COLLEGE FOOTBALL: WEEK EIGHT PREDICTIONS

Last Week:   21 - 8     72.4%
Overall:      159 - 37   81.1%

Despite losses by seven of the top twenty-five teams last week, I was still able to hold my own in a weekend with more close games than I can remember. It was particularly interesting since there were no match-ups pitting ranked teams against each other. That's not the case this week, as Michigan travels to Penn State and Notre Dame hosts USC. Both of those games have significant implications for the playoffs.

Saturday

11:00 am CDT:

Maryland (3 - 3) 17 @ (5) Wisconsin (6 - 0) 30: Before last week's loss to Northwestern, Maryland seemed to be headed in the right direction. They'll need to do something a few underdogs did a week ago and stun a ranked team, although only one of them, Boise State did it on the road. Wisconsin's offense wasn't impressive last week against a decent Purdue defense, but they should have more success with Maryland.

(10) Oklahoma State (5 - 1) 31 @ Texas (3 - 3) 27: I like the toughness that Texas has shown since their opening game beat down by Maryland. Tom Herman's team is probably a season away from contending. Oklahoma State's only blemish is against a very good TCU team that has a much better defense than Texas. I believe the Cowboys have too much offensive firepower for the 'Horns.

Louisville (4 - 3) 20 @ Florida State (2 - 3) 23: A lot has been mentioned about Louisville's Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson's coming out party in an overwhelming defeat of Florida State last year. Most people would have been challenged to imagine that these two teams have a combined six losses. For the Seminoles to win this one at home, they'll need to get more production from freshman quarterback James Blackman to outscore the Cardinals.

Boston College (3 - 4) 20 @ Virginia (5 - 1) 24: Boston College is clearly improving while Virginia has been the most surprising ACC team so far this season. BC stunned Louisville last week and Virginia buried Boise State on the road a month ago. I'll take the Cavaliers at home in a close one.

Iowa State (4 - 2) 37 @ Texas Tech (4 - 2) 34: Iowa State's win over Oklahoma showed that the Cyclones are for real, but to win at Texas Tech, they'll need to score a lot of points and make key stops on defense. They've been doing that all season with the exception of their loss to Texas, so I like them to pull another road upset.

Iowa (4 - 2) 27 @ Northwestern (3 - 3) 20: Iowa's only losses were by one possession to Penn State and Michigan State, both nationally ranked teams. Northwestern plays tough, but Iowa is just a little better on both side of the ball.

2:30 pm CDT

Tennessee (3 - 3) 13 @ (1) Alabama (7 - 0) 38: Tennessee coach Butch Jones is probably on his way out, but an upset at Alabama could help to keep his hopes of staying in Knoxville on life support. The Tide are as complete a football team as we've seen in a long time, so I don't see much chance of the Vols even making it close.

Syracuse (4 - 3) 24 @ (8) Miami (5 - 0) 27: Syracuse pulled the upset of the week against Clemson last Friday night, the first of a rash of surprises last weekend. Miami has been pulling off close victories to remain unbeaten and will need to be on its game to keep the Orange from upending its second consecutive top ten team. I think Miami is going to be challenged but finds a way to win again.

North Carolina (1 - 6) 17 @ (14) Virginia Tech (5 - 1) 30: It seems like every season, Virginia Tech blows a game they're expected to handily win. North Carolina is given almost no chance to win this game, so it could be a a little bit of a trap for the Hokies. Coming off a bye week, however, I think they'll take care of business, especially if they get the running game going.

Indiana (3 - 3) 20 @ (18) Michigan State (5 - 1) 23: Indiana took Michigan to overtime last week, but that game was at home. The most surprising team in the Big Ten will need to pay attention to the Hoosiers if they hope to challenge Ohio State and Penn State for their division crown. Michigan State is still improving and should have enough on offense to prevail.

(20) UCF (5 - 0) 34 @ Navy (5 - 1) 27: UCF, despite being ranked in the top twenty, is flying under the radar for a number of reasons. They had a number of games postponed or cancelled, including one against Georgia Tech that could have given them a little more attention early in the season. That game also would have given the Golden Knights more experience against the option offense that tends to make it difficult for opposing defenses. UCF is scoring a lot of points and that will be the difference today.

Arizona State (3 - 3) 20@ Utah (4 - 2) 24: After stunning Washington last week, Arizona State has injected itself into the Pac-12 South race. To stay alive, they'll need to do it again, this time on the road in Salt Lake City. I'm tempted to take the Aztecs, but their inconsistency bothers me.

3:00 pm CDT

(9) Oklahoma (5 - 1) 34 @ Kansas State (3 - 3) 20: Oklahoma had to dig deep to beat Texas last week, but at least they looked better defensively than they did in their loss to Iowa State. They'll need to play a good game to beat the Wildcats in Manhattan, but they should get the job done.

Kentucky (5 - 1) 24 @ Mississippi State (4 - 2) 27: This is one of the more difficult games of the week to pick a winner. Kentucky has a win at South Carolina and a one-point loss to Florida in games against quality opponents. Mississippi State whipped LSU, but laid eggs at Georgia and Auburn. I went with Mississippi State Friday morning on "Lou in the Morning" and I'll stick with that pick. However, if Kentucky wins, they could be looking at a special season.

6:00 pm CDT

(16) South Florida (6 - 0) 37 @ Tulane (3 - 3) 23: South Florida is on a collision course with UCF for the AAC East title on Nov. 24. They should be able to keep those hopes alive for another week at Tulane, but the Green Wave has enough to put it all together occasionally and pull a surprise.

6:15pm CDT

(24) LSU (5 - 2) 27 @ Ole Miss (3 - 3) 24: After a bad home loss to Troy, a lot of critics left LSU for dead and there was plenty of speculation  on head coach Ed Orgeron's future in Baton Rouge. Now they have to head to Oxford for a rivalry game that could disrupt their season once again. The Tigers will need to pay attention on defense to keep from giving up big plays.

6:30 pm CDT

(19) Michigan (5 - 1) 17 @ (2) Penn State (6 - 0) 27: This game, potentially the biggest nationally and definitely the most impactful in the Big Ten, will come down to Michigan's ability to keep the game close. The Wolverine's don't have nearly as many offensive weapons as Penn State, who they pounded 49 - 10 last season, which was the last regular season loss for the Nittany Lions. Michigan's offense will be an issue that I don't think they'll be able to overcome.

(11) USC (6 - 1) 23 @ (13) Notre Dame (5 - 1) 30: A one-point loss to Georgia and a 38 - 18 win at now ranked Michigan State puts Notre Dame in the hunt for a playoff spot. Head coach Brian Kelly has done a good job in turning around the Irish's fortune's from last season's disaster. A win today would cement their national chances, but the schedule the rest of the way could be a problem. USC has found ways to keep winning, but that will a lot tougher today.

(21) Auburn (5 - 2) 31 @ Arkansas (2 - 4) 20: I'd like to think that the Razorbacks will be able to find a way to win this game, but I haven't seen much the last two weeks that would give me a reason for optimism. About the only thing might be if backup quarterback Cole Kelley can mature quickly. Auburn is coming off a meltdown loss to LSU and head coach Guz Malzahn always has extra motivation against the Hogs.

7:00 pm CDT

Kansas (1 - 5) 6 @ (4) TCU (6 - 0) 51: Kansas is possibly the worst team in the FBS and TCU is perhaps one of the best. This is one of those games that could get very ugly, very early.

(23) West Virginia (4 - 2) 34 @ Baylor (0 -6) 24: West Virginia keeps bouncing in and out of the top twenty-five. They need to follow up the come from behind victory against Texas Tech with a good effort against a dangerous winless team.

9:45 pm CDT

Colorado (4 - 3) 24 @ (15) Washington State (6 - 1) 34: Washington State returns home after getting embarrassed at California. They'll be facing a tough team, but the Buffs don't have the weapons to stay with the Cougars. I don't expect Washington State's quarterback Luke Falk to struggle in consecutive weeks.

Hear my recent interview with legendary sports agent Leigh Steinberg, where we discussed his agency, concussions, franchise relocation and philanthropy at http://thechtonsports.com/cold-hard-truth-sports-radio-show-1242017/

Also listen to our conversation with author and sports journalist Mike Carey, as we discussed his latest book "Bad News" about Marvin Barnes and reminisced about Mike's coverage of the Boston Celtics during their glory years with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge and Robert Parish. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/golongmedia/2017/02/08/the-cold-hard-truth-on-sports-radio-show

Don't forget to check out my new book, "Offsetting Penalties - A PK Frazier Novel" at  Amazon.com and listen to me Friday's at 8:40 am EDT/ 7:40 am CDT on Lou in the Morning, streaming live on www.WPFLradio.com, 105.1 FM. Also check out www.thechtonsports.com for our podcasts and live broadcast on Tuesday's at 8:30 pm EST. I can also be reached via email at kevin@pkfrazier.com.