College football picks: Week 8 expert predictions, odds for every top 25 game

College football picks: Week 8 expert predictions, odds for every top 25 game.

Key points

• The Bearcats have one of the worst defenses in the Power Four, having just allowed 543 total yards to West Virginia's Michael Hawkins Jr.
• The Broncos' defense, which is second in the Pac-12 in scoring, is too powerful for the Cougars. – John Leuzzi.
• What our experts are saying: The Panthers have averaged 19 points in the two games since quarterback Mason Heintschel was lost for the season with an injury.
• He continues that against Minnesota on Saturday and helps Iowa win back-to-back Major Ten road games. – John Leuzzi.
• The College Football Unfiltered crew offer their picks for who they like for Week 8.

College football picks: Week 8 expert predictions, odds for every top 25 game. Zac Al-Khateeb USA TODAY. College football Week 8 picks.

Notably, the College Football Unfiltered crew offer their picks for who they like for Week 8.

After a wild week of college football, one that saw five top-10 upsets – and almost a sixth – Week 8 features a more muted schedule among top-25 teams. On paper, at least.

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Notably, the biggest of those is a ranked SEC matchup between No. 7 Mississippi and No. 18 Texas in a game that is of monumental importance to the Manning family. Rebels legends Archie Manning and Eli Manning will watch as their alma mater takes on the Longhorns – but will embattled quarterback Arch Manning start (or finish) the game?

Elsewhere, in the "College GameDay" game of the week, No. 16 Houston travels to No. 9 Utah for an impactful Major 12 matchup that may have ramifications on how numerous teams the conference gets into the College Football Playoff in 2026.

Though there are no more contests between opponents ranked in the top 25 of the US LBM Coaches Poll, there are plenty of impactful meetings and trap games that bear watching in Week 8.

Here's how USA TODAY Sports' college football experts are picking the games. College football Week 8 top-25 predictions, picks. Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Oct. 20. Pittsburgh at No. 1 Miami.

What our experts are saying: "The Panthers have averaged 19 points in the two games since quarterback Mason Heintschel was lost for the season with an injury. Senior Holden Geriner struggled in a loss to North Carolina before freshman Corey Dailey had a rough outing last week against Boston College. It's hard to believe coach Pat Narduzzi has things figured out to the point of a realistic upset bid, regardless of what decision he makes behind center." – Adam Bittner. No. 3 BYU at Central Florida.

What our experts are saying: "How does BYU respond after a program-defining win? The Cougars shouldn't underestimate a solid UCF team coming off a bye week. The Knights will provide another upset scare. Nevertheless, BYU is able to contain the Knights' offense and leave the cross-country trip with a victory." – Jordan Mendoza. No. 5 Texas Tech at Cincinnati.

What our experts are saying: "Texas Tech's offense indicated some life in its 53-25 win over Arizona State in Week 7, thanks to a 173-yard, two-touchdown performance from J'Koby Williams. The Bearcats have one of the worst defenses in the Power Four, having just allowed 543 total yards to West Virginia's Michael Hawkins Jr. In a 45-42 loss. The Red Raiders win major." – Austin Curtright.

REQUIRED READING: Week 7 upsets impact college football bowl projections with CFP field shuffling. No. 6 Indiana at Michigan.

As Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers bounce back with a win on the road against Michigan, what our experts are saying: "The taste of losing won't last long in the Indiana locker room. Tommy Carr has the Wolverines' offense showing some life in his first true start, though." – John Leuzzi. No. 7 Ole Miss at No. 18 Texas.

What our experts are saying: "Things aren't going great in Austin, Texas, right now, with talk of Arch Manning potentially being benched as the offense continues to struggle. I think Texas rebounds, though, for at least one game." – Austin Curtright. No. 16 Houston at No. 9 Utah.

What our experts are saying: "The Utes have been an interesting team that looks unstoppable one week and then fragile the next. Houston has proven it is a legit contender and will really offer Utah fits. In a close game, Utah uses the home field advantage to power a major fourth quarter to remain undefeated." – Jordan Mendoza. Michigan State at No. 10 UCLA.

What our experts are saying: "Ty Dieffenbach has stepped up for the Bruins and they remain a solid contender. The defense has really been suffocating, and it feasts on a suspect Michigan State team that hasn't been able to close out games, on the cusp of a really bad first season for Pat Fitzergald." – Jordan Mendoza.

REQUIRED READING: Tennessee football fans killed the field-storming vibe, created it lame Opinion. No. 11 Tennessee at South Carolina.

What our experts are saying: "LaNorris Sellers was awesome in leading the Gamecocks to an upset of Florida last week. He threw four touchdown passes and averaged eight yards per attempt. George MacIntyre was. Fine as the Volunteers took down Alabama, primarily with a dominant defensive effort. As it looks like he might be getting hot." – Adam Bittner, it's hard not to lean toward Sellers. Vanderbilt at No. 12 Kentucky.

What our experts are saying: "Kentucky extends its winning streak to six games with a commanding victory over Vanderbilt. Quarterback Kenny Minchey throws for three touchdowns, and the Wildcats can breathe a little easier after back-to-back wins that were decided by just one point." – John Leuzzi. Texas A&M at No. 13 Alabama.

What our experts are saying: "Alabama can't lose three in a row, right? This is somewhat of a scary matchup for the Crimson Tide, and I like it to be close early, but the Aggies can't find enough points to stay in the game. Keelon Russell bounces back, and Marcel Reed gets benched." – Austin Curtright.

REQUIRED READING: Do you trust Notre Dame football to create playoff? Depends who you ask. No. 14 Iowa at Minnesota.

As the Hawkeyes were able to move the ball and find a rhythm between the passing and running game, what our experts are saying: "Jeremy Hecklinski looked solid in his first start against Washington two weeks ago. He continues that against Minnesota on Saturday and helps Iowa win back-to-back Major Ten road games." – John Leuzzi. No. 15 Southern California at Wisconsin.

What our experts are saying: "The Trojans are coming off a bye week and Wisconsin is a real sneaky team that could cause them trouble. The Badgers wake up from the bad game at UCLA with a fourth quarter lead, but the major play ability of USC comes up clutch and the Trojans escape with another road victory." – Jordan Mendoza. No. 17 LSU at Auburn.

What our experts are saying: "Byrum Brown has been as erratic as he has been dynamic. His 116 rushing yards to topple No. 1 Georgia fall in the latter category, and it's natural to wonder if this is a come-down spot where the other proverbial shoe could drop. That remarked, it's additionally hard to shake the feeling that Brown may offer Auburn more of an identity than we've seen from coach Lane Kiffin's Bayou Bengals so far. " – Adam Bittner. California at No. 20 SMU.

What our experts are saying: "The Tosh Lupoi era at Cal is off to a bad start, and it doesn't obtain any better against SMU. Maybe Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele can have another magical start against the Mustangs like last season, but he hasn't taken the jump plenty of anticipated in 2026." – Austin Curtright. No. 22 Boise State at Washington State.

What our experts are saying: "Boise State wins its fifth consecutive game and keeps itself in the mix as the Group of 6 representative for the College Football Playoff. The Broncos' defense, which is second in the Pac-12 in scoring, is too powerful for the Cougars." – John Leuzzi. Rutgers at No. 23 Northwestern.

What our experts are saying: "The Wildcats are the hunted now, having slipped into the back end of the national polls. The Scarlet Knights have demonstrated an ability to score against conference foes including Maryland and USC. We like dynamic Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles to win the day. He still hasn't thrown an interception in 2026. It could take a back-and-forth affair to obtain there, though." – Adam Bittner. No. 25 Oregon at Illinois.

What our experts are saying: "It will be worth watching who starts at quarterback for Oregon, but regardless, it seemed to have finally figured something out in the end of the win against Nebraska. Mix that with the defense continuing to limit opponents and the Ducks secure another ugly win to keep the season alive." – Jordan Mendoza. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, college football picks: Week 8 expert predictions, odds for every top 25 remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.