Week 8 college football picks arrive after a Week 7 that reshaped the top of the sport: five top-7 teams lost, including No. 1 Georgia and No. 4 Notre Dame. The headliner this week is No. 6 Indiana at Michigan, a Big Noon Kickoff game at noon ET.
Indiana at Michigan: A Quarterback Change Meets a Streak's End
Indiana’s run of nearly two years without a loss ended in Week 7. The Hoosiers, ranked No. 6, now must respond on the road against a Michigan team that is turning to a new starting quarterback, Tommy Carr.
The matchup pairs Indiana’s attempt to steady itself with Michigan’s attempt to capitalize on a fresh face under center. The game carries the added weight of the Big Noon Kickoff window, putting the quarterback transition in a national spotlight.
Auburn Hosts Lane Kiffin's Team After Georgia Upset
Auburn’s win over No. 1 Georgia was its biggest in a decade, and the Tigers now face a follow-up test against Lane Kiffin’s team. Avoiding a letdown after such a result is the central question for Auburn this week.
BYU's Undefeated Run Faces a Road Test at UCF
No. 2 BYU beat No. 4 Notre Dame in Week 7 and remains undefeated. The Cougars play at UCF at 3:30 p.m. ET, a game that fits the profile of a trap spot after a landmark win.
Ole Miss at Texas: A Streaking Team Meets a Slumping One
No. 19 Texas has lost two straight and hosts No. 7 Ole Miss in an SEC game at 7:30 p.m. ET. Trinidad Chambliss plays for Ole Miss, which arrives with the higher ranking and the chance to hand Texas a third consecutive defeat.
USC at Wisconsin: A Look-Ahead Risk
No. 16 USC plays at Wisconsin with Ohio State looming the following week. The Badgers host a ranked opponent while the Trojans manage the temptation to look ahead.
Houston at Utah: A Late-Night Ranked Matchup
No. 14 Houston plays at No. 10 Utah at 10:15 p.m. ET, closing the day with a ranked matchup. The late window gives the game a standalone stage after the afternoon and evening slates.
What the Expert Picks Are Weighing
The storylines driving this week’s expert picks are clear: Michigan’s quarterback change against a wounded Indiana, Auburn’s emotional state after beating Georgia, BYU’s focus at UCF, Texas’s attempt to stop a two-game slide against Ole Miss, USC’s discipline at Wisconsin, and the Houston-Utah ranked pairing.
Week 7 showed how quickly rankings can shift. Week 8 offers the next set of chances for teams to stabilize or stumble.
