College Football Viewing Guide – Week 8

14 Boise State vs BYU (Boise State 28 | BYU 27)

Before getting into Saturday’s games, we need to reflect on the Boise State vs BYU game from Thursday night. It was a wild one. Decided by one point. BYU had two pick-sixes in the first half, and in the end, Boise State won it on a blocked field goal that would have given BYU the win. However, neither of those things are what people were talking about post-game. In the second quarter, BYU lined up to punt the football on a 4th & 19 from their own 3-yard line. What followed may go down as the worst play call in the history of college football.

I would argue that this fake punt was even worse than the Indianapolis Colts fake punt vs the New England Patriots last year.

At least Colts Coach Chuck Pagano had the excuse of, “he wasn’t actually supposed to snap it”. But BYU Coach Kalani Sataki actually thought it was a good idea to rely on their punter to pick up 19 yards for the first down, then an additional 12 yards to even get to the line of scrimmage, all with his feet … Not a great look for Coach Sitake

If Thursday night was any indication of Saturday’s games, then we’re about to have a real fun weekend. I’m going to try and write this week’s viewing guide without accidentally turning this thing into a gambling pick’em article. It may be difficult, because there are some nutty spreads out there. As a fan of college football who is expecting some good games this weekend, these spreads are actually kind of discouraging. Here is your Week 8 College Football Viewing Guide

12pm ET

Iowa (+4) vs 10 Wisconsin — ESPN

Interesting Big Ten matchup to start the day. Wisconsin, despite a 1-2 conference record, is still ranked 10th overall, and for my money is the best team in the Big Ten West. Their two losses came against Big Ten East juggernauts Ohio State & Michigan and Wisconsin took them both down to the wire.

Iowa has 2 losses this year as well, and although one came at the hands of FCS school North Dakota State, Iowa only has one Big Ten loss and is still very much in the mix to play for a Big Ten title at the end of the year. Wisconsin is clearly the more talented team, but Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz epitomizes doing more with less. What he has been able to do with Iowa over the years (especially last year when he led them to an undefeated regular season) is amazing. Take a look at this graphic that breaks down the level of recruits on the rosters of the top teams in college football from last year. Insane.

Vegas expects this game to be close, as Iowa is only a 4 point underdog. Both teams are playing this game with their seasons very much on the line. A classic Big Ten football game here to get your Saturday started off right.

3:30pm ET

1 Alabama (-17.5) vs 6 Texas A&M — CBS

At first glance, I assumed this would be a close game, but this is an insanely huge spread. This is what I mean by the spreads being discouraging to fans. I suppose we shouldn’t put so much stock into rankings, but based on the rankings, this should be the game of the year so far.

Not to say Alabama isn’t the best team in college football, but I think they are, but Texas A&M is exceptional this year as well. Trayveon Williams is lightning in a bottle. He can score from anywhere on the field at any given time. On the defensive side of the ball, Texas A&M low key may have the #1 overall pick in Myles Garrett playing at defensive end. He’s been devastating offensive tackles all year long.

We all know about Alabama. They’re great year in and year out. On top of that, they have one of the best quarterbacks they’ve had in years in Jalen Hurts … so good (sorry his name is just too great to not make puns). Alabama’s defense as a whole is as dominant as always, but I think the Aggies have enough talent on both sides of the ball to keep this game close.

12 West Virginia (-6.5) vs TCU — ABC

In case Las Vegas is right, and Alabama does indeed blow out Texas A&M, then West Virginia vs TCU is a solid back up game to watch. In fact, you may remember TCU’s Quarterback Kenny Hill as one of the multiple quarterbacks to transfer out of Texas A&M after the 2014-2015 season. He sat out last year, but he is back, and he is still pretty average. TCU is a clear underdog here. But I still think this will be an entertaining game to watch. Here’s a fun little stat that speaks to that point — West Virginia has the 101st ranked fourth quarter offense and TCU has the 7th ranked fourth quarter offense. If you ask me, that’s sounds like a recipe for an awesome 4th quarter comeback. Make sure you at least give this game a look in the 4th quarter. Especially if TCU trails by 17 points.

6pm ET

17 Arkansas (+10.5) vs 21 Auburn — ESPN

Another super weird spread here. I guess I’m failing at not making this article all about point spreads, but they are just too enticing this week. Again, people probably should stop putting so much stock into national rankings, but the polls consider Arkansas to be the better team. So how is Auburn is a double digit favorite?

The game does have bigger implications for Auburn as they are still 2-1 in conference play, while Arkansas is 1-2.  Auburn has two strong losses this year to Clemson & Texas A&M. They’ve found a capable quarterback in Sean White, and running back Kamryn Pettway is a bonafide workhorse — 39 carries, 169 yards, and 3 TD in a win over Mississippi State last week.

Arkansas has two very strong losses as well against Alabama. Texas A&M, however, neither game was close. Among wins, Arkansas has a 21-20 victory over Louisiana Tech, and a double overtime 41-38 shootout in Fort Worth vs TCU. I suppose the double digit spread makes some sense, but Arkansas is coming off a nice over Ole Miss last week as well. There’s gonna be a whole lot of running and defense in this game, even if it is close and exciting, it certainly won’t be pretty.

8pm ET

Penn State (+20) vs 2 Ohio State — ABC

Even when you’re Ohio State, it’s never easy rolling into Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions. It’s an uncomfortable stadium with really old locker rooms, and the fans are right on top of you all game long. Penn State’s fans will be as loud as ever for this game. The atmosphere is going to be bananas.

That being said, Ohio State is just so good this year. They’re on a collision course with Michigan to play an undefeated showdown in Columbus the last week of the regular season. Let’s hope it happens, because there’s no way an undefeated Urban Meyer vs Jim Harbaugh would disappoint.

Penn State is 2-1 in the Big Ten in their own right. Just one game back of Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten East. Even though one of their losses was a 49-10 defeat to Michigan, Penn State is “technically” still in the mix. A win here would absolutely put them in the middle of things, so they have something to play for here. They will have their work cut out for them, but Beaver Stadium will be madness Saturday night. If Penn State matches the energy level of their fans, which will be a task as tall as their stadium, we could have a good game here.

9pm ET

25 LSU (-7.5) vs 23 Ole Miss — ESPN

If Ohio State has a 35-0 lead going into the second quarter, LSU and Ole Miss is bound to be better. I love this game because it includes a couple of my favorite story lines in college football.

First, Ole Miss Quarterback Chad Kelly keeps direct messaging the same porn star on Twitter, and she keeps putting him on blast for it. It’s pretty fascinating to watch. I don’t know how this will affect him football wise. Maybe it rattles his confidence or maybe the fact that he keeps going back to the well for more after already being publicly denied/shamed just shows how confident he really is. Something to keep in mind for the game.

Secondly, LSU remains undefeated in games, and against the spread since firing Les Miles, and putting Interim Coach Ed Orgeron in charge. Coach Orgeron is now 8-2 in his career as an Interim Head Coach. This weekend he faces the last team he was named permanent head coach of, Ole Miss, where he was fired after 3 miserable seasons. The Tigers will be ready.

The real match up to watch for in this game is between LSU’s smash mouth style offense, and Ole Miss’ strong rush defense. Should be some real old school hit-em-in-the-mouth style football whenever LSU has the ball. They are still only one game out of first place in the SEC West (behind Alabama and Texas A&M). If LSU can keep riding this wave and pull out another win at home, it will set up for a crucial Week 10 battle between LSU and Alabama (both teams are on a bye Week 9).

10:30 ET

Arizona State (+7) vs Washington State — PAC 12

Got to have one final late night game to watch. Just in case you haven’t had enough football by then, or if you’ve lost way too much money gambling for the day and need to dig yourself out of a hole.

Arizona State has been up and down all year, while Washington State has recently found it’s stride. After opening the season with two close losses to Eastern Washington (ouch) and Boise State, Washington State hasn’t lost a game. During that stretch, they beat 16th ranked Stanford 42-16. Washington State is undefeated in the PAC 12. They may be the real deal.

Arizona State is in a nosedive after a big loss to Colorado, but they are definitely capable of putting up points. Although in the PAC 12 that’s kind of a given. Expect a lot of points to be scored from both teams, and a fun night cap to properly end your day of college football viewing. Everyone has the PAC 12 Network right?