College Football Games to Watch Week 8: Matchups, Info, Odds

Breaking down the opening odds and early betting action for some of the biggest matchups on the Week 8 college football schedule. Here are the college football games to watch in Week 8.

After an unforgettable weekend of college football, plenty of excitement should lie ahead in Week 8. Five more ranked showdowns headline the upcoming slate. Two of those games feature teams from the topsy-turvy Big 12 Conference. 

There's still plenty to be determined as we embark on the back half of the regular season. Conference standings all across the country continue to get tighter as title games draw closer. From the SEC to the Sun Belt, several of our Week 8 college football games to watch carry massive implications.

Here are the top seven games to watch in Week 8 of the 2022 college football season (all odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook).

College Football Week 8 Games to Watch

Troy vs. South Alabama

Date: Thursday, Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Odds: USA -3 | O/U 48.5

This is a high-stakes clash, and the winner could wind up representing the West Division in the Sun Belt Conference title game.

While there isn’t any major line movement to report for this contest so far, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some take place before kickoff. The spread is more likely to shift in the Jaguars’ favor as a 3-point home favorite. The total has come down a half-point, and more movement could soon follow with both teams boasting solid defenses.

(14) Syracuse vs. (5) Clemson

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, Noon ET
TV: ABC
Location: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Odds: Clemson -13.5 | O/U 50

Only one more major test remains for Clemson tied to the Atlantic Division in the ACC. It comes this Saturday against the also unbeaten Syracuse Orange. Bettors will learn a whole lot about the legitimacy of the Orange's defense in this matchup.

An opening point spread of Clemson -14 was quickly nibbled down to 13.5. Of the four solid teams that accompany the Tigers in their division, Syracuse has been one of the best defensively. Can D.J. Uiagalelei deliver once again? It seems likely the current total of 50 for this game could shrink further before kickoff.

(9) UCLA vs. (10) Oregon

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Odds: Oregon -6 | O/U 70.5

ESPN College Gameday will be on site in Eugene this weekend for a massive Pac-12 battle between UCLA and Oregon. The Bruins are one of only nine remaining undefeated teams in college football. However, all of their toughest games have been played at home. 

Early line movement is pushing the spread up to a 6-point line in favor of Oregon. The Ducks haven't lost since a Week 1 thrashing at the hands of Georgia. With transfer quarterback Bo Nix leading the offense, the unit has been piling up points in every contest since. However, the total of 70.5 will most likely come down a notch or two before Saturday.

(20) Texas vs. (11) Oklahoma State

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Odds: Texas -6 | O/U 65

It was probably too close for comfort, but Texas survived the Week 7 trap game against Iowa State. The Longhorns are now set to kick off a stretch of three straight matchups against AP Top 20 opponents. Oklahoma State will be looking to get back on track in this Big 12 clash after losing a heartbreaker at TCU.

The spread for this contest has already moved three points in favor of Texas in fewer than 24 hours since the Week 8 odds were posted. Clearly, the betting market disagrees with how these teams stack up in the AP Poll. While a touchdown is a lot to lay on the road, the Longhorns certainly hold an advantage over the Pokes when it comes to pure talent.

(7) Ole Miss vs. LSU

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Odds: Ole Miss -1 | O/U 64.5

Ole Miss survived a weather delay and an awakened Auburn offense to get to 7-0 in Week 7. The schedule picks up in a big way for the Rebels going forward, and that begins with Saturday’s trip to Death Valley to face LSU.

Speaking of revitalized offenses, Jayden Daniels and the Tigers were quite impressive during a road win over Florida in Week 7. While DraftKings continues to list Ole Miss as a 1-point road favorite, a few sportsbooks have already flipped this line. It seems likely the rest of the market will follow suit for the 110th edition of the Magnolia Bowl.

(24) Mississippi State vs. (6) Alabama

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
Odds: ALA -21.5 | O/U 62

How will Alabama respond after its first home loss of the season? A matchup against Mississippi State isn’t exactly a cakewalk despite the Crimson Tide enjoying home-field advantage. Will Rogers and the Bulldogs’ Air Raid offense is capable of producing explosive plays, so the onus will be on Alabama's secondary to step up.

Alabama has dominated this series, so it’s no wonder the Tide opened up as a 21-point favorite. The betting market may be a bit down on Mississippi State after its poor showing in Week 7 against Kentucky.

Snapping a 14-game losing streak in this rivalry may not be doable, but Mike Leach’s squad possesses more than enough talent to stay within three touchdowns.

Check out our best college football Week 8 ATS bets

(17) Kansas State vs. (8) TCU

Date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
Odds: TCU -3.5 | O/U 59

No conference has been more unpredictable than the Big 12. Few could’ve guessed before the season began that both Kansas State and TCU would be unbeaten in the conference coming into this Week 8 showdown.

The spread for this prime-time matchup has moved multiple points in relatively short order. The Horned Frogs opened as a 6-point home favorite, but they're now laying only 3.5. The Wildcats could hold a huge advantage while coming in off a bye, especially after TCU's hard-fought battle against Oklahoma State.

Where To Bet on Week 8 College Football

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM