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’s what to expect in Week 8: All times are Eastern Time and all odds are from BetMGM.
Time: Noon | TV: ABC | Line: Miami -4.5 | Total: 61.5
Will Miami be close for the third straight game? Louisville has won its last two games at home as an underdog, with both wins coming against higher-ranked opponents. No player in college football has more total touchdowns than Cam Ward (23). If Miami can avoid an upset on Saturday and Ward has a great game, his Heisman camp will be in an even stronger position.
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.
Live20 updates
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:56 PM EDT
Indiana Touchdown!
The Hoosiers scored another TD on a pass from Curtis Rourke to Miles Price.
14-0 Indiana.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:54 PM EDT
Touchdown for Miami!
Cam Ward threw another long TD pass, this time to Samuel Brown for a 49-yard gain. The Heisman candidate leads the nation in touchdown throws.
Miami is now up 17-7.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:52 PM EDT
End of 1st quarter: Miami 10, Louisville 7
It was a pretty competitive first quarter in Louisville. As the second quarter begins, the Hurricanes hold the ball in midfield.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:48 PM EDT
Fumble recovered by Indiana
The Cornhuskers put together a decent drive and were in the red zone trying to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-1, but the Hoosiers forced a fumble to get the ball back.
It’s still 7-0 Indiana.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:35 PM EDT
Touchdown for Miami!
Miami immediately responded with a quick-fire drive of its own, capped off by a 27-yard touchdown pass from Cam Ward to JaColby George.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
Touchdown for Louisville!
Just like that, the Cardinals score and head into the end zone! That’s exactly what freshman Isaac Brown put Miami ahead with a 43-yard touchdown run.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:26 PM EDT
No. 19 Missouri QB Brady Cook leaves the game against Auburn in the first quarter with what appears to be a non-contact injury.
Click on the photo to read the story. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:23 PM EDT
Indiana Touchdown!
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers gained 75 yards on their first drive and scored on a run by Justise Ellison from five yards out.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:21 PM EDT
Miami starts from FG
The Hurricanes started the game with the ball and moved the ball with relative ease until a penalty stopped it.
Andres Borregales took the lead with a 55-yard field goal.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 12:09 PM EDT
The first wave of games is underway today!
This early period will primarily monitor Miami-Louisville and Nebraska-Indiana, but we’ll also highlight highlights from around the country.
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:59am EDT
Highlights: Week 8 College Football Watch Guide
The SEC takes center stage in Week 8. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:55am EDT
Alabama vs. Tennessee: The third Saturday in October is now the first Saturday of the College Football Playoff
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:50 a.m. EDT
The Texas-Georgia showdown in Austin sums up why the Longhorns moved to the SEC.
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:45am EDT
Auburn’s spotlight now shines on Hugh Freeze. How would he respond?
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:38 a.m. EDT
NCAA announces rule changes after time expires due to 12-man penalty late in Oregon vs. Ohio State game
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:37am EDT
Deion Sanders says Travis Hunter ‘definitely should play’ against Arizona
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Photo by Andrew Webers/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:35am EDT
Utah QB Cam will miss season due to recent injury, Isaac Wilson will start in his place
Click on the photo above to read the story. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:34 a.m. EDT
College Football Playoff Images: Here are the 12 teams standings after Week 7
Here’s how the College Football Playoff looks after Week 7. (Taylar Sievert/Yahoo Sports)
Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:33am EDT
Good morning everyone. Welcome to the Week 8 College Football Live Tracker!
There’s still about 30 minutes until the first wave of games begins, so check out what happened this week here.
