College Football Betting Report with Preview and Picks for Week 8 Games

There are no Top 25 match-ups in Week 8 college football, but Saturday's card still has some games of interest and betting action will be brisk at many leading online sportsbooks on some key conference contests. Eleven teams remain undefeated, and two of them are underdogs this week as ranked teams versus unranked opponents. We chip-in with those two games this week involving unbeaten Oklahoma State and San Diego State.

Georgia remains the unanimous No. 1 team in the country, and the Bulldogs have a bye in Week 8 ahead of their cocktail party clash with SEC East rival Florida on Oct. 30. Iowa suffered their first loss of the season at home on Homecoming last week to Purdue, and the Hawkeyes drop from No. 2 in the AP Poll to No. 11 this week. Moving up to No. 2 is Cincinnati, and the Bearcats have a clear path to remain undefeated and screw up the NCAA's preferred plans to not have a Group of 5 team in the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma is now No. 3, Alabama #4 and four Big Ten East teams fill out the top 10 - Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State. From the Big 12, Oklahoma State completes the top 10, and the Cowboys have a key game against previous top 10 Iowa State, who is not currently ranked in the Top 25. 

So here are some other Top 25 teams and games to watch that will generate the most betting action at online sportsbooks. 

NCAA Betting Predictions for Saturday, Oct. 23

No. 8 Oklahoma State at Iowa State | 3:30 p.m. | FOX
Line: Iowa State -7 and Total 47.5 at BetOnline

The Cowboys have beaten three ranked teams including Texas in Austin last week. The Longhorns blew a double-digit lead and were driving to extend when the Texas quarterback threw an 85-yard pick 6 for the momentum changer and point spread play of the day. Now the Cowboys play back-to-back road games and the oddsmaker is not fooled, making unranked Iowa State a 7-point home favorite over Top 10 Oklahoma State.

The last four meetings between these two teams since 2017 have been decided by 7-points or less. Cyclones QB Brock Purdy and RB Breece Hall are formidable, and last week the Cowboys defense allowed Texas RB Bijan Robinson to rush for three touchdowns. The 33-20 win at Kansas State last week saw the Cyclones both run and pass for more that 200 yards. Iowa State ranks top 5 in the country in yards per play margin (+2.37), and they had solid stat edges in their two losses to ranked Iowa and Baylor. The Cyclones defense allows less than 250 yards per game to rank top 3 in the country. 

Opinion: Iowa State -6.5 or 7

Top 25 'Dogs - Opinions & Betting Advice

 San Diego State (+3) at Air Force

Air Force brings in the nation's top rushing attack at 330 yards per game and a nation-high 65 rushing attempts per contest. San Diego State features a dominant defense, which is also why the total is so low at 40 points. The Aztecs defense allows less than 300 yards per game and just 3.8 yards per play - tied for second-best in the country. It's strength vs strength with the Air Force running attack against a Aztecs run defense allowing 70 yards per game and 2.3 yards per rush versus FBS opponents. What gives? SDSU as beaten the fly boys eight straight times. 

USC (+7) at Notre Dame

Both teams off a bye for this rivalry game. While early money came in on Notre Dame and drove the number up, I can't endorse the Irish with their putrid running game averaging less than 100 yards per game and 80 total yards per game less on offense than the Trojans 448. Surprised to know that USC has covered eight straight road games. Don't be surprised if the Trojans pull the upset, as Cincinnati did in Week 5 over Notre Dame as one of our Top 25 underdog picks.  

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Read more great insights from FairwayJay and follow him on Twitter: @FairwayJay