Week 8 has a bit of everything for college football fans. Rivalries. Games with playoff impact. Potential upsets. We break down the biggest matchups.
Week 8 is upon us in college football. Well, technically it has been underway for a few days already thanks to midweek made-for-TV contests starting up. But most of the games featuring teams in the Top 25 is still reserved for Saturday, and the upcoming lineup is promising indeed.
In all, there are five pairings of ranked opponents on tap, with an all-day triple header in the SEC responsible for most of it. The day also features a couple of other traditional rivalries, one a battle for state-wide bragging rights and the other an annual intersectional showdown that will hopefully continue beyond next year. There’s even a high-profile Friday night tilt in the ACC to start things off early.
Here’s this week’s viewers’ guide.
No. 5 Mississippi at No. 7 Georgia
Time/TV: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The middle game of the SEC trio is the headliner as the week’s lone top-10 matchup. Ole Miss embarks on a two-week road trip that could make or break its league championship hopes. Up first is this date with the Bulldogs, who were perhaps fortunate to escape Auburn’s upset bid last week and must now regroup quickly for this key showdown. Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss will need to get the offense moving sooner this week, as LB C.J. Allen and the Georgia defense have been quite solid in the second half. Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton doesn’t have many big-play weapons, but he keeps the chains moving with a 45.6% third-down conversion rate. The swarming Ole Miss defense led by LBs TJ Dottery and Jaden Yates must win its share of possession downs.
Why it could disappoint: Neither team has managed to build comfortable leads, so this isn’t likely to get away from anybody. We can’t promise last-minute suspense, but things should still be tight in the fourth quarter.
No. 11 Tennessee at No. 6 Alabama
Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The third Saturday in October means the Volunteers and Crimson Tide, who have already played in their share of nail-biters, square off in yet another clash of ranked SEC contenders. Tennessee remains something of a mystery, having nearly toppled Georgia but also allowing Mississippi State and Arkansas to stay close. QB Joey Aguilar has been efficient for the most part, but he’ll need to be even more accurate to keep Tide LB Justin Jefferson out of the running lanes. LB Arion Carter and the Tennessee defense can struggle to get off the field at times, which might not bode well against Alabama QB Ty Simpson, who has been stellar since the opening-week setback at Florida State.
Why it could disappoint: Getting the lead hasn’t been a problem for these squads. The issue has been holding on to it, which again indicates nobody is going to pull away. Get ready for another wild ride.
No. 10 LSU at No. 18 Vanderbilt
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: By the end of the day, we’ll know a lot more about where the SEC race stands. The first significant matchup of the ABC three is in Nashville, Tennessee, where the host Commodores and the Bayou Bengals look to avoid a second league setback. Vandy and QB Diego Pavia take the field for the first time since being humbled by Alabama two weeks ago. He could have his hands full again as he challenges LSU’s dynamic LB trio of Harold Perkins and brothers West and Whit Weeks. The Tigers’ offense remains largely punchless, though QB Garrett Nussmeier got help from RB Caden Durham last week against South Carolina. The effort to keep LSU stuck in neutral will be led by Commodores LB Bryan Longwell and DB CJ Heard.
Why it could disappoint: LSU games have been tough watches all season if we’re being honest. The intensity level will certainly be there as well as late-game tension, but don’t expect a ton of offensive fireworks.
No. 22 Utah at No. 14 Brigham Young
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Fox.
Why watch: The ‘Holy War’ is the Big 12’s headline attraction this week, with both teams in the thick of the wide-open conference hunt. Last time out, the Cougars needed a late rally but kept their record unblemished against Arizona, while the Utes took advantage of a short-handed Arizona State squad to regain a foothold in the Top 25. This contest features the Big 12’s two top rushing attacks. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier will take off himself but relies on RB LJ Martin to stay ahead of the sticks. Utes QB Devon Dampier is also a running threat who gets plenty of support from RBs Wayshawn Parker and NaQuari Rogers. Names you’ll likely hear often on the defensive side include Utah LB Johnathan Hall and Cougars DB Faletau Satuala.
Why it could disappoint: We’d be surprised if it does, although both offenses can bog down periodically. Utah was on the short end of a blowout before, but this shouldn’t be a similar mismatch.
No. 21 Southern California at No. 15 Notre Dame
Time/TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
Why watch: The Fighting Irish have rattled off four wins in a row since their 0-2 start. But this is their first opportunity since those narrow defeats to pick up a true resume helper. That the Trojans come into South Bend, Indiana, following a signature win which could prove to be a mixed blessing, as USC now hopes to add another quality result. USC’s success keeping Michigan’s ground game in check last week could be encouraging for Trojans’ faithful. LB Eric Gentry and Co. now turn their attention to slowing the Fighting Irish tandem of RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, though Notre Dame QB C.J. Carr will likely provide better air cover. Trojans QB Jayden Maiava and RB Waymond Jordan will keep Notre Dame LB Drayk Bowen and DB Adon Shuler busy.
Why it could disappoint: A couple of scenarios come to mind. Notre Dame’s superiority in the ground game could make it hard for the Trojans to possess the ball enough to keep pace, or USC will manage some early stops and build a solid cushion. But given the stakes, not to mention the lengthy history between these programs, we expect a competitive contest.
Louisville at No. 2 Miami (Fla.)
Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: The Hurricanes have just one ACC contest under their collective belt but nonetheless have a clear path to the league title game. This date with the Cardinals looms as one of the largest potential obstacles. Louisville’s own championship hopes took a hit with a home loss to Virginia, so the Cards are in must-win mode going forward. Miami has played just once in the last three weeks, so QB Carson Beck and all his top playmakers will be well rested. Louisville DB D’Angelo Hutchinson and LB T.J. Quinn will do their best to minimize long gainers. Cardinals QB Miller Moss hasn’t had quite as many deep completions, but WR Chris Bell is a constant breakaway threat. The protection group must account for Miami DE Rueben Bain at all times.
Why it could disappoint: Miami fans would very much like to see their team break the habit of taking its foot off the gas when protecting a second-half lead. Should the Hurricanes figure that out, there might not be any late drama, but history suggests we’ll have to stick around until the final whistle.
No. 12 Georgia Tech at Duke
Time/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN.
Why watch: Though only the Yellow Jackets have a number before their name, this is a key matchup in the ACC of teams off to 3-0 league starts. Neither is slated to play Miami in the regular season, so the winner here could be on course to meet the Hurricanes in the title game. Things have gone markedly better for the Blue Devils once they stopped putting the ball on the turf. Duke QB Darian Mensah will likely surpass the 2,000-yard mark during the game, but Georgia Tech DB Clayton Powell-Lee will try to make sure those passes don’t wind up in the end zone. Yellow Jackets QB Haynes King has also improved his ball security this season, but he’s sure to get added attention from Duke DB DaShawn Stone.
Why it could disappoint: If the turnover bug bites, things could go off the rails quickly for either team. Again, both have improved in that area, but the possibility exists.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football Week 8 games to watch feature SEC rivalries
Category: General Sports
