College Football Week 8: Predictions, Bets, Odds for Top Games

Week 8 is a big weekend in the 2024 college football season. The College Gameday schedule swings back to the SEC for a potential Game of the Year between Texas and Georgia. 

Three other ranked SEC teams are on the road. Iowa State has entered the AP top 10 and can take another step toward the playoff in a home game against struggling UCF. Michigan and Illinois will play a likely eliminator game for the Big Ten championship picture. 

The BetMGM online sportsbook has college football spreads for all these games and more. Here’s my take on some of the biggest games of the week, as well as several other hidden gems on the Week 8 calendar. 

College Football Week 8: Predictions & Bets

Oregon vs. Purdue Prediction

Oregon might be coming off the high of the Ohio State win, but they’re also traveling to West Lafayette on a short week, and this year’s team has struggled to cover big numbers.

I grabbed this number at Purdue +28.5 right when it opened, and I’d still bet it on the other side of the key number. 

Oregon vs. Purdue Prediction: Purdue +27.5

Georgia vs Texas Prediction

Quinn Ewers didn’t look perfect in his return to the field last week, but Georgia hasn’t looked perfect in about seven weeks. Hmm.

Georgia’s 2024 roster has been held up this entire calendar year as the deepest roster in college football, but it’s Texas that plays like the most complete team in the SEC. I’m just not afraid to bet against Georgia this year.

I’m not crazy about the idea that I have to lay three and the hook to get the Longhorns. Then again, the fact that the market is willing to give 3.5 points to Georgia is probably a subtle sign that I’m on the right side of this game. 

Georgia vs Texas Prediction: Texas -3.5

Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State Prediction

Don’t look now, but Texas A&M is 3-0 in the conference and quietly has an inside track to the SEC championship game. 

Coming out of a bye, and enjoying the benefit of some great coaching from Mike Elko, I like the Aggies to take a business trip to Starkville and deliver a big, focused win. I would lay the points here. 

Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State Prediction: Texas A&M -15

Alabama vs. Tennessee Prediction

Alabama has had a rocky few weeks here, dating back to a bad second half against Georgia. Tennessee also won its last home game against Alabama back in 2022. The Crimson Tide will have its fair share of doubters in this game.

But Tennessee has had big problems the last few weeks too – it just hasn’t quite attracted the headlines that Alabama has. 

I think Tennessee’s offensive crash will continue this week against maligned Alabama. I’ll lay the short number and get a solid position before the market inevitably goes to Alabama -3.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Prediction: Alabama -2.5

Texas State vs. Old Dominion Prediction

Here’s an under-the-radar game for you. Old Dominion has played tight with virtually every opponent it’s had all year. The Monarchs’ only game not decided by one possession was Week 3 against Virginia Tech.

This weekend, Texas State quarterback returns to the state of Virginia, where he played last year at James Madison. Texas State’s market value is high on the back of a home beatdown of Arkansas State, so this is a great time to bet ODU to play another close one as a home dog. 

Texas State vs. Old Dominion Prediction: Old Dominion +10

Wyoming vs. San Jose State Prediction

Wyoming has quietly improved from its dreadful first few weeks here, but the market (as always) is a little slow to realize what’s going on in Laramie. 

San Jose State has now played three straight single-possession games. The Spartans are a capable underdog but not always great at covering as a favorite – particularly as a big favorite. I like Wyoming as a totally under-the-radar G5 dog. 

Wyoming vs. San Jose State Prediction: Wyoming +11.5

Kansas State vs West Virginia Prediction

Kansas State’s defense has massive home/road splits, which is probably why the Wildcats haven’t covered a point spread on the road all season. 

West Virginia is probably a little undervalued here, too. On paper, the Mountaineers are a .500 team, but the three losses have come at the hands of Penn State, Iowa State, and Pittsburgh. All three are ranked – two of them are in the AP top 10 now – and they have a combined record of 18-0.

Kansas State vs. West Virginia Pick: WVU +3

Michigan vs. Illinois Prediction

One of these teams has a quarterback. The other is on the road and does not. I know Michigan’s defense is good, but I’m actually a little shocked I can get Illinois without laying points here.

Michigan vs. Illinois Prediction: Illinois -105

Auburn vs. Missouri Prediction

The number says it all here, as two-win Auburn is catching less than a touchdown against Missouri. 

The market just doesn’t believe in the home team, and neither do I.

Auburn vs. Missouri Prediction: Auburn +6.5

James Madison vs. Georgia Southern Prediction

For the second time in three weeks, public darling JMU is going on the road and laying a double-digit number in the NCAA football odds market. 

Last time, it was at UL Monroe – the team that’s currently in first place in the SBC West.

This time, it’s against Georgia Southern – the team that’s currently in first place in the SBC East.

Enter Spongebob meme: How many times do I have to teach you this lesson, old man?

James Madison vs. Georgia Southern Prediction: Georgia Southern +10

LSU vs. Arkansas Prediction

This is a pretty obvious bait line. Fresh off a dramatic home win against Ole Miss, the Tigers are now on the road against a sneaky-good Arkansas team. 

The Hogs are coming off a bye and have benefitted from some fresh offensive playcalling from Bobby Petrino. (Hey, credit where credit is due.)

LSU will be a very public favorite this week. I’ll bet on the dog. 

This game and a couple of others from this article make my list of college football best bets this week.

LSU vs. Arkansas Pick: Arkansas +3