My college football anytime touchdown picks target five distinct matchup advantages, including a dual-threat quarterback, a workhorse running back, and three receivers with clear scoring equity against struggling pass defenses.
Sam Leavitt offers the best role-to-price value, while Jamari Johnson becomes a value play with two Oregon receivers ruled out against the nation’s worst pass defense. Check out all of our college football picks for Week 8.
Best Week 8 college football anytime touchdown picks
For help understanding probabilities, please see our odds calculator.
| Pick |  Probability |
|---|---|
 Sam Leavitt |
|
 DeSean Bishop |
|
 Jamari Johnson |
|
 Coy Eakin |
|
 Braden Pegan |
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Pick #1: Sam Leavitt anytime touchdown
Sam Leavitt has been LSU’s most efficient runner all season. He has seven rushing touchdowns on 54 carries in FBS games, posting 0.47 EPA per rush (15th nationally among qualified rushers) and a 57.4% success rate. Dilin Jones handles the volume, but Leavitt owns the scoring role.
Auburn’s defense is solid overall, yet the run defense is the soft spot. The Tigers rank 62nd in EPA per rush allowed and 85th in rushing success rate. LSU is a touchdown favorite and has the nation’s top adjusted net EPA, so it should sustain drives.
When LSU gets inside the 10, the call has been the quarterback keeper.
- Matchup: LSU vs. Auburn
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 at noon ET.
- Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama.
- TV: ABC
Pick #2: DeSean Bishop anytime touchdown
DeSean Bishop is the engine of Tennessee’s ground game, with 740 yards and nine touchdowns on 125 carries against FBS opponents. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry and 0.25 EPA per rush, and no other Volunteer has more than two rushing scores.
South Carolina’s defense has cracks everywhere. The Gamecocks rank 110th in rushing success rate allowed and are even worse against the pass at 120th in EPA per dropback. That forces South Carolina to pick its poison, and Bishop’s goal-line role means he cashes whenever Tennessee finishes drives on the ground.
He’s the clearest workhorse on the entire board.
- Matchup: Tennessee vs. South Carolina
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 PM
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina
- TV: ESPN
Pick #3: Jamari Johnson anytime touchdown
Illinois has been a soft landing spot for opposing offenses, ranking last nationally in EPA per dropback allowed and 137th in passing success rate. Oregon’s receiver room is thinner this week, with Evan Stewart and Jeremiah McClellan both ruled out.
That puts more work on Jamari Johnson, who has caught 17 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns in FBS games while posting 0.68 EPA per play.
Whether Dylan Raiola or Brock Thomas starts at quarterback, Johnson has been one of the most efficient options in the passing game, and his role should grow against a secondary this vulnerable.
- Matchup: Oregon vs. Illinois
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois
- TV: Big 10 Network
Pick #4: Coy Eakin anytime touchdown
Texas Tech’s passing attack draws a Cincinnati secondary that ranks 103rd in EPA per dropback allowed and 108th in passing success rate. Coy Eakin is the receiver who has done the most with his chances.
Eakin has turned 23 targets into 17 catches, 205 yards, and three touchdowns, the most receiving scores on the roster, with a 70% success rate.
Kenny Johnson commands more volume, but Eakin has been the preferred option when the Red Raiders need a finish.
Texas Tech is unbeaten and favored by double digits, so expect multiple trips inside the 20 against a defense that struggles to slow competent passing attacks.
- Matchup: Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 12:00 PM
- Location: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- TV: Fox Sports 1
Pick #5: Braden Pegan anytime touchdown
College GameDay is in Salt Lake City, and Utah’s top receiver draws a favorable late-night matchup.
Braden Pegan leads the Utes with 28 catches, 341 yards, and five touchdowns on 46 targets in FBS games, and no other Utah pass catcher has more than two receiving scores.
Houston’s defense is vulnerable through the air, ranking 113th in EPA per dropback allowed and 98th in passing success rate.
Utah is favored by nearly a touchdown at home, and Wayshawn Parker’s ground game should keep the Cougars honest near the goal line. Pegan’s target share and red-zone production make him the clear first read when the Utes need six.
- Matchup: Houston vs. Utah
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:15 PM
- Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
- TV: ESPN
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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