❚ Top college games,
What to watch in Week 8 of the college football season. Game times and networks subject to change.
Nebraska at No. 5 Ohio State
Saturday, noon ET
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line:
Ohio State by 26
Other power conferences have a head start, but the Big Ten is ready to give fall football a chance.
The Buckeyes, projected by nearly everyone as the league’s best playoff candidate, begins its quest at home against the Cornhuskers, another program whose supporters were vocal about wanting to make the season happen.
Ohio State QB Justin Fields, a Heisman favorite prior to the season, now has some catching up to do as voters have gotten a look at other contenders for nearly two months. He’ll be more concerned with winning than with his own stats, but Buckeyes fans will be just as eager to see his performance. Nebraska will counter with QB Adrian Martinez, a third-year starter with a ton of athletic ability but not as much surrounding talent.
Prediction: Nebraska might make a few plays, but the Buckeyes have waited a long time to get on the field. They will not disappoint.
Ohio State, 49-17
No. 22 North Carolina State at No. 13 North Carolina
Saturday, noon ET
TV: ESPN
Danny Sheridan’s line:
North Carolina by 16 1⁄
2
The Tar Heels (3-1, 3-1 ACC) took a tumble in the polls due to the unexpected setback at struggling Florida State, dealing a severe blow to their bid to reach the Atlantic Coast Confer
ence title game. Their archrival Wolfpack (4-1, 4-1) would love to add to their troubles, though State has issues of its own.
N.C. State QB Devin Leary had his promising season derailed by a nasty leg injury in last week’s win against Duke. The good news for the Wolfpack is they’ve had success with Bailey Hockman at the controls as well this season, though he’ll have to take better care of the ball. UNC QB Sam Howell nearly led the Heels all the way back from a 31-7 deficit in Tallahassee but was thwarted late by some costly drops from his receivers.
Prediction: The Wolfpack ground defense isn’t exactly airtight. UNC figures to have success establishing the run, which should in turn allow Howell and his pass catchers get back in sync. The Tar Heels bounce back.
North Carolina, 42-28
No. 17 Michigan at No. 21 Minnesota
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET TV: ABC
Danny Sheridan’s line: Michigan by 2 1⁄
2
This prime-time tilt is the best matchup on the Big Ten’s opening-day slate. The Golden Gophers and Wolverines are in opposite divisions, but neither can afford a loss with so many difficult matchups ahead. And of course, the Little Brown Jug is on the line.
Michigan fans will get their first look at sophomore QB Joe Milton, a big guy with a big arm. Having RB Zach Charbonnet back in his backfield should ease his transition. Minnesota faithful are just as excited about incumbent QB Tanner Morgan, coming off a breakout 3,000yard sophomore campaign. One of his top targets, WR Rashod
Bateman, is also back.
Prediction: The Wolverines will bring a hard-hitting defense to the Twin Cities, but the Gophers’ big-play potential will be hard to hold down all night. It will be a mild one, but look for the home team to spring the league’s first upset.
Minnesota, 30-23
No. 18 Iowa State at No. 6 Oklahoma State
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Oklahoma State by 3 1⁄
2
Two of the three remaining teams still unscathed in league play square off in this key Big 12 clash. The Cowboys must protect their home turf to preserve their long-shot playoff aspirations, but the Cyclones (3-1, 3-0 Big 12) have designs on the league crown themselves.
Both teams had last week off, although only Iowa State’s bye was scheduled. Oklahoma State (3-0, 2-0) had its date at Baylor postponed and must now shift gears to prepare for the Cyclones’ more accomplished aerial attack directed by QB Brock Purdy. The additional time off could allow the Cowboys to regain the services of QB Spencer Sanders, who has been out since the opener with an ankle injury but is practicing.
Prediction: It’s been a frustrating few weeks in Stillwater in this season of fits and starts. The Cyclones’ sound defense will get more stops as ISU avenges last season’s loss.
Iowa State, 37-26
No. 10 Cincinnati at No. 16 SMU
9 p.m. ET TV: ESPN2 Danny
Sheridan’s line:
SMU by 3
Among the late-night offerings on Saturday is this key American Athletic Conference tilt, matching the last two ranked league members looking to gain the inside track to a major bowl game.
COVID-19 issues forced the postponement of the Bearcats’ scheduled visit to Tulsa last week, so it remains to be seen how their roster will be affected for this trip to Dallas. QB Desmond Ridder leads an efficient if not particularly flashy offense. The Mustangs (5-0, 2-0 AAC) are a bit more explosive, and they’ve needed to be as they’ve managed back-to-back threepoint victories against Memphis and Tulane. QB Shane Buechele, the former Texas Longhorn, has been a good fit for coach Sonny Dykes at SMU.
Prediction: The Mustangs have endured their share of injuries and won’t be as well rested, but it’s hard to know how much preparation the Bearcats (3-0, 1-0) have been able to put in. Amid these uncertainties, we’ll give the nod to the home team in another squeaker.
SMU, 33-31
Times p.m. Eastern
1. Clemson (5-0)
Points: 1,540 (52 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 1. Next: Sat. vs. Syracuse (ACC, noon). Last week: Beat Georgia Tech 73-7.
Points: 1,494 (8 first-place votes). Prev.: 2. Next: Sat. at Tennessee (CBS, 3:30). LW: Beat then-No. 3 Georgia 41-24.
Points: 1,351. Prev.: 4. Next: Sat. at Pittsburgh (ABC, 3:30). LW: Beat Louisville 12-7.
Points: 1,295. Prev.: 3. Next: Oct. 31 vs. Kentucky. LW: Lost to then-No. 2 Alabama 41-24.
Points: 1,254 (2 first-place votes). Prev.: 5. Next: Sat. vs. Nebraska (Fox, noon). LW: Idle.
Points: 1,001. Prev.: 11. Next: Oct. 31 vs. Arkansas. LW: Beat Mississippi State 28-14.
Points: 989. Prev.: 10. Next: Sat. at No. 16 SMU (ESPN2, 9). LW: Idle.
Points: 890. Prev.: 12. Next: Sat. vs. Virginia (ACC, 8). LW: Beat Pittsburgh 31-19.
Points: 725. Prev.: 6. Next: Sat. vs. No. 22 North Carolina State (ESPN, noon). LW: Lost to Flori
Points: 683. Prev.: 16. Next: Nov. 7 vs. Stanford. LW: Idle. 16. SMU (5-0)
Points: 485. Prev.: 20. Next: Sat. vs. No. 6 Oklahoma State (Fox, 3:30). LW: Idle.
Points: 139. Prev.: Not ranked. Next: Sat. vs. Florida Atlantic. LW: Beat Louisiana Tech 35-17.