Week 8 of the 2020 NCAA college football season is this week, and another conference is set to kick things off. The Big Ten Conference will begin its season this weekend, which provides some additional betting opportunities.
There aren’t as many Top 25 showdowns on the schedule this week, but plenty of top teams will be in action. Here is a brief betting overview of 10 of the best college football games set to take place in Week 8.
Big Ten football will kick off on Friday night when the Wisconsin Badgers host the Illinois Fighting Illini. Wisconsin is expected to contend for the league title this season, while Illinois has some question marks.
The Wisconsin offense takes the field without running back Jonathan Taylor this season, which could provide some trouble. The Badgers will still feature a stout defense, but they must find a way to score points.
Illinois pulled off a stunning upset over Wisconsin a season ago, and it will be looking to build off momentum gained from that win. Veteran quarterback Brandon Peters is extremely talented, but Illinois doesn’t have much of a defense.
This game won’t be a high-scoring affair, and that will allow Illinois to keep it close. Take the 23.5 points and bet on Illinois in this game.
The No. 1 Clemson Tigers are a perfect 5-0 this season, and they are clicking on all cylinders. Syracuse is just 1-4 this season, and it is a huge underdog in this game.
Clemson put up 73 points in a Week 7 win over Georgia Tech, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw five touchdowns in the first half. Running back Travis Ettienne has picked up 436 yards on the ground this season.
Syracuse is scoring less than 20 points per game this season, and it really struggles to run the ball. The Orange are severely overmatched in this one, and it could get out of hand in a hurry.
It’s never easy for a team to cover a 44.5-point spread, but Clemson will get the job done in this game.
Auburn enters this game with a record of 2-2, and it has fallen out of the Top 25. Ole Miss has now lost two straight games, and it is just 1-3 this season.
The Rebels are allowing 47 points per game this season, which is the worst mark in all of college football. Ole Miss is averaging more than 335 passing yards per game, but it is facing a stout defense in this game.
Auburn is really struggling to score points, and quarterback Bo Nix continues to be inconsistent. The Tigers still have several future NFL stars on their defense, but Auburn has to find a way to score.
This game will be tight throughout, but Auburn (-3.5) will find just enough offense to come away with a win.
North Carolina fell from the ranks of the unbeaten in Week 7, suffering a huge upset loss to Florida State. North Carolina State enters this game with a record of 4-1 and has won three straight.
Quarterback Sam Howell has been terrific for the Tar Heels this season, throwing for almost 290 yards per game. North Carolina is also averaging almost 230 rushing yards per game, making for a balanced offense.
North Carolina State has scored at least 30 points in all four of its victories this season, and this offense is starting to click. The Wolfpack do have some concerns on defense, and the run defense will be tested in this game.
A 14.5-point spread is too much for this rivalry game, and the Wolfpack will keep this close. North Carolina wins the game, but North Carolina State covers the spread.
Penn State and Indiana will kick off their 2020 seasons on Saturday, and the Nittany Lions are 6.5-point favorites. Penn State is one of the favorites to win the Big Ten this season, but Indiana is expected to be a contender.
Indiana returns 17 starters from an eight-win team a season ago, and the defense is expected to carry this team. Running the ball could be a challenge for the Hoosiers, but this team has a ton of weapons on the outside.
Quarterback Sean Clifford is back to lead the Penn State offense, but the team will have a new offensive coordinator this season. The Nittany Lions should be stout on defense in 2020, but this will be a tough test.
This game should be tight throughout, but Penn State will be able to come away with a double-digit victory.
This was supposed to be the year that Tennessee turned things around, but it has now lost two straight games. Alabama is a perfect 4-0 this season and blew out Georgia on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
Tennessee has scored just 28 total points in its last two games, and that won’t get it done in the mighty SEC. The defense will be key in this game as the Vols are taking on an explosive Alabama offense.
Alabama is averaging 48.5 points per game this season, and they just put up 41 points on a great Georgia defense. Quarterback Mac Jones has thrown for 1,518 passing yards this season to go along with 12 touchdowns.
The Crimson Tide might be the best team in the country, and they roll over the Volunteers in this game.
Notre Dame has climbed up to No. 3 in the polls with a perfect 4-0 record, but things have not always been easy. Pittsburgh has now lost three straight games after starting 3-0.
The defense carried Pittsburgh to begin the season, but the Panthers have now allowed at least 30 points in three straight games. Pittsburgh is averaging more than 283 passing yards per game, and it will have to throw it well in this game.
Notre Dame scored just 12 points in a win over Louisville last weekend, and the Irish really struggled in the red zone. Running back Kyren Williams leads the Irish with 486 rushing yards, and he has been the star of that offense.
Look for Notre Dame to find more offense in this game, as the Fighting Irish win this game by double-digits.
Oklahoma State will host Iowa State in a huge Big 12 Conference matchup featuring a pair of ranked opponents. The Cowboys are a perfect 3-0 so far this season, while Iowa State is 3-1.
Oklahoma State is allowing just nine points per game this season, and its defense has been extremely impressive. The Cowboys can also run the football, with running back Chuba Hubbard leading the way.
Iowa State has recovered after a stunning upset loss in Week 1, and the offense is leading the way. Running back Breece Hall has run for 531 yards and eight touchdowns already this season.
This game should be a great battle, but Oklahoma State covers the 3.5-point spread.
Minnesota and Michigan will square off on Saturday in what will likely be an important game in the Big Ten race. Minnesota went 10-2 during the regular season in 2019, while Michigan finished the season with a 9-4 record.
Quarterback Tanner Morgan is back for the Gophers, but he will be without two of his biggest playmakers. Minnesota was a great defensive team a season ago, and that unit will need to step up in this game.
Michigan was hit hard by graduation a season ago, and it will have a new quarterback under center. The Wolverines will still have plenty of talent on the field, but this will be a huge test in Week 1.
Minnesota has momentum from 2019, and it will start its 2020 season off with a seven-point win.
The most anticipated Week 8 matchup will take place in the American Athletic Conference. SMU is a perfect 5-0 so far this season, and Cincinnati brings a 3-0 record into this matchup.
SMU features an explosive offensive attack that is averaging more than 42 points per game. The Mustangs are led by quarterback Shane Buechele, who is throwing for close to 360 yards per game.
Cincinnati is allowing just 12.3 points per game, and it will look to slow things down in this game. The Bearcats average 178 rushing yards per game, but this team has a balanced offensive attack.
The team that is able to establish their identity wins this game, and it will be Cincinnati on Saturday night. The Bearcats come away with a three-point win.
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