We're starting the second half of the season with two rivalry games that have big spreads involving the top two teams in the country.
No. 1 Alabama is a 34.5-point favorite against rival Tennessee. No. 2 Penn State is a 10-point favorite against No. 19 Michigan. The Crimson Tide and Nittany Lions both are home, too. Can they cover those big spreads? We also have a showdown between No. 11 USC and No. 13 Notre Dame. Fun week, indeed.
MORE: Week 8 Picks straight up
Each week, Sporting News college football writer Bill Bender will pick 10 marquee games against the spread. Here we go for Week 8:
Last week
Straight up: 9-1
Against the spread: 7-3
Season
Straight up: 57-13, .814
Against the spread: 45-25, .643
And now our picks for Week 8:
Oklahoma (-12.5) at Kansas State
4 p.m., Saturday, FOX
The Wildcats rank last in the Big 12 in total offense, and the last time the Sooners played Kansas State in Manhattan, they won 55-0. Oklahoma needs to start winning the beauty contest now, and this is a chance to do it. It’s right on the line, but we like Baker Mayfield to put on a show in the second half.
Oklahoma wins 38-24 and covers the spread
Oklahoma State (-7.5) at Texas
Noon, Saturday, ABC
It's all about mindset for the Longhorns after coming off a tough loss to Oklahoma. The Cowboys' high-flying offense won’t be easy to stop, and this is a motivational test for Tom Herman in Year 1. We almost want to pull the upset here. We’ll take the hook on the touchdown.
Oklahoma State wins 35-30 but fails to cover the spread
Indiana at Michigan State (-7.5)
3:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
Indiana beat Michigan State last year but is coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss at home against Michigan. First-year coach Tom Allen is instilling toughness into the program, but Mark Dantonio has done that for a decade in East Lansing. We don’t see the Spartans peeking ahead here. If anything, they can look back to last year as motivation.
Michigan State wins 31-20 and covers the spread
UCF (-7.5) at Navy
3:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS Sports Network
It's the first meeting between the schools, and a chance for the Midshipmen to derail UCF's unbeaten season. It’s also a chance to get familiar with UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton, who continues to put up numbers for the Knights. We like the Midshipman to hang around in a shootout.
UCF wins 38-35 but fails to cover the spread
Syracuse at Miami (-14.5)
3:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Miami keeps winning, and they’ll face a Syracuse team coming off a program-building upset against Clemson. This should be a fun back-and-forth matchup, and it might come down to the wire again. The Canes find a way later in the game.
Miami wins 42-33 but fails to cover the spread
Auburn (-13.5) at Arkansas
7:30 p.m., Saturday, SEC Network
Auburn is coming off a disappointing loss, and Arkansas has allowed 89 points the last two weeks in losses to South Carolina and Alabama. Gus Malzahn and Bret Bielema have a history, and the loser of this game will be feeling the heat.
Auburn wins 45-28 and covers the spread
Arizona (-1.5) at Cal
8 p.m., Saturday, Pac-12 Network
Arizona's Khalil Tate has rushed for 557 yards and six touchdowns the last two weeks, and that has the Wildcats winning in the Pac-12 again. A win here would set the Wildcats up for an interesting second half of the season. Justin Wilcox and the Bears have been tough at home, where they are coming off a huge win over then-No. 8 Washington State. This will be one of the most exciting games of the weekend.
Arizona wins 31-28 and covers the spread
Tennessee at Alabama (-34.5)
3:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS
That spread is almost legendary given the history of the rivalry. Is this Butch Jones’ last stand? Tennessee isn't going to win this game, but this is a pride check against an overwhelming opponent. With quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, the Vols at least find the end zone once and cover that monstrous spread. Maybe.
Alabama wins 42-10 but fails to cover the spread
USC at Notre Dame (-4.5)
7:30 p.m., Saturday, NBC
Brandon Wimbush's status will be a topic of conversation all week, but the Irish will be in this game no matter who starts at quarterback. It’s a chance for both the Trojans and Irish to place themselves back in the playoff conversation, and we expect an instant classic in return. This time, Brian Kelly wins a one-score game on the big stage.
Notre Dame wins 31-24 and covers the spread
Michigan at Penn State (-10.5)
7:30 p.m., Saturday, ABC
It'd be easy to pick the Nittany Lions going away, given Michigan’s offensive struggles and the power of the "White Out," but we have a feeling the Wolverines’ defense won’t make it that easy. The Xs-and-Os matchup between Nittany Lions offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead and Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown is the stuff of dreams. Maybe Saquon Barkley produces that resounding Heisman moment here.
Penn State wins 24-17 but fails to cover the spread
