College football is not waiting until Saturday to get underway this week. It is not waiting for Friday, Thursday or Wednesday either. Three games are scheduled for Tuesday night: New Mexico State vs. Liberty, Arkansas State vs. South Alabama and Florida International vs. Western Kentucky.
Not super familiar with these teams? No worries; that's what we are here for. Keep reading to see our best college football Week 8 bets for Tuesday's slate of games.
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Tuesday’s Best College Football Week 8 Bets
New Mexico State vs. Liberty
I have no idea why Liberty is such a big favorite in this game (-10.5). If they were a solid team with a winning record, maybe, but they are 2-4, struggle to throw the ball and average only 17 points per game. Their pass defense ranks in the top 12, but that's all they have. Sadly, that may be enough to get the win over a 3-2 New Mexico State team.
The Aggies are one of the worst rushing teams in the nation (No. 134, 50.6 yards per game). However, they do have a decent passing game, which aligns with the strength of Liberty's defense.
But 10.5 points is a massive spread for a game between two bad teams. Liberty will probably win, but will they win by more than 10 points? Maybe. That's why the best bet in a game between two poor teams that average fewer than 40 combined points (NMSU averages 22.2) per game is obvious.
Pick: Under 47.5 Points (-110 at ESPN Bet)
Arkansas State vs. South Alabama
Both teams allow 31.7 points per game. I'm not surprised about Arkansas State (2-4); they struggle to stop the run (129th in the country) and pass (122nd). But South Alabama (1-5) has a solid pass defense that ranks inside the top 25 and gives up 100+ yards per game fewer than the Red Wolves. South Alabama is averaging about 25 points per game on offense, while Arkansas State is averaging about 23.
I'd say take the Panthers to cover because they have a solid run game and will likely run all over Arkansas State's defense. But I'm not confident they'll cover or that the Red Wolves can keep it close. Now, South Alabama will likely use its run game to control the tempo and take time off the board, which will help keep the score low.
Pick: Under 59.5 Points (-105 at BetMGM)
Florida International vs. Western Kentucky
Florida International (2-3) is coming off a bad stretch, having lost two in a row and three of its last four. They are going to have a tough time ending the losing streak against a decent Western Kentucky squad. FIU is not a bad run team (175.6 yards per game), but they struggle to pass (188.6 yards per game) and don't get into the end zone enough (21.2 points per game). Their defense allows just below 275 yards passing per game.
Western Kentucky has one of the better passing attacks in the country (No. 14, 306.2 yards per game). Their defense isn't great, but that's not going to matter because they'll simply outscore the Panthers.
Pick: Western Kentucky -7.5 (-110 at bet365)
