The Hate Picks went 1-2 in Week 7, but the biggest win came in the best game of the week! Thank you, BYU!
This week, I’m unleashing all my hatred on the Tennessee Volunteers as they head to Columbia to face a South Carolina team that’s had two weeks to prepare. I’m also coming for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers, but regular readers already know that’s nothing new.
There’s plenty more to hate in my college football Week 8 hate picks!
Before you dive in, check out all our plays for Saturday’s slate on our college football picks page.
Week 8 college football hate picks
For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, see our odds calculator.
| Matchup | Pick | Hate Meter 🤬😡😠 |
 Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
 Tennessee @  South Carolina |
SC ML | 🤬 | 54% |
 Virginia Tech @  Clemson |
VT +2.5 | 😡 | 49% |
 Michigan State @  UCLA |
UCLA -14.5 | 😠 | 52% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.
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🤬 Tennessee vs South Carolina: South Carolina ML
Who's hatin: Party Crashers
Why I'm hatin: They say CLV doesn't exist. We'll see on Saturday, as I currently hold a South Carolina +3 ticket, and the number has completely flipped since Sunday morning.
It's going to be extremely difficult not to want to fade the Tennessee Volunteers after their 26-10 outright win over the Alabama Crimson Tide last Saturday. But when you storm the field and play "Dixieland Delight" throughout Neyland Stadium, I want to fade you.
"But bu- you're kind of being a hypocrite. South Carolina just beat Florida 38-19 as a 10.5-point underdog."
Betting is a walking contradiction. But that game was on Oct. 10, and the Gamecocks have had two weeks to prepare for the Volunteers. Meanwhile, Tennessee is coming down from its post-Alabama hangover and has to travel. South Carolina has had plenty of time to get ready for Saturday, and the Gamecocks will be looking to bring the Vols back down to earth.
😡 VA Tech vs Clemson: Va Tech +2.5
Who's hatin: Dabo Haters
Why I'm hatin: After giving my hatred for Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers a rest while hyper-focusing on drilling the Notre Dame Fighting Irish last week, it is time to get back on the horse.
Catching any points as a team with an ounce of quality against this Clemson team is a gift in my eyes. The Tigers have four wins on their resume this season, two of which are not worth mentioning. The other two came against Cal and North Carolina.
The win over the Tar Heels is a little overrated, as Clemson was up 21-20 with one minute to play before scoring a 34-yard touchdown. The Tigers could have run out the clock, and the Tar Heels should have covered.
This is a complete fade based on my belief that the Tigers are just a horrible football team looking for the season to end so they can cut ties with their longtime head coach. Plus, Virginia Tech has played some solid football on the road this season. And let's not forget, this isn't a "big game," so James Franklin should be just fine.
😠 Michigan State vs UCLA: UCLA -14.5
Who's hatin: Pat Fitzgerald doubters
Why I'm hatin: Pat Fitzgerald's Michigan State Spartans lost its "Super Bowl" last week, falling 24-21 to Northwestern in Evanston, as the Michigan State coach faced his alma mater and former team.
I'll give Fitzgerald credit. In his two big games against schools he has ties to, his team has covered. The Spartans covered the 7.5-point spread against Northwestern, and as a guy who grew up on the South Side of Chicago surrounded by Notre Dame fans, I'll give him credit for covering the 28.5-point spread in Week 3, too.
Can his boys travel to the other side of the country and keep this one close? I don't see it happening.
The UCLA Bruins don't play around. They've taken care of business against inferior teams all season, winning by an average of 26 points against opponents with losing records. Their biggest win came on the other side of the country, when they beat Maryland by 51 points on Sept. 26.
If you can find UCLA at -13.5 or -14, take it! I think the Bruins blow them out.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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