Week 8 is upon us, and it promises another action-packed college football Saturday.
The slate of top games features a pair of top-10 showdowns in the SEC, with another highly rated squad from that conference facing a possible road trap. The Big Ten also stages a couple of ranked clashes, and we also highlight two contests in ACC territory with playoff implications.
As always in this space, we urge the discerning viewer to monitor events not mentioned here in case unexpected drama unfolds. With all that out of the way, here are the seven games on our must-see list for this week.
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The headliner is yet another epic showdown in the newly expanded SEC. The first such contest didn’t go well for the Bulldogs a few weeks ago in Tuscaloosa, but all will be forgiven if they pull off this triumph in Austin. That will be easier said than done, of course, as Texas has looked the part of the No. 1 team through the first half of the campaign. It took Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers roughly a quarter to shake off the rust in his return from an oblique injury, but fans won’t complain about his results in the Red River victory against Oklahoma. He’ll likely have to be sharper from the beginning this time as he challenges DB Malaki Starks and the Bulldogs secondary, a group that figures to be a little salty after letting Mississippi State hang around last week. Georgia QB Carson Beck has produced when asked to throw, though he’s had to do it more than usual with the running game stuck in neutral. LB Anthony Hill Jr. and the Longhorns front seven will do their best to keep it there.
Why it could disappoint: It couldn’t possibly, could it? This season’s other top-five games have lived up to the hype, and neither of these teams is a likely blowout candidate.
WEEKEND FORECAST: Expert picks for every Top 25 game in Week 8
SMART MONEY: Why Georgia has the highest-paid college football coach
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: A few weeks ago, this loomed as one of two possible top-five clashes in the SEC. It’s still extremely important, but for a very different reason. Both teams enter this fierce rivalry contest with a loss followed by a shaky win, and it now has every indication of being an elimination game as far as the conference title is concerned. It will be a classic case of resistible force meets movable object when Tennessee has the ball. Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava hasn’t had time to let his deep routes develop against SEC defenses, but the Crimson Tide line isn’t generating much pressure in front of LB Jihaad Campbell. Tennessee’s first order of business might be establishing a rhythm with RB Dylan Sampson. Tide QB Jalen Milroe remains a constant big-play threat, but he’s had to take chances with the defense struggling to get stops. LB Arion Carter anchors a Tennessee defense that ranks second in fewest yards surrendered.
Why it could disappoint: Should the Vols’ offense remained stalled, it’s conceivable the Crimson Tide can build a cushion early as it did in the Georgia game. As we’ve seen, however, holding leads has been iffy for this group, so another close affair would seem to be in the cards.
Time/TV: noon ET, Fox.
Why watch: After last week’s heavyweight bouts in the Big Ten, we turn our attention to the conference’s undercard of challengers looking to stay in the mix. The Cornhuskers have crept back into the Top 25 this week. But to stay there they must get by the Hoosiers, the flashy new kids on the block making waves under first-year coach Curt Cignetti. Indiana’s triggerman is QB Kurtis Rourke, who has connected on 73.8% of his pass attempts with 14 TDs and just two picks. He spreads the ball among a variety of receivers and gets ample ground help from the RB duo of Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, but Nebraska DL Ty Robinson and James Williams will provide a stiffer test than the Hoosiers’ front line has encountered to date. Cornhuskers QB Dylan Raiola still has freshman moments but has been steady for the most part. He can be susceptible to an effective pass rush, which Hoosiers DL Mikail Kamara hopes to provide.
Why it could disappoint: This figures to be the Hoosiers’ first taste of actual resistance, but they should have the fire power to rally in case of an early deficit. Nebraska’s offense hasn’t been as consistent, so a slow start would not be optimal.
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
Why watch: The second battle of ranked squads in the Big Ten is in effect another eliminator, as the loser will likely fall out of the Top 25 and the playoff picture. That wouldn’t be as devastating for the Fighting Illini, who have overachieved at this point. For the defending national champion Wolverines, a third loss would serve as a harsh referendum on year one of the post-Jim Harbaugh era. Michigan used the open date following the loss at Washington to evaluate its shaky QB situation and will turn to Jack Tuttle, who provides at least the threat of a forward pass. The big-play potential, however, will still come from RB Kalel Mullings, who will be monitored closely by Illinois LB Dylan Rosiek. The Illini were able to avert what would have been a catastrophic loss to Purdue a week ago, so QB Luke Altmyer would like to put points on the board early, likely courtesy of WR Pat Bryant, and force Michigan into comeback mode. Wolverines DL Rayshaun Benny is hard to move off the line of scrimmage, but he’ll need better support behind him.
Why it could disappoint: Illinois is theoretically better equipped to score in bunches, but Michigan’s defense should be good enough to keep it from getting away. There could be lengthy stretches of inactivity on the scoreboard, but at least that would mean a high probability of fourth-quarter tension.
Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: The ACC features prominently in the early window, but we’ll put this one at the top of the pecking order. The Hurricanes had the week off to recover from their wild trip to Berkeley. They take to the road once again to meet the Cardinals, who earned a close victory at Virginia last week to remain in the league title hunt. Close games are nothing new to Miami, of course, and QB Cam Ward, though anything but risk averse, has delivered when needed. His primary weapons, WR Xavier Restrepo and RB Damien Martinez, will keep Louisville LB Stanquan Clark and DB M.J. Griffin busy. Cardinals QB Tyler Shough has managed to stay healthy this season, a huge plus for a career plagued by bad injury luck. The ground support from RB Isaac Brown has helped, but Hurricanes LB Francisco Mauigoa and Co. will look to take that away.
Why it could disappoint: Given how Miami’s last two games concluded, it’s highly unlikely that it will. The Cardinals are accustomed to one-score games as well, so another wild ride could be in the offing.
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: We return to the SEC, where the Tigers have little time to enjoy their comeback win against Ole Miss. The campaign began inauspiciously for the Razorbacks, but they might have turned a corner in their takedown of Tennessee and enter this contest rested after an open date. It could be a positive sign for the Tigers that they found a way to win last week when QB Garrett Nussmeier clearly did not have his A-game. He’ll likely need to be sharper, as Arkansas LB Xavian Sorey and DB TJ Metcalf won’t allow many big gainers on the ground. The Razorbacks are hopeful the week off allowed QB Taylen Green to recover from a knee bruise sustained late in the Tennessee win. If he is able to go, he’d do well to let RB Ja’Quinden Jackson do the heavy lifting in the run game. Whoever carries the mail for Arkansas can expect frequent encounters with LSU LB Whit Weeks.
Why it could disappoint: Both teams have lots of talent and some flaws. A slew of mistakes could put either in a hole, but it’s hard to envision either squad pulling away.
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Fighting Irish are in the position of stockpiling as many wins as possible and hoping their resume will be deemed playoff worthy when all the results are in. This was always going to be the case, of course, but their shocking Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois and struggles by future opponent Southern California have left them in precarious straits. That matters little to the Yellow Jackets, who hope to shake up the rankings once again and reach bowl eligibility ahead of schedule. Georgia Tech fans are hopeful that the Haynes law firm remains intact in the backfield. RB Jamal Haynes saved the day last week with his tie-breaking TD burst against North Carolina after QB Haynes King left with an apparent arm injury. King is day-to-day but hopes to be available, and he’ll likely be needed against LB Jack Kiser and the Notre Dame defense. Fighting Irish QB Riley Leonard is cut from the same cloth as King, a two-way talent who isn’t afraid to carry the mail himself. The effort to keep him contained will be led by Yellow Jackets LB Kyle Efford.
Why it could disappoint: If King can’t go, the Yellow Jackets will turn to Zach Pyron, a capable backup but far less experienced. Tech could still make a game of it in that event, but a quick start from Leonard and Co. would put the pressure on early.
