College Football Expert Picks Week 8: Our 12 Best Bets This Week

With a Week 8 slate full of important conference matchups, our experts make their top picks for some of the best games.

Rob Paul

Last updated: October 18, 2024 5:51 PM EDT • 6 min read

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throws for a first down against Ole Miss. We're backing Nussmeier in our college football expert picks. — LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throws for a first down against Ole Miss. Photo by Stephen Lew via Imagn Images.

Coming off one of the best slates of the season, our Week 8 college football expert picks focus on some underrated matchups you won't want to miss.

Miami remains the top non-SEC/Big Ten team by the college football championship odds, but Louisville is the Hurricanes' toughest opponent yet
In one of three top-25 matchups this week, the winner of Michigan vs. Illinois will bolster its College Football Playoff odds
Coming off an upset of Ole Miss that threw Garrett Nussmeier back into the Heisman Trophy odds race, LSU takes on a scrappy Arkansas program

As part of our Week 8 college football predictions, our experts make their best bets for some of the top games on Saturday.

College football expert picks for Week 8

College football odds as of Friday and subject to change. See all of our college football picks for more on this week's top matchups.

Matchup	Rob Paul	C Jackson Cowart
Miami vs. Louisville	Cam Ward Over 321.5 passing yards (-114 via FanDuel)	Miami Over 34.5 points (+110 via bet365)
Nebraska vs. Indiana	Dylan Raiola Under 228.5 passing yards (-108 via Caesars)	Indiana -6.5 (-110 via BetMGM)
Auburn vs. Missouri	Luther Burden anytime TD scorer (+125 via bet365)	Missouri -4 (-108 via DraftKings)
Michigan vs. Illinois	Kalel Mullings Over 81.5 rushing yards (-114 via FanDuel)	Illinois +4 (-110 via Caesars)
Baylor vs. Texas Tech	Tahj Brooks Over 26.5 rushing attempts (-110 via bet365)	Texas Tech Over 30.5 points (-125 via FanDuel)
LSU vs. Arkansas	Garrett Nussmeier Over 302.5 passing yards (-115 via bet365)	LSU -2.5 (-105 via BetMGM)

Rob Paul's Week 8 picks

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Miami vs. Louisville prediction: Cam Ward Over 321.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The only time Ward has thrown for fewer than 343 yards was against FCS program Florida A&M in a 56-9 win. He's averaging 369.3 passing yards per game and is third in the country in big-time throws (17), per PFF.

Louisville is just 79th in EPA per dropback on defense, while Miami is fourth on offense. Ward should top this number for the sixth time this year and turn a $10 bet into an $8.77 profit.

While Ward is a solid bet to put up yards, our Mike Spector is skeptical of his scoring outlook in his Miami vs. Louisville prediction.

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

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Baylor vs. Texas Tech prediction: Tahj Brooks Over 26.5 rushing attempts ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brooks is one of the few bellcows in the country with 27-plus carries in three of five games this season.

With Brooks ranked 11th in rushing yards (675), 14th in yards after contact (433), and third in 15-yard-plus runs (14), Texas Tech will want to feed him against Baylor.

The Bears are 73rd in EPA per rush on defense and allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game (161.5) in the Big 12. If Brooks carries the rock at least 27 times, a $10 bet pays a $9.09 profit.

Best odds: -110 via bet365 | Implied probability: 52.38%

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LSU vs. Arkansas prediction: Garrett Nussmeier Over 302.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐

LSU lives and dies by the play of Nussmeier, a true gunslinger. He's averaging 331.5 passing yards per game and has thrown for Over 302.5 in three straight with eight big-time throws over that stretch.

While Arkansas has a decent defense, it's still just 45th in EPA per dropback vs. the Tigers offense sitting 14th in EPA per dropback. If Nussmeier hits 303-plus passing yards for the fifth time this season, a $10 bet pays an $8.70 profit.

Best odds: -115 via bet365 | Implied probability: 53.49%

–– Rob Paul (SBR | Twitter/X)

C Jackson Cowart's Week 8 picks

Nebraska vs. Indiana prediction: Indiana -6.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have a healthy respect for this Nebraska defense, which ranks first in SP+ entering Week 8.

But Indiana profiles as the better overall team with a top-15 offense behind Canadian star Kurtis Rourke, who is authoring a dark-horse Heisman campaign for the unbeaten Hoosiers.

If freshman QB Dylan Railoa isn't perfect in this matchup, it could get out of hand. That's why BetMGM is the only shop still offering -110 as the market marches toward -7.

Rob Paul also broke down why he likes the Hoosiers this week as part of his college football Week 8 picks against the spread.

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

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Auburn vs. Missouri prediction: Missouri -4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

OK, I think we can all acknowledge that Missouri might not be "that team" that some (including myself) thought we may see in 2024. But doesn't this feel like an overreaction against a two-win Auburn team that is 0-4 against Power 5 opponents?

The Tigers opened as 7.5-point favorites at DraftKings before this line moved 3.5 points against them, even though Missouri star Luther Burden III (shoulder) is good after a brief injury scare last week.

This is still one of 11 teams with a top-25 offense and defense by SP+, and it should bounce back at home on Saturday.

Best odds: -108 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 51.92%

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Michigan vs. Illinois prediction: Illinois +4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I get why the market has moved toward Michigan, which profiles as the better team by advanced metrics. I just don't agree with it.

I'm not sure how you can if you've watched the Wolverines' offense this year, which will cycle through its third starting QB (Jack Tuttle) in a four-game run. Here's how his last appearance ended before he was named the starter for Saturday:

I have a lot more faith in Illinois behind QB Luke Altmyer, who should be able to find the holes in a talented but struggling Michigan secondary. With most of the market still at +3.5, I'd recommend grabbing the extra half-point at Caesars.

Brenden Schaeffer is also backing the home underdogs in his Michigan vs. Illinois prediction.

Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.38%

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–– C Jackson Cowart (SBR | Twitter/X)

College football picks roundup: Week 8

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Written By:
Rob Paul

Rob is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He’s been with the team since early 2024, with this being his first full-time role in the sports betting industry. Before joining SportsbookReview.com, he contributed to various sports outlets, including FanSided and Pro Football Network. During that period, he spent five years working full-time as a local community journalist, after attending Durham College for journalism and Wilfrid Laurier University for history. He previously hosted an NFL draft and college football-focused podcast where he had the opportunity to interact with future NFL players such as Maxx Crosby and Quinn Meinerz. Rob has spent multiple years working as a freelance podcast producer for numerous sports-related podcasts while making guest appearances on several college football shows. He’s also made guest appearances on SportsTalk Mississippi on several occasions to talk all things NFL draft. Rob values the way sports betting acts as a catalyst for telling stories and growing interest in certain sports, particularly FCS football, WNBA, and mid-major college basketball. He’s always been drawn to the more obscure teams and conferences in major college sports, but most of all, Rob loves using stats to find the best player props to back.