Week 8 is a big week for the SEC.
Saturday will feature two games against top-11 opponents that could go a long way in determining who will play for the conference title in Atlanta in December. Of these four teams, only No. 1 Texas is undefeated. No. 5 Georgia, No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee each have one loss.
But there’s a lot to keep an eye on outside of the SEC as well.
Here are the biggest games of Week 8: (Scroll down to watch the action live).
Time: 3:30pm | TV: ABC | Line: Alabama -3 | Total: 56.5
The Crimson Tide are road favorites in Knoxville as the Vols’ offense has struggled the past two weeks. While UT has been plagued by penalties and layoffs, the Crimson Tide has its own problems. After losing on the road to Vanderbilt, Alabama was unable to pull away from South Carolina until the final play, winning 27-25. Tennessee has one of the best defensive lines in the SEC. Does Alabama have an answer in advance?
Time: 3:30pm | TV: CBS | Line: Michigan -3 | Total: 43.5
This has all the makings of a slug fest. Look at the over/under. Jack Tuttle came on in relief of Alex Orge in Week 6 against Washington and will become Michigan’s third starting QB this season in Game 7 for the Wolverines. Of course, Michigan will try to run the ball as much as possible. And that could be a good strategy against Illinois.
Time: 7pm | TV: ESPN | Line: LSU-3 | Total: 55.5
This three-point line is no coincidence. The final four games of this series were decided by exactly three points. The Razorbacks will face a ranked opponent for the third straight year after losing to Texas A&M and defeating Tennessee. LSU QB Garrett Nussmeyer had his toughest game of the season in the Tigers’ OT vs. Ole Miss in Week 7, but the Tigers’ defense still helped them win.
Time: 7:30pm | TV: ABC | Line: Texas -4.5 | Total: 55.5
Georgia’s second major road test of the season will be the biggest game of the weekend. The top-ranked Longhorns are coming off a big win over Oklahoma with Quinn Ewers making his first start since Week 3. It’s no exaggeration to say that Georgia will need Carson Beck’s best game of the season to win. Ewers got more comfortable as the game against Oklahoma progressed, but Texas’ biggest strength is its running game.
Live62 update
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 5:01 PM EDT
However, the Crimson Tide couldn’t do anything with the ball after that, and the Vols would score 20 points on their own.
Niko Iamareva is back on the pitch after an injury scare.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:57 PM EDT
Stop Alabama!
On the very next play, Tennessee backup Gaston Moore threw an ill-advised deep ball that Malachi Moore intercepted and returned 41 yards.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:55 PM EDT
Niko Iamareva injured
The Tennessee quarterback took an awkward takedown after this hit and went to the medical tent.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:50 PM EDT
Meanwhile, Illinois took command early in its Big Ten showdown with Michigan State. After making two early field goals, Luke Altmaier found Tanner Arkin in the corner of the end zone and scored.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:47 PM EDT
Alabama touchdown!
Who else but star freshman wideout to start in Knoxville? After a scoreless first quarter, Alabama drove down and scored its first TD of the game on a pass from Jalen Milroe to Ryan Williams.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:40 PM EDT
touchdown colorado
Shedur Sanders made the first touchdown pass of the day, connecting with Deron Miller for a short score.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:39 PM EDT
Ugly first quarter comes to an end in Knoxville. The scoreboard says 0-0, but don’t be fooled. Both teams are currently losing.
— Jay Busbee (@jaybusbee) October 19, 2024
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:30 PM EDT
Vols miss FG
However, the Vols could do nothing with that field position, as Max Gilbert’s 52-yard attempt went to the right. Still scoreless in Knoxville.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:24 PM EDT
Intercept Tennessee!
The Crimson Tide was inside the Vols 3-yard line when Jalen Milroe misjudged a throw to Jermodo McCoy, who returned it 54 yards to put Tennessee in prime field position.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:11pm EDT
Colorado gets up early in Arizona
Meanwhile, Arizona started the game with an onside kick, but it didn’t work. Shedur Sanders then led the Buffs with a quick drive for seven points to take an early lead.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 4:10pm EDT
The Crimson Tide couldn’t do anything after the turnover and punted it back to the Vols.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:59 PM EDT
Alabama recovers a fumble!
The Volantes started the game with the ball and had some momentum, but running back Dylan Sampson lost the ball while scrambling for extra yards and Alabama jumped on it.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:52 PM EDT
Finals: Miami 52, Louisville 45
The Hurricanes survived an even closer game thanks to Cam Ward, who had 319 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT
Miami recovers onside kick
The Hurricanes recovered the ensuing onside kick, and this time it would be enough.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT
touchdown louisville
The Cardinals finally reach the end zone with a short TD pass, but the Hurricanes may be able to tackle it and waste valuable time.
52-45 with less than a minute left.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:45 PM EDT
Final: Indiana 56, Nebraska 7
The 16th-ranked Hoosiers remain undefeated, and this blowout loss was never in doubt.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:30 PM EDT
Touchdown for Miami!
The Hurricanes were trying to buy time with a simple run play, but Damian Martinez had other ideas. The Oregon State transfer broke several tackles en route to a 30-yard touchdown run.
This is now a two-score game.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT
The Hurricanes get the ball back and are taking their sweet time on this drive.
It’s currently under 5 minutes.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:20 PM EDT
Indiana surpasses the 50-point mark
It ends in Bloomington.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT
Touchdown for Miami!
Ajay Allen darted into the end zone to score and the Hurricanes regained the lead on a fast-break drive. Samuel Brown made most of the drives with long catches and runs to put Miami in position.
