2021 College Football Week 8 Recap
Another Saturday in college football meant another day of close finishes and another undefeated squad suffering a loss. Oklahoma struggled against one of the worst teams in NCAAF this season, Alabama played well enough to move into third on the AP Poll, and Cincinnati escaped what could have been a devastating loss. Oklahoma State fell, and the Big Ten’s hopes for a College Football Playoff team are down to Michigan and Ohio State. Check out what happened on College Football Week 8’s exciting Saturday!
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College Football Week 8 Recap
Another week in the books, another Top 25 from @RJ_Young ?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2021
What do you think of his rankings? pic.twitter.com/DUaN5HAeFk
READ MORE: 2021 College Football Week 9 Preview, Odds and Picks
Alabama leapfrogs Oklahoma after Sooners struggle against Jayhawks
It took Alabama some time to get going. Once the Tide did, they rolled through Tennessee 52-24. Although the score didn’t impress as much as it looks, Alabama covered the -25 spread by just 3 points, the home team’s victory was a much better performance than Oklahoma’s. Heading into Saturday, the Sooners ranked #3. After Saturday’s intense 35-23 win over the Kansas Jayhawks, Associated Press voters leapfrogged Bama ahead of Oklahoma. So heading into College Football Week 9, the Sooners are ranked #4 and Alabama is ranked #3. That’s how much respect voters have for Kansas, a team that has just a single victory on it’s record, a 17-14 win against South Dakota that the Jayhawks could have lost. Oklahoma had better take care of business. #16 Baylor, #22 Iowa State, and #15 Oklahoma State remain on the schedule. All three teams should challenge the Sooners.
The games versus Baylor and Oklahoma State are on the road. So the Sooners have a shot to prove they’re worthy, but any hiccup sends them out of the Big 12 title game and to a New Year’s Day Bowl instead of the CFP.
Georgia and Cincinnati keep top spots on AP Poll
Georgia had a bye, which is why AP voters stuck with the Bulldogs at #1. This Saturday, the Dawgs take on rival Florida at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. Without a doubt, Florida is Georgia’s toughest competition remaining on their schedule.
A victory almost assures the Bulldogs a berth in the SEC Championship. Cincinnati played a bad game, but the Bearcats got past Navy 27-20. The contest happened in Navy, which is one of the reasons the AP kept Cincinnati at #2.
The Bearcats must win the rest of their games impressively and hope the Big Ten beats itself up. The best thing that could happen for Cincinnati is if Ohio State loses another game and Michigan loses a couple.
Illinois upsets Penn State after a record 9 overtime sessions
One of the reasons Cincinnati took a step closer to a College Football Playoff spot is because Illinois got past Penn State in a remarkable 9 overtime game. The Nittany Lions entered the match up a -24 ½ favorite. Illinois played excellent defense on their way to a 20-18 win.
On Saturday, Penn State can play spoiler by handing Ohio State their second loss of the season. The Buckeyes are -18 ½ favorites. Ohio State must dominate the Nittany Lions. If they don’t, they’ll hurt their case as one of the top four teams in the country. A loss ends Ohio State’s CFP dream.
Iowa State beats Oklahoma State, handing the Pokes their first loss of the season
Mike Gundy coached Oklahoma State lost their first game of the season. Earlier in the week, Oklahoma State had re-upped Gundy’s perpetual, everlasting, 5-year contract. It made sense that Oklahoma State would keep Gundy considering LSU’s job will open after this season. Gundy’s fellas entered Iowa State an underdog.
Oklahoma remains on the schedule and so does a possible Big 12 Championship spot. So the loss doesn’t hurt Oklahoma State from grabbing a New Year’s Day Bowl bid. The win puts Iowa State in the driver’s seat for a Big 12 Championship spot.
The Cyclone’s lost to Baylor, but the other loss happened to Big Ten Iowa. Victories over Texas and Oklahoma, Iowa State’s toughest competition left on their schedule, ensures the Cyclones a spot in the conference title game.
Michigan continues undefeated season
Michigan continued their undefeated season with a terrific 33-7 victory over Northwestern. The now #5 Wolverines have a stern test on Saturday versus fellow undefeated and #8 Michigan State.
The game happens in Lansing, which gives the Spartans the edge. But oddsmakers believe Michigan is the team to beat. The Wolverines are -4.5 favorites. Don’t sleep on either team in this contest. Make sure to handicap this one fully before making your play.
Rivalry games can go either way, we know this, so don’t jump on Maize & Blue or Sparty before doing your homework.
Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 College Football season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.
