College football Week 8: The most intriguing game in each conference
Each week, On3 takes a look at the most intriguing matchup in each Power 5 conference, along with a Group of 5 game worth keeping an eye on.
Here’s our Week 8 edition, excluding our game of the week — Clemson at No. 23 Pitt.
All games are Saturday and all times are Eastern.
ACC: No. 18 NC State (5-1) at Miami (2-4)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ESPN2
NC State has won four in a row since a Week 2 loss to Mississippi State, including a double overtime victory over Clemson in Week 4 and a 33-7 rout of Boston College last week. NCSU (2-0 in conference play) is one of three ACC teams undefeated in conference play, along with fellow Atlantic Division member Wake Forest (4-0) and Pitt (2-0) from the Coastal. As for Miami, Manny Diaz likely needs to start winning games to have any shot at saving his job. The Hurricanes have lost their first four games against Power 5 opponents. NC State is a 3.5-point favorite.
Big 12: No. 8 Oklahoma State (6-0) at Iowa State (4-2)
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., Fox
After being limited to 69 rushing yards in each of Iowa State’s first two games, Cyclones All-America running back Breece Hall has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the team’s past four games. That includes 197 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kansas State last week. Now, he’ll face an Oklahoma State defense that is second in the Big 12 overall and against the run. The only Big 12 defense ranked higher in each category? Iowa State’s. The Cyclones are a seven-point favorite.
Big Ten: No. 5 Ohio State (5-1) at Indiana (2-4)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ABC
Since its Week 2 loss to Oregon, Ohio State has won four in a row while outscoring its opponents by a combined 218-57 (that’s an average score of 55-14). Buckeyes QB C.J. Stroud ranks first nationally in quarterback rating in October (242.54). In two October games, Stroud has thrown for 736 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions. Ohio State is favored by 21.
Pac-12: No. 10 Oregon (5-1) at UCLA (5-2)
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., ABC
Oregon’s last two games are a loss to Stanford and a seven-point win over a California team that’s 1-5. UCLA, meanwhile, has won three of its past four, including a 35-24 road victory over the Stanford squad that beat Oregon. The Bruins are a one-point favorite over the Pac-12’s lone ranked team.
SEC: LSU (4-3) at Ole Miss (5-1)
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
LSU won 53-48 last season in a game in which Ole Miss QB Matt Corral threw five interceptions. This time around, Ole Miss is on a two-game winning streak (wins over Arkansas and Tennessee), while LSU will be playing its first game since announcing plans to part ways with coach Ed Orgeron at the end of the season. The Rebels are favored by nine.
Group of 5: No. 16 Wake Forest (6-0) at Army (4-2)
Time/TV: Noon, CBS Sports Network
Army hung tough with a Power 5 opponent last week in a 20-14 loss at Wisconsin. Now, the Black Knights get another shot at a Power 5 win. Wake’s two most recent games were three-point wins over Louisville (37-34 on a field goal with 22 seconds left) and Syracuse (40-37 in OT). The Demon Deacons, who were off last week, are a three-point favorite.