The Big E College Football Picks: Week 8

We've had 2 straight weeks of great matchups and while week 8 isn't quite as good it is still a strong effort. With Notre Dame playing at night you should have plenty of opportunity to watch some games earlier on Saturday.

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Vegas is starting to catch up to us. Congratulations to Edwards44 and lamjack42 for leading the way last week with 9-7 records. Our overall leader remains Paint St. Paint with a 78-49 record.

Big E: 75-52 (3rd place)

I'm currently sitting in the bronze medal position. Now to this week's picks...

No. 4 Baylor (-8) at West Virginia

Pick: West Virginia

The Bears lost their last meeting in Morgantown a couple years ago and most teams never seem to play all that well in the mountains, especially during noon kickoffs. This game has letdown factor for Baylor written all over it.

No. 14 Kansas State (+8) at No. 11 Oklahoma

Pick: Kansas State

I'm taking another Big 12 underdog, this time a road team coming off a bye. The Wildcats are rested and should be able to muck this game up like K-State always does. I can't believe Kansas State is sitting at No. 14 right now but while I don't think that's indicative of their team being as good as Oklahoma I expect a close game on Saturday.

No. 24 Clemson (-5) at Boston College

Pick: Clemson

There may be no team as up and down this year as Boston College. I don't feel great about Clemson minus Deshaun Watson, however, the Tiger defense is going to cause all sorts of problems for the Eagles.

No. 8 Michigan State (-15.5) at Indiana

Pick: Michigan State

The backdoor cover is strong with the Hoosiers with their explosive offense. I convinced myself once I saw this matchup earlier in the week that I'd take the Spartans with anything under 25 points.

Rutgers (+19.5) at No. 13 Ohio State

Pick: Rutgers

It appears that Ohio State has settled down on offense in recent weeks. Three straight 50+ point performances against Kent, Cincinnati, and Maryland had to jack up this line several points. Rutgers is coming off a bye week though and I usually like somewhat decent teams to cover nearly three touchdowns in this type of a scenario.

Army (-3.5) at Kent State

Pick: Army

Kent State may very well be the worst team in all of college football.

No. 21 Texas A&M (+11.5) at No. 7 Alabama

Pick: Texas A&M

The Aggies defense is giving up almost 35 points per game through 4 league games. They're clearly still not good. That should allow Alabama's offense to get back on track after whatever happened in Fayetteville last week. However, Sumlin has been able to move the ball against the Tide and I'm taking the points.

No. 10 Georgia (-3.5) at Arkansas

Pick: Georgia

The Hogs have lost 14 straight SEC games but have come so close to winning one this year. I don't think it's happening this week either. My gut says Georgia, coming off a big win at Missouri, is at least a touchdown better in this one.

No. 15 Oklahoma State (+9) at No. 12 TCU

Pick: TCU

Despite a loss last week I think TCU earned some major street cred. Oklahoma State on the other hand struggled with freakin' Kansas. The Cowboys still haven't lost since their opener against Florida State and are obviously unbeaten in the Big 12. That comes to an end this week as I like TCU to just barely cover.

Colorado (+19.5) at No. 22 USC

Pick: USC

The Buffs have been able to score some points this year but looking at their schedule I don't know if they've played a single Top 80 defense yet. I like the Trojans to win very comfortably with a big day offensively and forcing a couple big mistakes on defense.

No. 25 Marshall (-21.5) at Florida International

Pick: Marshall

Marshall hasn't been held under 40 points in a single game yet this year. Does anyone think FIU is scoring 20 to 25 points because I don't think it'll happen.

Tennessee (+16.5) at No. 3 Ole Miss

Pick: Tennessee

This is a dangerous pick because I think there's a decent chance Tennessee gets shutout. However, there might be some let down factor following a couple big wins by Ole Miss and they might be a little lethargic at home. This is a lot of points against a scrappy Vols team.

No. 19 Nebraska (-6.5) at Northwestern

Pick: Nebraska

I'm pretty sure I always take the team coming off a bye when applicable. Nebraska has to be itching to play since losing to Michigan State.

No. 5 Notre Dame (+12.5) at No. 2 Florida State

Pick: Notre Dame

I'm predicting a loss but an Irish cover on the road.

Washington (+20.5) at No. 9 Oregon

Pick: Washington

U-Dub ain't getting no respect. They can play some defense and should be able to harass Mariota for 4 quarters. I'd like to see a little more dominance out of Oregon before I pick them to cover this many points against a Top 40-ish team.

Nevada (+10) at BYU

Pick: Nevada

BYU is experiencing all of the injuries and haven't looked the same over their past couple games. My comfort level taking the points here is very high.

No. 23 Stanford (-3) at No. 17 Arizona State

Pick: Stanford

Arizona State's defense is quietly pretty awful (31.4 PPG, 6 YPP) and this is going to allow Stanford to stay in the game and let their defense pound away at the finesse Sun Devil offense.