ESPN College Pick Em Picks Week 8

Oct 8, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Brutus Buckeye during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes won 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN College Pick Em Picks Week 8

Can you believe that it is week eight already? ESPN College Pick Em only does 14 weeks, so we are half done already!

More from College Football Odds

I picked up 47 points in week seven, giving me 97 points in the last two weeks. I am now tied for fourth in the Fantasy CPR reader’s group, and am inching closer to third place. Only two entries in the group outscored me last week, so I am making my move!

I missed three games last week, but none of them were higher than five points. I got my 6-10 games right, which is critical at this point of the season.

264 points at the halfway point is a solid mark, but I was hoping to have closer to 300. I am looking for a 300 mark over the second half. Let me tell you, this week looks easy. That makes me nervous.

Here are my ESPN College Pick Em picks for week 8. They are in order from least confidence (1) to most (10) for those of you that play the confidence version of the game like I do.

Sep 3, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars fans holds a sign during a game against the against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Eagles won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

(1) Auburn over Arkansas:

The Hogs have been beaten up in physical games against Alabama and Ole Miss, possibly the two best teams in the SEC, over the last two weeks. They are tired, and on the road. Auburn’s defense isn’t up there with Alabama just yet, but they are no pushover either. This has the looks of a trap game for Arkansas.

(2) LSU over Mississippi:

LSU is playing as well as anyone since the dismissal of Les Miles. The offense isn’t one dimensional anymore. They have moved the ball very well even without Leonard Fournette. Fournette is likely out again, but Darius Guice hasn’t missed a beat. The main reason I’m taking LSU is because they don’t lose night games at home. The kickoff? 9pm eastern.

(3) Alabama over Texas A&M:

Why is this game so low? Everyone knows that the Tide have looked like the best team in the country. The only thing giving me pause is the Sugar Bowl. Yes, that Sugar Bowl three years ago when Trevor Knight, the current Texas A&M quarterback, beat the Tide as a freshman. That is still the best game of Knight’s career, but lost in that is the fact that Oklahoma’s defense won that game. Knight led the offense like a veteran, but it was Eric Striker that Alabama had no answer for. I am a big fan of this A&M defense and receivers, and if this game were in College Station, I would take A&M. I just don’t think they pull it off on the road.

(4) Utah over UCLA:

Josh Rosen will not be 100% even if he takes the field. The UCLA offensive line has been abused, therefore, so has their quarterback. Utah has the D-Line to abuse the Bruins again. I am not a big believer in the Utah offense, so this will look more like a Big Ten (14) game than a shootout. However, that favors Utah as well.

(5) Washington State over Arizona State:

This is another road game, and the Sun Devils have played fairly well at home. That said, they are beat up all over the offense. Washington State’s defense is largely underrated and that offense is approaching an elite unit. There is a chance that the Cougars win big, but there is almost an equal chance that they slip up here. Their schedule is about to get tough.

Oct 3, 2015; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Iowa won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

(6) Colorado over Stanford:

I have no clue why Stanford is still getting so much love in this game. Perhaps it’s the fact that the Buffs have been awful since joining the Pac 12. That doesn’t mean anything this year. Colorado is for real. They have a really good quarterback, a really good running back, good receivers, and an underrated defense. Don’t be surprised if they go to the Rose Bowl. This game could get ugly. As ugly as Stanford’s offense has been so far.

(7) West Virginia over TCU:

That West Virginia defense is likely the best in the Big 12(10). Kenny Hill’s inconsistency limits the TCU offense, and the Toadies just don’t have the talent around him that they usually have. Every program has a down year once in a while, and it has been a long time since TCU has. They aren’t bad. They will still go to a good bowl game. But they aren’t beating the Mountaineers in Morgantown.

(8) Toledo over Central Michigan:

If you have read any of my previous columns, you know I am a big fan of underrated running backs. One of my favorites is Toledo’s Kareem Hunt. Western Michigan’s tandem of Jamauri Bogan and Jarvion Franklin trampled the Chippewas. Toledo’s Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson will do the same.

(9) Wisconsin over Iowa:

Iowa fans are so fickle. Last year, Kirk Ferentz could do no wrong. Now they want his head on a stake for the second time in four years. Iowa isn’t firing Ferentz, and the Hawkeyes aren’t going to magically get better on offense. They have good running backs, but Wisconsin has an elite run defense. This gets Big Ten(14) ugly, which means a dominating 14 point win for the Badgers.

(10) Ohio State over Penn State:

This is the gimme game. There is usually one a week. Penn State is improving, and I like what Trace McSorley will be able to do for this team. Saquon Barkley is an elite back. That said, a Big Ten (14) All Star team might not beat Ohio State right now. The score could be fairly close, but the game wont be.

Next: Which Quarterbacks Should You Target In FanDuel This Week?

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