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College Football Week 8: Expert Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets

By
Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published5 hours ago on October 17, 2024

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College Football Week 8: Expert Picks

College football Week 8 expert picks, predictions, and best bets are back as we gear up for an exciting slate of college football action in Week 8.

Week 7 was one of the wildest single weeks of college football in recent memory. It’s hard to imagine that Week 8 has the chance to match it with some excellent games on the slate.

As Week 8 of the college football season dawns, the stakes have never been higher. Conference standings are taking shape, and the dream of a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is now within reach. Each game is no longer just a contest—it’s a moment to define legacies or see dreams unravel.

Upsets have already rewritten the narrative, while breakout performances have lifted teams beyond their preseason projections. As conference play intensifies, the path to the postseason becomes a proving ground. Every snap, every drive carries the weight of a season’s hopes.

Week 7 offers new opportunities and challenges. Teams on the brink must rise or watch their playoff aspirations fade. With conference races heating up, the margin for error is razor-thin. This Saturday, dreams will be solidified or shattered, and the pursuit of a championship will grow even more intense.

Check out our other college football expert picks! 

College Football Week 8 Expert Picks and Best Bets

East Carolina vs. Army Betting Preview and Expert Pick

All East Carolina vs. Army odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Oct. 17.

  • Spread
    Army -16
  • Moneyline
    ECU +510, Army -730
  • Over/Under
    51.5
  • Game Time
    Noon ET
  • Location
    Michie Stadium | West Point, NY
  • Predicted Weather at Kick
    60 degrees, mostly sunny
  • How To Watch
    ESPN2

For the first time in four years, No. 23 Army finds itself back in the rankings, and they return home for an AAC battle against East Carolina. The Black Knights, as always, rely on their relentless ground game, leading the nation with an astounding 370 rushing yards per game. At the heart of that attack is quarterback Bryson Daily, who has already amassed 738 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, the most among all FBS quarterbacks.

East Carolina, meanwhile, has stumbled, losing three of its last four games after a promising 2-0 start. The Pirates have struggled since last season, going 5-13, and rank 82nd in scoring, with 26.5 points per game, and 97th in rushing production.

Army has lost the last eight meetings with East Carolina, a streak that casts a shadow over their current momentum. While the Black Knights are rolling, East Carolina still has the potential to keep this one close. Despite the struggles, the Pirates have the heart to battle, and in this contest, they just might stay within reach. In a game where Army’s ground attack is expected to shine, it’s the grit of East Carolina that may prove this one isn’t over before it begins.

Prediction: Army 27 – East Carolina 16

Best Bet: East Carolina +16

Nebraska vs. Indiana Betting Preview and Expert Pick

All Nebraska vs. Indiana odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Oct. 17.

  • Spread
    Indiana -6.5
  • Moneyline
    Nebraska +190, Indiana -230
  • Over/Under
    49.5
  • Game Time
    Noon ET
  • Location
    Memorial Stadium | Bloomington, IN
  • Predicted Weather at Kick
    62 degrees, mostly sunny
  • How To Watch
    FOX

We’ve had success with both these teams this year. Indiana delivered for us in a blowout win at UCLA, and Nebraska came through with a big home win over Colorado. Now, Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers are fresh off a bye, a critical advantage as they prepare for a surging Indiana team.

Under new head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers have been dominant. Already bowl-eligible at 6-0, Indiana has won every game by at least two touchdowns. Their offense has been electric, scoring 41 or more points in five games, ranking third nationally in scoring. But Nebraska’s defense stands tall, allowing just 4.4 yards per play and holding opposing quarterbacks to 6.0 yards per attempt.

The Cornhuskers stifled Colorado’s potent offense, giving up just 10 points and 260 total yards. This Nebraska defense will present the toughest test yet for Indiana’s standout quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, and the high-powered Hoosier offense.

But I think Nebraska has enough to keep this one within the number. They could win it outright, but having Nebraska moneyline in a one-score game is a fast way to feel pain. Take the points.

Prediction: Indiana 31 – Nebraska 27

Best Bet: Nebraska +6.5

Iowa vs. Michigan State Betting Preview and Expert Pick

All Iowa vs. Michigan State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Oct. 17.

  • Spread
    Iowa -5.5
  • Moneyline
    Iowa +215, Michigan State +180
  • Over/Under
    39.5
  • Game Time
    3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location
    Spartan Stadium | East Lansing, MI
  • Predicted Weather at Kick
    62 degrees, mostly sunny
  • How To Watch
    NBC

When Iowa is nearly a touchdown favorite on the road, it’s impossible not to take notice. The Hawkeyes bounced back from their loss to Ohio State with a strong win over Washington, covering the spread for the second time in three games. Iowa’s offense is steady, averaging 29.2 points per game with a balanced attack — 134.7 yards through the air and 222.8 yards on the ground.

Yet, while the defense remains solid, it’s not the impenetrable force we’ve come to expect under Phil Parker. Ranked 51st in Success Rate, this unit has shown vulnerability, especially along the defensive line.

For Michigan State, quarterback Aidan Chiles will have chances to make plays. The key will be limiting mistakes — the one factor that could swing this game.

Points will be at a premium, with a total of just 39.5. Give me the home underdog, catching nearly a touchdown in a game where every yard will matter in East Lansing. Sparty is even worth a moneyline play.

Prediction: Michigan State 20 – Iowa 16

Best Bet: Michigan State +5.5

Georgia vs. Texas Betting Preview and Expert Pick

All Georgia vs. Texas odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Oct. 17.

  • Spread
    Texas -4.5
  • Moneyline
    Georgia +165, Texas -200
  • Over/Under
    56.6
  • Game Time
    3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location
    DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium | Austin, TX
  • Predicted Weather at Kick
    80 degrees, mostly sunny
  • How To Watch
    ABC

It’s the kind of game that defines a season. Georgia. Texas. Two of college football’s powerhouses meeting under the Texas sun, with everything on the line. The Longhorns, undefeated and riding high after a commanding 31-point win over Oklahoma, enter the game 2-0 in SEC play, backed by the nation’s No. 7 scoring offense. Georgia, sitting at 3-1 in the conference, knows the sting of defeat after a heartbreaking loss to Alabama weeks ago. Quarterback Carson Beck has the Bulldogs ranked 9th in passing output, but their defense has been the backbone, allowing just 17.2 points per game.

This Georgia team has been tested, none more so than in that Alabama clash where they rallied from a 28-point deficit to nearly steal the game. Now, they head into another Top 5 showdown, this time in Austin.

Texas boasts the nation’s best defense, allowing just 6.3 points per game, and their offense is explosive, averaging 43.2. But Georgia knows how to rise in the big moments. The Bulldogs are ready for the battle, with playmakers like Malaki Starks and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins leading the charge.

Texas is one of the best teams in the country, but on Saturday, Georgia’s battle-tested resilience will prove too much.

Prediction: Georgia 31 – Texas 27

Best Bet: Georgia +4.5