Breaking down every top 25 matchup with score predictions for college football’s Week 8 schedule.
Many see Saturday as potentially Arch Manning’s last stand as Texas quarterback.
For that matter, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian might not be long for the job either if his team takes a third straight loss, tumbling to the periphery of the College Football Playoff picture after having national championship expectations just weeks ago.
The No. 19-ranked Longhorns (4-2, 1-2 SEC) host No. 7 Ole Miss (5-1, 3-1) Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, on the heels of back-to-back 27-24 losses to unranked Oklahoma and Florida teams.
Manning threw for 2 interceptions in the loss to the rival Sooners and mustered just 173 passing yards, 1 touchdown and a lost fumble in the home defeat to the reeling Gators.
Since rallying to beat Ohio State by a point back in Week 2 to claim the No. 1 ranking, Texas really hasn’t looked the part.
It narrowly escaped Tennessee with a 20-17 win that nearly came undone after a late onside kick recovery by the Volunteers. Manning threw for just 201 yards and an interception that day.
Then came the consecutive losses and the ensuing referendum on Manning, a former top recruit and once-projected top NFL draft pick now in his fourth year at Texas and second as the team’s starting QB while still looking unsettled in the position and spotlight.
He’s thrown for 1,295 yards in six games — ranking 61st nationally in passing yards per game despite having one of the most expensive collections of offensive playmakers around him — with 11 TDs and 5 INTs and three costly fourth quarter turnovers in the back-to-back losses.
“I think if you took the name off the back of his jersey and you said, ‘Here’s Joe Smith playing quarterback at the University of Texas and here’s a guy who’s beaten four top 10 ranked teams in his last 13 starts,’ we’d be praising the guy,” Sarkisian said two weeks ago after the loss to Oklahoma.
With those stats and Texas’ record, “Joe Smith” wouldn’t be talked about much at all nationally or be prominent in NFL draft debates, etc.
The Manning name isn’t an albatross around the QB’s neck — it’s the all-access key card that’s opened every door for him to this point, that made him the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country despite playing modest high school competition and skipping the national camp circuit where he would compete (and be compared) against his top peers around the country. It’s the only reason he’s still mentioned as a potential high first-round NFL draft pick when marquee QBs with similar frustrating production (think Drew Allar or Garrett Nussmeier last year) became Day 2 draft fliers.
Sarkisian’s tone was different following the second straight loss as Manning struggled yet again.
“At some point, he’s gotta fight back,” Sarkisian added. “And the best way for him to fight back is going out and playing really good football with his teammates and enjoy playing football with his teammates. And so I’m looking forward to watching him compete Saturday night.”
Texas has reportedly been giving sophomore backup QB KJ Lacey Jr. more first-team reps in practice.
The wolves are at the door for one of college football’s most high-profile and highly scrutinized coach-QB pairings.
This is Sarkisian’s sixth season at Texas, and while he’s been largely successful overall with a 52-22 record and two College Football Playoff appearances, the Longhorns were considered a major disappointment last year in missing the postseason with three losses after opening the season ranked No. 1. They could be at risk for a repeat letdown with a third loss Saturday and a tough remaining schedule still to come.
The stakes are what they are for Sarkisian and his QB.
He was hired to win a national championship — not simply make a cameo appearance in the playoffs a couple times and then regress. Manning was expected to be a difference-maker and potential Heisman Trophy contender — not simply a game-manager with a spotty record of struggles in big games.
The pressure couldn’t be higher on the Longhorns Saturday night.
With that, let’s look at the other top 25 teams in action and make some predictions for the Week 8 slate …
College Football Week 8 Schedule And Predictions
(All game times are ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
No. 6 Indiana (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at Michigan (4-2, 1-2), 12 p.m. on FOX: Indiana’s NCAA-leading 22-game winning streak ended last week by a matter of inches as wide receiver Nick Marsh landed a step out of bounds in the end zone on a fourth down pass with just over a minute remaining to seal a 19-15 loss to Ohio State. That was just the second regular-season loss for the Hoosiers in coach Curt Cignetti’s three seasons — both to the Buckeyes. Now the reigning national champions will look to respond in a tough road environment against Michigan and its new starting QB Tommy Carr, who replaced maligned sophomore Bryce Underwood in the second half of a 21-18 win over Penn State last week. Carr, the true freshman and grandson of longtime former Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards and rushed for 36 yards and a TD in his first extensive action. Indiana is a 7.5-point favorite. Prediction: Indiana 24, Michigan 20
No. 18 LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC) at Auburn (4-2, 2-2), 12 p.m. on ABC: Auburn scored the biggest upset of Week 7, winning 27-24 at then-No. 1 Georgia as QB Byrum Brown passed for 150 yards and a TD and rushed for 115 yards and a score. Brown has been inconsistent this season, though, at least as a passer with 1,205 yards, 8 TDs and 7 INTs in six games. He’ll need to stay locked in for Auburn to have a chance at a second straight upset against a LSU team with playoff ambitions and no margin for error. LSU took care of business against a depleted Mississippi State team last week, 31-0, as QB Sam Leavitt played his best game yet as a Tiger, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs. He’ll have one of his top playmakers back in action with TE Trey’Dez Green expected to be good to go after missing four games with injury. LSU is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: LSU 31, Auburn 24
Pittsburgh (5-2, 2-2 ACC) at No. 1 Miami (6-0, 4-0), 12 p.m. on ESPN/Disney+: Pitt is reportedly making another QB change, going back to fifth-year senior Holden Geriner. The former Auburn and Texas State QB initially replaced injured starter Mason Heintschel (season-ending torn ACL) three weeks ago and then started in a loss to North Carolina before being benched last week in favor of freshman Corey Daily, who subsequently struggled in a loss to Boston College. Pitt is also expected to be without top RB Ja’Kyrian Turner due to injury against the top-ranked and unbeaten Hurricanes. Miami was one of the few teams near the top of the rankings to win last week, escaping in double-overtime against Florida State. QB Darian Mensah (1,764 yards, 18 TDs, 1 INT) and WR Malachi Toney (50 catches for 758 yards and 8 TDs) are both in the Heisman Trophy conversation. Miami is a 20.5-point favorite. Prediction: Miami 37, Pittsburgh 20
No. 8 Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Cincinnati (4-2, 1-2), 12 p.m. on FS1: Cincinnati has lost two straight games (at Arizona and at West Virginia) while giving up 1,120 yards in those defeats. That doesn’t bode well heading into a matchup against an undefeated Red Raiders team averaging 37.8 PPG (16th nationally) led by RB J’Koby Williams (538 rushing yards and 5 TDs on 7.3 YPC). That said, the Bearcats are capable offensively as well, led by QB JC French IV (1,338 passing yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs, 6 rushing TDs) and RBs Cole Tabb (448 yards and 8 TDs on 9.1 YPC) and Gi’Bran Payne (418 yards and 2 TDs on 6.1 YPC; listed as questionable this week). Texas Tech is an 11.5-point favorite. Prediction: Texas Tech 44, Cincinnati 27
Cal (3-4, 2-2 ACC) at No. 23 SMU (5-1, 3-1), 12 p.m. on CW: Cal has lost three of its last four games, including a 41-7 beatdown from Wake Forest last week. The Golden Bears have struggled to find any identity or momentum under first-year coach Tosh Lupoi while benching expected star sophomore QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in recent weeks. Sagapolutele took over again in the second half last week and is expected to start vs. SMU. The Mustangs are led by QB Kevin Jennings (1,839 yards, 16 TDs and 5 INTs) and former Cal RB Kendrick Raphael (537 yards and 6 TDs on 5.4 YPC). SMU is an 18.5-point favorite. Prediction: SMU 38, Cal 30
Rutgers (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) at No. 24 Northwestern (5-1, 2-1), 12 p.m. on Peacock: The Wildcats have been one of the pleasant surprises this season under coach David Braun with their only loss coming in a competitive game with Indiana. Well-traveled QB Aidan Chiles (1,398 yards, 9 TDs and 0 INTs) and the RB tandem of Caleb Komolafe (401 yards and 4 TDs on 5.3 YPC) and Joseph Himon II (346 yards and 3 TDs on 11.5 YPC) have thrived under offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Rutgers, meanwhile, is capable of piling up points — KJ Duff is one of the top receivers in college football with 42 catches for 741 yards and 9 TDs — but that hasn’t translated to much success overall with its lone Power 4 win coming last week vs. Maryland. Northwester is a 14.5-point favorite. Prediction: Northwestern 34, Rutgers 21
No. 2 BYU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at UCF (3-3, 1-2), 3:30 p.m. on FOX: A 28-24 win over Notre Dame last week propelled the Cougars to their highest ranking since the program’s 1984 national championship season. BYU has continued to roll despite missing injured RB and reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin due to injury, while QB Bear Bachmeier (1,257 passing yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs, 284 rushing yards and 6 TDs) has elevated his game to carry the offense. UCF has just one Power 4 win, over TCU, and lost by double figures the last two weeks at Houston and Oklahoma State. BYU is a 7-point favorite. Prediction: BYU 31, UCF 16
Michigan State (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) at No. 9 UCLA (6-0, 4-0), 3:30 p.m. on CBS: Bob Chesney has to be the favorite for national coach of the year honors after turning a hapless UCLA program into one of the last remaining unbeaten teams in 2026. The Bruins rank 11th nationally in rushing at 231 YPG, led by Wayne Knight (571 yards and 11 TDs on 6.8 YPC). UCLA is down to its backup QB Ty Dieffenbach, who threw for 264 yards and an INT in a 17-7 win over Wisconsin last week. But Michigan State is even more depleted at that position with starting QB Alessio Milivojevic and backup Cam Fancher both expected to be out, leaving true freshman Cayd Coffman to make his first start. UCLA is a 16.5-point favorite. Prediction: UCLA 38, Michigan State 13
No. 11 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1 SEC) at South Carolina (3-3, 1-3), 3:30 p.m. on ESPN/Disney+: The Vols contributed to college football’s wild Week 7, upsetting Alabama 26-10. Tennessee is expected to stick with George MacIntyre at QB over freshman Faizon Brandon. Making his third straight start, MacIntyre (592 passing yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs) is more of a game manager, putting the onus on star RB DeSean Bishop (837 rushing yards and 10 TDs on 6.0 YPC). While Tennessee is competing for a CFP berth, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is still coaching for his job and looking to build off a 38-19 win at Florida in the Gamecocks’ last game before their bye. LaNorris Sellers played his best game of the season in that one with 279 passing yards, 4 TDs and 0 INT plus a rushing TD. That’s the version of Sellers the Gamecocks need moving forward. South Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: South Carolina 33, Tennessee 30
Texas A&M (4-3, 1-3 SEC) at No. 13 Alabama (5-2, 3-2), 3:30 p.m. on ABC: Just when it looked like the Crimson Tide were truly settling in under third-year coach Kalen De’Boer, Alabama now has its back against the wall after consecutive losses to Georgia and Tennessee. Impressive freshman QB Keelon Russell played his worst game of the season last week against the Vols, throwing for just 147 yards and 2 INTs with a rushing TD. He’ll need to be much better if Alabama is going to finish strong and get back into the playoffs. Alabama is still without top WR Ryan Coleman-Williams following arthroscopic knee surgery. Texas A&M, meanwhile, has been one of the biggest disappointments in college football coming off its CFP breakthrough last year with a number of veteran playmakers back for 2026. QB Marcel Reed (1,227 yards, 7 TDs and 6 INTs) has struggled and thus so to has an Aggies offense that ranks just 98th nationally at 356.9 YPC. Alabama is a 13.5-point favorite. Prediction: Alabama 31, Texas A&M 24
No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1), 3:30 p.m. on FS1: The Hawkeyes, who took their only loss to Ohio State, are fresh off a bye week and led by a defense that gives up the ninth-fewest points in the FBS (14.5/game). Minnesota actually gives up fewer yards, meanwhile, at 288.8 per game to rank 17th (with Iowa 21st at 293.3/game). The bottom line is this should be a classic defensive slugfest. Kamari Moulton (519 yards and 4 TDs on 6.8 YPC) leads the Hawkeyes while QB Drake Lindsey (1,335 passing yards, 9 TDs and 5 INTs) is the engineer of a balanced Golden Gophers offense. Iowa is a 7.5-point favorite. Prediction: Iowa 27, Minnesota 21
No. 21 Boise State (5-1, 2-0 Pac-12) at Washington State (1-6, 0-3), 6 p.m. on USA Network: Dylan Riley ranks among college football’s rushing leaders with 835 yards and 6 TDs on 6.6 YPC for Boise State, which is a 14.5-point favorite here. Prediction: Boise State 41, Washington State 18
No. 7 Ole Miss (5-1, 3-1 SEC) at No. 19 Texas (4-2, 1-2), 7:30 p.m. on ABC: We covered the Texas side of this marquee matchup up top. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has been dominant its last two games with a 52-17 win at Vanderbilt and a 31-3 win over then-No. 13 Missouri last week. Trinidad Chambliss (1,676 yards, 14 TDs and 4 INTs with 6 rushing TDs) remains one of the best QBs in all of college football, while the return of star RB Kewan Lacy (352 yards and 5 TDs on 5.7 YPC) has provided a fresh jolt to the Rebels offensive attack. Texas is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: Ole Miss 38, Texas 30
Vanderbilt (3-4, 0-4 SEC) at No. 12 Kentucky (6-1, 4-1), 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network: If UCLA’s Chesney isn’t the national coach of the year then it might be Kentucky’s Will Stein, who has transformed the Wildcats in his first season. Since a loss to Alabama, Kentucky has ripped off five straight wins (including an upset of LSU) to surge up the rankings. QB Kenny Minchey, the Notre Dame transfer, has been a revelation while passing for 1,552 yards, 13 TDs and 1 INT, and Texas transfer CJ Baxter (484 yards and 8 TDs on 5.6 YPC) leads a deep rushing attack. Vanderbilt has lost four in a row as true freshman Jared Curtis (1,242 yards, 6 TDs, 7 INTs) settles in at QB. Kentucky is a 10.5-point favorite. Prediction: Kentucky 41, Vanderbilt 27
No. 16 USC (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. on NBC: The Trojans look to remain in the CFP hunt despite a disappointing home loss to Oregon, bouncing back from that with wins over Washington and at Penn State. Jayden Maiava has been one of the top QBs in the country with 2,045 passing yards, 18 TDs and 3 INTs, complemented by a deep stable of playmakers at both wide receiver and running back. USC has been unreliable on the road during Lincoln Riley’s tenure, though, and Wisconsin has been better this season with its losses coming to ranked Notre Dame and UCLA teams. The Badgers lean heavily on dual-threat QB Colton Joseph (1,198 passing yards, 10 TDs and 5 INTs; team-high 333 rushing yards and 4 TDs). USC is a 3-point favorite. Prediction: USC 27, Wisconsin 21
Iowa State (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) at No. 25 Arizona (5-1, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2: Since losing to BYU in Week 2, Arizona has won four games in a row, all by double digits. Veteran QB Noah Fifita is having an excellent final season with the Wildcats with 1,756 yards, 16 TDs and 4 INTs. Iowa State has already faced three ranked opponents this fall, losing each of those games. RB Aiden Flora (680 yards and 6 TDs on 7.6 YPC) has been a bright spot for the Cyclones. Arizona is an 11.5-point favorite. Prediction: Arizona 36, Iowa State 27
No. 14 Houston (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) at No. 10 Utah (6-0, 3-0), 10:15 p.m. on ESPN: The Cougars just had a major test from a fellow Big 12 contender in beating Oklahoma State 35-22 last week, but the schedule only gets tougher in Week 8 with a road game against the unbeaten Utes. Conner Weigman has been excellent for Houston with 1,771 passing yards, 20 TDs and 2 INTs along with 6 rushing TDs and deserves more national buzz than he’s receiving. But Utah is loaded offensively as well with QB Devon Dampier (1,412 passing yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs, 3 rushing TDs) and RB Wayshawn Parker (597 rushing yards, 201 receiving yards and 11 total TDs. Oh, and the Utes give up the 12th-fewest points per game in the country (12.8). One of the best games on the Week 8 slate comes last with this pivotal Big 12 showdown. As good as Houston has been, taking its only loss by 2 points on the road at Texas Tech, it likely can’t afford another loss if it wants to stay in the Big 12 and CFP hunt with BYU, Texas Tech and Utah all entering the day unbeaten. Utah is a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Houston 34, Utah 31
