This is the week where we officially cross the halfway point of the 2025 college football season. Fifteen weeks and we are already at Week 8. We’ve seen some big surprises and a few more head football coaches are no longer employed. More on that in a moment.

Week 7 brought us three games featuring ranked opponents. Those games didn’t disappoint. Top-ranked Ohio State blew out No. 17 Illinois. No. 7 Indiana surprised everyone and beat third-ranked Oregon while No. 8 Alabama took care of business on the road at No. 14 Missouri.

Moving to Week 8, we have another huge lineup with five matchups between ranked opponents. Here are the five big games all being played this Saturday:

• No. 10 LSU @ No. 17 Vanderbilt
• No. 5 Ole Miss @ No. 9 Georgia
• No. 11 Tennessee @ No. 6 Alabama
• No. 20 USC @ No. 13 USC
• No. 23 Utah @ No. 15 BYU

One of the big surprises last week was Penn State losing for the third straight time, dropping a 22-21 decision to unranked Northwestern. The loss leaves the Nittany Lions 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. It also leaves Penn State without a head coach. James Franklin was fired on Sunday.

Franklin was the biggest name to get the axe after Week 7. Trent Dilfer, who helped the rise of the Elite 11 quarterback competition, was let go from his role as head coach at UAB. The Blazers were 2-4 with one of the wins a 52-42 victory over FCS Alabama State. Trent Bray started 0-7 at Oregon State this season and was also fired on Sunday.

The new week should help start to clear up the path to the College Football Playoff. Remember, 12 teams are selected by the CFP committee. The five highest-ranked conference champions receive automatic bids. The four highest-ranked teams, regardless of their conference championship status, will receive a first-round bye in the playoff.

As it stands, Ohio State is ranked No. 1 followed by Miami, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss to round out the top-5. The first round of the playoffs begins on Saturday, Dec. 20.

If you missed the fireworks from Week 7, catch up on those results before diving in. You can also check the latest College Football Championship odds and see how the playoff race is evolving.

College Football Week 8 Schedule 

College Football Week 8 Odds 

The College Football odds are constantly changing, to be sure to monitor the lines throughout the week. 

The Week 8 betting board is full of conference games, which typically means we don’t see point spreads like we saw earlier in the season. However, if you look at the Big Ten this week, you’ll find some big numbers.

The biggest spread on the board belongs to new No. 3 Indiana. The Hoosiers are favored by 27.5 points against Michigan State. Indiana won by 37 last year, 47-10 in East Lansing. Saturday’s game is in Bloomington.

Ohio State is a 24.5-point favorite against Wisconsin and in the MAC, Toledo is favored by 25.5 against Kent State. The MAC also features two games with low totals. Central Michigan-Bowling Green is set at 42.5 and Northern Illinois versus Ohio has a total of 41.5.

However, it’s the Big Ten once again with the lowest total on the board. Not one, but two Big Ten games feature a total of 40.5 – Ohio State-Wisconsin and Penn State-Iowa.

You have to go to the American Athletic Conference for the largest total of the week (the biggest of the season, too!). FAU and South Florida should put up some points on Saturday. The game total is set at 74.5.

Our experts will run through the best games for Week 7 and offer preferred picks and predictions. If you want even more advice before placing your week 7 CFB bets, though, be sure to check out what the top sports betting handicappers have to offer.

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College Football Week 8 Predictions

Let’s take a look at the featured College Football Week 8 games and make our NCAAF Picks for each game. 

LSU Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores Odds

LSU and Vandy have played 33 times. The Tigers, of course, own the series and they have won the last 10 in a row. The Commodores last win in the series came back in 1990, a 24-21 Vanderbilt victory in Nashville.

The two teams did play last season. LSU won 24-17 in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates. The Tigers led 24-10 early in the fourth quarter before the Commodores scored with less than six minutes to play.

Last year’s game was the first since 1997 where Vanderbilt lost by less than double digits.

LSU Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores Predictions

Vanderbilt has the 89th-highest quality drive rate allowed on defense, but the Commodores shouldn’t have any problems. LSU is among the worst teams in college football in sustaining Quality Drives.

Due in part to their almost nonexistent run game, LSU is ranked 124th in terms of points per quality drive. LSU averages nearly eight yards to gain on third down, and the Tigers rank 125th in terms of rushing success rate.

Another major issue for LSU has been turnovers. In addition to a late field goal when they had first and goal from the one-yard line, the Tigers coughed it up twice inside the five-yard line this past weekend against South Carolina.

In terms of rushing success rate, EPA, and early-down success, the Commodores rank in the top 10 and rank 11th in available yards gained and EPA/pass. Additionally, Vandy handled the same South Carolina team with ease on the road that LSU found difficult to defeat at home.

The Tigers have failed to score more than 20 points in any of their four games against power conference opponents. LSU’s defense is pretty solid though, ranking in the top 20 in EPA/play versus both the run and pass. Vanderbilt’s offense is also built to control the football. The Commodores rank in the top 50 in time of possession on offense.

Bet: Vanderbilt -130, Vanderbilt -2.5 (-115), Under 49.5 (-112)

Oklahoma Sooners @ South Carolina Gamecocks Odds

Last season was the first time that these two programs ever faced each other. That, of course, is because both teams are now members of the expanded SEC. South Carolina won last year’s game rather easily, 35-9.

South Carolina jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back. The Sooners are much improved over last season, even though they did lose the Red Rivalry game to Texas last week.

Oklahoma Sooners @ South Carolina Gamecocks Predictions

The Gamecocks were ranked earlier in the season, but they have lost three of their last four games. QB LaNorris Sellers, one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC, struggled last week completing 15 of 27 passes and throwing an interception.

The offense as a whole has struggled this season. South Carolina ranks in the bottom 30 in the country in both rushing and passing offense. The strength of the team is defense. The Gamecocks give up 19 points per game. They are solid in the red zone (top 30) and they rank in the top 40 against the pass.

Oklahoma comes off a disappointing loss to rival Texas. The offense was awful. The Sooners gained just 48 yards on the ground against the Longhorns. For the season, that has been an issue as Oklahoma runs for just 122.3 yards per game.

The strength of the Sooners is also defense. They rank second in the country in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 9.8 points per game. They are No. 2 against the pass and No. 10 against the run. They should make it very difficult for Sellers and the South Carolina offense.

Bet: Oklahoma -218, South Carolina +5.5 (-110), Under 43.5 (-115)

Ole Miss Rebels @ Georgia Bulldogs Odds

Georgia owns a 33-14-1 advantage in the series against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs scored a big win last year with a 28-10 victory at home. If you throw out the vacated Ole Miss win in 2016, Georgia has won 11 straight dating back to 1997.

Georgia has won 11 of the last 13 meetings. The Bulldogs have covered the spread in four of the last six.

Ole Miss Rebels @ Georgia Bulldogs Predictions

This is a big one. The Rebels come in ranked No. 5 in the nation at 6-0. Georgia is ranked ninth. The Bulldogs are 5-1 with the only loss coming to No. 6 Alabama by a score of 24-21. Both teams are still very much alive in the SEC race and in the race for a College Football Playoff spot.

The Bulldogs have won two straight since the loss to the Crimson Tide. Last week, they beat Auburn 20-10. QB Gunnar Stockton went 24-of-37 for 217 yards. The Bulldogs are efficient on offense with Chauncey Bowens (315) leading the way on the ground. Georgia averages 32.2 points per game.

Ole Miss can be explosive. The Rebels average over 37 points per game and over 500 yards of total offense. They have the No. 8 passing offense and rank 27th in rushing with 207.4 yards per game. Last week, they played down to their competition as they beat Washington State 24-21.

Both defenses are solid, but the Bulldogs have the edge. They are strong in the red zone (19th in red zone scoring allowed) and a top 20 team against the run. They’ll need to slow down Ole Miss’s running game, especially the quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He has been outstanding in place of Austin Simmons.

Last year, Georgia was a two-point road favorite. Now, they are favored against the No. 5 team in the nation by more than a touchdown at home. It’s a big number in a game of virtually evenly matched teams. Both coaches will have their teams ready to play.

Bet: ML pass, Ole Miss +7.5 (-120), Under 54.5 (-115)

SMU Mustangs @ Clemson Tigers Odds

These two programs have a very short history with each other. It started last year in SMU’s first season as a full-fledged ACC member. The Mustangs did not play Clemson in the regular season but went 11-1 and made it to the ACC Championship game.

There, the Mustangs faced Clemson for the first time ever and the Tigers overcame a 17-point fourth quarter by SMU and kicked a 56-yard field goal on the game’s final play to get the win.

SMU Mustangs @ Clemson Tigers Predictions

Clemson has won two straight since losing to Syracuse 31-24. Last week, QB Cade Klubnik went 22-of-30 for 280 yards and a touchdown in a 41-10 win over Boston College. The Tigers offense is not the Clemson offense we are used to as they average 26.3 points per game.

The Tigers do rank No. 27 in passing, but they are just 99th in rushing offense averaging 130 yards a game. Defense has saved the Tigers this season. Clemson gives up 18.5 ppg (28th) with a strong run defense (24th) and a good-enough pass defense.

That pass defense will be put to the test on Saturday as SMU QB Kevin Jennings has already amassed 1,685 passing yards. That has helped the Mustangs average 34 points per game. The passing offense actually ranks right behind Clemson at No. 28. The Clemson defense gave up just 136 passing yards last week. If they can do that again, they’ll have a chance here.

The Tigers were a 2.5-point favorite in the ACC title game last year. Now, they are a 9.5-point home chalk. That’s a big number against a very talented offense. The Mustangs don’t get a lot of love for their defense, but they rank in the top 25 against the run and they only allow 22.3 points per game. They can keep this one close.

Bet: ML pass, SMU +9.5 (-112), Under 54.5 (-102)

Tennessee Volunteers @ Alabama Crimson Tide Odds

The “Third Saturday in October” rivalry pits these two border states who have met 106 times throughout the history of college football. Alabama leads the series 59-40-7. More recently, Tennessee has won two of the last three in the series. Both of those games, including last year’s 24-17 win, were in Knoxville.

Tennessee has not won at Alabama since 2003. The Crimson Tide have won 8 of the last 10 meetings and all of those eight wins were by double digits. The last one-score game prior to 2024 was in 2015 when Alabama won 19-14 in Tuscaloosa.

Tennessee Volunteers @ Alabama Crimson Tide Predictions

This should be a very entertaining game. These are two of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Tennessee actually leads the FBS in scoring averaging 48.2 points per game. The Veer-n-Shoot offense of head coach Josh Heupel ranks 7th in passing and 22nd in rushing and averages over 527 yards per game.

Alabama has the No. 15 passing offense and averages nearly 35 points per game. The difference in the game could be the Tide’s defense. Last week, Alabama shut down a very explosive Missouri offense, holding the Tigers to 330 total yards and 24 points, way below their season averages.

The Tennessee defense is not what it was a year ago. This season, the Vols allow 29.3 points per game and they have one of the weaker pass defenses in the FBS. Tennessee ranks 123rd against the pass and that could be trouble against Alabama QB Ty Simpson and company. Alabama passes for an average of 305 yards per game. The result should be plenty of offense from both teams.

Last year’s total was 57.5 and this year’s opened at 59.5. It has come down a point, but these two offenses and Tennessee’s poor pass defense should take this total Over.

Bet: ML pass, Alabama -7.5 (-115), Over 58.5 (-108)

USC Trojans @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Odds

Notre Dame leads this historic series 50-37-4. The two teams first played in 1926 and have played almost every year since. The two have played in each of the past four seasons. The Irish have won three of the four.

The Fighting Irish have won six of seven games against the Trojans since 2017. It’s typically a huge game for both teams and is once again as Notre Dame can ill afford another loss if it wants to make the College Football Playoff. It would be another notch in the cap for USC, which is 5-1 this season. The only loss was to a ranked Illinois team on the road.

USC Trojans @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish Predictions

The Trojans may have the most dynamic and explosive offense in the country. Head coach Lincoln Riley runs the Air Raid to perfection with QB Jayden Maiava at the helm of the offense. Maiava is one of the top passers in the nation with 1,852 yards passing, which ranks third in the nation.

The Irish were supposed to be one of the better defenses in the nation this season. It hasn’t exactly gone as planned. They have played better as of late and they’re going to have to since the offense may struggle without C Ashton Craig who is done for the season.

Notre Dame’s offense with RBs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love has been outstanding. The Irish average 40 points per game. The offense may have to step up to keep up with the Trojans. They are coming off an impressive win over Michigan at home last week.

Two years ago, this game total closed at 60.5. Notre Dame won the game 48-20. Last year, the total closed lower at 53, but the outcome was the same. Notre Dame won a shootout, 49-35. With this year’s total at 61.5 already, look for another high-scoring affair.

Bet: ML pass, USC +9.5 (-112), Over 61.5 (-110)

Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars Odds

The first meeting of the Holy War was in 1896. After 102 meetings, there is some discrepancy in the overall series record. If you ask Utah, you’ll hear the Utes lead the series 62-36-4. Ask a BYU fan and that record is 59-33-4. Regardless, Utah leads the series.

BYU has cut into that lead with wins in each of the past two seasons. The Cougars were ranked No. 9 in the nation last season and Utah battled the Cougars, losing 22-22. Prior to those two BYU wins, Utah won nine straight.

Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars Predictions

This year, it’s a ranked versus ranked matchup this year. BYU is a perfect 6-0 and they’ve won all three of their home games. QB Bear Bachmeier has made everyone forget that Jake Retzlaff was the team’s quarterback last season. He has eight passing touchdowns and seven more on the ground.

The Cougars offense can hang with the best of them. BYU averages 448 yards of total offense and scores 37.5 points per game. Utah will have its hands full with Bachmeier and RB LJ Martin who has 652 rushing yards.

As good as the offense is, Kilani Sitake’s team is built around defense. BYU ranks in the top 25 in scoring, rushing, and passing defense. They force turnovers (10 interceptions), fly to the ball, and they can defend the run.

Like BYU, the Utah offense is heavy on the run. The Utes rank eighth in the country in rush offense averaging 248.2 yards per game. QB Devon Dampier transferred in from New Mexico and he is a dynamic dual threat. In last week’s 42-10 win over Arizona State, Dampier threw for 104 yards, ran for 120 yards, and ran for three touchdowns.

The Utes average 39.5 points per game, so they can score too. However, like BYU, Kyle Whittingham’s teams are always about defense. Utah ranks 11th in the FBS in scoring defense allowing just 13.8 points per game. In their five wins, Utah allowed 14 points or less.

BYU covers over 70 percent of its home games that start at 6 p.m. or later. This game will start at 5 p.m. local time, but the Cougars will be glad to play the role of underdog.

Bet: BYU +142, BYU +3.5 (-108), Under 49.5 (-115)

Best College Football Week 8 Bets

There are a plenty of worthwhile week 8 college football picks to wager on, but the following are my best bets for the week:

• Vanderbilt Commodores -130
• Ole Miss Rebels +7.5 (-120)
• BYU Cougars +3.5 (-112)

Clark Lea could be the SEC Coach of the Year again. Vanderbilt is 5-1 and you simply can’t bet against QB Diego Pavia, especially when he’s playing at home. LSU comes to Nashville as a rare underdog. That doesn’t happen often and that’s why we like the Commodores to win outright.

Lane Kiffin has started already with the Kirby Smart jokes. In a press conference, the Ole Miss head coach made mention of Smart’s “lack of fitness” saying the Georgia head coach is too stressed to work out.

You can bet the Bulldogs will use that as fuel for the fire on Saturday. The problem is that Kiffin has the Smart kryptonite. His offense is way better and the Bulldogs won’t be able to pull away.

Finally, the Holy War is the perfect setup for the underdog. BYU is at home where they have won eight of the last nine games. The Cougars are 6-0 with a high-scoring offense and one of the best defenses in the nation. This should be a battle and don’t be surprised if the total goes Under.

If you want to place all three of these Week 8 picks into an NCAAF parlay, then you would win a staggering $514 on a $100 wager. That’s a 5x on your investment. If you want more parlay action, check out our best College Football parlays of the week. For the NFL bettors, we also have an NFL parlay of the week.