Week 8 college football offers a jam-packed Saturday featuring three SEC headliners in a top-five clash, multiple rivalry games, and a potential College Football Playoff showcase in Bloomington, Indiana. Standout games include Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU, Ohio at Miami, Virginia at No. 10 Clemson, and Auburn vs No. 19 Missouri, among others. Arizona State and Cincinnati are the two underdog teams that have crossed expectations in the Big 12, now battling for a place in the conference title.
A key game for UNLV against Oregon State could add a significant touch to their resume. In another closely watched game, Kansas State is the only ranked squad playing on the road, and a loss to West Virginia could jeopardize their conference title and CFP prospects. No. 24 Michigan takes on No. 22 Illinois in a battle of offenses. Michigan may have one of the worst offenses in college football, and their position on the NCAA rankings is already in the hot seat.
In the next anticipated game, Notre Dame faces Georgia Tech. Yet, injuries on either side threaten to become a significant talking point. Nebraska against No. 16 Indiana could be another thrilling game as Indiana has been one of this season’s surprises. Nebraska, on the other hand, has suffered 25 straight losses to ranked opponents. Next, No. 8 LSU faces Arkansas in the Battle for the Golden Boot. USC’s decisive victory over Ole Miss had highlighted Nussmeier’s capabilities in pushing LSU’s chances in the SEC.
A rival match between No. 6 Miami and Louisville will feature the Schnellenberger Trophy currently residing with the Cardinals. Despite its limited attention, this game could turn out to be a high-scoring thriller. In a near top-10 matchup, No. 7 Alabama plays No. 11 Tennessee, with both teams looking to avoid a second loss and potential outcry from fans. Lastly, the main event features a top-five clash between No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas. This match could determine Georgia’s CFP prospects and Texas’ chances at securing the national title.
