The SEC will be on full display in Week 8 with two marquee matchups headlined by the Texas Longhorns (6-0) and Georgia Bulldogs (5-1) first meeting since the 2018-19 season when QB Sam Ehlinger uttered the phrase, “We’re back.” It was a bit premature as it would take a few more seasons before the Horns were back.
This week UGA travels to Austin for the first time since 1958 to face off with UT. In the five games in the series, the Dawgs have only pulled off the win once against the Horns with a win in the 1984 Cotton Bowl, 10-9. Before this top-five matchup, fans will see the annual “Third Saturday in October” rivalry featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers.
It is tough to gauge either team as they haven’t looked anywhere near the level of expectations placed on them this season. The Tide has struggled in the past couple of games against the Vanderbilt Commodores and South Carolina Gamecocks; the former was the first loss to that team in decades. The Vols haven’t fared much better, losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks just two weeks ago and escaping with an overtime victory over the Florida Gators. Who gets a much-needed win this week to stay in the SEC race?
Surprisingly enough there is a major showdown in the Big Ten featuring the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1) and Indiana Hoosiers (6-0). You couldn’t convince me that this game would have mattered in the preseason. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has raised the bar in Lincoln while new head coach Curt Cignetti has infused life into a football program that was desperate for anything positive to transpire. This is a much-watched game for Big Noon Kickoff.
If you are a glutton for punishment, there is the battle for futility on ESPN+ featuring the Houston Cougars (2-4) vs Kansas Jayhawks (1-5) in the Big 12. Neither team has played all that well but at least UH has a win over an FBS team while KU has found ways to throw away games. Somebody has to win right?
Check out this week’s picks against the spread
College football odds via BetMGM:
Lock of the Week
For my “Lock of the Week,” we are going to Palo Alto for the SMU Mustangs (5-1) and Stanford Cardinals (2-4) ACC matchup. Smash the over of 53.5 in this game, the Ponies might do that all by themselves on Saturday evening.
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