College football spread picks, Week 8: Alabama-Tennessee, Michigan-Illinois and more

We’re in the thick of it now looking ahead to Week 8 of the 2024 college football season, so bring on the continued chaos!

For better or worse, we here at For The Win are largely on the same page for picks. So after Week 7’s games, our college football picks against the spread standings have Blake Schuster tightly holding onto his one-game lead, but a couple of us aren’t far behind. And this week’s matchups could change everything.

In Week 8, nine of our 10 games include a ranked team, and there are three ranked-versus-ranked matchups on tap, including No. 1 Texas against No. 5 Georgia. So let’s get into it.

Here are our 10 college football picks against the spread for Week 8. Tail responsibly, and best of luck out there.

Name	Last Week	YTD
Blake Schuster	5-5	42-32
Christian D’Andrea	6-4	41-33
Michelle Martinelli	6-4	41-33
Mitchell Northam	5-5	37-37
Tyler Nettuno	2-8	33-41

All odds via BetMGM

No. 2 Oregon at Purdue, Friday, 8 p.m. ET on Fox

Opening Line: Oregon -32.5

Blake Schuster: Purdue +27.5

Oregon has to scheme for a new Purdue quarterback and offensive coordinator with barely a week’s worth of film while flying across multiple time zones to the place where Big Ten championship dreams go to die. And it has to do so on a super short week. The Ducks win handily, the Boilermakers cover with ease.

Mitchell Northam: Oregon -27.5

Thirty-two points felt like a bit too much. Four touchdowns seems right. This Purdue team is not good, y’all.

Christian D’Andrea: Purdue +27.5

That’s not a short trip or an easy destination to get to. Factor in a letdown week after beating Ohio State, and the Boilermakers’ recent friskiness and, sure.

Michelle Martinelli: Purdue +27.5

The Boilermakers are not great this year, but weird things can happen for a ranked team at the Big Ten’s West Lafayette branch. Oregon is clearly a national title contender, but that’s too big a spread when traveling across multiple time zones.

Tyler Nettuno: Purdue +27.5

After a change at quarterback and offensive coordinator, the Boilermakers seem to have something going on that side of the ball. It won’t be enough to win, but it will be enough to cover in a road letdown spot for the Ducks.

Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU, Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN

Opening Line: BYU -5.5

Blake Schuster: Oklahoma State +9.5

Mike Gundy’s hot-seat avoidance could be studied for centuries, and since he’s running out of signature win opportunities this year, taking down a contending Cougars team in Provo will have to do this season.

Mitchell Northam: BYU -9.5

The good news for the fighting Mike Gundys is that they get to play Baylor next week.

Christian D’Andrea: BYU -9.5

I expected good things from the Cowboys this year because I am a fool.

Michelle Martinelli: Oklahoma State +9.5

I don’t know what’s going on with the Cowboys this season, but they’re not the team we thought back in August. Their defense is nonexistent, and the altitude could be a factor, but for some reason, my gut says pick them.

Tyler Nettuno: BYU -9.5

The Cougars may legitimately be the best team in the Big 12. Rudderless Oklahoma State certainly can’t say the same.

Virginia at No. 10 Clemson, Saturday, noon ET on ACC Network

Opening Line: Clemson -21.5

Blake Schuster: Virginia +21.5

Mentally prepare yourself for a brutal backdoor cover if you’re taking Clemson. Virginia is sneaky good and doesn’t let up.

Mitchell Northam: Clemson -21.5

Virginia has proven to be scrappy and better than expected, but I think Clemson shows off its ACC supremacy in this game.

Christian D’Andrea: Clemson -21.5

The Tigers have brought the lumber to ACC opponents, and Virginia shouldn’t be any different

Michelle Martinelli: Clemson -21.5

I have been wrong about the Tigers multiple times this season. They’re back. But if they don’t cover this time, I’m blaming Dabo.

Tyler Nettuno: Clemson -21.5

The Cavaliers could make this one interesting with a huge game from Anthony Colandrea, but it’s hard to see that happening against a Clemson defense that looks strong right now.

Nebraska at No. 16 Indiana, Saturday, noon ET on Fox

Opening Line: Indiana -3.5

Blake Schuster: Indiana -6.5

I have never wanted to believe in an Indiana team more than this one. Kurtis Rourke, I see you.

Mitchell Northam: Indiana -6.5

One step closer to NINE-WIN INDIANA.

Christian D’Andrea: Nebraska +6.5

I have faith in the Cornhusker defense. The offense, less so. But still.

Michelle Martinelli: Nebraska +6.5

Indiana is doing incredible and very unexpected things this year, and I think the Hoosiers still win. But the Cornhuskers give them a run for their money.

Tyler Nettuno: Nebraska +6.5

I love the Indiana story right now, and I think this is a very solid team. But its best win is currently a bad Maryland team. I think the Hoosiers could win this game, but it will be closer than seven points if they do.

No. 6 Miami (Fla.) at Louisville, Saturday, noon ET on ABC/ESPN+

Opening Line: Louisville -1

Blake Schuster: Miami -4.5

ACC chaos takes a day off in this one. Cam Ward is simply too good. Even on the road. Even against a supposed conference contender.

Mitchell Northam: Miami -4.5

After close calls with Cal and Virginia Tech, I still feel like Miami is going to lose an ACC game that they aren’t supposed to, but it won’t be this one.

Christian D’Andrea: Miami -4.5

The last three weeks of Cardinals football have not been inspiring.

Michelle Martinelli: Louisville +4.5

Miami’s had some wild close calls, winning its last two games by a total of five points. This could be the game where the Hurricanes end up on the wrong side of the ball or another entry in the barely survived column.

Tyler Nettuno: Miami -4.5

Someone is going to get the Canes at some point, and this one on the road is a tempting pick. I just don’t think the Cardinals have enough on offense to stress them the way Virginia Tech and Cal did.

No. 7 Alabama at No. 11 Tennessee, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+

Opening Line: Alabama -2.5

Blake Schuster: Tennessee +3

Alabama has the third-worst rush defense in the SEC (129.2 yards per game). Dylan Sampson averages about 115 yards per game. Enjoy those cigars, Vols fans.

Mitchell Northam: Tennessee +3

Winner gets cigars, the loser probably misses the playoff.

Christian D’Andrea: Alabama -3

Yeah man I dunno. 2022 was fun, though.

Michelle Martinelli: Tennessee +3

Who the [expletive] knows with these two-faced teams…

Tyler Nettuno: Alabama -3

I just don’t trust the Vols offense enough to pick them right now, even in Knoxville. Nico Iamaleava continues to make freshman mistakes, and even though Alabama’s defense has struggled recently, it’s a lot better than the Florida defense that gave him fits on Saturday night.

No. 24 Michigan at No. 22 Illinois, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+

Opening Line: Michigan -1.5

Blake Schuster: Michigan -3

The Wolverines cannot keep getting away with it. But the Big Ten simply will not send Illinois to the playoffs.

Mitchell Northam: Illinois +3

I’ll give Illinois the home-field advantage here and ride with Big Bert in the Big Tossup in the Big Ten.

Christian D’Andrea: Michigan -3

Illinois occasionally forgets how to play football and Michigan, unexciting as it may be, does not.

Michelle Martinelli: Illinois +3

Still not convinced Michigan knows what it’s doing on offense, and Illinois will be able to capitalize — especially at home.

Tyler Nettuno: Michigan -3

The Wolverines play about the ugliest form of football imaginable, but it’s not bad football. Illinois is built similarly, and I’ll give the edge to the more talented team.

Colorado at Arizona, Saturday, 4 p.m. ET on Fox

Opening Line: Arizona -4.5

Blake Schuster: Arizona -3.5

The Wildcats beat Colorado by three in Boulder last year. They should win more comfortably this time around.

Mitchell Northam: Colorado +3.5

Travis Hunter is supposed to play. We’ll see.

Christian D’Andrea: Arizona -3.5

If Hunter isn’t 100 percent, Tetairoa McMillan could be a major problem for the Buffaloes.

Michelle Martinelli: Arizona -3.5

This pick largely depends on whether or not Travis Hunter is able to play at 100 percent. Even if he is, I have a feeling we’ll see him on the field for fewer snaps than he’s used to.

Tyler Nettuno: Colorado +3.5

Arizona has an incredible quarterback/receiver duo with Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. That’s about all the Wildcats have going for them, and I remain fairly bullish about Colorado in Year 2 of prime time.

No. 8 LSU at Arkansas, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

Opening Line: LSU -9.5

Blake Schuster: LSU -3

Holy line movement, Batman. Brian Kelly is fraud, but he’s not that big of a fraud.

Mitchell Northam: Arkansas +3

Riding high after a win over Ole Miss, this feels like the kind of game we’ve come to know Brian Kelly’s LSU to lose.

Christian D’Andrea: LSU -3

Arkansas can make this a game, but ultimately it feels like the kind of win that keeps Brian Kelly’s job safe, even though no one quite trusts him.

Michelle Martinelli: Arkansas +3

Don’t love this pick, but LSU has only played one true road game so far. The Razorbacks should be rested after a bye and ready to keep shaking up the SEC standings.

Tyler Nettuno: LSU -3

This game has been close the last two years, and I expect the same here. Arkansas should be able to score in this game if Taylen Green is available, but I just don’t see it slowing the Tigers down enough to win.

No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+

Opening Line: Georgia -1.5

Blake Schuster: Texas -3.5

If the Longhorns really want to prove they are the new Alabama of the SEC, they can start by beating Georgia in Austin this week. That sets them up perfectly to lose to Vanderbilt next Saturday.

Mitchell Northam: Texas -3.5

I think this Georgia team is talented enough to beat Texas but — *gestures at recent games* — I don’t trust it.

Christian D’Andrea: Texas -3.5

Look, I have Texas-Vandy tickets next weekend, and I would love to see College GameDay there.

Michelle Martinelli: Texas -3.5

Georgia’s defense isn’t what we’re used to this season, and the Longhorns’ is the best in the country. And at home, gotta go with Texas.

Tyler Nettuno: Texas -3.5

Georgia is probably still Georgia, but the Longhorns simply look like the more complete team right now. I’d feel differently if this game were in Athens, but I’ll give Texas the edge at home.