Week 8 College Football Bets

Kevin goes through his favorite bets of the Week 8 college football season.

Week 8 is shaping up to be a monster weekend in college football, with two massive matchups headlining the slate. Texas vs. Georgia and Tennessee vs. Alabama are both set to deliver fireworks as playoff implications hang in the balance. These games will not only test some of the best talent in the country but also provide crucial insight into which teams are ready to separate themselves in the race for a spot in the College Football Playoff. With so much on the line, there's no better time to dive into the betting landscape and find value. Let’s break down the key matchups and my favorite plays for Week 8.

Rutgers -4.5 Over UCLA

Rutgers -4.5 over UCLA feels like the right call, and here's why: the Scarlet Knights are a run-heavy team led by senior RB Kyle Monangai, who has racked up 739 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. While QB Athan Kaliakmanis hasn’t been lighting it up through the air recently, the Rutgers offense is built on pounding the rock, and they’ll look to wear down UCLA’s defense, especially after Monangai has had back-to-back quiet games. With UCLA making a tough cross-country trip, kicking off at 9 a.m. PT, it’s going to be a challenge for the Bruins to stay sharp. Their run game has been non-existent, and I don’t see them sustaining drives, especially against a Rutgers defense that can cause problems in the secondary. UCLA simply doesn't have the weapons up front to compete with the Scarlet Knights’ rushing attack, and that lack of balance will cost them. Schiano will have his team ready to bounce back from last week's disappointment and grind out a win, covering the 4.5-point spread in the process.

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Kansas -5 Over Houston

I’m taking Kansas -5 over Houston for several reasons. While Kansas might have a record that resembles past struggles, this team is far from the usual Jayhawks of old. They’ve been in tight contests, losing four of their five FBS games by fewer than seven points. Closing out games has been the Achilles' heel for Kansas, but they’ve shown they can compete, often leading into the fourth quarter against teams like Illinois and West Virginia. This week, they face Houston at Arrowhead Stadium with dual-threat quarterback Jalon Daniels. He was pivotal the last time they played the Cougars, throwing for five total touchdowns and rushing for a career-high 123 yards. Although his run game has been contained this season, he recently had a strong passing performance against Arizona State, and with a run game led by Devin Neal, Kansas should find success moving the ball. Houston’s defense is solid, but they’ve yet to face a dynamic quarterback like Daniels this season. I expect Kansas to establish the run early and utilize Daniels’ mobility to control the game, ultimately covering the 5-point spread.

TCU Vs. Utah Over 49.5 Points

I’m taking the over in the TCU vs. Utah game for several strong factors. TCU has shown they can score, ranking 26th in total offense, with a potent passing attack that sits third in the nation. Although they've struggled with turnovers—near the bottom in turnover margin—they can put up points quickly, often having to play catch-up in recent games. After a week off to regroup from a tough loss, expect them to come out firing. Meanwhile, Utah's offense has been inconsistent but could see a boost with freshman quarterback Isaac Wilson taking the reins. While Wilson brings mobility and the potential for explosive plays, he may also be prone to mistakes, providing TCU with opportunities to capitalize. Both teams have vulnerabilities on defense, particularly in red zone efficiency, leading to scoring chances. With TCU’s struggles against the run and Utah’s solid defense against the pass, this matchup sets the stage for an exciting, high-scoring affair. I expect both teams to take advantage of the other's weaknesses and push the total over the number.

Kevin Coleman’s Season Record: 24-16