Tailgate Packing List Week 8, College Football Edition

In a season where parody and upsets have been everywhere, we have made it to Week 8 where some of the most exciting college football matchups of the season are here. Heavyweight matchups we have been waiting for since the schedules released as well as surprising matchups that now we are halfway through the season, have become meaningful. We will preview some of our featured games and provide our favorite bets to make sure you are packed and ready to go before cracking that first beer and flipping on the quad box to watch the games. Starting with an exciting Friday night matchup, and going through to the primetime Saturday night slate. Let’s kick this thing off.

Oklahoma State @ #13 BYU (10:15est Friday Night on ESPN)

Maybe one of the bigger surprises of the season this year is the undefeated BYU Cougars, after being picked to finish 13th in the preseason Big 12 polls they have shocked everyone by going undefeated thus far being led by the newest star in college football, Jake Retzlaff aka the “BYJew”. The key to this game is can the Cougs contain a very experienced Ok State team that has been underwhelming not meeting preseason expectations? While Ok State has not looked its best, they are well coached under Mike Gundy, have Ollie Gordon at RB, who can run circles around a defense and be a complete game changer on any given night despite how he has looked this year. If Gundy can get Ollie rolling tonight and not rely on a senior citizen QB, Alan Bowman, BYU will have their hands full. As this game is in Provo at night my gut says the Cowboys will put a fight as they are in dire need of a bounce back but BYU and will come out on top.

Best Bet: Total Points Over 52 (-112)

#7 Alabama @ #11 Tennessee (3:30est on ABC)

Get the cigars ready! The classic SEC rivalry between Bama and the Vols have always turned out to be instant classics. While Jalen Milroe has looked like a Heisman candidate especially when he connects with the 17 year old Freshman WR, Ryan Williams, the Alabama pass defense has seemed to forget that the forward pass exists in football which ultimately led to the them being stunned once already this season by Vanderbilt, the true powerhouse of the SEC. Nico Lamaleava has the opportunity to establish himself as a future superstar in this game. A lackluster Bama defense combined with the talent of Nico and play calling by Heupel is a recipe for disaster for the Tide, but Nico needs to take the leap and fly out of the nest to make this happen.

Best Bet: Tennessee ATS +3 (-108)

#5 Georgia @ #1 Texas

The heavyweight matchup of the weekend we have all had circled since the schedules came out in the summer. Can Carson Beck put the bulldogs on his back and carry them to a victory over the unbeatable looking Longhorns. Quinn Ewers has developed into an elite QB for Texas and has had great success in big games….when he is able to stay healthy. The keys to this game for UGA to pull the upset include not only keeping car keys out of their players hands, but also offensively can they find rhythm early in the game unlike their loss to Bama, and can their defense get Quinn Ewers and the juggernaut Longhorns off the field on third downs. I expect a high scoring game and for Georgia to come back into form with this game as they have looked to be mortal this season so far. Look for Carson Beck and the dogs to score points and give the Longhorns a battle in Austin Texas this weekend.

Best Bet: Georgia ATS +5 (-110)