Clay’s 2024 CFB Week 8 Picks
This week's slate of college football games is shaping up to be one for the books. We've got everything from conference clashes to top-5 showdowns, with playoff hopes in the balance. Whether it's the culture shift at Arizona State or the firepower of Texas facing off against Georgia, each game brings unique intrigue. In this blog, we'll dive into key matchups, making sense of the chaos and providing picks that reflect both gut instinct and a season's worth of insight. Let's break it all down.
Nebraska (5-1) at No. 16 Indiana (-6.5), Noon, Fox
You guys know the love I have for this Indiana team. Kurtis Rourke orchestrates this offense perfectly, and Coach Cig is an absolute weapon. Every time he gets interviewed, I see why he wins.
Pick: Indiana -6.5
Arizona State at Cincinnati (-4.5), Noon, ESPN+
Both of these teams are performing at a much higher level than I would have guessed. I like the culture that Dillingham is creating at Arizona State, but this seems like a tall task without their starting QB on the road.
Pick: Cincinnati -4.5
No. 6 Miami (6-0) at Louisville (4-2), Noon, ABC
Miami's luck has to run out at some point. Brohm crushes these moments, and I know as someone who has been on the receiving end of an upset. Louisville pulls it off, or Miami will barely win.
Pick: Louisville +5
No. 12 Notre Dame (-12.5) vs Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The injury bug has hit Notre Dame full force. Because of that, I have serious doubts about their postseason odds, but their starting quarterback is healthy, and Georgia Tech's isn't.
Pick: Notre Dame -12.5
No. 24 Michigan (-3.5) at No. 22 Illinois, 3:30 p.m., CBS
The Tuttle factor brings in another element to this game that I wasn’t ready for. But the simple answer for this pick is threefold:
• Michigan’s offense still stinks
• Illinois can actually be a tough place to play in the right situation
• You can’t lose wearing these uniforms.
Pick: Illinois +3.5
No. 7 Alabama (-3) at No. 11 Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., ABC
This game had more "ranking" juice a few weeks ago. It's more interesting now. This has turned into a loser-misses-the-SEC championship game, and Alabama will need all the help it can get to make the playoff. Alabama has looked bad over the past two weeks, but South Carolina is a frisky team. Tennessee, however, has something wrong with it’s offense on a real level. Nico will be great, but he looks like a first year starter.
Pick: Alabama -3
No. 8 LSU (-2.5) at Arkansas, 7 p.m., ESPN
This game is always SUPER weird. Both of these teams are all over the place this season, but they keep winning. I would like the line to be a little higher in general, but I’m sticking with my gut.
Pick: Arkansas +2.5
No. 17 Kansas State (-3) at West Virginia, 7:30 p.m., Fox
I thought West Virginia was going to be the team I fell in love with all year. I can’t ever trust them with a bet again. I have been burned too many times.
Pick: Kansas State -3
No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas, 7:30 p.m., ABC
What a freaking game. Somehow, we have had three top-five matchups this season. This season has been incredible so far, and this game should be another example. Texas has too much firepower for Georgia to match. Georgia will come out of the gates better than in the Alabama game, but they still need some dudes. Texas has nothing but dudes.
Pick: Texas -4.5
UNLV (-7) at Oregon State, 10 p.m., The CW
UNLV had a much-needed bounce back after their loss to Syracuse, and while their playoff hopes are diminished, they're still alive. They could make a big statement with a win over another nominal P4 team. Most times, I wouldn't pick UNLV on the road in Corvallis, but with everything on the line, UNLV matches the moment.
Pick: UNLV -7