Essential Week 8 betting tips for college football's top games
Baylor’s 19-game home winning streak is the longest current run in the FBS.
Iowa State Cyclones at (2) Baylor Bears (-37, 77.5)
* The Cyclones held a 21-14 lead over the Horned Frogs at the end of the first quarter last week before being outscored 31-0 the rest of the way.
* Baylor’s 19-game home winning streak is the longest current run in the FBS. They are 16-2 ATS in those games (Week 2 vs. Lamar was OFF).
(6) Clemson Tigers at Miami Hurricanes (+7.5, 55)
* The Tigers have dominated opponents before halftime this season, outscoring the opposition 137-33 in the first half of games.
* Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya has not thrown an interception in his past 125 pass attempts, the second-longest streak at Miami in the past 10 years (Stephen Morris, 182).
(22) Houston Cougars at Central Florida Knights (+22, 56.5)
* Houston is one of two teams (Baylor) that have scored a touchdown on the opening drive of each game this season.
* UCF has won the last four meetings (3-1 ATS), including a 17-12 triumph last year after Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. fumbled out of the end zone in the final minute.
(20) Toledo Rockets at Massachusetts Minutemen (+14.5, 62)
* The Rockets are one of two teams (Central Michigan) to have not suffered an ATS loss. The Rockets are 5-0-1 ATS in their six games this season.
* UMass senior Blake Frohnapfel, who threw for a season-low 171 yards with one interception in last Saturday's 15-10 loss to Kent State, had 438 yards and five touchdowns in a wild 42-35 loss at Toledo in 2014.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at (15) Oklahoma Sooners (-14, 72.5)
* The Red Raiders haven't won a meeting with the Sooners since 2011, but did cover the spread as 14-point home dogs in last season's 42-30 loss.
* Sooners QB, and former Tech QB, Baker Mayfield is off to a stellar start for the Sooners, ranking fourth among all FBS players in points responsible for per game (23.0), ninth in total offense (340.2), sixth in passing TDs per game (3.17) and 14th in passing yards per game (312.0).
Kansas Jayhawks at (12) Oklahoma State Cowboys (-34.5, 58.5)
* The Jayhawks have dropped 35 consecutive road games, with their last win Sept. 12, 2009, against UTEP. They are 10-24-1 ATS in those games away from home.
* The Cowboys have won 29 of their last 30 home games against unranked opponents with last season’s 28-7 loss to Texas serving as the lone blemish.
Tennessee Volunteers at (8) Alabama Crimson Tide (-15, 53)
* The Volunteers have lost 10 straight games against SEC West opponents. The Vols are 1-9 ATS in those games.
* Alabama has won 57 straight games against unranked teams and has taken eight straight in the series. The Tide are 6-2 ATS in the previous eight meetings with the Vols.
(21) Duke Blue Devils at Virginia Tech (-3, 44)
* The Blue Devils are 13-3 in their last 16 ACC games (regular season) with only No. 9 Florida State (16-0) better and No. 6 Clemson (13-3) equal. Duke is 12-4 ATS in those games.
* Virginia Tech leads the series 14-8 and has won 10 of the last 11 meetings since the series resumed on a yearly basis in 2004. Duke prevailed 13-10 in 2013. The Hokies are 6-5 ATS in the past 11 meetings.
Indiana Hoosiers at (4) Michigan State Spartans (-16.5, 61.5)
* Indiana has lost three straight games, including blowing a 25-point lead in a 55-52 loss to Rutgers last Saturday, and is hoping standout running back Jordan Howard (709 yards) will return after missing the past two-plus games.
* The Spartans haven't lost to Indiana since 2006 and have covered the spread in back-to-back meetings and eight of the last 10.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at LSU Tigers (-15.5, 67)
* The Hilltoppers have won four straight since a 38-35 setback at Indiana and have scored at least 49 points in four straight games, and their talent has captured the Tigers’ attention. “I voted for them to be in the top 25, if anybody asks. I think they’re that good a team,” LSU coach Les Miles told reporters.
* LSU has outscored opponents 56-10 in the first quarter and 110-44 in the first half.
(16) Texas A&M Aggies at (23) Ole Miss Rebels (-6, 64.5)
* Aggies QB Kyle Allen threw for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions while guiding the Aggies to a 5-0 start but is suddenly unsure of his job security after the disaster against Alabama last week. The sophomore sat in favor of true freshman Murray for a pair of possessions, though Murray did little in the short stint to distinguish himself.
* The Rebels' defense has allowed at least 37 points in three of the last five games and could be without its biggest weapon in defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, who suffered a concussion while playing offense last week.
(9) Florida State Seminoles at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+6.5, 56.5)
* The Seminoles shook off a sluggish start in last week’s 41-21 rout of Louisville, using the combination of Dalvin Cook’s running, Everett Golson’s efficient decision making and a career day from receiver Kermit Whitfield to pull away.
* The past five meetings between FSU and the Yellow Jackets have been decided by a combined 17 points. The Jackets are 4-0-1 ATS in those games.
(7) Utah Utes at USC Trojans (-3.5, 59.5)
* Utah's senior running back Devontae Booker is averaging an extraordinary 26.8 carries per game and has rushed for 783 yards and eight touchdowns while also leading the Utes with 23 receptions.
* USC senior quarterback Cody Kessler is suddenly experiencing turnover issues with five interceptions in the past three games, matching his interception total for the entire 2014 campaign.
(1) Ohio State Buckeyes at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+21.5, 64)
* The only previous meeting was last season, when J.T. Barrett passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 107 yards and two scores as Ohio State rolled to a 56-17 victory. The Buckeyes covered as 20.5-point home faves.
* Top-notch Rutgers junior returner Janarion Grant, who has three career kickoff-return touchdowns and two punt-return scores, is questionable with a lower-body injury.
Washington Huskies at (11) Stanford Cardinal (Off, Off)
* The Huskies are just 1-2 SU in the previous three meetings, but have covered the spread in back-to-back matchups with the Cardinal.
* Stanford's offense has averaged 45 points and 492.8 yards since losing 16-6 t Northwestern in the opening week of the season.
Baylor’s 19-game home winning streak is the longest current run in the FBS.
Iowa State Cyclones at (2) Baylor Bears (-37, 77.5)
* The Cyclones held a 21-14 lead over the Horned Frogs at the end of the first quarter last week before being outscored 31-0 the rest of the way.
* Baylor’s 19-game home winning streak is the longest current run in the FBS. They are 16-2 ATS in those games (Week 2 vs. Lamar was OFF).
(6) Clemson Tigers at Miami Hurricanes (+7.5, 55)
* The Tigers have dominated opponents before halftime this season, outscoring the opposition 137-33 in the first half of games.
* Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya has not thrown an interception in his past 125 pass attempts, the second-longest streak at Miami in the past 10 years (Stephen Morris, 182).
(22) Houston Cougars at Central Florida Knights (+22, 56.5)
* Houston is one of two teams (Baylor) that have scored a touchdown on the opening drive of each game this season.
* UCF has won the last four meetings (3-1 ATS), including a 17-12 triumph last year after Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. fumbled out of the end zone in the final minute.
(20) Toledo Rockets at Massachusetts Minutemen (+14.5, 62)
* The Rockets are one of two teams (Central Michigan) to have not suffered an ATS loss. The Rockets are 5-0-1 ATS in their six games this season.
* UMass senior Blake Frohnapfel, who threw for a season-low 171 yards with one interception in last Saturday's 15-10 loss to Kent State, had 438 yards and five touchdowns in a wild 42-35 loss at Toledo in 2014.
Texas Tech Red Raiders at (15) Oklahoma Sooners (-14, 72.5)
* The Red Raiders haven't won a meeting with the Sooners since 2011, but did cover the spread as 14-point home dogs in last season's 42-30 loss.
* Sooners QB, and former Tech QB, Baker Mayfield is off to a stellar start for the Sooners, ranking fourth among all FBS players in points responsible for per game (23.0), ninth in total offense (340.2), sixth in passing TDs per game (3.17) and 14th in passing yards per game (312.0).
Kansas Jayhawks at (12) Oklahoma State Cowboys (-34.5, 58.5)
* The Jayhawks have dropped 35 consecutive road games, with their last win Sept. 12, 2009, against UTEP. They are 10-24-1 ATS in those games away from home.
* The Cowboys have won 29 of their last 30 home games against unranked opponents with last season’s 28-7 loss to Texas serving as the lone blemish.
Tennessee Volunteers at (8) Alabama Crimson Tide (-15, 53)
* The Volunteers have lost 10 straight games against SEC West opponents. The Vols are 1-9 ATS in those games.
* Alabama has won 57 straight games against unranked teams and has taken eight straight in the series. The Tide are 6-2 ATS in the previous eight meetings with the Vols.
(21) Duke Blue Devils at Virginia Tech (-3, 44)
* The Blue Devils are 13-3 in their last 16 ACC games (regular season) with only No. 9 Florida State (16-0) better and No. 6 Clemson (13-3) equal. Duke is 12-4 ATS in those games.
* Virginia Tech leads the series 14-8 and has won 10 of the last 11 meetings since the series resumed on a yearly basis in 2004. Duke prevailed 13-10 in 2013. The Hokies are 6-5 ATS in the past 11 meetings.
Indiana Hoosiers at (4) Michigan State Spartans (-16.5, 61.5)
* Indiana has lost three straight games, including blowing a 25-point lead in a 55-52 loss to Rutgers last Saturday, and is hoping standout running back Jordan Howard (709 yards) will return after missing the past two-plus games.
* The Spartans haven't lost to Indiana since 2006 and have covered the spread in back-to-back meetings and eight of the last 10.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at LSU Tigers (-15.5, 67)
* The Hilltoppers have won four straight since a 38-35 setback at Indiana and have scored at least 49 points in four straight games, and their talent has captured the Tigers’ attention. “I voted for them to be in the top 25, if anybody asks. I think they’re that good a team,” LSU coach Les Miles told reporters.
* LSU has outscored opponents 56-10 in the first quarter and 110-44 in the first half.
(16) Texas A&M Aggies at (23) Ole Miss Rebels (-6, 64.5)
* Aggies QB Kyle Allen threw for 13 touchdowns and two interceptions while guiding the Aggies to a 5-0 start but is suddenly unsure of his job security after the disaster against Alabama last week. The sophomore sat in favor of true freshman Murray for a pair of possessions, though Murray did little in the short stint to distinguish himself.
* The Rebels' defense has allowed at least 37 points in three of the last five games and could be without its biggest weapon in defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, who suffered a concussion while playing offense last week.
(9) Florida State Seminoles at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+6.5, 56.5)
* The Seminoles shook off a sluggish start in last week’s 41-21 rout of Louisville, using the combination of Dalvin Cook’s running, Everett Golson’s efficient decision making and a career day from receiver Kermit Whitfield to pull away.
* The past five meetings between FSU and the Yellow Jackets have been decided by a combined 17 points. The Jackets are 4-0-1 ATS in those games.
(7) Utah Utes at USC Trojans (-3.5, 59.5)
* Utah's senior running back Devontae Booker is averaging an extraordinary 26.8 carries per game and has rushed for 783 yards and eight touchdowns while also leading the Utes with 23 receptions.
* USC senior quarterback Cody Kessler is suddenly experiencing turnover issues with five interceptions in the past three games, matching his interception total for the entire 2014 campaign.
(1) Ohio State Buckeyes at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+21.5, 64)
* The only previous meeting was last season, when J.T. Barrett passed for 261 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 107 yards and two scores as Ohio State rolled to a 56-17 victory. The Buckeyes covered as 20.5-point home faves.
* Top-notch Rutgers junior returner Janarion Grant, who has three career kickoff-return touchdowns and two punt-return scores, is questionable with a lower-body injury.
Washington Huskies at (11) Stanford Cardinal (Off, Off)
* The Huskies are just 1-2 SU in the previous three meetings, but have covered the spread in back-to-back matchups with the Cardinal.
* Stanford's offense has averaged 45 points and 492.8 yards since losing 16-6 t Northwestern in the opening week of the season.
