A terrible 8-13 mark in Week 7 brings me to 60-58, -$380 as we enter Week 8. This week features some interesting games. All wagers at -110 odds unless otherwise noted. Visit SB Nation odds partner Odds Shark for updated lines throughout each game week.
1. Utah -2.5 at Oregon State: Oregon State is 4-1 but lacking even one quality win, with its best mark being a five-point win at Colorado. Utah plays very good defense, and I look for that defense to find the Utes' offense enough shorter fields to win Thursday night.
2. Notre Dame at Florida State -11 (if Jameis Winston starts) and Notre Dame +6.5 at Florida State (if Winston does not start): 5Dimes Casino found a clever way to handle the ever-present Winston drama: offer contingent lines. As we see, Winston is worth almost a full touchdown, likely more than any other player in the country, especially since Florida State's regular backup QB is out with a hand injury. That means that the dropoff from Winston to his backup, this time John Franklin III, would be bigger than many realize. Notre Dame has yet to see a good passing attack this year, and FSU is a team that is very comfortable throwing on first down. Controlling Everett Golson is definitely a challenge, and he'll have to control his turnovers, which have been an issue of late.
3. Texas A&M at Alabama -11: Both teams have come off difficult games in back-to-back weeks, and now the Tide get to come home. Alabama's secondary is improved, and the book seems to be out on A&M's offense. Alabama should have a big advantage on both lines of scrimmage as well, and might look to get back to running the football on the Aggies. Can the Tide stop with all of the special teams gaffes?
4. Georgia at Arkansas +4: Any value on Georgia here was sapped with its 34-0 win over Missouri last weekend. But it's tough to play back-to-back road games, and Todd Gurley is not expected to play. Arkansas shouldn't turn the football over quite like Missouri did, and will look to make this game ugly and close behind the running of Alex Collins. Can the Razorbacks force Georgia to throw more?
5. Tennessee at Ole Miss Under 47: Both defensive lines should have advantages over both offensive lines. Ole Miss has scored 58 points in the last two weeks, and 20 of those came directly off turnovers. The Rebels' defense is nasty, however, and as long as the intensity can be maintained after two hyped games in as many weeks, should again shut down another offense. Tennessee's defense is considerably better than its offense this year.
6. Washington +21 at Oregon: QB play for the Huskies scares me, but Chris Petersen is a very good coach. They say that defense travels, and Washington surely has that, with a fantastic front seven that should test Oregon's offensive line even with the return of offensive tackle Jake Fisher for the Ducks. If UW can avoid giving Oregon and Marcus Mariota short fields, they can stay within the number.
7. Stanford -3 at Arizona State: The Cardinal really know how to play against Arizona State, winning twice last year with physicality and disciplined defense. That formula should not change this year. And if Washington State's defense wasn't the cure for what ails the Cardinal in the red zone, perhaps Arizona State's defense will be. And I'm not sure the likely return of QB Taylor Kelly will make that much of a difference for the Sun Devils.
8. UCLA -6.5 at Cal: Everyone is now doubting UCLA, and perhaps for good reason. But has there ever been a better time to buy low on a team with this level of talent? UCLA should be able to score plenty here, and the defense may be able to get some stops.
9. Clemson -5 at Boston College: Clemson's defense is one of the best in the country, and the loss of quarterback Deshaun Watson will actually help to keep the Tigers more focused in what could otherwise be a major letdown spot. Something is up with NC State QB Jacoby Brissett, whose numbers have plummeted over the last two weeks, and the Eagles' win over Brissett's Wolfpack last week has caused this line to be slightly deflated.
10. Georgia Tech -2 at North Carolina: Look for the Yellow Jackets to control the football against a sketchy North Carolina defense and frustrate the Tar Heel's pace-based offense.
11 and 12. Virginia +3 at Duke and Under 52: Duke's defense is a lot better than its offense, and the same goes for Virginia. Duke did not move the football all that well in its upset of Georgia Tech last week, instead relying on some fortunate turnovers.
13. Baylor -7.5 at West Virginia: On a per-play basis, Baylor's defense is pretty good this year, despite 58 points on the scoreboard against TCU. When evaluating tempo teams, which both Baylor and West Virginia are, you must look at the per-play metrics, because the sheer volume of plays throws totals out of whack. West Virginia's defense is not very good, and Baylor will make enough stops and break enough big-gainers to win by double digits.