NCAAF Week 8 Betting Guide
October 15th, 2019
Week 7 of the college football season wasn't for the feint of heart as a pair of games featuring top 25 teams went into double overtime. Baylor escaped with a narrow 33-30 win over Texas Tech, but Georgia wasn't quite so lucky. The Bulldogs saw their College Football Playoff hopes threatened as they fell to South Carolina 20-17.
Week 8 is just days away and we can hardly wait to see which top contenders will be pushed to the limit. Our latest NCAAF Betting Guide has you covered with hard-hitting insight and analysis on some of this week's most eagerly anticipated games as well as the latest trends and storylines from across the U.S.
Wager on all Week 8 NCAAF action at BetAmerica!
Week 8 is just days away and we can hardly wait to see which top contenders will be pushed to the limit. Our latest NCAAF Betting Guide has you covered with hard-hitting insight and analysis on some of this week's most eagerly anticipated games as well as the latest trends and storylines from across the U.S.
Wager on all Week 8 NCAAF action at BetAmerica!
Quicklinks
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Michigan | +9 (-110) | +275 | O 45 (-110) |
Penn State | -9 (-110) | -355 | U 45 (-110) |
*All odds are subject to change.
Michigan travels to Penn State this Saturday and finds itself as 9.0 point underdogs for this matchup that will almost certainly determine who gets to face off against Ohio State later this fall for the Big Ten East division title. Michigan is currently 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, while Penn State is 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play. The winner of this game will have an opportunity to upset Ohio State, run the table, and still compete for a national championship.
Penn State has exceeded expectations this season and sits at 4-2 against the spread. In contrast, Michigan has performed below expectations and thus sits at 2-4 against the spread. In the offseason, Michigan was installed as a 4.5 point favorite in this game in the annual game of the year lines. That Michigan now enters this game as a 9.0 point underdog is very telling of the opposite directions each team’s public perception has gone.DOMINANT. 💪
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 14, 2019
The #PennState defense has not allowed more than 13 points in each of the first 6 games. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/lpCdI5axXT
What has plagued Michigan early in the year was their lack of offensive production, and against a talented and ferocious Penn State defense on the road this may not be changing this week. Penn State LB Micah Parsons was a former 5-star recruit that is almost certainly headed to the NFL and leads the team in tackles, but the defensive line has done well getting to quarterbacks as well. Yetur Gross-Matos and Shaka Toney each have 5.5 sacks through six games.
For Penn State, things were slow going last week against a tough Iowa defense, and they actually had fewer yards than Iowa’s offense. This isn’t a good sign that against an elite defense the young talent on Penn State was unable to break out for a big play. Michigan will not be any relief for a team that managed only 294 total yards against Iowa in an intense setting last Saturday. Expect this Saturday’s contest to be a low-scoring, toughly fought game in which points are at a premium.
For Penn State, things were slow going last week against a tough Iowa defense, and they actually had fewer yards than Iowa’s offense. This isn’t a good sign that against an elite defense the young talent on Penn State was unable to break out for a big play. Michigan will not be any relief for a team that managed only 294 total yards against Iowa in an intense setting last Saturday. Expect this Saturday’s contest to be a low-scoring, toughly fought game in which points are at a premium.
Bet on Michigan vs. Penn State here.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Michigan | +9 (-110) | +275 | O 45 (-110) |
Penn State | -9 (-110) | -355 | U 45 (-110) |
The battle of the Pac-12 North takes place this Saturday in Seattle. The Oregon Ducks sit at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in conference play, while the Washington Huskies sit at 5-2 overall and a disappointing 2-2 in conference. Despite the discrepancy in overall record, Washington is actually the team that has been better to spread bettors, as they sit 5-2 against the spread compared to Oregon’s 3-3 mark.
For Saturday’s afternoon contest, Oregon finds itself as a 2.5 point favorite. This is always a scary line in the game of football as it provides favorite bettors the opportunity to win by a field goal. “A free hook”, which history has shown is never actually all that free. Accounting for the home field advantage in Seattle, however, it seems bookmakers believe Oregon to be the better overall team on a neutral field.
After 6 weeks of play, it’s hard to tell if this is the truth. Washington has lost two games and done so in mind blowing fashion against California and Stanford, but they’ve looked like the defending Pac-12 champions in victories against BYU and USC. Oregon has won every game handily since blowing their lead against Auburn Week 1, but Justin Herbert hasn’t looked elite in doing so. This Oregon team has gotten where they are on the strength of their defense.
For Saturday’s afternoon contest, Oregon finds itself as a 2.5 point favorite. This is always a scary line in the game of football as it provides favorite bettors the opportunity to win by a field goal. “A free hook”, which history has shown is never actually all that free. Accounting for the home field advantage in Seattle, however, it seems bookmakers believe Oregon to be the better overall team on a neutral field.
After 6 weeks of play, it’s hard to tell if this is the truth. Washington has lost two games and done so in mind blowing fashion against California and Stanford, but they’ve looked like the defending Pac-12 champions in victories against BYU and USC. Oregon has won every game handily since blowing their lead against Auburn Week 1, but Justin Herbert hasn’t looked elite in doing so. This Oregon team has gotten where they are on the strength of their defense.
Great pass protection from the Oregon O-line and of course Justin Herbert goes to Jacob Breeland for the score. pic.twitter.com/nBun1dh4Rh
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) October 12, 2019
Despite losing senior DE Gus Cumberlander for the season against California, this Oregon team has found its stride. It has now gone 61 possessions without giving up a touchdown, an absolutely incredible streak regardless of the competition. True freshman defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux is starting to blossom at just the right time and provides elite pass rushing ability off the edge.
This game will be contested by two of the more NFL-ready quarterbacks in both the conference and the entire country. Both teams have elite offensive lineman as well that will see the next level. And yet defense will likely decide the outcome of this one. While an old fashioned Pac-12 shootout seems possible given the offensive talent on both sides, the play of each team in 2019 coming into this game indicates that defense and turnovers will likely decide the winner.
This game will be contested by two of the more NFL-ready quarterbacks in both the conference and the entire country. Both teams have elite offensive lineman as well that will see the next level. And yet defense will likely decide the outcome of this one. While an old fashioned Pac-12 shootout seems possible given the offensive talent on both sides, the play of each team in 2019 coming into this game indicates that defense and turnovers will likely decide the winner.
Bet on Oregon vs. Washington here.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Michigan | +9 (-110) | +275 | O 45 (-110) |
Penn State | -9 (-110) | -355 | U 45 (-110) |
Arizona State under head coach Herm Edwards is experiencing a bit of a culture revolution it seems. This is a program that seemed to have no direction or positive momentum for years. Former head coach Todd Graham was a defensive-minded coach on a team and in a league that doesn’t tend to play defense, and his entire tenure felt like a painful amount of time to fit a square peg in a round hole. Fast forward to mid-2019, and the Arizona State Sun Devils find themselves tied at the top of the Pac-12 South at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. They are ranked 17th in the country and there is reason for hope.
Unfortunately for Arizona State, one of the teams they are tied with at the top of the Pac-12 South is also one of the toughest teams in the conference and gets them at home this Saturday. Utah is also 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference (both teams are 3-3 against the spread) and finds themselves as 13.5 point favorites for this matchup. Star running back Zack Moss is back, the defense is playing very well and starting QB Tyler Huntley is arguably the most underrated quarterback in the country. This Utah team is receiving zero national attention for the playoff, but at this point in the year they are clearly the best team in the Pac-12.
Unfortunately for Arizona State, one of the teams they are tied with at the top of the Pac-12 South is also one of the toughest teams in the conference and gets them at home this Saturday. Utah is also 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference (both teams are 3-3 against the spread) and finds themselves as 13.5 point favorites for this matchup. Star running back Zack Moss is back, the defense is playing very well and starting QB Tyler Huntley is arguably the most underrated quarterback in the country. This Utah team is receiving zero national attention for the playoff, but at this point in the year they are clearly the best team in the Pac-12.
Zack Moss making it look easy early.
— Porter Larsen (@Larsen_ESPN) October 13, 2019
Midway through the first quarter and he’s already got 115 yards. Reeling off 91 yarders sure helps.#Utes pic.twitter.com/MgbS4Jd8HD
While Moss and the defense are well-known, it is Huntley that is driving Utah’s success. Huntley is third in the country at completion percentage at 75.6%, a mark that in most years would put him #1 in the country. He is fifth in pass efficiency rating and ultimately he is proving that not only did he undergo an impressive physical maturation this offseason, he developed mentally as well.
On the other side, Arizona State freshman QB Jayden Daniels has been better than expected. On the road vs. Utah will be the toughest atmosphere and defense he’s faced thus far, however, and so Utah looks well prepared to take the lead in this division and move on with sights toward sneaking into the College Football Playoff. Utah should win this game fairly easily, but this is the Pac-12 so beware the cracked backdoor.
On the other side, Arizona State freshman QB Jayden Daniels has been better than expected. On the road vs. Utah will be the toughest atmosphere and defense he’s faced thus far, however, and so Utah looks well prepared to take the lead in this division and move on with sights toward sneaking into the College Football Playoff. Utah should win this game fairly easily, but this is the Pac-12 so beware the cracked backdoor.
Bet on Arizona vs. Utah here.
Here are the betting trends you need to know for Week 8:
- Home teams have won 69% of all games SU in 2019
- Home favorites have won a staggering 86% of all games SU in 2019
- Teams ranked in the AP Top 25 went 11-4 against unranked opponents in Week 7
- 54% of all games have gone UNDER the projected total in 2019
- Underdogs were 23-29-1 ATS in Week 7 and are 209-223-9 overall in 2019
We’ve narrowed down the remaining Week 8 games you can’t afford to miss.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Michigan | +9 (-110) | +275 | O 45 (-110) |
Penn State | -9 (-110) | -355 | U 45 (-110) |
"This very seat is where rat poison was born."
— Patrick Brickman (@PatrickBrickman) October 13, 2019
Nick Saban remembers and is still talking about media "rat poison" after two years - in the very seat where he originally coined the phrase.@abc3340 pic.twitter.com/hFcyercZjI
The Crimson Tide are 6-0 after taking down the Aggies, but Nick Saban isn't buying into the hype. He wants his players to remain focused on the task at hand rather than the fame and fortune that await them in the NFL.
Joe Burrow's message to the team after the game: "Don't let good enough get in the way of greatness." pic.twitter.com/i5eAxGSFnL
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) October 13, 2019
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow may still be in college, but he knows how to motivate his teammates like a true pro. LSU will put its perfect 6-0 record on the line next Saturday when it travels to Mississippi State.
"It was ugly but we got it done!"@JalenHurts checks in after @OU_Football's Red River win. pic.twitter.com/WSYi39t0vA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 12, 2019
Jalen Hurts knows better than most that you don't get style points in college football. The Sooners QB came away with a win against Texas in the Red River Showdown despite completing only 16 of 28 passes and throwing a pick.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the shortest odds to win the Heisman Trophy after another sensational week in which he became the Crimson Tide's career passing touchdowns leader. Here are three things you should know about college football's top individual award:
- The Heisman Trophy is modeled upon Ed Smith, a running back who played his college football at New York University during the 1930s and enjoyed a brief career in the NFL. Smith was given his very own Heisman in 1985 to commemorate his role in shaping the iconic look of the award.
- The Heisman Trophy is nearly as hard to lift as it is to win. The bronze sculpture is 14 inches long and weighs in at 45 lbs.
- Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma have each produced seven Heisman winners over the years.
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