Week 8 College Football Picks Against the Spread

Sep 30, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) passes against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY SportsWeek 8 of college football features a loaded Saturday slate on Oct. 21stTwo Big 10 clashes take center stage in our best CFB ATS picks this weekRead below for expert Week 8 college football picks against the spread

Week 8 of the 2023 college football season features several matchups with ATS betting value, including two pivotal Big 10 showdowns. We’ve identified our three top CFB picks against the spread to help you turn a profit.

Among our top college football picks against the spread this weekend is a play on the Penn State Nittany Lions as they aim to upset the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes. We’ve also identified a great value bet in the Ole Miss vs Auburn SEC tilt.

Let’s dive into our expert college football picks against the spread for Week 8 (Saturday, October 21st).

Penn State vs Ohio State Odds

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All odds as of October 18th at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the available sportsbook betting apps for college football against the spread wagering. 

Pick #1: Penn State (+4.5) vs Ohio State

Beginning our Week 8 college football picks against the spread is a play on the Penn State Nittany Lions as +4.5 underdogs against the Ohio State Buckeyes. While we aren’t necessarily picking PSU to secure the upset, we think there’s solid spread value on the Nittfaby Lions.

Similar to Ohio State’s close victory over Notre Dame back in Week 4, we believe this will be a hard-fought defensive battle that comes down to one key play near the end of the game. These are the two top defenses in the Big 10, with each team allowing under 10 points per game.

Throwback College Football Game of the Week:

With top 10 matchup Penn State vs Ohio State this week – here is the 2017 matchup and what a game it was: final score 39-38 Buckeyes. 🍿

Who you got this week? pic.twitter.com/KDezXE8a4f

— College Football Alerts  (@CFBAlerts_) October 16, 2023

Where we think this game could be decided is in the red zone, as Penn State ranks 3rd nationally in red-zone touchdown conversion, while Ohio State ranks 68th, making Penn State more efficient in scoring opportunities.

Penn State is top 15 in all six major defensive categories, and are averaging a staggering 4.50 sacks per game. We expect this defensive line to create all kinds of trouble for Ohio State sophomore Drew Allar, coming up with a few big plays that turn the tides in favor of the visitors.

Pick: Penn State +4.5 (-110) 2023-24 College Football Playoff Odds TrackerRead More

Minnesota vs Iowa Odds

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Total
Minnesota	+3.5 (-110)	+142	Over 31.5 (-110)
Iowa	-3.5 (-110)	-170	Under 31.5 (-110)

Pick #2: Iowa -3.5 (vs Minnesota)

Continuing our Week 8 college football picks against the spread is a play on the Iowa Hawkeyes in their Big 10 clash with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Kirk Ferentz’s team has taken nine of the past 10 meetings with the Gophers, covering the number in seven straight matchups.

Oddsmakers have set the Hawkeyes as -3.5 favorites, which is down from the -6.5 number it opened at. With the line coming down, the college football public betting splits show that Iowa is getting big money to cover the number (25% bets, 100% money).

This week, Iowa and Minnesota play for Floyd of Rosedale.

It’s the best rivalry trophy in all of college football:

• weighs 98 lbs• 15 in. tall, 21 in. long• introduced in 1935 (bronze statue in 1936)• 10th oldest CFB trophy• originally was a live pig

A historic hog. pic.twitter.com/0s72kvgb0w

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 16, 2023

Iowa’s stifling defense is reason to consider backing them against this struggling Minnesota offense. The Hawkeyes are concerning just 14.9 points per game, which places them 10th in the country. The Gophers, on the other hand, feature one of the Big 10’s worst offenses, averaging 21.7 points.

The Hawkeyes have been able to throw the ball against this Gophers defense in recent matchups, and we see that trend continuing in 2023. Iowa QB Deacon Hill only has a few games under his belt, but scouts laud his arm strength, and Saturday could provide his breakout game.

Minnesota is winless in their last 10 trips to Iowa City, and we don’t project them to buck the trend against this elite Hawkeyes defense. This is one of the lowest game totals on the entire board, and expect the home team to deliver the majority of these points.

Pick: Iowa -3.5 (-110)

Ole Miss vs Auburn Odds

Team	Spread	Moneyline	Total
Ole Miss	-6.5 (-110)	-265	Over 56.5 (-110)
Auburn	+6.5 (-110)	+215	Under 56.5 (-110)

Pick #3: Ole Miss -6.5 (vs Auburn)

Concluding our college football picks against the spread for Week 8 is a play on Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels in their SEC clash with the Auburn Tigers. Ole Miss is favored by 6.5 points after initially opening at -5, and we like locking this one in before it potentially gets over 7.

Auburn’s offense is struggling mightily, averaging just 16 points in SEC play and having lost all three conference games so far. With their passing game only managing 155.8 average yards per game, we don’t see them being able to hang with the high-powered Ole Miss offense (489.3 YPG).

Jaxson Dart's Career Numbers 🎯

5,965 Passing Yards959 Rushing Yards6,924 Yards of Total Offense#ProMindset | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/2EYHQ2vizE

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 13, 2023

Auburn’s commendable defense is the to potentially tread lightly with this spread, but it hasn’t even been overly impressive, allowing 362.8 yards and 23.2 points per game. Furthermore, Ole Miss put up 578 yards and 48 points on the Tigers in a 48-34 victory last season.

It’s never easy for the visiting team to play a night game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but a key stat we’re focusing on is that the home team is 1-8 ATS in the past nine meetings. Auburn is banged up with injuries to RB Toarri Alon, DB Jayen Simpson, and linebacker Austin Keys, and we don’t think they have the firepower to keep this one within a score.

Pick: Ole Miss -6.5 (-110)

Current CFB ATS Picks Record: 7-17

 

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