CFW Week 8 Forecast – Matt Rhule to Penn State; James Franklin to Florida?
Ole Miss-Georgia, Tennessee-Alabama,
throw in Utah-BYU and USC-Notre Dame
You can’t get much better than that!
Last week’s games were a killer for coaches. Three were fired. There are a ton of good games on the docket this week. Will any more coaches fall by the wayside?
All four of the Power Four conferences are represented in the Top-10 games this week. But the three biggest of the games are SEC encounters. The SEC has some hot contests. It begins at the top with Ole Miss (6-0) at Georgia (5-1). It doesn’t get much better than this – Lane Kiffin vs. Kirby Smart. Sounds like fun.
The SEC action continues with Tennessee (5-1) at Alabama (5-1). Joey Aguilar vs. Ty Simpson. The tension will be high in Tuscaloosa. The best of the SEC action concludes with LSU (5-1) at Vanderbilt (5-1). Tiger fans won’t be happy with Brian Kelly if LSU loses. Will Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia have a breakout game?
The Big 12 has a couple of goodies this week. The best of the two appears to be Utah (5-1) at BYU (6-0) – the Holy War. This is quite a fierce rivalry. This year it has a couple of fierce quarterbacks – BYU’s Bear Bachmeier and Utah’s Devon Dampier. Both like to scamper and run. The other biggie in the Big 12 is Texas Tech (6-0) at Arizona State (4-2). I’m not sure anyone in the Big 12 can stop Texas Tech. Arizona State has a challenge. But the Sun Devils have the home field and something to prove.
Meanwhile, the ACC has two interesting encounters, beginning with Louisville (4-1) at Miami (5-0). The Cardinals may have to come up with some tricks to beat the Canes. But anything can happen. In Durham, Georgia Tech (6-0) at Duke (4-2) promises to be a donnybrook. The Dookies have one heck of an offense. The Jackets have one hell of a team.
Big Ten action this week is headlined by two good affairs. The fun begins with Washington (5-1) at Michigan (4-2). Washington quarterback Demond Williams is an exciting player. Michigan will be out to rebound from last week’s loss. In Minneapolis, Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2) looks to be a good football game. Huskers’ coach Matt Rhule is rumored to be a candidate for the Penn State job. That distraction could keep him from being focused on Minnesota. The Gophers are on the hunt for a good win.
And finally, there is a classic intersectional matchup this week – USC (5-1) at Notre Dame (4-2). The Trojans came on strong last week, playing their best game of the season in the win over Michigan. Meanwhile, after opening the season at 0-2, Notre Dame has won four straight. Will the Irish keep on winning?
There are a slew of other games this week I am interested and curious to see how they play out. The games are Arizona (4-2) at Houston (5-1). Arizona darn near beat BYU last week. Houston has a good record, but the Cougars haven’t really beaten anybody. Baylor (4-2) at TCU (4-2). Baylor can’t stop Josh Hoover (1,893 yards passing). Likewise, TCU can’t stop Sawyer Robertson (2,058 yards passing). This game could end up with a basketball score. Oklahoma (5-1) at South Carolina (3-3). Will OU quarterback John Mateer get back in his groove this week? Or was last week’s loss to Texas the start of OU’s demise. If South Carolina loses, the season is all but over for the Gamecocks.
SMU (4-2) at Clemson (3-3). Can SMU avenge last year’s loss in the closing seconds to Clemson? Clemson can’t afford another loss or the Tigers’ season is over. UNLV (6-0) at Boise State (4-2). UNLV’s undefeated season is on the line. It’s not easy to beat Boise State on the blue carpet. Old Dominion (4-2) at James Madison (5-1). The Monarchs fell apart against Marshall last week. They were probably looking ahead to JMU. Will the Dukes hand ODU another loss? Penn State (3-3) at Iowa (4-2). How will the Nittany Lions perform, following the firing of their coach James Franklin? Iowa’s two losses are by a total of eight points. Missouri (5-1) at Auburn (3-3). Both of these teams suffered tough losses last week. Which one will bounce back?
College football Week 8 began early – Tuesday night. There were three games. Liberty beat New Mexico State, 30-27. Trailing 27-23 in the fourth quarter, Liberty scored a touchdown with 0:36 remaining. There were five turnovers in the game – three by New Mexico State.
In Mobile, Arkansas State trailed South Alabama 14-3 as the fourth quarter began. Arkansas State scored 12 unanswered points in the final 11 minutes to win 15-14. The winning points came on a 38-yard field goal with 0:03 seconds remaining.
In the third game, FIU upset Western Kentucky, 25-6. FIU running back Kejon Owens rushed for 195 yards and one touchdown. WKU had three turnovers. FIU had none.
Personally, I think college football games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights are stupid. I realize it’s the only way those schools (C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt) can get television exposure, but no one is watching those games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. College football is meant to be played on the weekends. I can accept a couple of games on Thursday and Friday nights, but not on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Saturday morning, ESPN’s College GameDay is in Athens, Georgia, for the Ole Miss-Georgia game. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff is in Provo, Utah, for the Utah-BYU game. SEC Network’s SEC Nation is in Columbia, South Carolina, for the Oklahoma-South Carolina game. The ACC Network’s ACC Huddle is in Clemson, South Carolina, for the SMU-Clemson game. Enjoy the shows!
By the way, ESPN College GameDay’s Reece Davis thinks that Nebraska coach Matt Rhule will be the next head coach of Penn State. ESPN sports reporter Pete Thamel thinks that a Matt will be the next head coach at Penn State – either Iowa State’s Matt Campbell or Nebraska’s Matt Rhule. And there is substantial speculation that recently fired Penn State coach James Franklin will replace Billy Napier as the head coach at Florida. Stay tuned!
After seven weeks, the Top-10 contenders for the Heisman Trophy according to BetMGM Sports are 1. Carson Beck (Miami), 2. Ty Simpson (Alabama), 3. Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), 4. Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State), 5. Julian Sayin (Ohio State), 6. Dante Moore (Oregon), 7. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), 8. Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), 9. C.J. Carr (Notre Dame), and 10. Jayden Maiava (USC).
It's interesting. At preseason, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Texas’ Arch Manning, Penn State’s Drew Allar and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers were the Top-5 quarterbacks in the country. Seven weeks into the season and none of those five quarterbacks are among the Top-10 contenders for the Heisman Trophy.
The Top-5 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll are 1. North Dakota State (6-0), 2. South Dakota State (6-0), 3. Tarleton State (7-0), 4. Montana (6-0), and 5. Montana State (4-2). Harvard (4-0) is 20th.
Rockledge Gator and Bootsie are in Auburn, Alabama, this weekend. They are taking two of their grandchildren – Riley and Savanah – to the Missouri-Auburn game.
Have a good football weekend!
October 16, 2025
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Week Eight’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. #5 Ole Miss (6-0) at #9 Georgia (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This won’t be like the Georgia-Auburn game. Ole Miss has a better offense than Auburn. The Magnolias will put points on the board. Question is: how many? As a rule, Georgia plays good defense. But so does Ole Miss. The Magnolias’ SEC games have all been close. Beat Kentucky by 7 points, Arkansas by 6 points and LSU by 5 points. If it is going to be that close, then I think Georgia wins. Uga relieves himself on a Magnolia tree – Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. #11 Tennessee (5-1) at #6 Alabama (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Alabama is averaging 38 points a game and Tennessee is averaging 48 points a game. Tennessee is more vulnerable on defense, giving up 29 points a game. That’s probably where Alabama will win the game. That and the home field advantage for the Tide. Both quarterbacks are passing like crazy. UT’s Joey Aguilar has passed for 1,680 yards, completing 65% of his passes. Bama’s Ty Simpson has passed for 1,678 yards, completing 71% of his passes. Aguilar has thrown five picks. Simpson has only thrown one pick. Wild game with lots of scoring. The Tide is too high for Smokey – Alabama 34, Tennessee 30.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. #10 LSU (5-1) at #17 Vanderbilt (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Both quarterbacks are on similar tracks. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier has passed for 1,413 yards. Vandy’s Diego Pavia has passed for 1,409 yards. But both have been somewhat disappointing. LSU has the much better defense, giving up 12 points a game. Vandy is giving up 19 points a game. But Vandy has the better offense, averaging 43 points a game. Ultimately, LSU prevails. The Tigers capsize the Commodores boat – LSU 23, Vanderbilt 20.
4. #20 USC (5-1) at #13 Notre Dame (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Ind) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – The Trojans found a defense last week, holding Michigan to 13 points. But Notre Dame has a better offense than Michigan. Both teams are averaging 40 or so points a game. On defense, USC and Notre Dame are both giving up 21 points a game. The Irish will test the Trojans’ defense. Both quarterbacks are passing like crazy. ND’s C.J. Carr has passed for 1,622 yards. USC’s Jayden Maiava has passed for 1,852 yards. Both teams will put some points on the board. The Irish step dance over the Trojans – Notre Dame 30, USC 28.
5. #23 Utah (5-1) at #15 BYU (6-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – This one is a big rivalry game. Utah will be out to hand BYU its first loss. The Cougars escaped Arizona with a three-point victory last week. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back L.J. Martin appears to be getting better and better each week. Experience helps. As quarterback Devon Dampier goes, so goes Utah. Dampier is the leading passer and leading rusher for the Utes. The teams are almost identical on offense and defense. Both are averaging 39-40 points a game. Both defenses are holding opponents to 14-15 points a game. The Utes deflate the Cougars – Utah 28, BYU 27.
6. Louisville (4-1) at #2 Miami (5-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – The scoring output for both teams on offense is about the same – 35-36 points a game. The difference lies on defense. Miami is only giving up 14 points a game. Louisville is giving up 21 points a game. The Canes can rely on Mr. Dependable – quarterback Carson Beck. Beck is now one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy. The combination of Beck and the Canes’ defense will win this one for Miami. Too windy for the Cardinals – Miami 30, Louisville 23.
7. #7 Texas Tech (6-0) at Arizona State (4-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Arizona State was riding high at preseason. But seven weeks into the season and the Sun Devils already have two losses. To make matters worse, quarterback Sam Leavitt is injured. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders from Lubbock have risen to the top. But now their quarterback – Behren Morton – is injured too. Tech is better on offense and defense. But the Sun Devils can put up a fight. The Sun Devils are romped and raided – Texas Tech 35, Arizona State 19.
8. #12 Georgia Tech (6-0) at Duke (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Duke is a scary team – scary good. You can’t take the Dookies for granted. Many Diaz is doing a good job in Durham. He’s building on the good things that Mike Elko started. And the Devils have one of the top passing quarterbacks in the country – Darian Mensah. And Duke’s running game has stepped up too with Nate Sheppard. Georgia Tech relies on a mix of passing and running. The Jackets have a good defense too. Quarterback Haynes King is both the leading rusher and passer for Tech. The Dookies get stung – Georgia Tech 31, Duke 27.
9. #28 Washington (5-1) at #27 Michigan (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Washington has the better offense. The defense for both teams is about the same. Michigan running back Justice Haynes has rushed for 712 yards. Washington quarterback Demond Williams has passed for 1,628 yards. Ann Arbor can be a tough venue for the visitors. The Maize trap the Huskies in a maze – Michigan 30, Washington 28.
10. #25 Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Friday, FOX – It’s about time for the Cardiac Kids to give their fans another nail biter game. Nebraska is a much better scoring team than Minnesota – 45 points a game to 27 points for the Gophers. Both teams are about the same on defense giving up around 20 points a game. Huskers’ quarterback Dylan Raiola has passed for 1,591 yards. But last week, he passed to the wrong team too many times – three interceptions. He should have that out of his system. Emmett Johnson’s running is looking good for Nebraska. Minnesota doesn’t have a lot of offense. The Gophers’ running game is weak. Last week, Minnesota took advantage of Purdue’s miscues to beat the Boilers. Minnesota plays that type of game – they hope their defense will pull it out for them. The Huskers pull it out this week – Nebraska 31, Minnesota 23.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
West Virginia at UCF – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, TNT – Two teams under first-year coaches and suffering tough seasons. Both are coming off a bye week. Both are coming off three-straight losses. One will take advantage of the off week to get their act going this week. Neither team has shown much of an offense, but UCF’s has been the better of the two. Neither team has shown much defense, but UCF’s has been the better of the two. I think that says that when the game is over, UCF will be the better of the two. The Knights are shining in their armor – UCF 28, West Virginia 20.
#31 Mississippi State at Florida – (SEC vs. SEC) – 4:15 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Tough times for Florida coach Billy Napier. If he wins this week, then he will probably survive until after the next game – Georgia. But if he loses to Miss State, then it looks like curtains for the Gator coach. And it could be curtains if he loses. Florida’s offense has been stalling, stalling, and stalling. It just can’t stall anymore. Ironically, Miss State has been playing better offense. Both teams are similar on defense. Florida is a tad better. This one could be a nail biter for the fans of both teams. Albert gets the final chomp – Florida 21, Mississippi State 20.
#21 Texas at Kentucky – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Following the big win over Oklahoma, Texas could have a letdown this week. But to the Longhorns’ benefit, Kentucky has no offense or defense. And it appears that Arch Manning may finally be in his groove. Still, the Horns can’t take the Wildcats lightly. Bevo grazes on the blue grass – Texas 27, Kentucky 17.
Purdue at Northwestern – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Purdue came to life last week against Minnesota. Had it not been for four turnovers, the Boilers would have won the game. Except for the interceptions and the fumble, Purdue’s offense was clicking on all cylinders. But those turnovers were killers. Both teams have been similar on offense. Northwestern has been better on defense. But the Boilers may catch the Wildcats celebrating the win over Penn State. Either way, it’s going to be a close game. Wildcats take the Boiler out of the Makers – Northwestern 27, Purdue 23.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
FIU (2-3) at Western Kentucky (5-1) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 8 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPNU….
Stetson (3-4) at Presbyterian (6-0) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Alcorn State (1-5) at Florida A&M (1-4) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN….
West Florida (6-0) at West Alabama (5-0) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida Atlantic (3-3) at #19 South Florida (5-1) – (AC vs. AC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….
Florida State (3-3) at Stanford (2-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN….
Quotes of the Week
“Curt Cignetti would be a fool to leave Indiana for Penn State,” USA Today sports writer Blake Toppmeyer.
“James Franklin pushed Penn State to the brink of the elite. It led to his firing,” USA Today sports writer Paul Myerberg.
“He ain’t going nowhere,” Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, on his coach Matt Rhule being considered for the Penn State opening.
“Virginia Tech needs to hire James Franklin,” Chris Hummer of CBS Sports.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment