College Football Week 8: Expert Picks and Analysis
As we reach the midpoint of the 2024 college football season, Week 8 brings a thrilling slate of matchups that will significantly impact conference standings and playoff aspirations. This week, we’re focusing on three games that showcase the depth and competitiveness of college football.
BYU Cougars -9 vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
The undefeated BYU Cougars, boasting a stingy defense, welcome a struggling Oklahoma State Cowboys team to Provo, Utah. BYU’s defense has been the cornerstone of its success, allowing just 17 points per game and limiting opponents to 324 total yards per contest. The Cougars’ pass defense, in particular, has been stifling, holding opponents to a mere 50.76% completion rate and 5.2 yards per pass attempt.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, has become a one-dimensional passing attack, ranking 127th in rushing yards but 10th in passing. This imbalance creates a significant offensive vulnerability that BYU’s defense should be able to exploit. With the Cowboys throwing two interceptions in each of their past three games, BYU is well-positioned to cover the 9-point spread at home.
BYU-Oklahoma State OVER 52.5 points
This matchup promises to be a high-scoring affair, with BYU’s efficient and balanced offense facing an Oklahoma State defense that has struggled to contain opposing offenses. The Cowboys’ defense ranks 100th in passing yards allowed and second-worst in rushing yards allowed, making them vulnerable to BYU’s potent attack. With Oklahoma State’s offense averaging 30 points per game, this game has a strong chance of surpassing the 52.5-point total.
South Carolina Gamecocks +3 at Oklahoma Sooners
South Carolina’s disruptive defense could be a problem for Oklahoma, particularly with the Sooners’ offense struggling all season. The Gamecocks’ defensive line, led by Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart, has been highly effective, and their pass rush will cause problems for an Oklahoma offense that has struggled to find consistency.
Oklahoma lacks big-play ability, ranking dead last in explosiveness, and its offense as a whole is near the bottom of many offensive metrics. The Sooners are one of just four FBS teams yet to have a 200-yard passer, 100-yard rusher, or 100-yard receiver in any game this season. South Carolina’s defense has been stout, showing the ability to contain top offensive talents, and could have the upper hand in this matchup.
Week 8 Best Bet: Indiana Hoosiers -6 vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Both the Cornhuskers and Hoosiers have been effective at pressuring quarterbacks, producing 20 and 19 total sacks, respectively. However, the difference in this game could be which quarterback can manage the pressure better. Nebraska true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola has struggled with pocket awareness, while Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is in his sixth season and has thrown for 1,752 yards in six games with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Rourke’s ability to push the ball downfield has been a key factor in unlocking the Hoosiers’ offense, and he will need to get the ball out quickly to counter Nebraska’s pass rush. While Nebraska’s defense could pose challenges, the Hoosiers’ explosive offense and overall team performance will have them cover the 6-point spread at home.
Indiana-Nebraska OVER 50.5
Indiana has been an offensive juggernaut in the second half of games, ranked fourth in second-half scoring. The Hoosiers’ balanced offensive approach, averaging 176 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry, allows them to wear down defenses as the game progresses, leading to more scoring opportunities in the second half.
While Nebraska’s strong defense could be a limiting factor, the Hoosiers’ offensive efficiency and the potential for the Cornhuskers to play catch-up and be forced into a higher-scoring game plan could push this total over 50.5 points. A second-half over could also be worth a look if the game is more competitive in the first half.
Game Total of the Week: New Mexico at Utah State UNDER 78.5
This matchup may seem like an unlikely candidate for an under, but there’s a compelling case for this total to fall short. New Mexico’s run-heavy offense, averaging 220 rushing yards per game, could effectively control the clock and limit overall possessions. Turnovers could also play a crucial role in keeping the score down, with both teams prone to interceptions.
Historically, stratospheric totals tend to fall short, with the under going 15-8 in games with totals of 75 or more over the past five seasons. The signs point toward the under, despite the defensive shortcomings of both teams.
Leave a Reply