Top five Week 8 college football games

Titans clashed in college football’s Week 7, and statements were made. No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Oregon staked their claim as the nation’s best teams, while four other Top 25 teams won thrillers in overtime. Week 8 could be even better. The SEC and Big Ten take centerstage this week with massive showdowns that will shape the College Football Playoff.

Here are the top five games of the week ranked in inverse order.

5. Nebraska (5-1) at No. 16 Indiana (6-0) | Saturday | noon ET | Fox

The Hoosiers have quietly ascended to No. 16 in the national polls behind first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Indiana is 6-0 and has scored at least 41 points in its last six games. IU hasn’t faced a team as good as Nebraska though. The ‘Huskers are 5-1 but have lost some zip to their offense the past two games. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola must regain his rhythm and the defense better be prepared to defend the pass. IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke has thrown for 1,752 yards this season, which ranks 12th in the country.

Prediction: The good times keep rolling in Bloomington. IU wins 31-24.

4. No. 6 Miami (6-0) at Louisville (4-2) | Saturday | noon ET | ABC

Miami has flirted with its first loss of the season in its past two games. Louisville finally showed last week it could win a close game after failing to do so in its previous two games. Expect offense in bunches on Saturday. Miami ranks first in the nation in total offense (583.8 ypg), while Louisville in 22nd (461.8 ypg). Can Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough match Miami’s Heisman-hopeful quarterback Cam Ward punch-for-punch? He’ll have to if the Cardinals are to pull off the upset.

Prediction: Miami can’t escape another close one and takes its first loss of the season, 37-34.

3. No. 24 Michigan (4-2) at No. 22 Illinois (5-1) | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | CBS

Illinois narrowly avoided an embarrassing loss to Purdue last Saturday and it has an opportunity for a statement win this week. The Illini have lost six in a row against the Wolverines, but it’s been a bumpy ride for the defending national champs. Jack Tuttle will start at quarterback for Michigan. The Wolverines have used three QBs so far this season, each producing a mixed bag of results. Conversely, the Illinois offense is a balanced attack that could make life difficult for the Michigan defense.

Prediction: Illinois earns its first win over Michigan since 2009, 30-21, killing any hopes of a College Football Playoff berth for the Wolverines.

2. No. 7 Alabama (5-1) at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC

When Alabama and Tennessee meet up it’s always fun, but this one will be electric. Both teams had to sweat out victories against inferior opponents last week. This one carries extra weight as one team will leave with its second loss of the season — no longer a death sentence in the CFP era, but certainly not ideal with several games remaining. 

Alabama’s Jalen Milroe-to-Ryan Williams connection is the key to this one. So far, no opponent has been able to stop it. It could be the difference on Saturday. Tennessee ranks 19th in the nation in defensive yards per completion. Not allowing Williams the big-yard catches is crucial.

Prediction: Alabama earns a hard-fought win in a raucous environment, 28-23.

1. No. 5 Georgia (5-1) at No. 1 Texas (6-0) | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC

Everything is bigger in Texas and that’s fitting for this massive showdown. Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers returned from injury last week and helped the Longhorns to a big win over rival Oklahoma. 

Georgia signal-caller Carson Beck is a different player on the road and that’s an issue. He’s completed only 56 percent of his passes in road games compared to 74 percent at home. And, despite playing two fewer games on the road, he’s thrown one more interception than at home. Anything but his best Saturday will spell doom as the Dawgs go up against the nation’s best defense. 

Prediction: Texas establishes itself as the bona fide favorite at this point in the season, winning 31-20.