Frogs O’ War Staff Picks: College Football Week 8

Big 12

Arizona Wildcats at Houston Cougars – Sat. Oct. 18, 11:00 AM, FS1

Anthony: Wildcats walk into H-Town and steal a win. Arizona’s 2OT loss at BYU stands as a more impressive performance than UH’s easy blowout win at OK State.
Austin: Arizona steals one on the road against the 5-1 Houston Cougars in an upset.
Caleb: Houston has played well at home and Arizona is coming off of an emotional letdown against BYU. Depending on how you look at it, it’s trap territory for both teams with Houston looking ahead to ASU in Tempe and Arizona holding on for their upcoming bye. I think Houston is back in a rhythm after knocking off OSU and their defense shows up this week to slow Fifita and the Wildcat offense. Cougars win.

Drew: Willie Fritz has Houston playing well but I have Arizona winning this one on the road after nearly upsetting BYU a week ago.
Russ: The Cougars continue to string wins together. I like them at home here.

West Virginia Mountaineers at UCF Knights – Sat. Oct. 18, Noon, TNT/HBO Max

Anthony: The Mountaineers are coming off a bye and could finally prove a threat in a conference contest this season, but there’s just no way to project a WVU win; Knights win a close fight.
Austin: West Virginia feels like it’s already packed in for the season. The UCF Knights win this one by more than a touchdown.
Caleb: UCF is in desperate need of a get-right game and WVU is a prime candidate for being a doormat. The Rich Rod experience intensifies as WVU drops their 4th straight in conference play and UCF grabs a victory before their bye. Knights win.
Drew: The Rich Rod rerun is off to a rocky start in Morgantown and I think UCF snaps its three game losing streak at home here.
Russ: The Mountaineers are jockeying with Oklahoma State for the worst team in the conference. UCF wins by a large margin.

Texas Tech Red Raiders at Arizona State Sun Devils – Sat. Oct. 18, 3:00 PM, FOX

Anthony: Regardless of QB availability for either team and the coaching advantage for the Sun Devils, the Red Raiders win this road showdown by double digits
Austin: This game depends on the availability of each team’s quarterback. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt missed the Sun Devils’ contest versus Utah, while Behren Morton exited the Red Raiders’ win against Kansas. Without knowing each quarterback’s availability, I’ll side with Texas Tech.
Caleb: ASU has credible close wins against TCU and Baylor this year but getting curb-stomped by Utah last week shows the glaring weaknesses that Leavitt’s strong QB normally covers up. I think Tech sees through that, whether they start Morton or Hammond, and they get the win here.
Drew: Even with Sam Leavitt being listed as probable to play in this game and Behren Morton being questionable for Texas Tech, I still have the Red Raiders winning this one on the road. Will Hammond is a more than capable backup quarterback and Tech’s defense is scary good.
Russ: Texas Tech won big over Kansas despite losing Behren Morton to an injury. I like the Red Raiders over Arizona State here.

Utah Utes at BYU Cougars – Sat. Oct. 18, 7:00 PM FOX

Anthony: The 2025 Holy War might be the most impactful instance of the rivalry since the Mountain West days. The Utes have looked underwhelming, even in big wins, despite the offseason talent infusion while BYU has overperformed despite losing its starting QB just before the season. I’ll take the Cougars to win its third straight in the series.
Austin: Utah is rolling. The Utes defeated the Sun Devils by 32 points without Leavitt, but it’s still an impressive feat. BYU is 6-0 with several close calls—Utah ends the Cougars’ winning streak.
Caleb: BYU may have let Arizona hang around last week because they were looking ahead to this matchup, while Utah’s firepower was solely focused on ASU. The Cougar defense has shown the propensity to control dual threat QBs like Dampier so I imagine they’ll defense home turf well. Bear Bachmeier aces his first really big test as the starter.
Drew: Utah has looked dominant after their loss to Texas Tech with wins by 34 and 32 points in their last two games and BYU narrowly escaped an upset at the hands of Arizona last week. I’ll take Utah in this one.
Russ: In a toss-up game like this, I’ll side with the home team. BYU takes a close one.

Cincinnati Bearcats at Oklahoma State Cowboys – Sat. Oct. 18, 7:00 PM, ESPN2

Anthony: At least the Stillwater faithful are having fun with the Petey Pablo routine in the student section, because the action on the field is atrocious. Bearcats take an easy road win.
Austin: Cincinnati is better than expected, and Oklahoma State might be the worst team in Division I football. Bearcats by 20-plus.
Caleb: How large can the OSU shirtless t-shirt swinging crowd get for this snooze-fest? Bearcats trounce the Pokes by a landslide.
Drew: Cincinnati is playing well right now and will stay in Big 12 title contention with a win over Oklahoma State on the road.
Russ: Cowboys are dreadful. Cincinnati wins big over Oklahoma State here.

Top National Games

Louisville Cardinals at Miami Hurricanes – Fri. Oct. 17, 6:00 PM, ESPN

Anthony: The Hurricanes might be the nation’s best team and will be favored by at least a touchdown in every remaining game this season. The U cruises in the weeknight spotlight.
Austin: Miami is tried and true with wins over three ranked opponents. Louisville is by no means a pushover, but it won’t take much for the Hurricanes to take care of business at home. Miami wins.
Caleb: I’m having a tough time seeing Miami struggling in this one after two weeks to prep. Louisville is outmatched in almost all aspects of this one. Canes roll.
Drew: Louisville is a solid team but I can’t see the Hurricanes losing this one at home. I’ll take Miami.
Russ: The Hurricanes rolled over Florida State and the defense has been stout. Miami wins here.

LSU Tigers at Vanderbilt Commodores – Sat. Oct. 18, 11:00 AM, ABC

Anthony: As a lifelong longsuffering Vandy fan, I simply find it unfathomable that the ‘Dores are favored in this game and have to believe the “Same Old Vanderbilt” will rear its ugly head at some point. LSU WR Barion Brown returns home to Nashville and cooks up a couple scores to give the Tigers a much-needed win to prevent Brian Kelly from getting the James Franklin treatment
Austin: Vanderbilt is favored against LSU? Tell anyone that over the last 15 years, and no one would believe you; yet, here we are. After faltering against Alabama, the Commodores get it done against the Tigers.
Caleb: How long does an offense get to “struggle” before we just label them as bad? LSU has not shown any capabilities to peace together balanced performances this year and have leaned on their defense far too long. Pavia didn’t fight for a 9th year of eligibility to let his season get derailed by a measly loss to Bama in Tuscaloosa. Commodores get back on track at home.
Drew: LSU’s offense has been bad this season and Vanderbilt gave Alabama a solid scare two weeks ago. That said, LSU has an excellent defense and I think the Tigers take down Vandy on the road.
Russ: Something has been off about the LSU offense all season. I’m not sure those issues get fixed here. Vandy wins at home.

Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

at Duke Blue Devils – Sat. Oct. 18, 11:00 AM, ESPN

Anthony: So an undefeated top-15 ranked squad is an underdog vs. Duke Football? Something stinks about that line and means there is a lot of love for Darian Mensah and the two-loss Blue Devils. I’ll roll with Duke to take a huge step towards the ACC Championship and deliver the Yellow Jackets its first loss.
Austin: Don’t look now, but the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets are 6-0 and ranked 12th nationally. Although Duke has the home-field advantage, Georgia Tech continues its winning ways.
Caleb: I was surprised to see Duke favored in this one, even coming off a bye and with a red hot QB in Darian Mensah. Georgia Tech has a legit defense and Haynes King is a certified gamer. Until they show signs of weakness, I can’t pick against that. Buzz buzz, Yellowjackets win.
Drew: Darian Mensah is having an excellent year for the Blue Devils and I expect this to be a close game but I think Georgia Tech’s running game will be too much for Duke. I’ll take Georgia Tech here.
Russ: The Yellow Jackets continue to move up the ACC ladder with a win over the Blue Devils.

Washington Huskies at Michigan Wolverines – Sat. Oct. 18, 11:00 AM, FOX

Anthony: I was fooled by this Michigan squad ahead of its game vs. USC last week and I’m ready to be fooled again. I continue to believe that the Wolverines will bully its opponents on the line and snuff out any sign of life from the Huskies. Michigan wins in the Big House
Austin: It’s been an up-and-down season for the Wolverines, but that’s typically how things go with a true freshman quarterback. Washington comes to The Big House and earns the victory to go 6-1.
Caleb: The book is out on how to slow down this Husky passing attack since Matt Patricia exposed it in week 4, and since I know Michigan is watching every Ohio State game intently they surely saw it as well. I think they have the defense to replicate that strategy and their Freshman QB is much more comfortable playing at home. Wolverines win.
Drew: Michigan struggled with an electric passing attack last week in USC and Washington has one of the best QB-WR combos in the nation in Demond Williams and Denzel Boston. I have Washington picking up a road win here.
Russ: I’ll side with Michigan to protect its home field with a win over the Huskies.

Ole Miss Rebels at Georgia Bulldogs – Sat. Oct. 18, 2:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: As fun as the Trinidad Chambliss story has been, Kirby Smart and the UGA defense is going to strike midnight on that Cinderella story. Dawgs devour the Rebels in Athens
Austin: Ole Miss squeaked by Washington State with a narrow three-point victory. This week, the Rebels take on the Bulldogs—a not-so-easy challenge. Georgia wins handily over the ninth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Caleb: This past week has shown that rules don’t apply to Kirby Smart if he yells loud enough so I’ll take the Dawgs here. Ole Miss hasn’t won in Athens since 1996 and the Lane Train showed glaring weaknesses against a vastly inferior opponent (in theory) last week. Before kickoff, Kirby screams at the refs until he’s awarded 50 points and then his defense locks in from there. It just means more!
Drew: I think Ole Miss finally slips up in this one. Georgia will be looking for revenge after last year’s loss and is a very good team at home. I’ll take the Bulldogs.
Russ: Georgia has failed me in big-game picks this season, so I’ll switch it up and choose Ole Miss on the road.

Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide – Sat. Oct. 18, 6:30 PM, ABC

Anthony: Tennessee-native Ty Simpson gets another Volunteer State foe on the home turf in Tuscaloosa and again picks up the ranked win for the Tide. Now with Jam Miller healthy, the Alabama rushing game can be just as dangerous as through the air, the Vols will have no way of stopping Bama’s firepower.
Austin: Can Tennessee pull it off? Away from home? It’s a toss-up, but I’ll side with the Crimson Tide, who have faced off against four straight ranked opponents.
Caleb: I wish I could see what color hoodie Kalen Deboer is wearing before making this pick. I love me some Josh Heupel, but his Tennessee defense has struggled against much worse offenses than this one. I’ll take the Tide to defend home turf.
Drew: Alabama’s turnaround after a week one loss has been impressive and Ty Simpson is playing like a future first round pick. I’ll take the Tide at home.
Russ: A great matchup here, I’ll take Alabama, which has started to really hit its stride on offense. Expect a lot of points in this one.

USC Trojans at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Sat. Oct. 18, 6:30 PM, NBC

Anthony: Is USC quietly actually really good? I still think no, but Lincoln Riley’s crew will still somehow come away with the road win in South Bend to mercifully eliminate the Irish from CFP conversations allowing Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman to consider the massive bag of cash Penn State will wave in front of his face.
Austin: USC gets its marquee road win of the season against the Fighting Irish.
Caleb: Lincoln Riley made me eat my words last week when I picked Michigan over the Trojans, so I’m going back to the well and picking against him again. Notre Dame has stabilized since dropping their first 2 games in dramatic fashion and strong offenses don’t travel near as well as strong defenses. Expect a sharp drop-off for the Trojans as they drop their second straight road game. Give me the Irish.
Drew: This USC offense reminds me of the Lincoln Riley teams of old and Makai Lemon is a superstar at receiver for the Trojens. I have USC burying Notre Dame’s playoff hopes with a win on the road in this one.
Russ: Jeremiyah Love runs rampant and the Irish take down Lincoln Riley’s Trojans.