Trevor Knapp
• Betting Analyst
7+ years betting experience
Updated:
Oct 23, 2026 , 09:00 PM ET
• 4 min read
Michigan, Alabama, Texas, and more: our analysts’ top pick in every Week 8 matchup.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Tommy Carr, Keelon Russell, and Arch Manning headline Saturday’s slate.
Our Week 8 college football top picks for Saturday are here: one top pick from each game below, listed in kickoff order (all times ET) with the analyst behind every play.
A “top pick” is the analyst’s best angle in that preview, which isn’t always the point spread. Lines move, so confirm the number in the college football odds before locking in your picks.
Week 8 college football top picks at a glance (Saturday, Oct. 24)
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Noon ET games
Indiana vs. Michigan
Top pick: Michigan +7.5
Colby Marchio’s Indiana vs. Michigan predictions back the Wolverines at +7.5 and would play them down to +7. With Bryce Underwood sitting, Tommy Carr is set to make his first collegiate start, which Marchio sees as a possible lift for an offense that has struggled.
Michigan’s defense allows the fewest yards per play in the country, the second-fewest total yards and just over 16 points per game. Marchio expects some bettors to chase Indiana after its narrow loss to Ohio State but still prefers the points. His total lean is the Under 41.5.
LSU vs. Auburn
Top pick: Under 51.5
Chris Hatfield’s LSU vs. Auburn predictions make the Under 51.5 his top pick, and he would play it down to 49.5. He expects Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown to lean on his legs, which keeps the clock moving.
LSU’s defense has held opponents to 4.35 yards per play, and Hatfield says he still hasn’t seen enough from quarterback Sam Leavitt to count on big plays from the LSU offense. He also lays LSU -7.5 on the spread.
Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati
Top pick: Cincinnati +11.5
Nick Galaida’s Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati predictions take the Bearcats at +11.5, playable up to 54%. He argues the unbeaten, No. 8 Red Raiders have padded their record against weaker opponents.
Texas Tech edged No. 22 Houston 28-26 while being outgained, and it has allowed 472 yards to Oregon State and 415 to Arizona State. Galaida adds that Cincinnati’s rushing offense is 11th nationally. His total lean is the Over 56.5.
3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. ET games
Oregon vs. Illinois
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Under 50.5
Geoff Clark’s Oregon vs. Illinois predictions make the Under 50.5 his top pick, playable down to 49.5. Neither team will have its starting quarterback: Oregon is without Dante Moore, and Illinois is without Katin House.
Oregon has scored just 32 combined points over its last two games, with midgame quarterback changes in both, while its defense has allowed 29 over that span. Clark also leans Oregon -9.5, up to -10.5.
Iowa vs. Minnesota
Top pick: Minnesota +6.5
Colby Marchio’s Iowa vs. Minnesota predictions back the Golden Gophers at +6.5, the lowest number he would take. Both teams are coming off byes, and Minnesota is looking for its first win since Oct. 3.
Marchio points to Minnesota’s 28-14 straight-up and 22-18-2 against-the-spread record at home since 2020, and he says the 5-1 Hawkeyes are laying too many points. His total lean is the Under 40.5.
Michigan State vs. UCLA
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Analyst: JD Yonke
Top pick: Under 42.5
JD Yonke’s Michigan State vs. UCLA predictions make the Under 42.5 his top pick. UCLA ranks 125th in seconds per snap, and Michigan State’s offense is 119th in EPA per play.
UCLA’s defense is second in EPA per play allowed, and the Bruins are playing without quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Yonke also likes Michigan State +14.5 and would play it at +14 or better.
Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: SEC Network
- Analyst: JD Yonke
Top pick: Mississippi State +4.5
JD Yonke’s Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State predictions take the Bulldogs at +4.5 and would play them down to +3.5. He is hopeful quarterback Kamario Taylor returns, even with a hobbled foot.
Oklahoma ranks 133rd in offensive EPA per play and may be missing four offensive line starters. Yonke notes the Sooners are 0-3 against the spread as a favorite since the opener. His total lean is the Over 46.5, which depends on Taylor playing.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Alabama -13.5
Rob Paul’s Texas A&M vs. Alabama predictions back the Crimson Tide at -13.5 and would lay up to -16.5, even though Alabama has lost two straight.
Against opponents ranked in the top 50 by SP+, Texas A&M has been outscored by an average of 31-11 and failed to cover all three times. Quarterback Marcel Reed has a 1:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in those games. Paul’s total lean is the Over 50.5.
7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. ET games
Colorado vs. Oklahoma State
Top pick: Colorado +13.5
Geoff Clark’s Colorado vs. Oklahoma State predictions take the Buffaloes at +13.5 and would play them down to +12.5. Colorado averaged a season-high 7.2 yards per play in last week’s 27-24 loss to Utah.
Oklahoma State’s pass defense has allowed 72% completions for 608 yards and nine touchdowns over its last two games, and it will be without safety Mose Phillips III. Clark’s total lean is the Under 56.5.
Virginia Tech vs. Clemson
Top pick: Virginia Tech +2.5
Colby Marchio’s Virginia Tech vs. Clemson predictions back the Hokies at +2.5 and consider them playable at any number as an underdog. Clemson is 4-2 but 2-4 against the spread, and Marchio argues the books keep overvaluing the Tigers.
Virginia Tech has a 13-day break after this game before facing SMU, which Marchio sees as a reason for the Hokies to focus fully on Clemson. Clemson ranks eighth nationally in 20-plus-yard plays allowed, and its offense averages just 22.3 points per game against a Virginia Tech defense allowing 102.7 rushing yards per game. Marchio’s total lean is the Under 48.5.
Ole Miss vs. Texas
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Texas -3.5
Rob Paul’s Ole Miss vs. Texas predictions back the Longhorns at -3.5 and would lay up to -5.5. He calls it a buy-low spot after two straight Texas losses.
Texas’ defense ranks sixth nationally in available yards percentage, while Ole Miss allowed 90 points in two road games against ranked opponents. Paul projects a 31-24 Texas win, and his total lean is the Over 53.5.
Syracuse vs. North Carolina
Top pick: Over 46.5
Colby Marchio’s Syracuse vs. North Carolina predictions make the Over 46.5 his top pick, playable up to 48. Syracuse ranks 28th in seconds per play and is the 10th-fastest team in the country when trailing in the second half.
North Carolina has faced much slower teams in its last two games, and Syracuse allows more than 25 points and 330 yards per game. Marchio also likes Syracuse +9.5, playable down to +9.
USC vs. Wisconsin
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: USC -2.5
Rob Paul’s USC vs. Wisconsin predictions back the Trojans at -2.5 and would play them at that number or better. USC is coming off a bye after covering at Penn State in Week 6, and Paul expects it to stay undefeated on the road.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava ranks in the top 10 nationally in QBR (86.8) behind an offensive line that has allowed just two sacks. Wisconsin ranks 95th in success rate and 115th in rushing success rate. Paul’s total lean is the Over 49.5.
10 p.m. ET games
North Dakota State vs. New Mexico
Top pick: North Dakota State +4.5
Nick Galaida’s North Dakota State vs. New Mexico predictions take the Bison at +4.5, playable up to 53%. North Dakota State has outgained its opponents in six of its first seven games.
Galaida says New Mexico faces a tough spot after playing in Hawaii in Week 7, and the forecast calls for an 82% chance of rain with winds above 10 mph. His total lean is the Under 40.5.
Houston vs. Utah
- Kickoff: 10:15 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Over 56.5
Rob Paul’s Houston vs. Utah predictions make the Over 56.5 his top pick in the College GameDay matchup. The two teams are a combined 9-4 to the Over this season, and both rank in the top 10 nationally in yards per game: Houston at 485.1 and Utah at 486.5.
Houston ranks outside the top 100 in net EPA per play on defense and gave up 499 yards to Oklahoma State last week, while Utah is top 20 nationally in offensive success rate. Paul also leans Utah -6.5, up to -9.5, calling this a letdown spot for the Cougars.
More Week 8 picks
For more predictions, head to the Covers college football picks hub, browse Saturday’s college football matchups, and check the latest college football weather and injury reports before kickoff.
Looking ahead, see the national championship odds and Heisman Trophy odds.
Odds and lines reflect Covers previews updated Oct. 22 and 23, 2026, and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate disclosure: Covers may receive compensation if you sign up through links on this page. 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Responsible gaming resources.