The Missouri Tigers start the second half of the season with their first road game of the year in primetime against Auburn. Three other ranked SEC matchups and USC at Notre Dame highlight the Saturday
slate as we enter Week 8 of the College Football season.
Let’s make some picks (with the odds presented by our partners at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Stava: 14-20 ATS (22-12 SU)
Deck: 13-16 ATS (19-10 SU)
Gustafson: 10-14 ATS (12-12 SU)
Hurst: 9-11 ATS (12-8 SU)
Matejka: 6-14 ATS (9-11 SU)
No. 16 Missouri Tigers (-1.5) at Auburn Tigers (6:45 p.m. CST on SEC Network)
Sammy Stava: I’m a little worried about the mindset of this Mizzou team after a tough loss to Alabama. A night game at Jordan Hare Stadium is probably not the ideal spot to play your first road game of the season against an Auburn team that’s better than their record shows. Having said that, Missouri is in must-win territory, and they have the better team/roster on paper. MU takes this one 24-20 with a Carnell INT to seal it.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst: Tough environment, talented team… the ingredients are there for Mizzou to once again fall on the road under Eli Drinkwitz. That said, the off-field turmoil Auburn is going through right now will end up being too much for them to overcome. The good-guy Tigers win a low-scoring affair 20-13.
Matthew Gustafson: Jordan-Hare is an incredibly tough place to play at night, and it’s not an easy draw for Mizzou’s first road game of the season. Auburn is a solid team that should provide a strong test, but it’s a squad that also appears to be dealing with some internal issues after the dismissal of team captain and running back Damari Alston. Mizzou survives its first road test as the better, more cohesive team, 31-21.
Josh Matejka: I think there are good reasons to be worried about the Tigers (the good ones) headed into this game. Last week was a bit deflating – if not altogether damning – and going from “no road experience” to “let’s play at Jordan-Hare” is a hell of a transition. But I also firmly believe this is Mizzou’s best team under Drinkwitz, which means they’ll be up to the challenge. 23-20, good Tigers.
No. 10 LSU Tigers at No. 17 Vanderbilt Commodores (-2.5) (11:00 a.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: Vanderbilt has become a legitimate tough place to play, and Diego Pavia is the real deal, but in the end — LSU has the better talent on paper and Brian Kelly out-coaches Clark Lea. Tigers find a way to get it done 28-24.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst: I don’t like the line here… Vegas is basically begging for us to bet LSU. So I’m not going to. Give me the Commodores to grind it out and score enough points to overcome LSU’s anemic offense. Vandy wins 24-20.
Matthew Gustafson: As the early headlines surrounding LSU’s season-opening win at Clemson have faded (alongside that squad’s ranking and playoff hopes), Vanderbilt has arguably been more impressive through its first six games. LSU’s defense will provide a steep challenge for Diego Pavia, but the chaos king reigns supreme and hands the Bayou Bengals their second loss, 27-24.
Josh Matejka: Not really sure what to think here, as I’m still not a believer in this Vanderbilt team outside of Diego Pavia. I’m probably just a hater though. I’ll take the ‘Dores 27-23, and Brian Kelly to Penn State rumors start heating up.
No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs (-6.5) (2:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: Ole Miss barely escaping Wazzu at home heading into a road game spells trouble for the Rebels. UGA handles their business at home, 30-21.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst: I think the fun Trinidad Chambliss story finally comes to an end Saturday afternoon in Athens. I fear he was exposed a bit against a bad Washington State team last week and Kirby Smart will know just what buttons to push to shut down the Ole Miss offense. Bulldogs win 31-21.
Matthew Gustafson: The Bulldogs have gotten back on track these last two weeks, while Ole Miss took a bizarre detour last Saturday and barely beat Washington State. Georgia enters this game with momentum and home field advantage. Give me the Bulldogs, 28-24.
Josh Matejka: I do think Lane Kiffin teams have a ceiling, and I think they might have already hit it this year. Beating Georgia in Athens is probably a step too high. 28-21 Jawja.
No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers at No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide (-9.5) (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Sammy Stava: Well, we know how good Ty Simpson is as he’s coming off SEC Offensive Player of the Week. When Alabama plays their A game — they’re probably one of the best teams in the country (maybe behind Ohio State). The Tide are rolling, and this game is in Tuscaloosa at night. Bama 35-23.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst: Alabama is the hottest team in the SEC, facing off against a Tennessee team that is coming of a major scare by Arkansas. I think the Volunteers were overlooking the Razorbacks last week to this game and will come ready to play. Alabama will win, but Tennessee will cover. Take the Tide 34-28.
Matthew Gustafson: I was going to use the Tide are rolling to describe Alabama’s performance these last few weeks…. sadly, Sammy beat me to the punch. It’s true, though, and I’m not sure I’d feel confident about any team going into Tuscaloosa and leaving with a win right now. I’ll take Alabama (but Tennessee covers), 34-27.
Josh Matejka: Has Alabama finally figured it out under DeBoer? If you’re asking me, I’d say yes. Beating Tennessee at home would be the icing on the cake for them, and I think DeBoer is desperate to keep the good vibes rolling. Tide roll, 34-27.
No. 20 USC Trojans at No. 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-7.5) (6:30 p.m. CST on NBC)
Sammy Stava: Notre Dame might be the best two-loss team in the country. The Irish will need to win out the rest of the way to make their case at the 12-team playoff, and this is basically their last chance at a resume-building win. They know that. They’ll take care of business at home. 30-21, ND.
True Deck:
Nathan Hurst: Homefield advantage might swing the largest in this match up of all the games around the country on Saturday. USC is playing well and if this game was in the Coliseum, I’d take the Trojans to win outright. Since the game is being played in South Bend, give me the Irish to roll 31-21.
Matthew Gustafson: Notre Dame has re-established itself as one of the nation’s best teams following two very close losses to top-notch competition in the opening two weeks. USC has looked top-25 worthy, but I’m not sold on the Trojans as true playoff contenders. Give me the Irish, 38-27.
Josh Matejka: I truly do not care. Notre Dame 31-23.
