Week 8 brings another loaded college football slate, and we're combining our favorite betting angles from the biggest games into the weekend's best college football combos.
Our latest college football picks include combos for Indiana vs. Michigan, Texas A&M vs. Alabama, Ole Miss vs. Texas, and more.
Best Week 8 college football combos
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Friday, Oct. 23
Duke vs Virginia combo
Both offenses are run-heavy and lack urgency, setting up a slower-paced game with clock-draining drives and plenty of punts. Duke should keep this one competitive, while both unders benefit from limited scoring opportunities. Combining Duke +2.5, Under 47.5, and first-half Under 23.5 offers a 4.80x payout on Friday night.
Check out our full Duke vs. Virginia predictions.
Best Army vs Tulsa combo
Tulsa doesn't need this game to open up for the combo to cash. The Golden Hurricane's best path to victory is controlling possession, avoiding mistakes, and forcing Army to play from behind.
That game script should keep the clock moving and limit possessions, especially early. If Tulsa builds even a modest lead, Army's methodical offense becomes a liability because it isn't designed to chase points quickly.
Give me a lower-scoring first half, followed by Tulsa gradually taking control without this game ever turning into a shootout.
Check out our full Army vs. Tulsa predictions.
Stanford vs NC State combo
Stanford is one of the worst teams in college football, and it doesn't look like Andrew Luck and Tavita Pritchard will be turning things around anytime soon.
Though Davis Warren has been efficient at QB, the Cardinal have a dreadful defense that ranks outside the top 115 in EPA per pass, EPA per rush, and available yards percentage (57.3%).
Even against an NC State defense giving up 27.7 points per game, Stanford won't be able to keep this close at home against David Doeren's team. The Wolfpack's passing game will be too much, and I have NC State winning 33-24.
Check out our full NC State vs. Stanford predictions.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Best Texas Tech vs Cincinnati combo
If Cincinnati is going to remain competitive against Texas Tech, the Bearcats will need to put points on the board.
The Red Raiders have scored at least 28 points in each of their first six games this season, including 49 against Sam Houston and 53 against Arizona State.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati has hit its team total Over in five of its last eight home games. With both offenses capable of moving the ball and neither defense inspiring much confidence, this could turn into an entertaining Week 8 shootout.
Check out our full Texas Tech vs. Cincinnati predictions.
Best LSU vs Auburn combo
The prevailing theme throughout is LSU's defense. It controls the game, wins the game for the Tigers, and keeps it low-scoring throughout.
That holds true early on, which is why I added the first-quarter Under to this combo beyond the previously mentioned two plays. I don't expect either team to come out guns blazing through the air due to decision-making concerns tied to the quarterback.
That's particularly true early in the game when the emphasis on either to score quickly is minimal. That should keep the clock running most of the first quarter and start off this heavily correlated combo out strong.
Check out our full LSU vs. Auburn predictions.
Best Indiana vs Michigan combo
This game script sets up nicely for a correlated parlay. Michigan +7.5 gives the Wolverines room to keep the contest competitive, while the full-game Under 41.5 benefits from two elite defenses and a freshman quarterback making his first start.
The first-half Under 20.5 fits that same low-scoring script, creating an appealing combination at 4.29x odds.
Check out our full Indiana vs. Michigan predictions.
Best Oregon vs Illinois combo
Illinois can land the first punch, and Oregon can pull away late.
The Fighting Illini are rested, playing at home, and should have the better early-game script. But the Ducks have the deeper roster and stronger defense. If Illinois hangs around for a quarter, Oregon should have enough talent to take control as the game progresses.
Give us a fast start from Illinois, followed by an Oregon takeover in a game that never opens up offensively.
Check out our full Oregon vs. Illinois predictions.
Best Texas A&M vs Alabama combo
Alabama has been a force against teams with poor defenses, and Texas A&M has been blown out against quality SEC teams. Even with the Crimson Tide losing their last two games, they shouldn’t struggle against a team with massive problems in the trenches.
The Aggies’ defense has been non-existent against SEC teams with talented quarterbacks, and their injuries in the front seven should only make it easier for Alabama to run away with this game.
Once Texas A&M is down in the second half, it’s going to struggle to throw its way back into this game, especially late. Not only has Reed struggled, but two of his top three receivers are banged up.
Check out our full Texas A&M vs. Alabama predictions.
Best Iowa vs Minnesota combo
This matchup has all the makings of a defensive showdown, making Minnesota +6.5, Under 41.5, and the first-half Under 20.5 an appealing combo at 4.43x odds.
The Golden Gophers' slow tempo should help keep the clock moving, while both defenses can make life difficult for opposing offenses. Minnesota should be able to keep this game competitive, with the first half setting the tone for a lower-scoring affair.
Check out our full Iowa vs. Minnesota predictions.
Best Oklahoma vs Mississippi State combo
This combo depends on Kamario Taylor being available for Mississippi State. His return would give the Bulldogs the offensive upside to challenge Oklahoma, while their fast tempo creates scoring opportunities before halftime and throughout the game.
Oklahoma's struggling offense also gets a more forgiving defensive matchup than it has faced against several recent opponents. The intended result is a competitive game with both teams contributing points, but confirm Taylor's availability before backing this combo.
Check out our full Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State predictions.
Best Michigan State vs UCLA combo
UCLA's defense can dictate this matchup without the Bruins building a huge lead. Their offense has struggled with a backup quarterback, while Michigan State lacks the efficiency and explosive plays to turn this into a shootout.
A patient UCLA approach would reduce the scoring chances on both sides, supporting the first-half and full-game Unders. That also makes the Spartans' cushion more valuable: Michigan State can cover +14.5 even if its offense spends much of the afternoon struggling to move the ball.
Check out our full Michigan State vs. UCLA predictions.
Best Colorado vs Oklahoma State combo
We don't need Colorado to win this game. We just need the Buffaloes to make Oklahoma State earn everything.
A slow first quarter would keep Colorado from falling into an early hole and allow this to become the kind of ugly game We expecting. If the Buffaloes are still hanging around in the second half, there's no reason for either team to start playing with its hair on fire.
That's the script: start slowly, keep Colorado within striking distance, and force Oklahoma State to grind through four quarters instead of running away with it.
Check out our full Colorado vs. Oklahoma State predictions.
Best Virginia Tech vs Clemson combo
Virginia Tech comes out firing, averaging 24.4 first-half points, making the Hokies +2.5 and first-half +1.5 appealing. Meanwhile, Clemson's awful offense averages just 22.3 points per game and faces a Virginia Tech defense allowing only 87.4 rushing yards per game.
That combination makes the Under 48.5 worth targeting at 5.17x.
Check out our full Virginia Tech vs. Clemson predictions.
Best Syracuse vs North Carolina combo
Syracuse has covered in back-to-back games as double-digit underdogs, keeping things competitive against Louisville and Virginia. Coming off two outright road wins, North Carolina could be vulnerable in a potential sandwich spot with Miami looming.
The Orange’s fast pace supports both overs, making this three-leg combo appealing at 5.14x odds.
Check out our full Syracuse vs. North Carolina predictions.
Best Ole Miss vs Texas combo
This is the No. 2 must-watch game in my Top 25 predictions for Week 8, with Manning and Sarkisian looking for redemption and needing to cool down their seats.
While Chambliss is my midseason first-team All-American QB, Ole Miss can't keep getting away with relying on him to carry it to wins... allowing 29.2 points per game against ranked teams will catch up to the Rebels.
Without Simmons, this Texas defense will take a step back, but not a big enough step for Ole Miss to light it up and make up for its own defensive woes. Games away from home have been unkind to the Rebels, especially their defense, and I think Maning, Sarkisian, and the Longhorns offense will rise to the occasion to take advantage.
Check out our full Ole Miss vs. Texas predictions.
Best North Dakota State vs New Mexico combo
This is the type of game North Dakota State is built to win. The Bison don't have a high-powered offense, but their defense is capable of making life difficult for any opponent.
Rain and wind should slow down both offenses, leading to a lower-scoring affair. If North Dakota State can keep the game close, there's a good chance this stays below the total.
More risk-averse bettors could also tease the underdog and total to create additional breathing room on both legs of this combo.
Check out our full North Dakota State vs. New Mexico predictions.
Best Houston vs Utah combo
This game won't be short on points for either team, with these being two of the best offenses in the country.
Though the Utes' defense is significantly better and should play a massive role in Utah covering the spread, it's not going to hold Houston below 25 points. Despite being just 3-4 ATS this season, Houston has scored 26+ points in every game.
The Cougars rank No. 1 nationally in offensive success rate (54.6%), have two of the top five wide receivers in explosive plays (Trent Walker and Amare Thomas), and QB Conner Weigman ranks fourth in the country in QBR (87.7).
Check out our full Houston vs. Utah predictions.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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