PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 8 EDITION

Week 8 lands after a chaotic Saturday that reordered the poll. Miami took the top spot on the JPWest Media Top 25. UCLA climbed to No. 7. Houston and Utah both stayed ranked and both arrive with something to prove. These are the five games to watch nationally — using the JPWest Media Week 8 Top 25.

JPWEST MEDIA GAME OF THE WEEK

1. No. 15 Houston (6-1) at No. 11 Utah (6-0)

Saturday, Oct. 24 — 7:15 p.m. PT | Rice-Eccles Stadium (Salt Lake City, UT)
Live on: ESPN

PREVIEW:

This is the ranked Big 12 game that can move both sides of the standings and the poll.

Houston just held off No. 18 Oklahoma State 35-32 at home. Conner Weigman went 24-of-33 for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Amare Thomas caught seven balls for 126 yards and two scores. The Cougars finished with 505 total yards and their fourth straight win.

Utah escaped Colorado 27-24 on the road. Devon Dampier completed 24-of-40 for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Wayshawn Parker added 98 yards on the ground. The Utes are 6-0 and have won 12 straight dating to last season, the longest active streak in the FBS.

Houston averages 39.3 points. Utah averages 40.2 and allows just 14.8. Both can score. One of them has to stop the other.

PREDICTION:

Weigman will hit a couple of big throws and keep Houston within a score into the fourth quarter. Utah’s balance on both sides and the home environment are the difference. The Utes protect the streak.

JP’s Pick: Dampier stays efficient, Parker finds space late, and Utah closes it at home. Utah 34, Houston 27.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH NATIONALLY
(Using the JPWest Media Week 8 Top 25)

2. No. 5 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 18 Texas (4-2)

Saturday, Oct. 24 — 4:30 p.m. PT | DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, TX)
Live on: ABC

PREVIEW:

The highest-stakes ranked matchup of the weekend. Texas is trying to stop a two-game skid after falling to Florida 27-24 at home. Arch Manning finished 14-of-20 for 173 yards and a touchdown before a late fumble. The Longhorns managed just 272 total yards and 99 on the ground.

Ole Miss rolled No. 13 Missouri 31-3 on homecoming. Trinidad Chambliss went 20-of-36 for 241 yards, three touchdowns, and a rushing score. Kewan Lacy ran for 122 yards and Makhi Frazier added 101 as the Rebels piled up 257 rushing yards and 498 total.

Texas needs a response in Austin. Ole Miss has already beaten ranked teams and is built to control the line of scrimmage.

JP’s Pick: Chambliss accounts for multiple scores and the Rebels run it effectively. Ole Miss 31, Texas 24.

3. Michigan State (2-5) at No. 7 UCLA (6-0)

Saturday, Oct. 24 — 12:30 p.m. PT | Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
Live on: CBS

PREVIEW:

Undefeated UCLA hosts Michigan State for Homecoming after beating Wisconsin 17-7. Backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach went 22-of-33 for 264 yards in his first start. Wayne Knight and Anthony Woods both scored on the ground. The Bruins controlled the clock (37:02) and the third downs.

Michigan State lost 24-21 at home to Northwestern on a last-second field goal. Alessio Milivojevic completed 19-of-30 for 216 yards and two touchdowns. The Spartans are 0-4 in the Big Ten and looking for their first conference win.

UCLA is 6-0 for the first time since 2022 and sitting at No. 7 on the JPWest board. The Rose Bowl is the stage.

JP’s Pick: Dieffenbach stays clean enough and the Bruins’ defense limits the big plays. UCLA 28, Michigan State 14.

4. No. 9 Indiana (6-1) at Michigan (4-2)

Saturday, Oct. 24 — 9:00 a.m. PT | Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI)
Live on: FOX

PREVIEW:

Indiana’s 22-game winning streak ended last week in a 19-15 loss to Ohio State. Josh Hoover completed 20-of-40 for 296 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Becker caught nine passes for 165 yards. The Hoosiers outgained the Buckeyes but came up short on a late catch that went out of bounds.

Michigan got its first Big Ten win of the season, beating Penn State 21-18 at the Big House. The Wolverines leaned on the run game (211 yards) and forced turnovers after a quiet first half. Tommy Carr provided a spark in relief.

This is Indiana’s first trip to Ann Arbor since the rankings climbed. Michigan is 4-2 and at home.

JP’s Pick: Hoover finds enough receivers to keep it close, but Michigan’s run game and home environment decide it. Michigan 24, Indiana 20.

5. No. 14 USC (6-1) at Wisconsin (4-2)

Saturday, Oct. 24 — 4:30 p.m. PT | Camp Randall Stadium (Madison, WI)
Live on: NBC

PREVIEW:

USC is coming off a bye after beating Penn State 31-23 on the road. Jayden Maiava went 21-of-33 for 301 yards and three touchdowns in that win. The Trojans are 6-1 and ranked No. 14 on the JPWest board.

Wisconsin fell 17-7 at UCLA. Colton Joseph completed just 6-of-16 for 66 yards and rushed for 71 with a touchdown. The Badgers managed only 214 total yards and went 3-of-10 on third down.

USC has the better quarterback and the more explosive skill players. Wisconsin is at home and looking to bounce back after a flat performance in Pasadena.

JP’s Pick: Maiava finds space early and the Trojans pull away in the second half. USC 34, Wisconsin 17.