College Football Week 8 Predictions | Saturday Picks Today, Best Bets

The intrigue of the 2024 college football season continues with a loaded Week 8 schedule. Punctuated by a top-five showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns, there is no shortage of excitement on Saturday’s docket. We’re priming bettors for a profitable run, offering our top picks for today’s action.

Georgia Bulldogs vs Texas Longhorns

Spread: Georgia +4.5 (-104) | Texas -4.5 (-118)
Moneyline: Georgia +168 | Texas -205
Total: OVER 56.5 (-112) | UNDER 56.5 (-108)

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As noted, a potential preview of the National Championship is slated for Saturday night in Austin, with the undefeated Longhorns hosting the perennial powerhouse Bulldogs. This line has been on the move since opening. In its current offering, there’s an advantage in backing Georgia on the right side of a key number. 

Texas opened as decisive -6 favorites for Saturday’s SEC clash before a flood of money bought the Longhorns down to -1.5. Bettors quickly sent that number back up to -4.5, where it currently sits. It’s worth getting a piece of the Bulldogs at that price to keep it within four points. 

Georgia’s defense has had its moments this season. Before the crushing road loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Bulldogs had limited their opponents to an average of 6.0 points on 202.0 yards per game. While their scoring metrics have taken a hit since then, the Bulldogs aren’t as ineffective as we’ve seen. Other than their implosion versus Alabama, the Bulldogs have held their five other opponents to 384 yards or fewer. As such, we anticipate some modest improvements in their defensive scoring efficiency. That progression should come against a Longhorns squad that has seen a decrease in output recently.

After recording 51 or more points in three of its first four, Texas has put up more modest totals of 35 and 34 over its past two. That decrease is substantiated by less offensive productivity. The Longhorns put up 402 yards against the Oklahoma Sooners last week, well below their season average of 495.5.

Another diminished offensive performance is expected against a stout Georgia defense. These teams will trade chances throughout, but both defenses will be up for the challenge. As such, we’re betting the Bulldogs do enough to stay within 4.5.

Recommended Play: Georgia +4.5 -104

2024 Group of 5 Power Rankings | Week 8 of College Football Season

Kansas State Wildcats vs West Virginia Mountaineers

Spread: Kansas State -2.5 (-118) | West Virginia +2.5 (-104)
Moneyline: Kansas State -146 | West Virginia +122
Total: OVER 55.5 (-110) | UNDER 55.5 (-110)

With five wins through their first six games, the Kansas State Wildcats have emerged as a Big 12 powerhouse. However, scheduling concerns put them at a disadvantage against a surprisingly efficient West Virginia Mountaineers offense. A rowdy home crowd at Milan Puskar Stadium could be enough to lift the Mountaineers to an upset victory in Week 8. 

K-State narrowly survived defeat against the Colorado Buffaloes last week. In the end, their run defense allowed the Wildcats to walk away with a 31-28 win, but they’ll face a stiffer challenge from the Mountaineers. West Virginia has a superior offense to the Buffaloes, averaging nearly 400 yards per game. Predictably, that benchmark moves north in their friendly confines, with the Mountaineers averaging 478.0 yards per game at Milan Puskar. 

Moreover, West Virginia flaunts a dynamic offense. Dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene moves the ball efficiently through the air but can also burn defenses with his legs. So far this season, the senior is averaging 211.2 passing yards per game, with a complementary 65.7 coming on the ground. That makes Greene one of three West Virginia players with at least 394 rushing yards this season.

Playing consecutive road games in hostile environments puts the Wildcats at a significant disadvantage, a weakness that Greene and the Mountaineers should exploit. You wouldn’t be wrong to take the points with West Virginia, but instead, we’re backing them to pull off the outright upset.

Recommended Play: West Virginia +122

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USC Trojans vs Maryland Terrapins

Spread: USC -7.5 (+100) | Maryland +7.5 (-122)
Moneyline: USC -245 | Maryland +198
Total: OVER 56.5 (-115) | UNDER 56.5 (-105)

The USC Trojans don’t have the luxury of sitting back and licking last week’s wounds. They must pick up the pieces quickly and make the cross-country trek to College Park for a date with the Maryland Terrapins. Both teams feature a bevy of offensive playmakers, undoubtedly leading to a high-scoring affair. 

The Trojans have operated a top offense all season, led by Miller Moss. USC ranks in the top 40 in scoring and total offense, accumulating 30.7 points and 437.5 yards per game. Those benchmarks will rise as they take on a Maryland side that has given up 79 points over its previous two games. 

Still, the Terrapins have difference-makers spread throughout their offense. Tai Felton has cemented himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Felton wouldn’t be among the FBS leaders in pass-catching metrics without Billy Edwards getting him the ball as frequently as he does. But the offense isn’t a one-dimensional attack that relies solely on Felton. Five other players have accumulated at least 100 receiving yards, with everyone accounting for at least ten receptions. Roman Hemby acts as a solid secondary contributor out of the backfield, affording Maryland the flexibility to set up the pass with an effective run game.

Both offenses should move freely about the field in this one. USC can get the ball downfield against anyone, and Maryland is primed for offensive progression against a beaten and bruised Trojans side. The result should be a game that easily eclipses the total.

Recommended Play: Over 56.5 -115

Western Michigan Broncos vs Buffalo Bulls

Spread: Western Michigan -1.5 (-106) | Buffalo +1.5 (-114)
Moneyline: Western Michigan -118 | Buffalo -102
Total: OVER 48.5 (-110) | UNDER 48.5 (-110)

We’re showing some love for the Group of Five competitors, highlighting a pivotal MAC matchup with our final pick. The Buffalo Bulls head into a conference game as home underdogs for the second straight week. As was the case last week against the Toledo Rockets, we expect the Bulls to come out on top against the Western Michigan Broncos.

Home field has been a notable advantage for Buffalo this season. The Bulls are 3-0 straight up and against the spread at home, easily covering the number in all three contests. They were -3.5 chalk in each of their first two games before closing as substantive +10.5 underdogs in last week’s win. They’ve out-scored opponents by a cumulative 94-21 across those three contests, with no opponent recording more than 15 points. 

Conversely, the Broncos narrowly haven’t fared well on the road this season. While they’ve taken on some elite opponents, they are just 1-3 as the visitors, failing to cover the spread in their last three road games. What’s more, Western Michigan’s defense has been exposed in all four of those contests, giving up an average of 472.0 yards per game. 

Considering the Broncos’ defensive woes, the Bulls are an underserving home underdog in this one. With such a short spread, we’re getting a piece of the hosts on the moneyline, forecasting another upset victory.

Recommended Play: Buffalo -102

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