It appears that top-ranked Alabama will have Heisman Trophy favorite Tua Tagovailoa for this Saturday’s game at rival Tennessee, although the Crimson Tide likely would spank rebuilding UT even without Tua. He participated fully in practice on Monday after aggravating his sprained right knee during a win over Missouri this past weekend. The Tide are nearly 30-point favorites on the NCAAF odds. Here’s a look at two other interesting matchups in Week 8.
NCAA Football Week 8 Odds Overview & Top Picks
There’s nothing like an in-state rivalry. #GoBlue | #BeatState pic.twitter.com/aO0OxEHJVN
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) 16 de octubre de 2018
NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS TO WIN
No. 6 Michigan at No. 24 Michigan State (+7)
- When: Saturday, noon ET (Fox)
The University of Michigan lost its season opener to Notre Dame, which seemed to put a major dent in UM’s College Football Playoff chances. Yet, the Wolverines have largely been pounding people since and are up to No. 6 in the AP Top 25. Now we see if Jim Harbaugh can finally beat Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing. Here’s a crazy stat: the Spartans have not only won eight of the past 10 in the series but have covered 10 in a row against Michigan. Harbaugh is 1-5 against Michigan State and Ohio State in his three-plus seasons as head coach at Michigan. He needs this win.
A win would do wonders for both parties — but a loss wouldn’t necessarily eliminate Michigan from the Big Ten title picture. It would just remind everyone about Harbaugh’s inability to win marquee games on the road against ranked opponents (Michigan’s current 17-game road losing streak to AP Top-25 teams dates back to 2006).
UM trashed a good Wisconsin team 38-13 on Saturday. Running back Karan Higdon and quarterback Shea Patterson combined to rush for 195 of Michigan’s 320 yards. Patterson did the bulk of his damage in the first half, collecting 81 yards on a run down the left sideline to set up the Wolverine’s first touchdown. He finished 14-of-21 passing for 124 yards and had 90 rushing yards on nine carries. Higdon shouldered the rushing load in the second half, gaining 94 of his 105 yards over the final 30 minutes. The Wolverines held Wisconsin to season lows of 283 total yards, 100 passing yards, and 183 rushing yards.
The Spartans stunned No. 8 Penn State 21-17 in Happy Valley. Brian Lewerke threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Felton Davis with 19 seconds left. The banged-up Spartans, still without running back LJ Scott and wideout Cody White, were able to control time of possession and keep Penn State’s offense well below its scoring average.
The Spartans have consistently produced wins against highly ranked teams under Mark Dantonio. MSU is 10-5 in its last 15 games against teams ranked in The Associated Press Top 10, including a 9-5 record since 2013. Michigan State’s nine wins over AP Top 10 teams since 2013 ranks third most in the FBS (Alabama with 14, Ohio State with 11).
Latest NCAA Football Week 8 Betting Trends
- Michigan is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
- Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan’s last 5 games
- Michigan State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
- Michigan State is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Michigan State’s last 8 games
No. 12 Oregon at No. 25 Washington State (-1.5)
- When: Saturday, 7:30 PM ET (Fox)
This is the game of the day in the Pac-12, with the loser probably losing any shot at winning the North Division. Oregon, Stanford, Washington State, and Washington all have one conference loss. The Pac-12 doesn’t have a team without at least one overall defeat and is going to miss the playoff again. ESPN College GameDay will be in attendance.
Oregon upset No. 7 Washington this past Saturday, 30-27, as CJ Verdell ran for a TD in overtime. Verdell capped a 29-carry, 111-yard day with his second touchdown after the Huskies had to settle for a field goal to open overtime. n overtime, a holding call put Oregon in a third-and-11 hole, but Herbert moved the chains with a 17-yard completion to Dillon Mitchell, who continued his hot play of late with eight receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Verdell was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week. He’s the first Duck to run for 100 yards in each of the first three Pac-12 games of the season since Byron Marshall in 2013. Verdell is the first Duck freshman ever to rush for 100 yards in the first three Pac-12 games of the season.
Washington State beat Oregon State 56-37. Gardner Minshew threw for 430 yards and five scores. Tay Martin had 119 yards receiving and two touchdowns and James Williams added 134 yards from scrimmage and a receiving touchdown. WSU scored a TD off a blocked punt for the first time since 2003 at Oregon (Jason Hill blocked, Jeremy Bohannon returned 4 yards for TD). WSU rushed for 2 TDs, upping season total to 12 after rushing for 8 TDs last season.
Oregon has failed to cover the past eight in the series.
Latest NCAA Football Week 8 Betting Trends
- Oregon is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Oregon is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oregon’s last 10 games on the road
- Washington State is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Washington State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Washington State’s last 9 games
