College Football 2019: Week 8

It was only a matter of time until we saw the first monumental upset of the 2019 college football season. It finally happened last week, when South Carolina went into Athens and beat #3 Georgia, 20-17, in double overtime.

It was a wild back-and-forth contest Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks held a 17-10 lead going into the fourth quarter (even without quarterback Ryan Hilinski, who got hurt midway through the game), and maintained that lead throughout most of the fourth. With 1:48 left in regulation, Georgia tied the game. That gave South Carolina time to drive down the field and win it, but the Gamecocks only got to the UGA 40 yard line. From there, coach Dan Mullen curiously decided to attempt a 57-yard field goal, rather than trying to score a last-second touchdown. The field goal was no good.

In the first overtime, the South Carolina defense picked off Jake Fromm, setting up a potential game-winning field goal. This one was much more manageable, as Parker White just had to make a 33-yarder. Alas, he missed it wide left, and the game moved on to a second overtime.

In the second overtime, South Carolina started with the ball and settled for a field goal attempt. This time, White nailed it from 24 yards out. Georgia seemed to be in the driver's seat, having the opportunity to either win the game or send it to another overtime with a kick from veteran kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. South Carolina held strong, forcing the Bulldogs to attempt the latter. Blankenship, who had made a 50-yard field goal earlier in the game, set up from 42 yards out. His kick, like White's in the first overtime, pushed wide left, and down went mighty Georgia.

Week 7 Superlatives

Best Performance: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma (10 catches, 171 yards, 3 TD)

The guy whose first name is the third and fourth letters of the alphabet and whose last name is an animal went off Saturday in the Red River Rivalry game against Texas, helping OU hold on to beat the Longhorns, 34-27.

Best Play: Mims' Magnificent Toe-Tap

There were multiple candidates for this honor, but I decided to go with a big play from a big win for Baylor. Down by three with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Baylor receiver Denzel Mims made this incredible catch along the sideline. Baylor would go on to win in double OT.

Best Tweet: I knew Coach O's Voice was deep, But...

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron is one of college football's most fun characters. He's known for his gravely and deep voice, but it got even deeper in this video that college football analyst Timothy Burke tweeted last Thursday. It's actually not far from his actual voice.

Week 8 Picks

Friday

#4 Ohio State @ Northwestern

(8:30 PM, BTN)

I don't know who at Big Ten headquarters thought it was a good idea to have conference games on Friday nights, but they should be fired. This game was originally supposed to be on Fox Sports 1, but was pushed to Big Ten Network due to Game 5 of the ALCS. Anything can happen, but most likely, Northwestern's anemic offense won't be able to keep up with the Buckeyes.

Spread: OSU -28  Over/Under: 50

Prediction: Ohio State 38, Northwestern 10

Saturday

#3 Clemson @ Louisville

(Noon, ABC)

If recent history is any indication, there will be points galore in this game. These two teams have combined for at least 68 points in each of their last three meetings. Two of the three were Clemson blowouts. This will probably be another Clemson blowout. Both teams rank in the top 20 in total offense, but while the Tigers have a top three defense, the Cardinals have a terrible defense. 

Spread: CLEM -24  Over/Under: 61

Prediction: Clemson 55, Louisville 17

West Virginia @ #5 Oklahoma

(Noon, FOX)

This is another game that looks to be a high-scoring affair. It also, like Clemson-Louisville, looks to be a blowout. The Mountaineers, which have lost their last two games (both at home), will have a very hard time keeping up with the unstoppable Oklahoma offense. They can, however, cover the large spread. This game will not be close, but I can see it being closer than 34 points.

Spread: OKLA -33.5  Over/Under: 63

Prediction: Oklahoma 45, West Virginia 21

#6 Wisconsin @ Illinois

(Noon, BTN)

Wisconsin continues to stampede teams, and the Badgers will get one more chance to this week before they travel to Columbus next week for a big-time showdown against Ohio State. Lovie Smith's squad has lost four straight games, and the Illini have given up at least 40 points in the last three. Wisconsin averages 42.5 points per game. This will be an absolute drubbing.

 Spread: WISC -31  Over/Under: 50.5

Prediction: Wisconsin 42, Illinois 7

#9 Florida @ South Carolina

(Noon, ESPN)

South Carolina pulled off the massive upset last week, while Florida fell short in a big game against LSU. This is a prime let-down game spot for the Gamecocks, and it's a bounce-back game spot for the Gators. I think the Gators will bounce back against a team that just won an emotional game. South Carolina will put up a fight, but Florida will win the game.

Spread: FLA -5  Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction: Florida 28, South Carolina 17

#11 Auburn @ Arkansas

(Noon, SECN)

This game will determine who is currently the second-best "A" team in the SEC. Auburn had last week off after losing to Florida. A week after nearly upsetting Texas A&M, Arkansas almost beat Kentucky, but came up short, giving the Razorbacks their third loss in a row. I could also see them playing close with Auburn this weekend, but I think Auburn will roll (but not cover).

Spread: AUB -19.5  Over/Under: 55

Prediction: Auburn 35, Arkansas 17

Purdue @ #23 Iowa

(Noon, ESPN2)

Iowa has a great defense, but the Hawkeyes are an offensively-challenged team, as evidenced by the last two weeks. Although they held Michigan to just 10 points two weeks ago, the offense managed just three points. Last week, the defense held the explosive Penn State offense to 17 points, but the offense scored just 12 points. I think the offense will have a much better day against Purdue.

Spread: IOWA -17.5  Over/Under: 48

Prediction: Iowa 38, Purdue 17

#2 LSU @ Mississippi State

(3:30 PM, CBS)

LSU has passed every test so far this season. An early-season primetime game at Texas? A+. A primetime conference game against Florida? A++. The offense looks unstoppable right now, and I doubt Mississippi State will be the team to stop it. The Bulldogs just lost to Tennessee, which is a team I was making fun of earlier this season. They have no chance against LSU.

Spread: LSU -17.5  Over/Under: 61.5

Prediction: LSU 48, Mississippi State 24

#12 Oregon @ #25 Washington

(3:30 PM, ABC)

Veteran Pac-12 quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Jacob Eason do battle Saturday afternoon in Seattle. Oregon scored 45 points last week (a 45-3 win over Colorado) and Washington scored 51 (a 51-27 win over Arizona), but I think this will be a lower-scoring affair. Although both of these teams have put up a lot of points in blowouts, their closer games have been more defensive. I'll go with the Ducks in a close one.

Spread: OREG -3  Over/Under: 49

Prediction: Oregon 27, Washington 20

Temple @ #19 SMU

(3:30 PM, ESPN2)

This game has major implications in the AAC. 5-1 Temple pulled off an upset of Memphis last week, while 6-0 SMU had a bye after going three overtimes against Tulsa two weeks ago to preserve its unblemished record. Temple definitely has a team capable of completing two upsets in two weeks, but, as I've said before, I'm on the SMU train this year.

Spread: SMU -8  Over/Under: 59.5

Prediction: SMU 35, Temple 28

#20 Minnesota @ Rutgers

(3:30 PM, BTN)

P.J. Fleck's Minnesota team has been impressive to this point in the season, starting 6-0. *Looks up how to spell the name of Rutgers' interim coach...* Nunzio Campanile's Rutgers team has been whatever the opposite of impression is. Even after firing head coach Chris Ash, the Knights lost to Indiana 35-0 last week. This week will probably be worse.

Spread: MINN -28.5  Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction: Minnesota 42, Rutgers 7

Tulsa @ #21 Cincinnati

(3:30 PM, ESPNU)

After taking unbeaten SMU to triple overtime two weeks ago, Tulsa got destroyed by the Navy... no, wait, I misread that. The Hurricane got destroyed by Navy, the college football team. This week, the Hurricane travels to the Queen City, meaning it will mostly just be rain, since Cincinnati is not near an ocean. Advantage Bearcats.

Spread: CIN -17.5  Over/Under: 47.5

Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Tulsa 17

UL Monroe @ #24 Appalachian State

(3:30 PM, ESPN+)

Appalachian State has re-entered America's consciousness on the fuel of a 5-0 start to the season. The Mountaineers should have little trouble at home against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, who have a great name, but don't have a great team (they're 3-3). I'm taking App State to cover the spread in a blowout.

Spread: APP -15  Over/Under: 66

Prediction: Appalachian State 45, UL-Monroe 24

#18 Baylor @ Oklahoma State

(4:00 PM, FOX)

I keep expecting this Baylor team to fall back down to earth, but they keep finding ways to stay aloft. The Bears almost suffered their first loss of the season last week, but they squeaked by Texas Tech in double overtime. I think they will finally suffer their first loss of the season on the road against Oklahoma State, a team that beat Kansas State and almost beat Texas. Upset Alert.

Spread: OKST -4  Over/Under: 68.5

Prediction: Oklahoma State 35, Baylor 30

#22 Missouri @ Vanderbilt

(4:00 PM, SECN)

Two SEC teams with inverse records meet Saturday afternoon in Nashville. Since a first-week loss to Wyoming, Mizzou has reeled off five straight wins. Vandy has just one win, a 24-18 victory over Northern Illinois. None of the Commodores' five losses have been close. I don't think this loss will be close, either.

Spread: MIZZ -21  Over/Under: 56

Prediction: Missouri 38, Vanderbilt 14

Old Dominion @ UAB

(4:00 PM, ESPN+)

This game will probably be a blowout (UAB is 5-1, ODU is 1-5), but I wanted to highlight it as my Unranked Game of the Week because UAB is doing something really cool. The Dragons are wearing the names of children's hospital patients on their jerseys. Apparently, this is the third time they have done this, but it's the first time I've heard it. Kudos to them.

Spread: UAB -16.5  Over/Under: 42

Prediction: UAB 32, Old Dominion 14

Kentucky @ #10 Georgia

(6:00 PM, ESPN)

Georgia will be looking for a rebound this week against Kentucky. The spread is high, and Kentucky isn't awful (albeit not good either), but I think Kirby Smart's team will be trying to exercise some demons Saturday evening in Athens. They'll rebound from the upset loss and cover against the Wildcats.

Spread: UGA -25.5  Over/Under: 46.5

Prediction: Georgia 45, Kentucky 17

#17 Arizona State @ #13 Utah

(6:00 PM, PAC12)

This game is a chance for Herm Edwards' guys to make a statement on the road against a strong Utah team. I think the Sun Devils will come very close to doing just that, but I think they'll fall just short against the talented Utes. I'm taking Utah to win this game Saturday night in Salt Lake City, but I'm taking Arizona State to cover.

Spread: UTAH -13.5  Over/Under: 45

Prediction: Utah 32, Arizona State 20

Kansas @ #15 Texas

(7:00 PM, LHN)

Texas fought valiantly last week, but couldn't stop the Oklahoma offense. The Longhorns can take out their frustration on 2-4 Kansas Saturday night. The Jayhawks, who are coming off a bye, have lost their last three games, and the last two have not been close. I don't think this will be close, either. I'll say Texas by four scores.

Spread: TEX -21  Over/Under: 62.5

Prediction: Texas 40, Kansas 14

#16 Michigan @ #7 Penn State

(7:30 PM, ABC)

Next week's Game of the Week will almost certainly be a Big Ten matchup, and so is this week's Game of the Week. This will be Michigan's biggest challenge since Wisconsin, and that didn't go well. I think Penn State is the better team, and it will not be easy for the Wolverines to win a primetime game in Happy Valley, even if they are the better team.

Spread: PSU -9  Over/Under: 47

Prediction: Penn State 28, Michigan 17

Tennessee @ #1 Alabama

(9:00 PM, ESPN)

The number one team in the country plays the good ol' 9:00 PM Eastern Time game Saturday night. The Crimson Tide host Tennessee, which just beat Mississippi State last week. The Volunteers will not beat Alabama, and they won't cover the spread either. On an unrelated note, Tennessee will need to change its nickname if/when college athletes ever get paid. 

Spread: ALA -34.5  Over/Under: 61

Prediction: Alabama 50, Tennessee 14

#14 Boise State @ BYU

(10:15 PM, ESPN2)

Once again, we end with Boise State, which travels to Utah to battle BYU Saturday night. If this game were earlier in the season, I might have picked BYU to pull of the home upset, but the Cougars have lost three straight, including at South Florida last week and at Toledo the week before. They might make it close, but Boise State will pull away in the end.

Spread: BSU -7  Over/Under: 45.5

Prediction: Boise State 35, Utah 24

Last Week: 15-4  vs. Spread: 8-11  Over/Under: 8-11

Season: 116-32  vs. Spread: 65-81-2  Over/Under: 78-69-1

Stats and info via ESPN, Bleacher Report, Twitter, Barstool Sports, and Odds Shark

Lines via Odds Shark

Lines as of Thursday afternoon