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We’ve seen a couple of thrilling video games already this week.
New Mexico State (2-5) beat Louisiana Tech (2-4) in double-overtime on Tuesday. And on Wednesday, Sam Houston (5-2), which had been crafting an underrated success story in its second FBS season, misplaced 31-14 to Western Kentucky (5-2). Now, let’s get into the remainder of the weekend’s schedule. And later … midseason awards!
Week 8 Viewer Information
Friday evening lights
The motion heats up on Friday with two ranked matchups (all instances in ET).
No. 2 Oregon (6-0) at Purdue (1-5) (8 p.m., Fox). The Boilermakers are struggling — No. 123 nationally in complete protection and No. 106 in complete offense — however performed inside one level of No. 22 Illinois final week. Oregon shouldn’t be as susceptible so long as the Geese keep away from a post-Ohio State hangover (they’re four-touchdown favorites in spite of everything).
Oklahoma State (3-3) at No. 13 BYU (6-0) (10:15 p.m., ESPN). Mike Gundy’s Cowboys haven’t gained since Sept. 14 whereas BYU has climbed the polls. When these groups met final November, the Cowboys gained in a double-OT thriller. This time round, the Cougs are the 9.5-point favorites.
Saturday’s schedule
Right here is that this week’s warmth map for each matchup with a ranked staff. The darker the shading = the upper the intrigue.
Early
Most vital recreation: Nebraska (5-1) at No. 16 Indiana (6-0). Curt Cignetti’s undefeated Hoosiers are the speak of the city. IU is projected as an 11-seed within the CFP per The Athletic’s mannequin. None of Indiana’s wins are towards groups above .500, and people groups have a mixed document of 14-23. This QB matchup will likely be one to look at between IU’s seasoned vet Kurtis Rourke and Nebraska’s freshman sensation Dylan Raiola. In his second 12 months as Nebraska’s coach, Matt Rhule stated, “That is as huge of a recreation as we’ve in all probability ever performed.” Who would’ve thought he could be speaking about Indiana-Nebraska?
Most underrated recreation: No. 6 Miami (6-0) at Louisville (4-2). The Canes are coming off a bye week after two uncomfortably shut wins towards Virginia Tech and Cal. In each video games, Miami allowed its opponents to construct early halftime leads earlier than falling again on the heroics of switch QB Cam Ward — he’s first within the FBS in complete offense (396.6 yards per recreation) and passing TDs (20) and is second in passing yards (2,219). Louisville is not any straightforward out both, and I anticipate a high-scoring — and high-flying — matchup between the highest two receivers within the ACC (Miami’s Xavier Restrepo and Louisville’s Ja’Corey Brooks). Miami is a five-point favourite.
Afternoon
Most vital recreation: No. 7 Alabama (5-1) at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1). Alabama and Tennessee would relatively overlook their Week 6 upsets to Vanderbilt and Arkansas. And now’s the right time to get their respective CFP instances again on observe. The Vols haven’t scored within the first half of both of their final two video games. Getting the offense going will likely be a facet to look at, however the important thing matchup is between Alabama’s offense, extra particularly Ryan Williams’ playmaking skill, and Tennessee’s protection, which ranks second nationally. And Bama is favored on the highway on this rivalry recreation.
Most underrated recreation: Colorado (4-2) at Arizona (3-3) (4 p.m., Fox). Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan leads the Huge 12 in receiving yards and averages greater than 100 yards per recreation. If McMillan will get going once more, the Buffs should flip to their celebrity, Travis Hunter, who coach Deion Sanders stated he expects will play after Hunter injured his shoulder towards Kansas State final week.
Evening
Most vital recreation: No. 5 Georgia (5-1) at No. 1 Texas (6-0). When these groups final met within the 2019 Sugar Bowl, each had been on the point of one thing particular however hadn’t clicked but. Now, the items have come collectively to make this an all-time SEC matchup. Texas QB Quinn Ewers had a couple of shaky moments towards Oklahoma final week and might want to get again into rhythm after his indirect harm. He’ll be towards Georgia’s Carson Beck, who ought to lead the Bulldogs’ efforts towards the nation’s No. 1 staff. The Longhorns are 4.5-point favorites.
Most underrated recreation: North Texas (5-1) at Memphis (5-1) (7:30 p.m., ESPNU). How about a bit of G5 motion for the nightcap? It’s time for a rematch of final 12 months’s epic 45-42 Memphis win towards the Imply Inexperienced. North Texas is No. 5 nationally in complete offense behind TCU switch QB Chandler Morris (who’s tied for first nationally in TD passes with Ward). On the opposing aspect, Memphis has leaned on its protection and linebacker Chandler Martin, who’s tied for an AAC-leading 4 sacks. I’ll even be watching Kentucky at Florida (7:45 p.m., SECN), which appears to be like like a must-win for the 3-3 Gators earlier than embarking on a four-game stretch towards Georgia, Texas, LSU and Ole Miss.
Try the entire Week 8 schedule.
Want tickets? Go right here. Stream the video games on Fubo at no cost.
Midseason Awards
Do you know Ryan Williams is 17?
Blissful midseason! The “Till Saturday” podcast dispersed its “Middies” as we speak. Listed below are two of the classes and my ideas on the winners. (You possibly can hearken to the complete dialogue right here.)
“He’s enjoying there now?” award to the perfect switch portal participant. Nominees: Cam Ward (Incarnate Phrase-Washington State-Miami); Diego Pavia (New Mexico State-Vanderbilt); Kurtis Rourke (Ohio-Indiana); Dillon Gabriel (UCF-Oklahoma-Oregon). The crew picked Pavia, the fifth-year QB who has rewritten Vandy’s legacy from the SEC’s straightforward out to the Alabama upsetters. Don’t ignore Pavia individually both: He ranks within the prime 10 nationally in passing effectivity. His influence is greater than deserving of this award.
“This isn’t Nick Saban’s Alabama” award for probably the most repetitive media narrative. Nominees: Huge Ten and ACC coast-to-coast travels; CFP is expanded and extra groups are dwell; Ryan Williams is 17; Ohio State spent thousands and thousands on its roster. The crew picked Williams … have you ever heard he’s solely 17? I didn’t should look far again to search out CFB’s final 17-year-old participant. Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons reclassified from the Class of 2025 to 2023 to affix the Rebels as a 17-year-old final season. He didn’t see any enjoying time … in soccer that’s. Simmons can be a left-handed pitcher and made 13 aid appearances with a 3.21 ERA. Notable: His baseball appearances got here after his 18th birthday.
Take heed to the “Till Saturday” podcast right here. Plus, learn Bruce Feldman’s midseason superlatives awards (from breakout star to wildest storyline) right here.
Finest Bets
A Huge 12 upset
Till Saturday Upset Particular (2-4): Arizona State 27 (+5.5), Cincinnati 24
Each groups are coming off one in every of their most vital wins of the season (Cincinnati’s 19-13 end result towards UCF and ASU’s 27-19 upset of Utah). Arizona State’s process will get tougher with beginning QB Sam Leavitt out and backup Jeff Sims in, however the Wildcats have a powerful dashing assault they need to fall again on (fourth within the Huge 12 with 211.1 yards per recreation). The Bearcats are favored at residence, however their protection has had bother all season and is permitting 164.8 yards on the bottom per recreation. I’m selecting Arizona State to tug off an unsightly win behind RB Cam Skattebo’s heroics.
Fast Snaps
Outdoors of the CFP subject, how will the remainder of bowl season look in December? Midseason bowl projections are again.
Overcoming Huge Ten, SEC skepticism is the primary hurdle for tremendous league proposals.
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(High photograph of Quinn Ewers: Alex Slitz / Getty Photos)