2026 College Football Picks: Week Eight

Devon Dampier, Utah

 

📊 THE RECORD

🏆 PICKS 34-20 | ⚡ UPSETS 1–5 | 🐕 SUPERDOGS 3–2 | 🔒 LOCKS 6–1

(14) Houston Cougars @ (10) Utah Utes

📍 Salt Lake City

🏈 Utah -6.5 | O/U 56.5

The best game of the weekend is a late night duel at elevation in Salt Lake City, as the Houston Cougars travel to take on the undefeated Utah Utes. The game not only has significant Big 12 implications but could have an outsized impact on the College Football Playoff race - particularly now that the league is likely looking at multiple bids.

No team in the Top 10 of the polls is as great of a mystery at this point in the season as the Utah Utes. They've done their job, cruising past a weak schedule to get a 6-0 start on the season. But, it's hard to take too much away from beating up on Arkansas in the non-conference, and beating up on the three worst teams in the Big 12. The Colorado game last weekend may give some reason to concern, as the Utes got all they could handle from a Buffaloes team that is 2-4 on the year. The game did expose weaknesses Houston will almost certainly exploit. The Buffaloes stacked the box and forced Utah QB Devon Dampier to make some tough throws. He did still manage to go for 278 yards through the air, but a pair or interceptions kept Colorado in the game. Given all the activity at the line, it's no surprise Utah had a tough time running the ball, and it will not get easier against Houston. Wayshawn Parker has been solid all season for the Utes, but the lack of depth at the position has been interesting to watch the deeper we get into the season. Dampier and backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin may be able to create with their legs, but you have to wonder how this offense will handle against the better defenses they play if they can't get more consistency across the board on the ground. Out wide, Utah has more they can throw at you than you may expect, as Creed Whittemore and Braden Pegan have formed a very effective 1-2 punch. The Cougars did a good job containing an explosive Oklahoma State offense last weekend, but the Utes can get creative in the passing game. They'll find a way to manufacture some yardage, and one or two big plays could split this one wide open.

A two-point loss on the road to Texas Tech is the only blemish on the Cougar schedule up to this point in the season, a game that came down to a failed two-point conversion. This 2026 team very much epitomizes what Willie Fritz has done here at Houston overall - they're well-coached, fundamentally sound, and often don't beat themselves. The offense is all about balance, and has numerous different playmakers. Quarterback Conner Weigman remains at the controls, but he was beat up last weekend in the win over Oklahoma State. It sounds like he should still start as normal, but the veteran QB not being 100 percent is a storyline worth watching. In the backfield, the Cougars rely on the combo of Makhi Hughes and Re'Shaun Sanford II, and Weigman can further create with his legs. The Utes have long been a team that is tough to run against, but the rush defense has taken a bit of a slip this fall. You have to feel like the Cougars keep it on the ground and see how successful they are before going back to the air game. This is a team not short of weapons on the perimeter, but Weigman's health may impact the gameplan. 

This has the looks of a fun late night Big 12 battle between two evenly matched teams. Houston is almost certainly the trickiest opponent that the Utes have seen on the year, but Utah does get them in Rice-Eccles Stadium at elevation. It does feel like a game that could come down to the last possession, but between the homefield advantage and the fact they are likely fresher, I think the Utes are the safer bet.

The Pick: Utah, 28 Houston, 21

(7) Ole Miss Rebels @ (19) Texas Longhorns

📍 Austin, TX

🏈 Texas -3.5 | O/U 53.5

Heading into the 2026 campaign, few programs were under as much pressure as Texas, and subsequentially, few head coaches were under the pressure of Steve Sarkisian. Now at 4-2, Sarkisian may be in survival mode as he heads into a critical Week Eight contest with Ole Miss. Another loss almost certainly dooms the Longhorns to a second straight season without a College Football Playoff trip - which could potentially spell the end of Sark's time in Austin.

There are no excuses anymore for the Texas offense. Sarkisian, the offensive guru, brought back a Manning to Austin. The program spent big on the backfield, bringing on Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smoothers. They made arguably the biggest acquisition of the offseason by bringing on Cam Coleman. And yet, the offense has been underwhelming in every way, entering this contest looking for a momentum change. It's an interesting matchup given you never can be quite sure what we are getting from this Ole Miss defense, either. They played up against LSU, but the secondary has had real struggles against some of the best teams on their schedule. It does feel like this could come down to the battle in the trenches - Ole Miss has the athletes up front that can take over games when they're playing well. The Texas offensive line has had a season full of ups-and-downs, but needs to show up in this game if there is any hope for this Longhorn offense to find a rhythm. It just feels like Arch does not have the comfortability of a multiyear starter - part of that could be blamed on the offensive line, but it's also time for him to live up to the Manning name. If we start seeing more of what we saw against Ohio State regularly, the entire trajectory of the fall changes for the Longhorns.

The Ole Miss offense has not slowed down in any way this season, despite the departure of Lane Kiffin and most of the offensive staff over the offseason. It helps when you have arguably the best quarterback in college football under center in Trinidad Chambliss, but the supporting cast has also lived up to the hype. The offensive line has been solid, Deuce Alexander has emerged as the big play threat this team needed on the perimeter, and the playmakers are deep and talented. If there's one area that bears further watching it's the rushing attack, which hasn't had the same bite it did last season. Now, that's understandable given the fact Kewan Lacy has been banged up this entire year and still doesn't appear 100 percent heading into this one. Makhi Frazier has been okay spelling the star tailback, but it does feel like the Rebels are going to need Lacy to return to form if they are to fully replicate last season's success. They face an interesting challenge here in the Texas defense, which has been elite for much of the year, but struggled to make the stops in the important moments in the Florida defeat. We know the Longhorns are tremendous up front, but the secondary has to play well if they are to slow down Chambliss and all the weapons Ole Miss can throw at you over four quarters. Star defensive end Colin Simmons' status is fully up in the air after being carted off during the Florida game. It sounds like a high ankle sprain, the type of nagging injury that could impact him potentially the rest of the season. Without him, this Texas defense does become significantly less imposing, and Chambliss has even more time to create his magic.

Despite the negative energy around this Texas team right now, it is hard for me to imagine them having three losses heading with still a week to play in October. But I just can't in my right mind pick the Longhorns to beat an Ole Miss team that is seemingly playing some of their best football. Perhaps last week was the wake up call Texas needed, but there are far too many questions around this team as they head into a tough night matchup.

The Pick: Ole Miss, 35 Texas, 24

Other Picks

(#6) Indiana Hoosiers @ Michigan Wolverines -- It's Tommy Carr time in Ann Arbor, and his first career start? None other than the reigning National Champions. Carr may be able to breath some new life into this offense, but it's hard to imagine the Wolverines doing enough to keep up with the Hoosiers over sixty minutes.

The Pick: Indiana, 33 Michigan, 20

Texas A&M Aggies @ (#13) Alabama Crimson Tide -- Vibes aren't great for either of these teams, but one has to come out victorious here. As rough as the last couple of weeks have been for the Tide, I'm still a believer in Keelon Russell and what this offense can be at their best. He certainly holds the edge over the 2026 version of Marcel Reed at the game's most important position.

The Pick: Alabama, 26 Texas A&M, 14

(#15) Iowa Hawkeyes @ Minnesota Golden Gophers -- The Floyd of Rosedale is once again up for grabs, this time in Minneapolis. P.J. Fleck's team has to be looking for vengeance after getting smacked around in this game last fall, but the complete lack of any rushing attack makes this team far too one-dimensional against an elite Iowa defense.

The Pick: Iowa, 21 Minnesota, 13

North Dakota State Bison @ New Mexico Lobos -- No joke, this may be the game I'm most excited for this weekend. With James Madison's defeat Thursday night, the winner of this game moves into position next to Boise State as favorites to represent the Group of Six in the CFB Playoff. The Lobos are tough at home and also enter the game with more momentum. Their stifling defense guides them to a hard-fought, late-night win.

The Pick: New Mexico, 24 North Dakota State, 16

Upset: (#11) Tennessee Volunteers @ South Carolina Gamecocks -- Timing is everything in college football, and we may just see that on display here. South Carolina got a much-needed win over Florida and then a bye last week to rest up. Tennessee got the biggest win of their season last Saturday against Alabama, but could be in store for a letdown. George MacIntyre was also superb at home last weekend, but his first road start in the SEC the week prior has me concerned for he handles the Gamecocks.

The Pick: South Carolina, 28 Tennessee, 27

Lock of the Week: Florida Atlantic Owls (-7) vs. Rice Owls -- It's not going to make the front page of ESPN, but Florida Atlantic has seemingly found something this year, out to a solid 4-2 start. The Owls are chucking the ball all over the field with QB Caden Veltkamp, and this Rice defense is bad. FAU should roll to a comfortable victory.

The Pick: Florida Atlantic, 45 Rice, 20

Double Lock of the Week: LSU Tigers (-6.5) @ Auburn Tigers -- I always love betting against teams in letdown spots, and Auburn is definitely in store for one after shocking Georgia last Saturday. The Tigers absolutely deserve all the credit in the world for the win but a closer look at that one will tell you it was more about Georgia throwing that game away than Auburn winning. I think LSU brings them back down to Earth a bit in this game.

The Pick: LSU, 38 Auburn, 24