2025 NCAAF: Week 8 Preview

As we cross the midpoint of the regular season this week, it’s fun to reflect on but hard to believe we’re already this far into the 2025 campaign. We were reminded at the tail end of the first half that despite watching a ton of games already, there are still just as many questions as answers. Different questions, perhaps, but from a quantity perspective, stuck in neutral.

If you aren’t convinced by that sentence, I urge you to listen to the verbal hand-wringing on this week’s episode of the Cornversations podcast.

The odds are good that with seven weeks down and seven to go, we’ll be just as surprised in the second half of the year as we were with the first half. And looking at the head-to-head prediction results, there were plenty of surprises.

The current records after Week 7:

K. Becks – 22-13 SU, 13-20-2 ATS

Guests – 23-12 SU, 15-18-2 ATS

This week, Around The Corn’s baseball correspondent was kind enough to take a break from following his Brewers in the NLCS to make college football picks. Sam I Am will seek to grow the lead for the guests, which I’ve been unable to chisel away at for several weeks running now.

Here are the top games to watch in Week 8 which Sam and I have debated.

5 Games You Need to Watch This Weekend

#10 LSU at #17 Vanderbilt (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ABC)

The Commodores have had a week off to learn from their loss at Alabama, a game in which star quarterback Diego Pavia was very confident that his team would win if they played to their potential. Unfortunately for Pavia, all he had to do was look in the mirror to find one of the key reasons why Vanderbilt did not make good on his prediction two weekends ago. No such soundbites have been recorded so far heading into this one, suggesting that it’s back to business for Clark Lea’s team and vocal leader. The Tigers have to an extent been skating on thin ice all season, but Brian Kelly’s crew is still ranked in the Top 10 and can continue to build its resume with a victory in Nashville.

LSU has scored more than 23 points just once this season but has been able to control games thanks to a defense that does not allow many trips to the redzone. The Tigers have allowed opponents just 10 total trips to that part of the field all season, whereas Vanderbilt has made more redzone appearances than all but two SEC teams (Tennessee and Mississippi). Brian Kelly wants to try to make Pavia one-dimensional, and by doing so hopefully limit Vanderbilt’s third down conversion rate (second-best nationally). That aspect is the one thing that the Tigers were unable to do against Mississippi, the only loss for Kelly & Co. this season. The Commodores have punished teams that have been subpar offensively this season, which is why I think this one will be very close despite my confidence that LSU can successfully slow down Pavia. FirstBank Stadium is no longer an easy place to win as a visiting team, and there will be a massive chip on Vanderbilt’s collective shoulder as it fights off sliding back into anonymity.

My Pick: 24-21 Vanderbilt (covers -2.5 spread)

Sam I Am’s Take: I will take Vanderbilt here, but it’ll be a close game. LSU has had a little bit of a tougher schedule so far, but pretty even thus far and same records. But since Vandy is at home and Diego Pavia is an absolute dog, I’ll take Vanderbilt in a final score of 27-20. Offense for Vanderbilt is just a bit better I think.

#5 Mississippi at #9 Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – ABC)

The Rebels nearly orchestrated a Lane Kiffin Special the previous week, narrowly defeating Washington State at home in a game that looked very much like Mississippi was already thinking about this matchup. The Bulldogs weren’t much better, spotting Auburn a 10-point lead before rallying to beat the Tigers on the road. Though neither team would like a slow start in this one, Georgia has already proven a couple of times this season that playing from behind isn’t a death sentence for Kirby Smart’s squad.

Early in the game against Tennessee, the Bulldogs were struggling to contain Joey Aguilar and it looked like it may be a long afternoon for the young Georgia defense. However, unlike many coaches, Kirby Smart didn’t press the panic button and the Bulldogs gradually settled down and ended up beating the Volunteers in overtime. It was the kind of performance that you attribute a lot of credit to a guy like Smart, who if anything has learned some of his best traits from his former boss. While the Rebels can be similarly potent offensively, I’m not sure that Kiffin truly trusts Trinidad Chambliss to let it rip downfield. Assuming that this doesn’t happen, I think that the Georgia defense can contain Mississippi, and offensively do its defense a favor by sustaining methodical drives buoyed by a steady dose of the run game. Georgia’s offense had no answer for an aggressive Mississippi defense last year en route to a 28-10 defeat that at the time looked like the most impressive victory of the season for the Rebels. This time around, I think the Bulldogs control the pace of the game and exact revenge, avoiding a second home loss this season.

My Pick: 28-24 Georgia (does not cover -7.5 spread)

Sam I Am’s Take: I will take Georgia here, as Mississippi is due for a loss, especially away from home. Georgia has looked better defensively lately, and I believe they’ll be able to hold back the Rebels. So, although I don’t think this will be a blowout, it will be a decent size of margin for the win. Final score prediction: 30-20 Georgia.

#11 Tennessee at #6 Alabama (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – ABC)

This game should be a ton of fun, and I’ll go on record as saying that it could be the best game of the season in the SEC. The talent on offense on both sides is undeniable, with Tennessee bursting out of the gates early and often and Alabama seemingly maturing visibly with each passing week. The fact that defense is sometimes optional for both only adds fuel to the fire. Tennessee wins when it comes to the “quality loss” category, but the Volunteers have yet to obtain a marquee victory this season and have played just one true road game in 2025. The Crimson Tide are more battle tested, though the margin for error seems smaller as the loss to Florida State has lost its luster with the Seminoles struggling to maintain relevance this season.

Tennessee’s backfield by committee has been one of the offense’s greatest strengths this season, keeping the group fresh and allowing Joey Aguilar to pick apart some soft spots in opposing secondaries. This would seemingly be an area that Tennessee could continue to utilize with success, though the Alabama defense tightened things up against a Missouri offense that had been successful on the ground. If that is a sign of things to come, the Crimson Tide may be the first defense to make Tennessee look pedestrian offensively. This would be a huge problem for the Volunteers, as the defense is porous, allowing more yards through the air than any other SEC team this season. With the way that Ty Simpson is progressing and gaining confidence, it feels like a shootout is the only way that Josh Huepel’s team stands a chance to win in Tuscaloosa. While points will be scored, I have been impressed with the Alabama defense almost equally as much as I have been with its offensive maturation and think that the Crimson Tide will get enough stops defensively to avoid defeat. In the process, Simpson will continue to build a solid case for his Heisman candidacy.

My Pick: 31-27 Alabama (does not cover -8 spread)

Sam I Am’s Take: Alabama is lowkey on a tear right now. Even if they are close margin of wins, they’re getting through tough teams with wins. Tennessee is another good SEC team, but only winning 34-31 against Arkansas at home last week makes me think they’re heading in the wrong direction. Like I said, though, a win is a win, and both teams have the same record. It’ll be another close win for Alabama in my head, with a final score of 31-28.

#20 Southern Cal at #13 Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET – NBC)

Prior to Notre Dame playing Arkansas three weeks ago, I suggested that the Fighting Irish defense was the weakness of the team. Since that time, Marcus Freeman’s squad has allowed just 27 total points across three games against teams averaging at least 30 points per game. Said another way, the Fighting Irish appear to have found their mojo on defense, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Fresh off a statement victory over Michigan, Southern Cal is climbing the Top 25 rankings and has quietly positioned itself atop the Big Ten (and third nationally) in scoring offense, averaging 45.5 PPG. While it isn’t totally accurate to call this a game pitting strength against strength, it’s close to it. Additionally, it has quickly asserted itself amongst the most important non-conference battles of the season, with both the Trojans and Fighting Irish realistically eyeing a potential CFP berth.

This game will provide Notre Dame’s defense a golden opportunity to silence all the doubters that point to the competition the team has played over the past three weeks as a key reason for success. Though not true, the fact remains that when the Fighting Irish played the two most balanced offenses they have faced thus far, they lost. The Trojans are similarly balanced, with wideouts in Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane that rival Texas A&M’s group and a running back stable featuring Waymond Jordan and King Miller that resembles Miami’s talented backs. Chris Ash’s defense has been both aggressive and opportunistic recently, forcing seven turnovers and 11 sacks in its last three games. Continuing that trend will be crucial to slowing down the Trojans, which outed Michigan’s defense as a fraud and whose offensive line has done an excellent job protecting Jayden Maiava this season. Only a handful of stops may be necessary, as Notre Dame’s offense has been potent as well and should fare better than the Wolverines did last week against Southern Cal’s defense, which has issues in the secondary. I remained steadfast that an 0-2 Notre Dame still had a path to the Playoff, and I am not changing course now. The Fighting Irish will continue to claw its way back into the CFP conversation with a victory on Saturday evening.

My Pick: 34-27 Notre Dame (does not cover -9.5 spread)

Sam I Am’s Take: After USC lost to Illinois a couple of weeks ago, I pretty much lost faith in this team when they play away from home (Yes, I did have money on them). Notre Dame will win regardless of my biases, I’m pretty confident in that. I wouldn’t be surprised if ND won by a larger margin, as they have been on a great run since losing their first two games of the year. I’ll try to guess here, a 35-21 victory for ND.

#23 Utah at #15 BYU (Saturday, 8 PM ET – FOX)

The Holy War has not been without its skirmishes over the years, but 2024 may have taken the cake in that regard (if unfamiliar, see the lengthy segment on Wikipedia detailing last year’s edition of the rivalry and its aftermath). To say that this year’s matchup could be treated as a revenge game by the Utes is an understatement, but it will be important for Utah’s coaching staff to keep the emotions of the team in check. After all, the Utes can take a big step towards its aspirations of winning a Big 12 title with a victory over the Cougars, which currently share the conference lead at 3-0 along with Texas Tech. Though BYU still has to play the Red Raiders next month, a two-game deficit would be a big hole for the Utes to climb out of. This game deserves the primetime treatment it is being given by FOX – in addition to the title race implications, it is just the fourth time ever that the two programs have squared off when both are ranked in the Top 25.

Trying to separate these two teams on paper would be futile, as they’re effectively the same team in that respect. Rushing and passing yards per game, pass defense – the Utes and Cougars have posted very similar numbers. The one area where the Cougars appear to have a slight edge on paper is defending the run. However, the Utes are difficult to stop on the ground because the offense revolves around Devon Dampier, who leads the team in both rushing and passing yards. It’s not to say that Bear Bachmeier is incapable of being dangerous with his legs, as he is. But Dampier takes it to another level and also has more experience than the true freshman Bachmeier. Despite performing decently in three road tests already, Bachmeier hasn’t had to go and win a game against the likes of the Utah defense. Further, last week’s close victory over Arizona suggests that Utah can disrupt his rhythm with the right pressure looks. The young signal-caller for BYU will either impress by growing up before our eyes, or the Utes will leave Provo with a victory and valuable Big 12 tiebreaker card over the Cougars.

My Pick: 26-20 Utah (covers -3.5 spread)

Sam I Am’s Take: I will take BYU here by a larger margin. Utah hasn’t really faced anyone that great yet, other than Texas Tech who whooped them, so I’ll leave it at that. BYU wins 30-10.

5 Games to Keep an Eye On This Weekend

#12 Georgia Tech at Duke (Saturday, 12 PM ET – ESPN)

The Blue Devils defense has struggled at times this season, but the offense has for the most part more than made up for those struggles. In both of its road games this season, Georgia Tech has struggled to pull away, and Duke is the best of the opponents the Yellow Jackets will have played away from home thus far.

#14 Oklahoma at South Carolina (Saturday, 12:45 PM ET – SEC Network)

The decision to trot John Mateer out for the Red River Rivalry with one and a half usable hands didn’t produce the results Oklahoma had hoped for, but perhaps equally as important, it suggests that Brent Venables doesn’t trust his Michael Hawkins, Jr. in big spots. South Carolina’s offense didn’t look against LSU last weekend, either, so it’s difficult to predict what kind of game we’ll get in Columbia.

#4 Texas A&M at Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET – ESPN)

Believe what you will about Arkansas, but the fact is that the Razorbacks have taken three currently ranked teams to within a touchdown this season. Granted, they’re still looking for their first victory over a ranked team, but the prospect of a shootout with the Aggies won’t scare the Razorbacks in the slightest.

#7 Texas Tech at Arizona State (Saturday, 4 PM ET – FOX)

The Sun Devils have been a disappointment on both sides of the ball this season and have some work to do in order to climb back into the Big 12 title race. However, the target is now off of Arizona State’s back, and Kenny Dillingham seems to conduct his best work when the majority of the country isn’t watching. Texas Tech is a very strong team, but the Sun Devils can be a dangerous underdog.

#16 Missouri at Auburn (Saturday, 7:45 PM ET – SEC Network)

I was bullish the past few weeks on Auburn’s ability to be a plucky underdog that could cause trouble for SEC foes, but my faith in that is waning fast. Hugh Freeze is under immense pressure and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he’s shown the door, in the event that the players don’t quit on him first. This game may produce an inspired effort by the home team, but could equally as likely be a total disaster.