Bleacher Report's Expert College Football Predictions for Week 8
For the second straight week, No. 1 Alabama will square off against a Top 10 foe. This time, though, it'll be inside the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Will the Tide continue to roll against No. 6 Texas A&M?
Who will emerge elsewhere in the SEC West, where No. 17 Arkansas will visit No. 21 Auburn and No. 23 Ole Miss will head to No. 25 LSU? Can No. 2 Ohio State stay unblemished at Penn State?
Bleacher Report experts Adam Kramer, Barrett Sallee, Chris Walsh, Greg Couch and Michael Felder break down Week 8 in this edition of expert picks.
Will Texas A&M Produce the Sequel to the 2012 Classic on Road and Stun Alabama?
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Adam Kramer
No. I don't see it. I do see Texas A&M having some offensive success. While the running game might not shine against Alabama, the threat of it will open some plays up. Trevor Knight should also be able to make some plays on the ground. This game won't be Tennessee-Alabama rebooted. But Knight can also turn the ball over, and this is the wrong team to do that against given the way the defense produces offense. Plus, it feels like Alabama is finding itself on offense. This has the look and feel of a special team slowly finding its way.
Still, A&M is quite good. I think the score is reflective of two good teams touching gloves.
Barrett Sallee
No, but I'll certainly take Texas A&M and those points—up to 19.5 in some spots, according to Odds Shark—that Vegas seems to want to hand out. This is a complete Aggie team that leads the SEC in rushing (274.3 YPG), has a mobile quarterback who's making good decisions most of the time and should be better defensively now that it's had a bye week to recover from that wild affair against Tennessee. That said, the work Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin has done with that offense—particularly quarterback Jalen Hurts—is stunning. Texas A&M will hang, but a late turnover from Knight will cost the Aggies.
Chris Walsh
No. Texas A&M's best hope for this game was probably for Alabama to be worn down at this point like it was last year while taking advantage of coming off a bye. But Alabama is on a roll, the defense looks incredible the way it's been scoring and the running game is now in gear as well. Most of Alabama's big games over the past couple of years have been away from Tuscaloosa, so the fans, who are still upset about the 2012 loss, will be fired up.
Greg Couch
Short and sweet: No. No way. No chance. A&M might be able to score a lot, though I'll believe that when I see it. And I still think Alabama's offense isn't as dominant as some people might believe. But to go into Alabama with no defense? Forget it.
Michael Felder
It would certainly seem possible given the bevy of ingredients that mirror the 2012 game from the A&M side. A quarterback who can outrun defenders? Check. Talented wide receivers who can win 50-50 balls? Check. A coach who's willing to use his quarterback in the run game to create linebacker and safety conflicts that help receivers get open? Check. This game should play into the 40s, which would mean A&M is there late with a shot. However, given Alabama's remarkable ability to score points without ever letting Hurts touch the ball, I'm riding with the Tide.
Will West Virginia Finally Earn Respect with a Win over TCU?
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Kramer
I believe West Virginia wins a wild and weird game this weekend. I just don't have a good sense of what TCU is at the moment, and I am not sure that TCU does, either. What's perhaps most impressive about West Virginia's undefeated season is the balance. This is not your typical offensively charged Dana Holgorsen team. This is a team that can score but also stop its opponent. Ultimately, a win over TCU won't make the whole nation believe in the Mountaineers. But with games against Oklahoma State, Texas, Oklahoma and Baylor still to come, there will be ample time to do that.
Sallee
No, because the Mountaineers should already have it. TCU shouldn't be the barometer to gauge respect in the Big 12 anyway. Skyler Howard is playing smart football through the air and on the ground, Holgorsen's offense as a whole is clicking and holding Texas Tech to just 17 points last week is not something that should be overlooked. The Mountaineers should continue to roll this week with a win over TCU, and it's a shame they aren't getting more respect already.
Walsh
West Virginia has sort of snuck up on the college football world, especially after defeating BYU by three points (35-32) and Kansas State by one (17-16). Last week it kept Texas Tech to 17 points, the fewest the Red Raiders have scored since losing to Texas 34-13 on Nov. 1, 2014. But the Mountaineers still rank No. 71 nationally in total defense. The key is West Virginia is at home, so the guess here is that it pulls out a close game.
Couch
The nation's reservation about West Virginia is that it hasn't yet faced a marquee opponent. It hasn't been a bad schedule, but it's also not one that generates headlines. TCU just isn't there this year, either. If respect from the outside matters, West Virginia needs to take this slow and steady. The Mountaineers play Texas, Oklahoma and Baylor in the last month-plus. Stay undefeated through that and people will notice.
Felder
Probably not, considering TCU isn't very good. However, the Mountaineers will handle their business, and that's all that matters for Holgorsen's team. Win and you're in. Regardless of how we want to hype up the "two teams from one conference" narrative, the fact is if this WVU team, or the other undefeated Big 12 team (Baylor) wins out, they're going to be in the playoff. That's the way it is set up.
Who Proves It's Legit in the SEC West: Arkansas or Auburn?
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Kramer
Auburn has very quietly found some stability. Its two losses this year came against teams that we have deemed to be solid (Clemson and A&M). And although Arkansas ripped off a tremendous win against Ole Miss, Auburn could make a statement here. Quarterback Sean White is doing exactly what he's being asked, the running game is doing its part and the defense is playing well. As good as the Hogs offense has looked, Auburn will put forth a balanced game and stay hot, just like we all thought after the first three weeks of the season.
Sallee
Give me Auburn in a fun, close, possibly weird affair on the Plains. Kamryn Pettway proved two weeks ago that he can be a workhorse at running back when Kerryon Johnson went down. Johnson could return and bring some options outside for the Tigers in the running game. Quarterback Sean White has topped the 200-yard mark in three straight games—including 234 against LSU's secondary at the end of September. His worst completion percentage in a game over that stretch is 73.1 percent. Auburn will run effectively, play solid defense, be sound in the kicking game and get enough out of the passing game for a big home win.
Walsh
Arkansas is in a stretch in which six of seven opponents are ranked, and that doesn't include TCU in Week 2. The Razorbacks are facing a rested team that seems to have figured some things out and has been tough defensively all season. Last year's game went four overtimes. This one figures to be close as well, but give the edge to the Tigers at home.
Couch
Basically, whenever I decide Arkansas is good, it loses, and when I decide it isn't, the Hogs take down Ole Miss. But there was also this huge overreaction in the football world to Auburn's struggles and coach Gus Malzahn's temporary failures to figure them out. Take the home team: Auburn.
Felder
Give me the Hogs. They're more reliable and explosive on offense, which has been beautiful to watch. Two beasts at the running back spot in Rawleigh Williams and Dev Whaley, plus a quarterback (Austin Allen) who keeps proving to be better and better weekly. I'm digging the Razorbacks, and I think they'll put together another W as they look to stay in position for a great bowl berth.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Does NC State Test Louisville Like It Did with Clemson?
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Kramer
Louisville did not look particularly sharp against Duke. The great Lamar Jackson was somewhere closer to great rather than electric. Although I don't believe that scare has an encore, at least not this week. NC State is certainly capable of keeping this game close, and I don't believe this will be a Syracuse-like blowout. I do feel Jackson will find his ridiculous form and the Louisville defense will do its thing in a convincing win.
Sallee
Nope. This game will get sideways in the second half. I like Ryan Finley and the Wolfpack offense, but do I trust them to play point-a-minute football with Lamar Jackson and Co. for a full 60 minutes? No way. Dave Doeren's crew will throw the kitchen sink at Jackson in the first half, and the Heisman front-runner will fill that sink up with water and throw it back at the Wolfpack when the defense gets gassed.
Walsh
The Wolfpack probably should have won last week, so you have to wonder how they'll bounce back after squandering such an opportunity. NC State is 0-3 all time at Louisville, including a 30-18 defeat two years ago. Look for the Cardinals to pull away in the second half.
Couch
The Wolfpack are starting to believe in themselves. Maybe if they hadn't played William & Mary and Old Dominion, they would be taken seriously by now. But as awful as Notre Dame is, a win over the Irish built confidence. The overtime loss to Clemson likely did, too. Confidence and momentum mean so much in college football. Another close loss this time.
Felder
Nope. Doeren's team played its best game during his tenure last week, and almost got the best win for that program in ages. But this week, I'm skeptical they will rebound to serve up back-to-back strong showings—especially on defense. Offensively, I expect they'll push Louisville in spots, as Matt Dayes is the most underappreciated rusher in college football, but the defense just won't perform as it did a week ago.
Can Ohio State Avoid a Hangover at Penn State?
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Kramer
Can we talk about Saquon Barkley for a moment? If you don't know who he is, please acquaint yourself with Penn State's running back. Urban Meyer and the Ohio State defense will spend the week looking at his ridiculous open-field cuts. But yes, Barkley greatness established, Ohio State wins here. Wisconsin put forth a great test, although I don't believe Penn State has the defense to recreate the game plan or the total offense to bury the Buckeyes in points.
Sallee
Oh goodness, yes. Ohio State will wake up early, get moving and not show any signs of a hangover because Penn State isn't in the same stratosphere as Wisconsin. Who's going to stop J.T. Barrett, Curtis Samuel and Mike Weber on the Nittany Lions defense? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? The Buckeyes will roll.
Walsh
No, but that doesn't mean the Buckeyes will lose. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has a young team that Barrett says is growing up, but last week's overtime win at Wisconsin had to be emotionally draining and Penn State is a pretty tough venue. The bottom line, though, is that Ohio State and Michigan are considered the cream of the conference and Penn State lost to Michigan, 49-10.
Couch
That seems funny. Penn State is college football's national hangover. This isn't going to be a problem at all. Yes, that was an incredible game and finish at Wisconsin for Ohio State last week, but these top programs expect to win and feed off of a game like that.
Felder
Ab. So. Lutely. Wisconsin is a good team that Ohio State outlasted on the road. Penn State isn't in the same zip code as the Badgers, and I expect we see the explosive, force-the-issue Buckeyes team that we've grown familiar with. Defensively, they'll dial it in to slow down Barkley after being gashed in spots by the Badgers, allowing their secondary to find big plays as Penn State tries to move through the air.
Who's This Week's Underdog Waiting to Shock the CFB World?
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Kramer
I'll go with Arizona State over Washington State. Not exactly a "wow!" stance, but it's the only one I see on the card, and Illinois over Michigan just doesn't quite do it for me. Yeah, not going to do that. Arizona State is a much different, better team at home. Washington State, while improved from a rough start, still is by no means perfect. I'll say with moderate confidence that the Sun Devils win as a moderate underdog.
Sallee
Purdue over Nebraska...wait, no, that won't happen. Colorado is currently a two-point dog at Stanford, according to Odds Shark, which makes me wonder if bettors actually watch football games. If equal money is on both sides of Colorado, either something's up with Colorado that the public doesn't know about or bettors aren't watching. Buffs will roll over Stanford.
Walsh
I don't know if it would classify as a shock, but Iowa at home is going to give Wisconsin problems, especially since the Badgers are coming off a dramatic overtime loss to Ohio State. I also wouldn't be surprised to see Texas Tech play Oklahoma tough after getting humiliated by West Virginia last week.
Couch
Well, Illinois is at Michigan this week and, ah, kidding. Really, NC State is the only one even in position, but I've already picked Louisville to beat the Wolfpack. Not seeing any shockers this week, but let's take UMass over South Carolina.
Felder
The one everyone's watching will be Texas A&M trying to best Bama. But I think UCLA over a ranked Utah team is more likely. The Bruins have been so close, so many times. They are the proverbial "best four-loss team" in the country. Close versus A&M and Stanford and last week against Washington State, but have been unable to finish. This weekend, hosting Utah, I think the Bruins get a W for their troubles.
Will Anyone Make a Heisman Statement in Week 8?
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Kramer
Lamar Jackson will continue to play well, although I believe the Jabrill Peppers absurdity is imminent. I'm not sure what Michigan's do-everything man will do to Illinois, but I have a feeling he will produce at least one moment that continues his progression into this conversation. There is a possibility that he will, at some point, score a touchdown on defense, special teams and offense on one Saturday.
Hey, maybe this is the one.
Sallee
I'll go with Peppers. He was fifth last week in our Saturday night Heisman video, one week after scoring twice on the ground against Rutgers. You're going to see more and more of Peppers in the Wolverine offense, starting this week against Illinois. Peppers will find the end zone on the ground and return either a pick or a fumble for six, making an even better case than he already has.
Walsh
Minus the obvious front-runners, the Heisman field is beginning to tighten up. But Lamar Jackson is running out of chances to impress voters, as Louisville's remaining schedule doesn't do him any favors. While he needs another big game this week against NC State, Washington's Jake Browning should be able to close the gap some against Oregon State.
Couch
At this point, the door is about closed on new Heisman candidates. Trevor Knight can jump into the picture if A&M beats Alabama and scores a lot. At some point, someone might notice Washington's Jake Browning, but not this week when the Huskies are playing Oregon State. So the answer is no, no Heisman statements.
Felder
Why not Eddie Jackson? Seriously. The guy handles his business on defense for the Crimson Tide by helping deny big passing plays and is active in helping as a secondary run defender. He also has a couple of punt-return touchdowns. You don't like that one? What about Minkah Fitzpatrick? Sacks (1.5), tackles for loss (2.0), interceptions (3) and when he gets a shot, he turns it into a big play. That no good for you? Jonathan Allen or Tim Williams or Reuben Foster or anyone on a defense that deserves to be mentioned among the nation's best actual, overall football players. Isn't that what the Heisman is supposed to be? Most outstanding football player.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
