College Football Predictions for Week 8 of the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS Season

College Football Predictions for Week 8 of the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS Season

Make sure you view our new FBS rankings after Week 7 play.

We finished Week 7 of the 2019 FBS college football season as follows:
36-17 in calling the winner
29-23-1 against the spread, and
30-22-1 against the over/under.

Our cumulative FBS prognostication record for 2019 after Week 7 is:
346-93 in calling the winner
216-211-12 against the spread
216-216-7 against the over/under ("total").

If possible, we compete against the quoted opening odds ("the line", "the spread") as available online (e.g. Vegas Insider, OddsShark, Sportsline, CFPT), and which can vary, so we have no fixed system of which portals we use. We do our predictions for fun and we are not affiliated with any service or institution.

Caveat Emptor! Please do not use our predictions for wagering. We disclaim any and all liability for anyone's use of our materials and prognostications, nor do we make any warranties as to accuracy. Our prognostication hobby helps us to keep track of news and sports all over America. We are not in this for the money. May the best team win.

Our abbreviation "ypp" in our prognostications means "yards per play" and not "yards per point" as at Phil Steele --- hey, we have his preview magazine -- this is no ad for Phil Steele, just a fact.

Our predictions look to yards per play stats (cfbstats.com) on both offense and defense, schedule difficulty (Massey Ratings) with an eye thrown at the unbiased Colley Matrix, and home field advantage (calculated either via Kambour (Kambour HFA), or as a standard of 3 points, it just depends). We also cast a glance at the College Football Prediction Tracker ("CFPT"). Our own FBS rankings after Week 7 of play are the basis for our prognostications.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019
We compete against the opening line, if possible, not the updated line....

South Alabama at Troy
The Trojans were favored over the Jaguars by 14.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56 points.
Our Call: 31-27 for Troy.
Result: ??.

Thursday, October 17, 2019
We compete against the opening line, if possible, not the updated line....

Louisiana Lafayette ULL at Arkansas State
The Ragin' Cajuns were favored over the Red Wolves by 4.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 67 points.
Our Call: 40-31 for Louisiana.
Result: ??.

UCLA at Stanford
The Cardinal were favored over the Bruins by 9.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 54.5 points.
Our Call: 34-24 for Stanford. The Cardinal 23-13 win over Washington less than two weeks ago via backup quarterback, Davis Mills, was perhaps a turn-around for the Cardinal this season. That's the real Stanford, not the Cardinal's prior lackluster season performance. Stanford is averaging a dismal 5.22 yards on offense and a dismal 6.23 yards on defense this year, both stats well below the simple FBS average.
Result: ??.

Friday, October 18, 2019
We compete against the opening line, if possible, not the updated line....

Marshall at Florida Atlantic FAU
The Owls were favored over the Thundering Herd by 5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 58 points.
Our Call: 31-30 for FAU.
Result: ??.

Pittsburgh at Syracuse
The Panthers were favored over the Orange by 2.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 52 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Pittsburgh. Our stats would favor the Panthers by a bigger margin, but both Pitt and the Orange can be unpredictable.
Result: ??.

Ohio State at Northwestern
The Buckeyes were favored over the Wildcats by 28 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 48.5 points.
Our Call: 38-7 for Ohio State. On a good day, the stalwart Northwestern defense might hold down the margin of victory.
Result: ??.

UNLV at Fresno State
The Broncos were favored over the Rebels by 13.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 53.5 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Fresno State. UNLV beat Vanderbilt in their last outing 34-10, so we are cautious here in our prognostication, even though our stats predict a larger Bulldog win.
Result: ??

Saturday, October 19, 2019
We compete against the opening line, if possible, not the updated line....

Houston at Connecticut
The Cougars were favored over the Huskies by 22 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 61.5 points.
Our Call: 49-17 for Houston.
Result: ??.

Florida at South Carolina
The Gators were favored over the Gamecocks by 5.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 49 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Florida. Our rankings have Florida as 5.4 points better than South Carolina, MINUS the Gamecocks home field advantage, so it could be close.
Result:??.

Auburn at Arkansas
The Tigers were favored over the Razorbacks by 17.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 54.5 points.
Our Call: 41-14 for Auburn.
Result: ??.

Iowa State at Texas Tech
The Cyclones were favored over the Red Raiders by 5.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 55 points.
Our Call: 34-31 for Texas Tech. Our stats favor the Cyclones by 8 points minus the Texas Tech home field advantage, which Kambour has as 3.5344 points.
Result: ??.

Clemson at Louisville
The Tigers were favored over the Cardinals by 23 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 61 points.
Our Call: 44-20 for Clemson.
Result: ??.

Georgia Tech at Miami of Florida
The Hurricanes were favored over the Yellow Jackets by 19.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 46.5 points.
Our Call: 38-14 for Miami.
Result: ??.

West Virginia at Oklahoma
The Sooners were favored over the Mountaineers by 32 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 66.5 points.
Our Call: 54-14 for Oklahoma.
Result: ??.

Kent State at Ohio
The Bobcats were favored over the Golden Flashes by 9 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 58.5 points.
Our Call: 36-30 for Ohio.
Result: ??.

Purdue at Iowa
The Hawkeyes were favored over the Boilermakers by 17 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 48.5 points.
Our Call: 30-20 for Iowa.
Result: ??.

Wisconsin at Illinois
The Badgers were favored over the Illini by 29 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 52 points.
Our Call: 45-0 for Wisconsin.
Result: ??.

North Carolina State at Boston College
The Wolfpack were favored over the Eagles by 2 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 53.5 points.
Our Call: 30-27 for NC State.
Result: ??.

Central Michigan at Bowling Green
The Chippewas were favored over the Falcons by 10.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56.5 points.
Our Call: 27-24 for Bowling Green. Bowling Green beat Toledo last week in an improbable 20-7 win, the first signature win for Falcon first-year head coach Scot Loeffler, a former QB coach of Patriot QB Tom Brady. For the Falcons this may be a sign of things to come. Our stats favor Central Michigan but we take a risk here, given the impressive BG win over Toledo.
Result: ??.

Toledo at Ball State
The Rockets were favored over the Cardinals by 1.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 60.5 points.
Our Call: 30-27 for Ball State.
Result: ??.

Northern Illinois at Miami of Ohio
The Huskies were favored over the RedHawks by 3 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 49 points.
Our Call: 27-23 for Northern Illinois.
Result: ??.

Oregon State at California
The Golden Bears were favored over the Beavers by 10.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 53 points.
Our Call: 31-24 for Cal.
Result: ??.

TCU at Kansas State
The Horned Frogs were favored over the Wildcats by 2 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 46.5 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for TCU.
Result: ??.

New Mexico at Wyoming
The Cowboys were favored over the Lobos by 19.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56 points.
Our Call: 34-17 for Wyoming.
Result: ??.

Coastal Carolina at Georgia Southern
The Eagles were favored over the Chanticleers by 6 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 48.5 points.
Our Call: 31-24 for Georgia Southern.
Result: ??.

Temple at SMU
The Mustangs were favored over the Owls by 6 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 59 points.
Our Call: 30-27 for Temple.
Result: ??.

South Florida at Navy
The Midshipmen were favored over the Bulls by 11.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 53.5 points.
Our Call: 34-17 for Navy.
Result: ??.

Tulsa at Cincinnati
The Bearcats were favored over the Golden Hurricane by 16.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 51.5 points.
Our Call: 41-17 for Cincinnati.
Result: ??.

Southern Mississippi at Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs were favored over the Golden Eagles by 2 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 57.5 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for Southern Miss.
Result: ??.

Oregon at Washington
The Ducks were favored over the Huskies by 3.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56 points.
Our Call: 31-17 for Oregon.
Result: ??.

North Carolina at Virginia Tech
The Tar Heels were favored over the Hokies by 3 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 54.5 points.
Our Call: 35-20 for North Carolina.
Result: ??.

Minnesota at Rutgers
The Golden Gophers were favored over the Scarlet Knights by 29.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 48 points.
Our Call: 42-0 for Minnesota.
Result: ??.

Duke at Virginia
The Cavaliers were favored over the Blue Devils by 5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 44 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for Virginia.
Result: ??.

Indiana at Maryland
The Hoosiers were favored over the Terrapins by 3 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 57.5 points.
Our Call: 27-23 for Indiana. Our rankings have Indiana and Maryland at the 63rd and 64th positions respectively. Kambour gives Maryland a home field advantage of only 0.5540 points. Indiana has the stouter defense so we go with the Hoosiers.
Result: ??.

Buffalo at Akron
The Bulls were favored over the Zips by 19 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 47 points.
Our Call: 35-13 for Buffalo.
Result: ??.

Louisiana Monroe ULM at Appalachian State
The Mountaineers were favored over the Warhawks by 17 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 65 points.
Our Call: 45-24 for Appalachian State.
Result: ??.

LSU at Mississippi State
The Tigers were favored over the Bulldogs by 19 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 62 points.
Our Call: 48-24 for LSU.
Result: ??.

Charlotte at Western Kentucky
The Hilltoppers were favored over the 49ers by 9 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 48.5 points.
Our Call: 27-20 for Western Kentucky. Our rankings put Western Kentucky 112th and Charlotte 114th, the Hilltoppers with a weak offense and good defense, the 49ers with a good offense and weak defense. Kambour has the Western Kentucky home field advantage at 4.572.
Result: ??.

Baylor at Oklahoma State
The Cowboys were favored over the Bears by 4 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 63.5 points.
Our Call: 34-31 for Oklahoma State. Our rankings rank the Cowboys 23rd and the undefeated Bears 26th, for a 1-point scoreboard difference, plus the Oklahoma State home field advantage, which Kambour puts at only 0.6958 points.
Result: ??.

Missouri at Vanderbilt
The Tigers were favored over the Commodores by 20 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56.5 points.
Our Call: 42-17 for Missouri.
Result: ??.

Middle Tennessee at North Texas
The Mean Green were favored over the Blue Raiders by 9.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 57 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for North Texas. Our rankings put North Texas at 80th and Middle Tennessee at 88th. Kambour calculates a home field advantage of 9.3271 points for North Texas.
Result: ??.

Old Dominion at UAB
The Blazers were favored over the Monarchs by 14 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 44 points.
Our Call: 31-7 for UAB.
Result: ??.

Maine (FCS) at Liberty
The Flames were favored over the Black Bears by 14 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 43 points.
Our Call: 38-17 for Liberty.
Result: ??.

Rice at UTSA Texas San Antonio
The Owls were favored over the Roadrunners by 3 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 46.5 points.
Our Call: 31-20 for Rice.
Result: ??.

Arizona State at Utah
The Utes were favored over the Sun Devils by 13.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 50.5 points.
Our Call: 34-24 for Utah. Our rankings favor Utah by ca.10 points plus the home field advantage, which Kambour puts at a minus -0.0795 points for the Utes.
Result: ??.

Kentucky at Georgia
The Dawgs were favored over the Wildcats by 26 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 51.5 points.
Our Call: 31-17 for Georgia.
Result: ??.

Kansas at Texas
The Longhorns were favored over the Jayhawks by 22 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 60 points.
Our Call: 41-24 for Texas.
Result: ??.

East Carolina at UCF
The Knights were favored over the Pirates by 33.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 61.5 points.
Our Call: 49-7 for UCF.
Result: ??.

San Diego State at San Jose State
The Aztecs were favored over the Spartans by 7 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 50 points.
Our Call: 27-17 for San Diego State.
Result: ??.

Army at Georgia State
The Black Knights were favored over the Panthers by 6.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 57 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for Army.
Result: ??.

Colorado at Washington State
The Cougars were favored over the Buffaloes by 13 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 72.5 points.
Our Call: 49-31 for Washington State.
Result: ??.

Western Michigan at Eastern Michigan
The Broncos were favored over the Eagles by 9.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 63 points.
Our Call: 38-27 for Western Michigan.
Result: ??.

UTEP at Florida International FIU
The Golden Panthers were favored over the Miners by 20.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 54 points.
Our Call: 35-17 for FIU.
Result: ??.

Tulane at Memphis
The Tigers were favored over the Green Wave by 5.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 60.5 points.
Our Call: 27-26 for Tulane. Our current rankings put Tulane at 35th and Memphis at 36th in FBS.
Result: ??.

Florida State at Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons were favored over the Seminoles by 1.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 69 points.
Our Call: 34-31 for Wake Forest.
Result: ??.

Michigan at Penn State
The Nittany Lions were favored over the Wolverines by 7.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 49 points.
Our Call: 24-23 for Michigan. We have a Michigan alum in the family, so we go with Michigan, even though our stats favor the Nittany Lions.
Result: ??.

Texas A&M at Mississippi
The Aggies were favored over the Rebels by 5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 56.5 points.
Our Call: 37-27 for Texas A&M.
Result: ??.

Tennessee at Alabama
The Crimson Tide were favored over the Volunteers by 35.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 61.5 points.
Our Call: 41-14 for Alabama.
Result: ??.

Arizona at USC
The Trojans were favored over the Wildcats by 8.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 69 points.
Our Call: 41-27 for USC.
Result: ??.

Boise State at BYU
The Broncos were favored over the Cougars by 6 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 50 points.
Our Call: 34-27 for Boise State.
Result: ??.

Nevada at Utah State
The Aggies were favored over the Wolf Pack by 21.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 63 points.
Our Call: 42-14 for Utah State.
Result: ??.

Air Force at Hawaii
The Falcons were favored over the Warriors by 1.5 points.
The over/under (predicted total score) was 61 points.
Our Call: 30-27 for Hawaii.
Result: ??.