College football best bets Week 8: Georgia covers at Texas, Illinois at Michigan and three more spread bets
Another fantastic week of college football and another week of my college football projection model staying flat against the betting market. For the fourth week in a row, the model saw a gain or loss of less than one unit (three winning weeks, one losing week).
Last week was a bit unfortunate. South Florida had to move their game to Orlando (I thought they were going to play Sunday), and UCF made a quarterback change that seemed to come out of nowhere. Win some, lose some. It is what it is.
Last week's record: 4-4, -0.35 units
Season Record: 26-29-2, -3.99 units, -6.4% ROI
Five bets to turn on the cards this week, including one for the second week in a row in Game of the Week. Let's hope the underdog can come out victorious for us once again. Some totals will come in the next day or two as we get a little closer to kick-off and get a better picture of what the weather will be like. As always, shop around for the best price! Good luck to us!
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Best Bets for College Football Week 8
Georgia +3.5 (-110) at Texas
I have no problem favoring Texas at home against Georgia, but the field goal is a little too rich for me. Georgia's offense may have some issues, but the defense is still elite. And while Texas has put up great defensive numbers this season, they haven't played the best competition yet. I think Georgia is by far the best offense that they've faced this season and I think it showed on Saturday.
- Worst value for bets: Georgia +3 (-110)
Arizona State +3 (-105) at Cincinnati
Arizona State should have a matchup advantage on the ground in this case. According to Gameonpaper.com, the Sun Devils rank 14th in rushing yards on offense. Cincinnati's defense ranks 103rd in the same metric. If Cincinnati continues to leak yards on the ground all night, let alone cover this number, they will be hard pressed to win the game. I guess they have this game close to a pick.
- Worst value for bets: Arizona State +3 (-110)
Rutgers -6.5 (-110) vs. UCLA
UCLA has a brutal schedule from a travel standpoint. They started the year in Hawaii, had a bye before playing at home, then traveled to LSU, then returned home, then to Penn State, then returned home, before now traveling to Rutgers. That's a lot of travel for a team that isn't very good. Factor in a noon ET start and a lot is going against the Bruins from a situational standpoint. And that's before I get my number, which is almost double the number. A touchdown or less is worth a shot at Rutgers here.
- Worst value for bets: Rutgers -7 (-110)
Michigan -1.5 (-105) at Illinois
This is a bye-low spot in Michigan. The defending national champions expect starting quarterback Jack Tuttle to be their starter all season, but his recovery from last season's injury took longer than expected. That offense could be absolutely anemic against anyone with a pulse this year. Tuttle should give them some downfield passing game while also being able to take care of the football. Does he do them well? not at all But he is definitely an upgrade.
- Worst value for bets: Michigan -2.5 (-110)
West Virginia +3 (-110) vs. Kansas State
Back to the well here with West Virginia after losing to them last week. Their game against Iowa State didn't scream double-digit losses and actually looked like a pretty even game. Kansas State is in back-to-back road games, so it's a bit of a tough spot here as well. West Virginia can't really defend the pass, but Kansas State isn't that great at throwing it. The latter half of the Big 12 season should be entertaining, and I wouldn't mind kicking it off with an upset here by the Mountaineers.
- Worst value for bets: West Virginia +3 (-110)
(Photo by Branson Robinson: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)