College football picks, predictions against the spread in Week 8

Locking in our picks against the spread for college football's top Week 8 games, with extreme caution

We went 3-7 making our predictions against the spread last week, making good on Ohio State and LSU covering, but missed on our pick for USC to upset Notre Dame and for Indiana to keep its game against Michigan within 33.5 points. What's next on the schedule?

How are we doing? College Football HQ is 27-33 (.450) against the spread so far this season. We're not proud of it, but we soldier onto Week 8. If anything, here are some picks you should fade on Saturday.

Lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Texas at Houston

The line: Texas -23.5

What to expect: Houston is feeling good after a Hail Mary victory over West Virginia, and it has a quarterback who can bother the Longhorn secondary, but Texas presents a far more formidable opposition moving the ball. Texas is 0-2 ATS this year when a 20-plus point favorite.

ATS pick: Houston +23.5

Utah at USC

The line: USC -7.5

What to expect: The Trojans are just 1-4 against the spread in the last 5 and the line may struggle to protect Caleb Williams again going against a strong Utes front seven. But with how poorly Utah is moving the ball, USC should have more opportunities to pull ahead late.

ATS pick: USC -7.5

Michigan at Michigan State

The line: Michigan -24.5

What to expect: The Spartans are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 at home against Michigan, which is 2-12-1 ATS in the last 15 of this series and 1-6 ATS vs. Sparty on the road. One strength for MSU is third down defense, where it ranks 3rd nationally.

ATS pick: Michigan State +24.5

Duke at Florida State

The line: Florida State -13.5

What to expect: There are questions around if Duke quarterback Riley Leonard can play since the injury two weeks ago, but the Blue Devils play a strong game at the line. Moreover, it's 6-2 ATS as a dog, and that includes a 3-1 mark on the road. None of Duke's losses are by double-digits.

ATS pick: Duke +13.5

South Carolina at Missouri

The line: Missouri -7

What to expect: Missouri is 4-1 against the spread in its last 5 games and 10-5 ATS in the last 15 against SEC opposition and it goes against a Gamecock defense that has struggled against the pass, a specialty for the Tigers behind Brady Cook, the SEC's 3rd most efficient passer who posts over 300 yards per game.

ATS pick: Missouri -7

Washington State at Oregon

The line: Oregon -20

What to expect: The Ducks are 5-0-1 against the spread in the last 5 overall whereas the Cougars are 11-2 ATS in the last dozen against Oregon, but come in with two straight disappointing losses after starting 4-0. Wazzu struggles to run the ball and has plenty of turnovers recently.

ATS pick: Oregon -20

Clemson at Miami

The line: Clemson -3.5

What to expect: Clemson is 2-5 against the spread in its last 5 games and 2-4 ATS in the last 6 when playing as the favorite, but the Hurricanes are 4-13 ATS in the last 17 and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 at home. Something has to give, and Miami just might have the bodies up front to slow Clemson's ground attack, giving Tyler Van Dyke some to find room downfield.

ATS pick: Miami +3.5

Ole Miss at Auburn

The line: Ole Miss -6.5

What to expect: The Rebels are 4-2 against the spread in their last 6 games, while Auburn is just 1-4 ATS in the last 5 overall, but 4-1 ATS at home in the last 5. Auburn's defensive reputation took a hit against LSU, and the Rebs' skill threats should take over in the second half, and the Tigers' offense is posting under 17 points per game in SEC play. Auburn's 1st SEC win for Hugh Freeze is still on hold.

ATS pick: Ole Miss -6.5

Tennessee at Alabama

The line: Alabama -8.5

What to expect: Many of the key contributors in the Vols' landmark upset from a year ago are gone, as is Bryce Young. Both sides play strong run defense, ranking top 10 nationally in yards per carry allowed. That could favor Tennessee (6-2 ATS in the last 8), which plays college football's 6th best rushing offense, a phase of the game Alabama may not be able to match behind a still-questionable line going against UT's able front seven. Alabama wins at home, but close.

ATS pick: Tennessee +8.5

Penn State at Ohio State

The line: Ohio State -4.5

What to expect: Penn State doesn't turn the ball over, runs the ball with authority, and plays some of the nation's premier defense in any phase. Plus, it's 7-0 against the spread in its last 7 games and 6-1 ATS in the last 7 against Ohio State, in particular. OSU's protection is somewhat battle-tested thanks to the Notre Dame game, but the Bucks have injuries at running back and Kyle McCord is still very unproven.

ATS pick: Penn State +4.5

---

Bet on Week 8 college football here

Whether you're tailing or fading us — we suggest the latter — here's how you can get in on the action this week

Join FanDuel here to claim $200 worth of bonus bets after wagering just $5 on any game.

Claim $200 in Bonus Bets instantly when you Bet $5 with DraftKings.

Get $200 in Bonus Bets with Bet365 here when you Bet Just $1 on any college football game.

Get up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets with Points Bet right here.

Or get $1,500 paid back in bonus bets from BetMGM if you don’t win.

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks