No. 2 spot in their poll. The head coaches beg to differ, but there are several teams who have outperformed the Tigers on paper; the ACC is easily the weakest of the Power 5 conferences, and has even slipped behind the AAC in terms of quality. Louisville (4-2 SU and ATS) aren’t helping the cause too much as 24-point home dogs.