College Football Week 8 Game Predictions
There are going to be some College Football Playoff and conference championship implications this weekend as a number of quality battles will rage throughout the country.
Notre Dame is sitting at home relaxing this weekend as the Irish get a much-needed bye. There are plenty of games that will impact their ability to climb up the rankings and possibly getting into a New Year's Six Bowl game.
Here are four games that Irish Breakdown will have its eye on, and our staff is making predictions for those contests.
#7 Penn State (6-0) at #3 Ohio State (6-0)
Gametime: 12:00 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: Ohio State - 4.5, O/U: 45.5
The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions are not only battling for the Big Ten title, they are also pushing for a College Football Playoff berth. The loser isn't necessarily eliminated either, as the Big Ten has a shot to get two teams again this season.
For Notre Dame, the Buckeyes winning this game enhances their resume and makes that last-second loss look even better.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Ohio State 27, Penn State 20
There have been some shootouts in this game in recent seasons, but the strength of both of these teams is their defense. My prediction comes down to Ohio State being at home, my belief that Ohio State's skill is better than Penn State's, and the fact Ohio State is 13-2 at home against the Nittany Lions going back to 1993.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Ohio State 27, Penn State 24
Is Penn State for real? Can James Franklin win the big one? Going to be tough on the road at the Shoe. I still think some of his skill guys are a year away from that feat. I think OSU takes this one.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Penn State 24, Ohio State 23
Could this be Penn State’s year? It will be for a night at least. On paper, it is pretty even matchup. The game comes down to who is able to run the ball better. The slight edge goes to Penn State.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Ohio State 20, Penn State 17
Penn State’s offense is scoring despite lacking big play explosiveness and both defenses are stout. James Franklin has beaten the Buckeyes just once, and that was seven years ago.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Ohio State 26, Penn State 20
This is James Franklin's most talented team and Ohio State has appeared vulnerable at times this season. That being said, the Nittany Lions haven't won in Columbus since 2011 and in the only two previous road games this season (against powerhouses Illinois and Northwestern) the Drew Allar and the Nittany Lion offense have been nowhere near as efficient.
#17 Tennessee (5-1) at #11 Alabama (5-1)
Gametime: 3:30 PM ET
Network: CBS
Line: Alabama -9.0, O/U: 48
Alabama and Tennessee are also playoff contenders, although the Bama resume is currently stronger. One of these teams will be eliminated from playoff contention, and a Tennessee loss drops them well below the Irish in the rankings. A Tennessee could mean both teams end up behind Notre Dame in the first set of playoff rankings.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Alabama 31, Tennessee 17
Last season's 52-49 Tennessee victory in Knoxville snapped a 15-game win streak for the Tide in this rivalry. Tennessee has not defeated Alabama in Tuscaloosa since 1999, and that streak will grow by another game this weekend. Alabama's defense will overwhelm the Tennessee offense.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Alabama 28, Tennessee 21
Alabama is humming along with the wins right now but they are anything but solid. They are just sitting there ready to slip up. Is this the week that happens? This is not last year's Tennessee team so I think with the Tide being at home it certainly will benefit them. The Tide keep rolling.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Alabama 31, Tennessee 23
Offensively, Alabama leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately for them, the defense has really settled in over the last couple of weeks. The Tennessee secondary can be vulnerable, leading to a couple big plays for the Crimson Tide.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Alabama 28, Tennessee 20
Tennessee has more balance than last year’s team that won a shootout against the Tide and Alabama’s become a big play offense with a steadily stingy defense.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Alabama 30, Tennessee 17
Tennessee has relied on big plays this season and when forced to drive the ball (see the Florida loss), they have struggled. I expect a similar outcome in Tuscaloosa as Alabama vaults back in the top-10.
#16 Duke (5-1) at #4 Florida State (6-0)
Gametime: 7:30 PM ET
Network: ABC
Line: Florida State -14.5, O/U: 49
Duke's only loss was a last second defeat at the hands of Notre Dame. The Seminoles are in prime position for a playoff spot, and a win over Duke would boost its resume. A win for Duke would give Mike Elko the kind of program defining win that will vault the Duke program into a different stratosphere, and it makes Notre Dame's victory over the Blue Devils look much, much better.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Florida State 27, Duke 14
I would love to pick Duke in this game, and if quarterback Riley Leonard was healthy I would have considered it. Duke's defense and offensive line are legit, and the FSU offense has been a bit inconsistent this season. If Leonard was healthy this would be a different game, but even if he plays he's likely not going to be full speed.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Florida State 35, Duke 34
The Devils are having a great season so far and we all know what they did to ND down in Durham. Again this one is on the road in Tallahassee and it is a tall order for them to go down there and steal one. I am personally not sold on this Florida State team but I think they have enough offensive firepower to win this one. This is the one upset I actually see happening though, I am just not man enough to pick it!
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Florida State 27, Duke 16
There is a good chance we will see Riley Leonard in this game for Duke, which would be a big addition. The Blue Devils are a very tough time that has a good offensive line and defense. They keep the Seminoles in check for awhile but eventually the talent separates.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Florida State 24, Duke 17
This is the biggest remaining hurdle for Florida State to clear for a possible unbeaten regular season. Riley Leonard could be back for the Blue Devils, but if he’s not Duke won’t have enough to beat the Seminoles.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Florida State 26, Duke 10
Whether it's a limited Riley Leonard or backup Henry Belin IV at QB for the Blue Devils, I expect this Duke offense to struggle against a Florida State defense that will be flying around. You know the Duke defense is going to show up, but without the offense able to play complementary football, it's only a matter of time before Jordan Travis, Keon Coleman, and company break out.
#14 Utah (5-1) at #18 USC (6-1)
Gametime: 8:00 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: USC -7.0, O/U: 53
USC is coming off a 48-20 beat down at the hands of Notre Dame, which knocked the Trojans out of the realm of the unbeaten. Despite that loss, USC still controls its own destiny in the Pac 12 title race and are still very much a playoff contender. A win over Utah gets the USC season back on track. Utah needs this victory to avoid a second conference loss, which would make it much harder for the Utes to defend their Pac 12 title.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - USC 35, Utah 16
I know that USC looked bad last week against the stout Notre Dame defense, and Utah is a pretty darn good defense as well. The difference is Utah doesn't have Notre Dame's secondary, their offense is abysmal without Cameron Rising, and the Trojans got a wake up call from Notre Dame. I think USC dominates this game.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - USC 42, Utah 17
Can USC bounce back? They are at home against a Utah team that is still without their QB and is struggling offensively. I have no doubt that Utah will muscle the Trojan defense all night. The difference in this one will be #13 in whatever you call the colors of USC. He will single handedly win this game for USC.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - USC 37, Utah 20
Offensively Utah is just a mess right now. Add in the fact that USC is coming off of a loss and it feels like the Trojans could get back on track in this one. They have some revenge opportunities after two losses to the Utes last season.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Utah 35, USC 30
This starts a Pac-12 gauntlet for USC, who plays Utah, Cal, Washington, Oregon, and then UCLA in its stretch run to close the season. The Utes ran all over the Trojans twice last year and they’ll do it again this year.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - USC 44, Utah 20
Bryan made the comment in the postgame show that he feels bad for Utah this week and I agree - I expect an angry Trojan team on the field Saturday night. The Ute defense has been the Pac-12's best to this point, but a focused Caleb Williams enacts some revenge for last season's 0-2 record against the Utes on Saturday night in Los Angeles.
Staff Record
Andrew - 23-5
Bryan - 20-8
Sean - 17-11
Ryan - 17-11
Vince - 12-9
Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge
Irish Breakdown Content
2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers
2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook
