Another week down, many more to go. Last week, we were gifted yet another fantastic slate of college football. Indiana toppled Oregon on the road in an upset victory. Ole Miss survived Washington State by three points. Texas got back on track with a win in the Red River Shootout, while John Mateer’s Heisman campaign went off the rails. Alabama survived the trip to Columbia with a three-point victory over Missouri. Georgia bested Auburn in one of the most controversial football games that you’ll ever see, and USC set its sights on the college football playoff with a blowout victory over Michigan. So, what’s in store for us in Week 8?
#9 Georgia vs. #5 Ole Miss
Location: Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA
Spread: Georgia (-7.5)
Over/Under: 54.5
ML: Georgia (-290), Ole Miss (+240)
Georgia Run Game vs. Ole Miss Run Defense
The Bulldogs’ run game will look to get back on track after a disastrous performance against Auburn. Georgia RBs totaled 20 carries for 53 yards in the game. QB Gunner Stockton led the team with 26 rushing yards. The good news for Georgia is that Auburn ranks 6th in yards per carry allowed, while Ole Miss ranks 105th. Ole Miss stops the run well for most of the game, but it’s known for giving up explosive runs. The Rebels’ defense has given up many runs of 20+ yards so far this season. Georgia will likely look to reach 40 rushing attempts in this game to maximize explosive carry opportunities.
The Ole Miss front is big and athletic. The DE, DT, and NT positions will consist of players at 6’8″ 330, 6’2″ 315, 6’3″ 310, 6’3″ 300, 6’5″ 290, 6’5″ 270, and 6’5″ 250. At the edge position, Ole Miss will feature a potential first-round draft pick in Suntarine Perkins. Led by DC Pete Golding, the Ole Miss defense has its moments of weakness. The front seven will get too aggressive upfield, which leads to explosive runs. Ole Miss has found ways to stop teams in short-yardage situations. The Rebels are 27th in college football in opposing 3rd down conversion % allowed. Georgia currently ranks 37th in 3rd down conversion rate.
Georgia’s LT Monroe Freeling will be playing injured. RT will feature both Juan Gaston and Bo Hughley. Ole Miss could seize a few opportunities to create chaos off the edge.
The biggest question surrounding Chambliss in this game is how he handles the road environment. Chambliss has started four games for Ole Miss. All four of those games have been at home. Chambliss will now travel to Athens to face 100,000 Georgia fans.
So far this season, the Ole Miss offense is converting 51.25% of its 3rd downs. That ranks 10th in college football. How will Chambliss operate on 3rd downs in one of college football’s loudest stadiums?
Chambliss played at Ferris State in 2024. In 5 road games, he averaged 215 yards per game, totaled 10 TDs, and threw 3 INTs. He rarely played in the end of games, since Ferris State was often winning by large margins.
On Saturday, Chambliss will play his first game in a stadium that holds more than 64,000 people. In 2024, Chambliss never played in a stadium that held more than 10,000 to 11,000 people. He will now see 10 times that number of spectators.
Chambliss offers everything that a quarterback needs to be successful against Georgia. He pushes the ball downfield, limits turnovers, and possesses elite running ability. If he can maintain the level of play that he has showcased at home, then Ole Miss will be in this game until the clock hits zero.
#6 Alabama vs. #11 Tennessee
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL
Spread: Alabama (-7.5)
Over/Under: 59.5
ML: Alabama (-300), Tennessee (+250)
Alabama Pass Offense vs. Tennessee Secondary
Much will be said about the disappointment that has been the Tennessee secondary so far this season. In SEC play, Tennessee has allowed 256 yards and 8.3 YPA to Arkansas, 175 yards and 6 YPA to Mississippi State, and 304 yards and 9.8 YPA to Georgia. The Vols’ defense currently ranks 110th in completion percentage allowed, 81st in yards per pass allowed, and 120th in passing yards per game allowed. However, Tennessee ranks 6th in sack percentage.
So, why is a team that is elite at sacking the quarterback somehow poor against the pass? Well, look no further than injuries on the outside. Jermod McCoy, a projected first-round pick and All-American, has not played for Tennessee this season due to a previous ACL tear. Fellow starting CB, Rickey Gibson, was injured in the first game of the season and has not returned since. Tennessee will be relying on Colton Hood and Ty Redmond once again. Redmond, a true freshman, has allowed 15 catches, 211 yards, and 1 TD throughout SEC play.
Alabama enters Saturday with a passing offense ranked 14th in completion percentage, 17th in yards per pass, and 11th in passing yards per game. QB Ty Simpson has thrown 16 TDs to just 1 INT. Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, and Isaiah Horton have combined for 1,018 receiving yards, and Alabama has six players with over 100 receiving yards.
Look for Tennessee to play deep shells in the back end of the defense to protect their cornerbacks. Alabama will hunt open space underneath to beat the deep coverage.
Tennessee Run Offense vs. Alabama Run Defense
The Vols currently rank 17th in yards per carry and 22nd in rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, Alabama ranks 106th in yards per carry allowed and 75th in rushing yards per game allowed. The run game is where every team has attacked Alabama. Tennessee will be no different.
Tennessee has a trio of running backs, and DeSean Bishop is the tip of the spear. Bishop is currently averaging 7.6 yards per carry and has been Tennessee’s most explosive runner. Other running backs, Star Thomas and Peyton Lewis, are averaging 5.3 and 4.7 yards per carry. Even QB Joey Aguilar has proved himself as a threat in the run game on occasion.
Alabama tends to allow rushing yards in chunks. Tennessee can expect two or three explosive runs in this game. The key for Tennessee is what happens after those runs. Will Tennessee capitalize, or will it settle for field goals? Currently, Tennessee ranks 34th in college football in redzone scoring percentage. Meanwhile, Alabama ranks 18th in redzone scoring percentage allowed.
Other Games to Monitor
#17 Vanderbilt vs. #10 LSU
Vanderbilt is favored against a top 10 opponent for the first time in 77 games. The Commodores are coming off a bye week to host LSU for an early kickoff. The Vanderbilt offense is going to chew clock and force a so far shaky LSU offense to play efficiently.
Don’t mess it up now, Brian Kelly. LSU will face the #4 and #6 ranked teams in the two weeks following this game. Kelly needs no reminder that the next three games will decide his fate in Baton Rouge.
#13 Notre Dame vs. #20 USC
This is “the” game for Notre Dame. The Irish face no ranked opponents after this week and will be double-digit favorites in the rest of their games. Win this week and make the college football playoff. Lose this week and miss the playoff. Notre Dame is playing its third straight home game. The team is well rested, and the crowd will be rowdy.
USC is looking to ride the momentum after a blowout win over Michigan. The Trojans will bring an offense averaging 10.5 yards per pass and 6.4 yards per carry. With games remaining against #25 Nebraska and #8 Oregon, the pressure is on USC to win if it wants a good chance at the college football playoff.
Welcome to The Holy War.
Two teams with a lot of question marks despite being six games into their seasons. BYU has yet to face a ranked opponent. Utah was blown out by Texas Tech and then beat Arizona State, which was missing its starting QB, Sam Leavitt.
The winner of this game should be on a fast track to the Big 12 Championship game to face off against Texas Tech.
Duke vs. #12 Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is hunting its first double-digit win season since 2014. The Yellow Jackets are also hunting a spot in the ACC Championship game and the college football playoff. This is the beginning of a four-game stretch that contains three road games for Georgia Tech.
After a bad start, Duke seems to be in a rhythm. The Blue Devils have won three straight conference games by 12, 35, and 24 points. QB Darian Mensah has averaged 267 passing yards in those games and totaled 7 TDs and 0 INTs. With a win here, Duke becomes a significant threat for a spot in the ACC Championship.
