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College Football Week 8 ATS Picks: Auburn and Georgia Will Bounce Back in Big Ways

Brady Trettenero

by Brady Trettenero in College Football

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 9:44 AM PDT

Auburn Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorblacks
No.11 Auburn is listed as 19-point road favorites over Arkansas in Week 8. Photo by Brandonrush.
  • Week 8 of the 2019 college football season begins on Wednesday, October 16th
  • Auburn and Georgia are looking to bounce back after tough losses
  • Find my three favorite ATS picks for Week 8, below

Week 8 of college football gets underway on Wednesday, October 16th, with  matchup between South Alabama and Troy.

On Saturday (Oct. 19th), LSU brings its prolific offense to Mississippi State, while Auburn and Georgia will be looking to bounce back after disappointing losses in their previous outings.

Here are my three best picks for Week 8.

LSU vs Mississippi State Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
LSU (#2) -19.5 (-110) -1100 O 61 (-110)
Mississippi State +19.5 (-110) +650 U 61 (-110)

This spread doesn’t seem high enough for an LSU team that has one of the best offenses in the country. The Tigers are beating their opponents by an average of 21 points this season and are facing a 3-3 Mississippi State team that managed just 10 points against Tennessee in Week 7.

Tigers starting QB Joe Burrow proved why he is a favorite in the Heisman odds when he went 21-of-24 for 293 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Florida in Week 7.

The Gators have a very strong defense and came into the game leading the nation in interceptions and leading the SEC in sacks. LSU was able to total 511 yards without giving up a sack or committing a turnover.

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The Tigers still have yet to score fewer than 42 points in a game this season, and I don’t see them slowing down on the road against the Bulldogs. Mississippi State is dealing with a QB problem after starter Tommy Stevens was benched at halftime against Tennessee.

Freshman Garrett shrader didn’t fare too well as his replacement, finishing 5-of-10 for 79 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Not only will the Tigers dominate in the air, but they have the tools to shutdown SEC rushing leader Kylin Hill. The Bulldogs top RB opened the season with four consecutive 100-plus-yard games, but has been held to under 50 rushing yards in each of the last two weeks. The Tigers come into the game with the 13th-best rush defense in the nation.

LSU beat Mississippi State by 16 points last season and are much improved this year. Take the Tigers before the line shifts to make them three-touchdown favorites.

Pick: LSU (-19.5)

Auburn vs. Arkansas Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Auburn #11 -19 (-110) -1200 O 55 (-115)
Arkansas +19 (-110) +700 U 55 (-105)

Auburn is going to be motivated and well-rested after a bye in Week 7. The Tigers lost 24-13 against Florida in Week 6 and will be looking to get back on track against a 2-4 Arkansas team. The Razorbacks have dropped three straight games to San Jose State, Texas A&M, and Kentucky, and have lost 14 straight conference games.

Auburn managed just 269 yards against a strong Florida defense and will rebound offensively against an Arkansas team that ranks 74th in total defense. The Razorbacks have given up at least 30 points to their opponents in all but one of their six games this season.

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While Auburn’s offense should rebound in Week 8, their stout defense will be a major problem for the Razorbacks. The Tigers defense hasn’t allowed a team to rush for more than 132 yards or score more than 24 points yet this season. Arkansas has the 70th ranked offense in FBS and were outrushed 330-183 by Kentucky. They are yet to name a starting QB to go up against Auburn’s Bo Nix.

Auburn has been great ATS this season (6-1), while Arkansas has only covered the spread twice

Auburn has been great ATS this season (6-1), while Arkansas has only covered the spread twice. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 34-3 in 2018 and are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against Arkansas.

With only one inter-divisional loss to Florida, Auburn could still make the SEC Championship game if they beat LSU and Alabama. The Tigers will be refreshed after a bye week and looking to kick off the second half of the season in a big way.

Pick: Auburn (-19)

Georgia vs. Kentucky Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Kentucky +25 (-110) OFF O 48 (-110)
Georgia (#10) -25 (-110) OFF U 48 (-110)

Georgia is another talented SEC team that is going to be motivated heading into Week 8 after a disappointing loss in their previous contest. The Bulldogs were upset 20-17 in double overtime by South Carolina in Week 7. Georgia was favored by 24.5 points and couldn’t overcome four turnovers by starting QB Jake Fromm.

The three interceptions and one fumble were uncharacteristic of Fromm, who did not throw an interception in the Bulldogs’ first five games. He makes for a great bounce-back candidate against a 3-3 Kentucky team that lost starting quarterback Terry Wilson to a season-ending injury in September. Kentucky has turned to their top wide receiver, Lynn Bowden Jr, at QB.

Georgia’s offense was moving the ball at will against South Carolina, and put up nearly 500 yards on South Carolina. Kentucky ranks 60th in the nation in total defense and gave up 331 yards on the ground to Georgia in 2018. Kentucky’s defense isn’t as good this year and won’t be able to contain Georgia’s top running backs, D’Andre Swift and Zamir White.

Georgia also has a stout defense that will shut down a Kentucky offense averaging just 23.5 point per game

Georgia also has a stout defense that will shut down a Kentucky offense averaging just 23.5 point per game. The Wildcats have lost three of their last four games and have been held to an average of just 14 points in those contests. Georgia hasn’t allowed any of their opponents to more than 20 points this season and will be determined to improve a 4-0 turnover margin that led to their loss in Week 7.

Georgia is 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss. This has massive bounce-back win written all over it.

With the game taking place in Athens, look for Georgia to deliver a big win against an outmatched Kentucky team after letting down their home crowd with an upset loss the week prior.

Pick: Georgia (-25)

 

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