We’re heading into the mid-stretch of the college football season, and things are undoubtedly heating up. With some huge matchups and thrilling conference games on the slate, there's plenty of action to look forward to. It seems like there’s a championship-style game each week.
Whether you’re placing your bets or just watching for the love of the game, these picks and prop bets are sure to keep you engaged and hopefully load up your bankroll.
Michigan: -3.5 -115
Illinois: u45 –112
Michigan has had a bumpy ride this season, especially at quarterback, where they’ve been forced to rely on their third starter, Jack Tuttle. While the Wolverines have struggled with consistency in the passing game, they’ve been fairly dominant on the ground. Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards are a dangerous duo, combining for over 900 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
On the other side, Illinois has a relatively tough defense but has had issues stopping the run lately/ They’ve given up big rushing numbers in recent games.
This clash will likely be won in the trenches, with Michigan looking to pound the ball downfield, while Illinois leans on quarterback Luke Altmyer to keep pace.
The Wolverines will need to control this game with their run-first offense. While Illinois could keep it close at home, Michigan’s ground game will wear them down. As for the best bet, Edwards is all set for a breakout game, and with Illinois struggling to stop the run, he’s a great bet to find the end zone anytime during the 60 minutes of play.
Pick: Michigan -4
Prop Bet: Donovan Edwards Anytime TD (-110)
Alabama: -3 -110
Tennessee: o56.5 –115
The "Third Saturday in October" rivalry is always one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. We look forward to it every year.
Both Alabama and Tennessee need this win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Jalen Milroe has been dynamic for Alabama, passing for nearly 1,500 yards and rushing for 11 touchdowns. Tennessee, led by running back Dylan Sampson, has been somewhat explosive on offense, averaging over 480 yards per game. Both are studs on their side of the ball.
The biggest thing we’re seeing this year is that Alabama’s defense is not what it once was. Tennessee will look to exploit that with its balanced attack. Expect a back-and-forth battle with both offenses moving the ball well.
Tennessee has home-field advantage and more firepower on offense. Expect the Vols to keep this one close, if not pull off an outright win. They should easily cover the spread. On top of that, Sampson has been Tennessee’s workhorse, leading the SEC in rushing. He’s a safe bet to score.
Pick: Tennessee +3
Prop Bet: Dylan Sampson Anytime TD (-330)
Georgia: o56.5 -110
Texas: -4.5 –118
Texas has been a machine this season. They’ll be put to the test against a solid Georgia squad for what looks to be their toughest challenge this year.
Quinn Ewers has been in control of the offense, and Texas’ defense has been nearly impenetrable. They’ve allowed just 6.3 points per game. Georgia, led by Carson Beck, will need a near-perfect performance to upset the Longhorns in Austin.
This game could be the biggest test for both teams in the run-up to the College Football Playoff.
Georgia’s defense will need to slow down a Texas offense that averages nearly 500 yards per game, while Texas' defense will focus on shutting down Beck’s passing attack.
The Longhorns have been dominant on both sides of the ball and should have enough to cover the spread against Georgia. Will they win? That’s a bit tougher. Despite this, Georgia’s defense has shown some cracks this season, so we think Ewers should have plenty of opportunities to air it out.
Pick: Texas -5
Prop Bet: Quinn Ewers Over 2.5 Passing TDs (+110)
Oklahoma State: o52 -110
BYU: -9 -110
BYU is off to a hot start at 6-0 and looks to extend their unbeaten run against Oklahoma State.
The Cowboys have had a rough go in the Big 12, especially on defense, where they rank near the bottom in stopping the run.
We’re expecting BYU to lean heavily on their rushing attack to control this game while Oklahoma State will rely on running back Ollie Gordon II, who has been a bright spot despite the team’s struggles through the first 8 weeks.
The key here will be whether Oklahoma State can keep up with BYU’s balanced offense.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been fairly efficient, and with the Cowboys missing some of their most reliable defensive players, BYU should have the upper hand.
At home and riding a wave of momentum, BYU should easily cover the spread. Oklahoma State’s defense just doesn’t have the pieces to slow them down. While they might not notch the W, Gordon has been one of the few reliable options for Oklahoma State. He’s likely to get into the end zone even in a losing effort — plus we love anytime TDs.
Pick: BYU -9
Prop Bet: Ollie Gordon Anytime TD (-150)
Auburn: o50.5 -115
Missouri: -4 –108
Missouri bounced back from their loss to Texas A&M with a dominant win over UMass. They’ll look to keep that momentum going against an Auburn team that’s still searching for their first SEC win.
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has been, for the most part, consistent all season, and running back Marcus Carroll is coming off a three-touchdown awe-inspiring performance.
Auburn, on the other hand, has been struggling offensively. We’re not so sure that they get it together for this game, either. Jarquez Hunter leads their ground game, but they’ve had trouble getting into a rhythm against tougher competition. Missouri’s defense should be able to limit Auburn’s scoring chances in all four quarters.
Missouri has been excellent at home and should cover the small spread against a struggling Auburn squad. While they might use multiple tools to burn them, Carroll is Missouri’s go-to guy in the red zone. We expect him to punch in at least one score in this game.
Pick: Missouri -4
Prop Bet: Marcus Carroll Anytime TD (+105)
These Week 8 matchups feature everything from intense rivalry games to critical conference showdowns. Whether you're looking for a smart bet on the spread or a solid prop to back, there's plenty of action to capitalize on.
Head over to your favorite sportsbook and start loading up that bet slip!