FIW staff picks winners of the top Week 8 games in college football

Notre Dame football won’t play this weekend, as it will have an off-week before taking on Navy next weekend.

Even though the Irish aren’t on the field, that doesn’t mean there aren’t multiple games of significance across college football. By not playing this weekend, the Notre Dame coaching staff has a chance to get out on the recruiting trail, self-scout to figure out what went wrong at BYU, and get healthy.

On top of that, they’ll be able to see their biggest game of the year’s opponent, Miami. The staff here consisting of Tim Healey, Sunny Verma, Kevin Smith and Michael Chen pick the winners of the best games of Week 8, as Notre Dame is off.

Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2) at No. 1 Miami Hurricanes (6-0)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. CDT on ESPN

Healey - Miami once again looks like a title contender. That's not to say Notre Dame can't beat the 'Canes in a few weeks, but we'll worry about that then. For now, I don't see Pittsburgh upsetting the Hurricanes. Some years, Pitt is dangerous. And a couple weeks ago, the Panthers may have been. But I am not sure they are, and I am sure Miami will have no problem with them.

Verma - The Hurricanes got a lot of mojo now that they're ranked in the No. 1 spot. I think they win this game pretty easily.

Smith - The Hurricanes' fresh placement into the No. 1 spot could last longer than most teams previously in the position because they are undoubtedly a national title contender. Pittsburgh could give them a fight, but I think the Hurricanes will spin to a win without a problem.

Chen - The No. 1 curse has happened plenty of times, as the Hurricanes will have a solid opponent in Pittsburgh. The Panthers just don’t have the depth to hang with Miami, as their undefeated march towards the Irish continues.

No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers (6-1) at Michigan Wolverines (4-2)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. CDT on FOX

Healey - Michigan is a mess. A talented mess that can win some games, but still a mess. Meanwhile, Indiana barely lost to a title-contending Ohio State team -- if a wide receiver's foot was placed better, the Hoosiers might still be undefeated. I think Indiana takes this one.

Verma - I have a sneaky feeling about this game. I don't think Michigan wins outright but this change at the quarterback position could be what needs to wake the Wolverines up. We know Indiana is good but we also know Indiana is not last year's team. I'm going to say Indiana squeaks out a win at the Big House.

Smith - I still firmly believe that the Wolverines should be 3-3 (you know why)...that being said, Michigan is a hot mess and it's not picking itself up completely anytime soon, especially after the benching of Bryce Underwood. Indiana, on the other hand, battled with Ohio State and could have found a way to win that game. Still, coming off a loss, I think the Hoosiers will slip past Michigan and continue to rack up wins as they go.

Chen - This is a huge game for both teams, as the Hoosiers look to rebound after a close defeat to Ohio State and the Wolverines are making a quarterback change. Indiana will start off slow, but will have more than enough left in the tank to get a solid road win.

No. 18 LSU Tigers (5-2) at Auburn Tigers (4-2)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. CDT on ABC

Healey - LSU is hard to read. Auburn just orchestrated a big upset. I've been getting my butt kicked in most of my non-Notre Dame picks. I am currently in search of some scratch paper and a dartboard -- tossing darts at paper labeled "LSU" and "Auburn" would probably work better for me. But since I don't have a dartboard handy, I will just shrug my shoulders and take a ranked LSU team.

Verma - Flip a coin in the SEC this season. Auburn with a huge upset last week will try to continue to ride that momentum this week with LSU coming into town. I think Auburn goes two for two in upsets and gets a big victory at home.

Smith - The SEC doesn't really know what it wants to be right now. There are upsets one after another, and the stunner that Auburn pulled off against Alabama is the latest one. If Auburn were to beat LSU, I don't think it would be an upset when you consider the losses that LSU has faced (Ole Miss, Kentucky) these past few weeks. I think Auburn has this one at home.

Chen - Interestingly enough, Auburn wasn’t ranked after beat then No. 1 Georgia to set up a top-25 matchup. They’re still a very good team, and I still don’t believe in LSU. The home Tigers get a second big win in-a-row.

No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels (5-1) at No. 19 Texas Longhorns (4-2)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. CDT on ABC

Healey - This is where we learn if Texas is truly in a bad place this year or isn't as bad as some say. Can they rebound from back-to-back losses? Or were they overrated from season's start? Ole Miss, meanwhile, is quietly very good. If they were home, I'd take the Rebels. Since it's at Texas, the game is tougher to call. I'll go with the Rebels here, I have a feeling Texas is still a bit rattled.

Verma - Is the Texas season spiraling downward? Oddly, I trust Ole Miss more than I trust what is going on in Austin right now. Already whispers of Sark's job security being made, I am going to go with the Rebels in this one.

Smith - I'll immediately say that I'm going with Ole Miss in this game. Arch Manning is extremely overrated and Texas will never be the team it wants to be in the SEC, especially with Steve Sarkisian at the helm. There is just too much good going for the Rebels, and I think they'll knock off the Longhorns with ease. I honestly believe that loss to Florida was a fluke, so Ole Miss will have this matchup against Texas in the bag.

Chen - Another team from the SEC that isn’t nearly as good as everyone thought are the Longhorns, who have tons of talent, but just can’t put it together. They’ll try again, but it won’t be easy, as the Rebels have built a very good program over the last few seasons. Ole Miss in a very close one.

No. 14 Houston Cougars (6-1) at No. 10 Utah Utes (6-0)

Game data: Sat., Oct. 24 at 9:15 p.m. CDT on ESPN

Healey - Utah, like BYU, is playing the "we're really good but get no respect because no one sees our games" card. Houston is a very quiet 6-1. I think Utah takes a close one.

Verma - Big game for both teams if they have College Football Playoff hopes. I think Utah wins this one.

Smith - Utah is quietly putting itself into the College Football Playoff consideration and honestly, why not? The thought of having two Utah-based teams (BYU) in the CFP is wildly interesting. I like the Utes to pull this one out against the Cougars.

Chen - PAC-12 after dark vibes with this one, as most of us will be getting ready for bed. However, this one will be worth staying up for, as both of these offenses put up tons of points. It’ll be a high scoring affair, as the Utes find a way late to pull it out and stay undefeated.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: FIW staff picks winners of the top Week 8 games in college football