College Football Week 8 Predictions: Every Game, Every Pick

The massive matchups aren’t there, but plenty of seasons will be broken with tough losses, and some teams will turn into real players in their respective conference chases. North Dakota State and New Mexico will play in a huge Mountain West battle of top defenses, Virginia Tech and Clemson will play one of the better ACC games of the day, and Kentucky will try to stay in the SEC and CFP mix against Vanderbilt. Below are a slew of quick previews and predictions, and jump here for the full game previews for the biggest games.

College Football Week 8 Predictions

Sep 19, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Luke Moga (10) throws during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cal at SMU

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: SMU -18.5, o/u: 55.5
SMU is quietly putting itself in a College Football Playoff position, and maybe a shot at the ACC title along the way, with a ridiculous run of five home games in six dates. Cal is the third game in the run, and it’s hanging on for dear life.
The Bears make too many mistakes, and the Mustangs turn it over too much, but this comes down to one simple thing. SMU will be able to move the ball, and Cal won’t.
Prediction: SMU 35, Cal 17

Rice at Florida Atlantic

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: Florida Atlantic -8.5, o/u: 53.5
Rice runs, Florida Atlantic throws, and Florida Atlantic does what it does better. The Owls just can’t get this thing off the ground, stalling way too often, but Florida Atlantic has one of the nation’s worst run defenses. This should be a sneaky-fun game, with the Owls being able to run, too.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 34, Rice 20

Western Michigan at Toledo

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Toledo -2.5, o/u: 47.5
Is this a preview of the MAC Championship? Western Michigan’s offense has been way too inconsistent – which doesn’t make any sense, but okay – with the defense carrying the team by holding up time and again. Toledo will open it up a bit and make the Broncos follow. Toledo will be more effective.
Prediction: Toledo 26, Western Michigan 23

Akron at Kent State

Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Kent State -2.5, o/u: 47.5
Akron can’t get this dog to hunt. It’s been able to fight with a few teams, but for the most part, the lack of defensive consistency has been a killer in a season without a win over an FBS team.
Kent State’s offense has gone bye-bye, but it’s not as bad as it seems. Okay, so it’s hard to sell a team that scored ten points or fewer against every FBS team except for Ball State. That will change this week.
Prediction: Kent State 23, Akron 17Cal at SMU | Rice at FAU | WMU at Toledo
Akron at Kent St | Bay at KU | Miami Un at CMU
BC at Ga Tech | UNT at Navy | Hawaii at NIU
Sac St at Ball St | BGSU at UB | EMU at Ohio
K-St at ASU | ULM at Troy | SJSU at Nevada
La at USM | ODU at La Tech | Boise St at Wazzu
SDSU at Col St | Ga St at Ark St | VT at Clem
Col at Ok St | Vandy at UK | Syracuse at UNC
Utah St at TXSt | UTSA at Tulane | NDSU at UNM

Baylor at Kansas

Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: TNT
Consensus Line: Baylor -1.5, o/u: 53.5
Which Baylor offense will show up? Considering the Kansas defense isn’t stopping anyone lately, this will quickly grow into a bit of a firefight. The Bear defense hasn’t allowed more than 19 points in any game, but Kansas will score at home early on, and the defense will once again fail late.
Prediction: Baylor 27, Kansas 24

Miami University at Central Michigan

Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Miami University -3.5, o/u: 40.5
Neither team is scoring, but Miami is able to win low-scoring fights. At home, Central Michigan will run just well enough, and its non-existent passing game will finally show up.
Prediction: Central Michigan 23, Miami University 17

Oct 17, 2026; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Dalen Penson (7) celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images

Boston College at Georgia Tech

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Consensus Line: Georgia Tech -4.5, o/u: 49.5
The Georgia Tech defense isn’t taking the ball away, and the Boston College defense is. The Eagle lines are horrible, but the defense will force a few key mistakes for the offense to capitalize on. The Yellow Jackets will get the win at home, but it’ll take something quirky – like a big punt return – to do it.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 27, Boston College 23

North Texas at Navy

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: North Texas -2.5, o/u: 62.5
The North Texas run defense isn’t bad enough to get destroyed by the Navy ground game. The Midshipmen will run for 300 yards, but that won’t be enough to overcome a Mean Green offense that can run, too. Here’s Navy’s biggest problem: North Texas will win the time of possession battle.
Prediction: North Texas 34, Navy 30

Hawaii at Northern Illinois

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: Mountain West
Consensus Line: Hawaii -3.5, o/u: 47.5
What’s the problem with Northern Illinois? It doesn’t have any passing game whatsoever, and the running attack isn’t great, either. Hawaii’s defense isn’t anything special, but it’ll handle the Huskies. The Rainbow Warriors have a hard time turning drives into points, but it’ll come up with a decent burst that NIU won’t counter. (It will also help the team from Honolulu that the weather in DeKalb will be wonderful.)
Prediction: Hawaii 26, Northern Illinois 21

Sacramento State at Ball State

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Ball State -14.5, o/u: 51.5
Ball State might not be playing well, but the offense perked up in the 32-31 win over Bowling Green last week. Sacramento State is able to hold on in games for a little while, but then the defense starts to buckle. Ball State will pull away in the second half, helped by the defense that will stop everything late.
Prediction: Ball State 34, Sacramento State 16

Bowling Green at Buffalo

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Buffalo -3.5, o/u: 44.5
If you’re a true college football geek who enjoys the sheer entertainment value of the sport, give a look at this. Neither team is very good, but Bowling Green’s defense should keep Buffalo’s attack from doing anything through the air, and the Bulls will find funky ways to manufacture points. It’ll come down to the final drive in a low-scoring brawl.
Prediction: Buffalo 24, Bowling Green 20

Eastern Michigan at Ohio

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: Ohio -10.5, o/u: 48.5
Will Ohio be able to focus enough to put away an Eastern Michigan team that struggles to score against decent teams? It hasn’t always been smooth, but the Bobcats have looked the part of a possible MAC champion thanks to a defense that’s not giving up a thing.
Prediction: Ohio 34, Eastern Michigan 14

Kansas State at Arizona State

Game Time: 3:45 PM ET
TV: ESPN2
Consensus Line: Kansas State -1.5, o/u: 52.5
Didn’t you used to be Arizona State? The defense has melted down in Big 12 play, giving up 55 points to Baylor and 53 to Texas Tech. Kansas State is expected to get back quarterback Avery Johnson after he got hurt last week. The Sun Devil defense will keep struggling.
Prediction: Kansas State 34, Arizona State 26

ULM at Troy

Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Troy -11.5, o/u: 50.5
Troy’s offense has been wildly inconsistent, but that’s about to stop at home against a ULM defense that’s getting hammered by everyone. For a desperate Trojan team that needs to get winning again fast to have a shot at a bowl game, it’ll keep on hammering away against the winless Warhawks.
Prediction: Troy 34, ULM 16

San Jose State at Nevada

Game Time: 5:00 PM ET
TV: Mountain West
Consensus Line: Nevada -6.5, o/u: 46.5
San Jose State has started to play better, especially on the road. The offense isn’t doing much, but the team is finally starting to win more of the close games. Nevada is wildly hit-or-miss, but the defense has failed in key moments. It’ll do it again as the Spartans come up with a walk-off field goal to win.
Prediction: San Jose State 24, Nevada 23

Louisiana at Southern Miss

Game Time: 5:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Louisiana -9.5, o/u: 52.5
Louisiana has to avoid making a slew of big mistakes, and it’s okay to go a bit conservative here. Southern Miss will cover, but the offense won’t control the clock when it needs to, and three turnovers will be a killer.
Prediction: Louisiana 34, Southern Miss 24

Old Dominion at Louisiana Tech

Game Time: 5:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Louisiana Tech -13.5, o/u: 44.5
A massive disappointment, Old Dominion can’t score, but it was still able to beat the App State team that shocked James Madison. Louisiana Tech tends to make things hard on itself, but at home it won’t need much to get by the punchless Monarchs with the nation’s worst offense.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 28, Old Dominion 16

Boise State at Washington State

Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
TV: USA Network
Consensus Line: Boise State- 14.5, o/u: 53.5
BE CAREFUL with this. With James Madison losing to App State, the path to the Group of Six team in the College Football Playoff is wide open for the Broncos, but Washington State is beyond overdue for a great performance. The Cougar defense will keep the Broncos from going off, but the lack of scoring punch will show why it’s a 1-6 team.
Prediction: Boise State 30, Washington State 16

San Diego State at Colorado State

Game Time: 6:30 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: San Diego State -1.5, o/u: 63.5
Colorado State allowed Texas State to run for 503 yards and eight scores last week in a 66-27 loss. Oregon State ran for 223 yards on the Rams, BYU for 332 yards, and UTSA for 239 yards. San Diego State is awful on the road, but star running back Lucky Sutton is expected to be ready, along with leading rusher Javion Kinnard.
Prediction: San Diego State 34, Colorado State 31

Georgia State at Arkansas State

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Consensus Line: Georgia State -2.5, o/u: 58.5
Georgia State hit a wall in a 49-22 loss to James Madison, but it’s still playing well offensively, and it should be able to load up against an Arkansas State defense that’s been hit-or-miss. The Red Wolves will struggle with their offensive consistency, especially with the passing game.
Prediction: Georgia State 31, Arkansas State 27

Oct 10, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach James Franklin watches his team warm up before taking on the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Virginia Tech at Clemson

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Clemson -2.5, o/u: 49.5
This will be fascinating. Virginia Tech has one of the nation’s best pass rushes, and Clemson can’t stop anyone from getting into its backfield. James Franklin’s Hokies might not have the personnel quite yet, but they’ll give Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds a rough day. This will be a fun, intense night game to go out of your way to watch.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 26, Clemson 23

Colorado at Oklahoma State

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Consensus Line: Oklahoma State -13.5, o/u: 56.5
Don’t read too much into Colorado’s great performance in a 27-24 loss to Utah. The offense is struggling, and the defense that played relatively well over the last two weeks won’t hold up against the rocking Oklahoma State offense that’s hitting its stride.
Prediction: Oklahoma State 37, Colorado 20

Vanderbilt at Kentucky

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: SEC Network
Consensus Line: Kentucky -10.5, o/u: 51.5
Can Kentucky keep its focus coming off the win over Oklahoma and with Tennessee coming up next? Yeah, but like everything else with the Wildcats, it won’t come easy. Vanderbilt will get up early, and then it’ll all stop as the Kentucky passing game gets rolling in the second half.
Prediction: Kentucky 35, Vanderbilt 23

Syracuse at North Carolina

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ACC Network
Consensus Line: North Carolina -9.5, o/u: 47.5
Syracuse might be 2-4, but it’s playing relatively well considering it can’t get a quarterback to stay healthy and/or keep the gig. The last three Orange games have been close, and the last two North Carolina games were decided by a combined seven points. Once again, the Tar Heels will get just enough defense to get by.
Prediction: North Carolina 27, Syracuse 20

Utah State at Texas State

Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Texas State -13.5, o/u: 60.5
Will the Texas State offense show up? Utah State’s defense is good enough to keep this from getting too ugly, but the Bobcats know how to ramp it up at home. Utah State will be happy to keep up the pace, but it’ll come up with a few empty trips, and that will be the opening for the Bobcat passing game to take over.
Prediction: Texas State 38, Utah State 24

UTSA at Tulane

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: UTSA -2.5, o/u: 51.5
Tulane finally came up with a strong performance against a good team, beating Memphis 31-17, but UTSA won’t turn the ball over six times like the Tigers did last week. The Roadrunners know how to win tight games, and they’ll do it again with the offense continuing to score and forcing the Green Wave to keep up.
Prediction: UTSA 27, Tulane 24

North Dakota State at New Mexico

Game Time: 10:00 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: New Mexico -4.5, o/u: 40.5
It’s the game you have to see this weekend, even if it’s a late-night showdown. New Mexico leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 10.5 points per game, and North Dakota State is second, allowing 11.3 yards an outing.
The Bison have shown they were more than ready to be a part of the FBS fun, but the passing game is more safe than explosive, and it’s about to have a problem with a New Mexico defensive front that’s amazing at getting into the backfield.
Neither team makes mistakes, and both will take advantage of any opening. At home, though, the Lobos will come up with the one deep shot needed to open it up just a wee bit late.
Prediction: New Mexico 23, North Dakota State 16

Biggest College Football Games of Week 8

Texas Tech at Cincinnati
Pitt at Miami
Indiana at Michigan
LSU at Auburn
Texas A&M at Alabama
Iowa State at Arizona
BYU at UCF
Iowa at Minnesota
Rutgers at Northwestern
Oklahoma at Mississippi State
Oregon at Illinois
West Virginia at TCU
Tennessee at South Carolina
Ole Miss at Texas
Michigan State at UCLA
USC at Wisconsin
Houston at Utah

Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Source: Yahoo Sports