Week 8 College Football Picks – Best Early Week Bets to Make

• Week 8 of the College Football season kicks off Tuesday
• #1 Ohio State leads the country in scoring defense, and ranks second in opponent yards per play
• See my favorite Week 8 College Football picks, and the best early week bets to make

It’s Monday, which means it’s time for a deep dive into the Week 8 college football slate. I’m trying to pick off lines before the market properly adjusts, and I’ve identified the three best early week bets to make.

College Football Week 8 Picks

Odds as of Oct. 13. Check out the top college football betting apps to wager on for Week 8.

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My favorite Week 8 college football pick is the under in the Ohio State vs Wisconsin matchup. The #1 Buckeyes defense is impenetrable, while the Badgers have had a tough time moving the ball against significantly weaker opposition. I’m also targeting Northern Illinois +12.5 in a matchup with Ohio, and the over in the top-20 showdown between USC and Notre Dame.

Ohio State vs Wisconsin Prediction

The opening college football Week 8 odds listed the Ohio State-Wisconsin total at 41.5, but after some digging I found a 42 point over/under at Bet Rivers. I’ll gladly take an extra half point of value if a sportsbook is giving it away, but I have a strong feeling I’m not going to need it.

For starters, good luck putting up points versus the National Championship odds favorites. Ohio State leads the nation in scoring defense, and ranks second in opponent yards per play. They finally surrendered a red zone touchdown in Saturday’s win over Illinois, but forced three turnovers en route to a sweat free victory. In the process, they held the Fighting Illini under their team total, and I’d be surprised if the Badgers put up any points.

Ohio State Defensive Stats

Wisconsin is fresh off being shut out at home versus Iowa. The Badgers are averaging less than 7 points per game in conference play and rank 123rd in the country in total offense. The lone saving graces of this Wisconsin team is their defense, and I think they can do just enough to keep this contest under the total.

Wisconsin checks in ranked 23rd in opponent yards per game. They’re 14th in opponent third down conversion rate, while the Buckeyes offense isn’t as efficient in close as they’d like to be. Ohio State is outside the top-35 in red zone touchdown percentage, and all it takes is one or two drives to end in field goals instead of touchdowns to get us home.

Northern Illinois vs Ohio Pick

Speaking of struggling offenses, that plays a part in my handicapping of Northern Illinois vs Ohio. Neither of these teams move the ball efficiently, which makes the thought of covering a 12.5-point spread in a game with a 42.5 point total seem ludicrous.

Both the Huskies and Bobcats rank outside the top-95 in points per game. Ohio is outside the top-70 in total offense and red zone conversion rate as well, while defense is Northern Illinois’ calling card. They rank top-34 in the nation in scoring defense and opponent yards per play, and have been erasing enemy passing attacks. They’re limiting opposing QB’s to a 56% completion percentage and 6.2 yards per throw, while also clamping down on running backs to the tune of 4.2 yards per carry.

USC vs Notre Dame Best Bet

From two inept offenses to a pair of powerful ones. Both #20 USC and #13 Notre Dame have significant firepower, and enter averaging north of 30 points per game. The Trojans Jayden Maiava is putting together a Heisman Trophy odds style resume, leading all quarterbacks in QBR with 1,852 passing yards and a 13-to-2 TD-to-INT rate.

Not to be outdone, Irish QB CJ Carr has 12 TD passes against only 1 INT over his last four starts, leading Notre Dame to an average of 44 points per outing.

The Trojans lead the county in points per game, total offense and yards per play. The Irish aren’t far behind ranking top-12 in each of those metrics. Each program’s defense has struggled against the pass, paving the way for a Saturday night shootout.