2019 College Football Week 8 Predictions – Breaking Down the Top 25 Matchups: On the heels of a weekend that featured several marquee matchups and a huge upset, Week 8 of the College Football season is going to have a tough act to follow. While it is true that this weekend’s slate simply doesn’t have the same caliber of games on tap, we do have three matchups between a pair of ranked opponents, including a couple of important Pac-12 contests and a crucial battle in the Big Ten.
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2019 College Football Week 8 Predictions: Breaking Down the Top 25 Matchups
No. 12 Oregon Ducks (-3) at No. 25 Washington Huskies
Two of the top quarterback prospects in the country will face off when Justin Herbert and Oregon take on Jacob Eason and Washington. With a two-game lead in the Pac-12 North, the Ducks are in good shape in the conference regardless of the outcome. If they want to cling to any hope of working their way back into contention for the College Football Playoff, winning is the only option.
Both sides use balanced, pro-style systems, and both teams have solid defenses. However, Oregon has been spectacular on defense for the most part, allowing just 8.7 points and 267.7 yards per game. Meanwhile, Herbert has proven over the last couple years that he can deliver on big stages against tough opponents. Eason doesn’t have the same experience level, and he struggled in losses to Stanford and California, the teams with the best defenses he has faced this far. I think the gap between Herbert and Eason will be obvious, and it will be the reason the Ducks come out on top.
Prediction: Oregon Ducks (-3) Cover the Spread
No. 17 Arizona State Sun Devils at No. 13 Utah Utes (-14)
Two teams fighting for the Pac-12 South title square off in this one when Arizona State goes on the road to face Utah. Both teams enter the matchup with 5-1 records, including 2-1 marks in conference play, and the similarities don’t end there. Both sides have been stout on the defensive side of the ball, allowing less than 18 points and less than 100 rushing yards per game, and both have some star power on offense.
The Utes are led by quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zach Moss, and the Sun Devils get most of their production from the trio of quarterback Jayden Daniels, running back Eno Benjamin and receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Overall, Utah has been a little more potent on offense, particularly in the run game where they average 228.8 yards per game, 95.4 more than ASU.
In the end, I think the Utes are just a slightly more talented version of the Sun Devils, and when you throw in homefield advantage, I think Utah comes away with the win. However, this is an Arizona State team that went on the road and gutted out a 10-7 win against Michigan State and a 24-17 win over California. I don’t think the Sun Devils will be overwhelmed by any means. I’ll take the two touchdowns.
Prediction: Arizona State Sun Devils (+14) Cover the Spread
No. 16 Michigan Wolverines at No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions (-8.5)
A battle between Big Ten East heavyweights will take center stage Saturday night, and while Michigan must avoid a second conference loss just to stay relevant in the Big Ten, Penn State has to keep its perfect record intact to remain in the mix for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Both sides bring strong defenses to the table, and this game could develop into a hard-hitting, low-scoring Big Ten classic.
While the Wolverines have been stingy on defense, the Nittany Lions have been downright suffocating. Penn State is allowing just 8.2 points per game, and opponents are averaging just 53.8 rushing yards. The latter of those two stats is what concerns me the most for the Wolverines. Michigan’s attempt to install more of a pass-first, spread attack has been a failure thus far, and when the Wolverines can’t run the ball effectively, the offense has been anemic.
I do think the Michigan defense will be able to make life tough on first-year starter Sean Clifford, but the Penn State quarterback has shown a willingness to make plays with his legs when needed and the ability to avoid critical mistakes. I’m not expecting this game to be an offensive masterpiece for either side, and while I think the Nittany Lions will ultimately grind out a win like they did at Iowa last weekend, I’ll take the Wolverines and the points.
Prediction: Michigan Wolverines (+8.5) Cover the Spread
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