Week 7 of the 2026 college football season featured some incredible performances. Auburn kicker Alex McPherson drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to upset No. 1 Georgia 27-24. Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop racked up 175 total yards and two touchdowns in a 26-10 victory over Alabama. The focus now shifts to a Week 8 slate packed with intriguing storylines and ranked programs in action. Here’s a look at three of my favorite college football picks for Saturday’s contests.
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Saturday's Best College Football Picks (Week 8)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Wolverines
Momentum comes and goes in college football. Indiana’s program-record 22-game win streak was snapped with a 19-15 loss to Ohio State in Week 7. The Hoosiers were held to 73 rushing yards on 29 carries (2.5 average), as Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. couldn’t find a groove. Meanwhile, Michigan earned its first conference victory by outlasting Penn State 21-18 in Week 7. Quarterback Tommy Carr completed five of seven passes for 47 yards and rushed for a touchdown after replacing Bryce Underwood.
It’s worth noting that Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham has yet to name a starting quarterback for Saturday’s battle in Ann Arbor. The decision may not ultimately matter, as it will be difficult for Michigan to keep pace with Indiana’s elite offense. The Hoosiers are averaging the third-most yards per play in the country (7.1) and have scored at least 29 points in five of their seven contests. The Wolverines rank 82nd in yards per play (5.3) and have scored fewer than 20 points in four of their six contests.
The offensive mismatch is notable since these defenses have performed well. Indiana and Michigan each check in as a top-20 team in opponent yards per game and opponent points per game. I like the Hoosiers to pull away in this showdown, but not until the second half. There have been fewer than 21 first-half points scored in three of Indiana’s four Big Ten duels, as well as in two of its previous three clashes with Michigan. The Wolverines have averaged a putrid 5.7 first-half points in three Big Ten games.
Pick: First Half Under 20.5 Points (-102)
No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels at No. 19 Texas Longhorns
Let’s go from one squad with quarterback issues to another. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said he needs a “better version” of Arch Manning following a disappointing 27-24 home loss to Florida in Week 7. Manning has thrown 11 touchdowns and five interceptions across six games. It doesn’t get any easier for the Longhorns with Ole Miss coming to town. The Rebels have outscored Vanderbilt and Florida 83-20 over the past two weeks. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has tossed six touchdowns in that span.
There’s no denying the offensive talent here. Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman (16.8 yards per reception) and Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (352 rushing yards) have the potential to be high NFL draft picks. Each side also has its defensive strengths. Edge rusher Colin Simmons has tallied 10.5 sacks on a Longhorns defense that has limited opponents to 2.9 yards per carry. Defensive tackle Will Echoles (three passes defended) sets the pace for a Rebels defense that has surrendered just 6.0 first-half points per game.
There’s an edge in this matchup, though. Texas has been incredibly disciplined through four home contests, drawing only 15 penalties. Ole Miss has been incredibly undisciplined through two road contests, drawing a whopping 19 penalties. While it may seem inconsequential, penalties can end promising drives on offense and extend strenuous drives on defense. That is crucial in a game projected to be a one-score fight during the fourth quarter. I’ll trust the Longhorns to come out on top in Austin.
Pick: Texas Moneyline (-162)
No. 14 Houston Cougars at No. 10 Utah Utes
Utah boasts a top-10 AP ranking for the first time since 2022. Its latest 27-24 victory over Colorado was fueled by wide receiver Braden Pegan’s 86 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. The Utes have yet to be truly tested, though. That will change in Week 8. Houston has bounced back from an early-season loss to Texas Tech with four straight wins. Wide receiver Amare Thomas stole the show with 126 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches in a thrilling 35-32 triumph over Oklahoma State in Week 7.
Talk about two offenses flying under the radar. The Cougars and the Utes are both top-30 programs in passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points per game. Houston quarterback Connor Weigman has tallied the second-most passing touchdowns in the nation (20). Utah running back Wayshawn Parker is averaging more than 130 total yards per outing. The Cougars have scored 35 or more points in four of their seven contests, while the Utes have scored 40 or more points in three of their six contests.
Expect the offenses to have the upper hand at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. After all, Houston ranks 100th out of 138 FBS teams in opponent yards per play (6.0) and opponent red zone scoring percentage (89.5%). Utah gave up 24 points to Kansas in Week 6 and 24 points to Colorado in Week 7. The offensive firepower of those squads does not compare to Houston’s. Overall, the over has cashed in each of the Utes’ last five home games against a foe with a winning record. Bank on that streak reaching six.
Pick: Over 56.5 Points (-115)
