Best NCAA Football Games to Bet in Week 8
Week 8 may be a major letdown for people looking for the seismic movement in the national championship picture Week 7 provided. But with college football, there is always an element of surprise for anyone who regularly watches the sport. While there isn’t a parity level like the NFL, major programs sometimes stumble unexpectedly.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the best NCAA football games to bet on in Week 8.
Cincinnati Bearcats (-3) vs. SMU Mustangs
The Bearcats have won five straight since dropping the season opener to Arkansas. During that stretch, Cincinnati’s defense demonstrated the standard it has set during Luke Fickel’s tenure with the Bearcats. Cincinnati ranks in the top 20 in average total yards and passing yards allowed per game.
The Bearcats will be put to the test by SMU, which has demonstrated an ability to move the ball throughout the season. The Mustangs are fourth nationally in passing yards per game and are in the top 15 for total yards. SMU also ranks 32nd nationally by putting up 35.5 points per game.
The Bearcats are 2-3-1 against the spread but should find a way to win on the road for the second time this season and cover the narrow margin.
Houston Cougars (-3) vs. Navy Midshipmen
The Cougars should be better with veteran quarterback Clayton Tune. After surviving an overtime game with UTSA early in the season, it has been all downhill for Houston. The Cougars are 3-3, with two of their three losses coming in overtime.
Houston’s offense has been durable, producing 31.3 points per game. Where the Cougars have struggled is on defense. Houston won’t want to be gashed against the run vs. the triple-option-based Navy. The Midshipmen started the season by getting beaten by Delaware and are only 2-4 on the year.
However, the option can scare some teams not used to seeing it. The Cougars will be desperate on the road and will win by a touchdown in Annapolis.
UCLA (+6.5) vs. Oregon
Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been one of the most dazzling quarterback prospects in the nation this season. The UCLA sophomore signal-caller has passed for 1,510 yards and 15 touchdowns to help Chip Kelly officially put the Bruins back on the map. Oregon, despite working in a new coach and transfer quarterback in former Auburn QB Bo Nix, has stormed back to respectability after getting trampled by Georgia in the season opener.
The Ducks haven’t played the same level of competition UCLA has. The Bruins scored a big win over Utah, held off a feisty Sun Belt in South Alabama, and also beat Washington in a prime-time game when the Huskies appeared to be challengers. Oregon’s best win this season appeared it could be a win over previously-ranked BYU, but the Cougars have fallen hard in the past few weeks.
UCLA will cover the spread in what should be a fun game.
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (+6.5)
Cowboys quarterback Spenser Sanders didn’t look great after halftime week last week. The offense as a whole didn’t play well in the second half before taking a difficult loss to TCU. Now, the Cowboys have to turn things around and beat Texas at home to stay in the Big 12 race.
The Longhorns have a good football team, but they are hard to trust. Texas barely beat a scuffling Iowa State after blowing up Oklahoma the week before. The Longhorns were able to lean on running back Bijan Robinson to carry the load, as he carried the ball 28 times for 135 yards.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers slammed the door by throwing for 172 yards and three touchdowns against the Cyclones. The Longhorns will win, but it will be by less than a touchdown.
Pitt Panthers (+118) vs. Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals are a mess. Louisville is suffering through another difficult week off the field as rumors swirly about the future of the program. The Cardinals are led by an excellent dual-threat quarterback Malik Cunningham. Cunningham’s success has fluctuated as his passing doesn’t always keep up with his success on his feet.
Meanwhile, Pitt is coming off a win over Virginia Tech two weeks ago with a standout performance by running back Israel Abanikanda.
The Panthers lost one of their more embarrassing losses in recent years when they lost to Georgia Tech as a 21.5-point favorite only a week after the Yellowjackets fired their head coach. Pitt should have learned from its mistake of taking such a program lightly.
Abanikanda broke Tony Dorsett’s school record for rushing in a game and scored six touchdowns against the Hokies. The Panthers seem to have their run game figured out and will utilize it to score a win over a demoralized Cardinals program.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
