College football has returned for a few weeks. There are always things to watch every week of the season. Here are 5 things to watch in college football week 8.
UCLA has surprised the college football world by being undefeated midway through October. They have done it behind a good offense that scores 41.5 points per game and rushes for 211.5 yards per game. They are led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet. Chip Kelly is having his best season with the Bruins and they can take control of the Pac-12 with a win this weekend.
The Bruins will take on Oregon in week 8. The Ducks have bounced back from a loss against Georgia in week 1 to be 5-1 for this game. They too have a good offense and run the ball well, as they score 41.5 points per game and rush for 241.7 points per game. The Ducks will need their talented linebackers, Noah Sewell and Justin Flowe, to step up in this game. A win over their former coach could get them back in the College Football Playoff picture.
Kansas State has looked very good this season, save for a game against Tulane which they lost. They are still undefeated in the Big 12 though and are in play for the Big 12 Championship. Adrian Martinez and Deuce Vaughn have been dynamic in the running attack, notching 244.7 yards per game. Their defense allows just 16.7 points per game and has been stout.
The Wildcats will take on TCU this week. TCU is undefeated this season with a few ranked wins in a row. Sonny Dykes has really improved the offense, as the Horned Frogs score 45.8 points per game. Quarterback Max Duggan has made a push to enter the Heisman conversation with his 1,591 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception. The Horned Frogs have their sights on a College Football Playoff appearance, but need to get through Kansas State first.
Texas has looked like they have some potential with Quinn Ewers at quarterback this season. The Longhorns are undefeated when he suits up and plays a full game. With a 5-2 record they are a force to be reckoned with in the Big 12 and have a shot to make the Big 12 Championship Game. Ewers and the Texas offense will have to score a lot in week 8 to keep pace with their opponent.
The Longhorns take on Oklahoma State in week 8. Although the Cowboys lost to TCU in week 7, they have a good offense and are very much in play to make the Big 12 Championship Game. Behind a veteran quarterback in Spencer Sanders the Cowboys are scoring 44.3 points per game. Their defense isn’t as good as last season, but they have overcome that so far in most games. The game against Texas should be a good one.
Clemson has had a tough schedule in the middle of the season, but it will lighten up after this week. They have defeated Wake Forest, NC State, Boston College and Florida State over the last few weeks. Clemson’s offense has been much improved this season, as they are scoring 38.6 points per game. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has used his legs and arm better this season. The defense is pretty strong up front, but don’t have the best secondary play.
In week 8 the Tigers play Syracuse, who are ranked and undefeated. The Orange have a great running back in Sean Tucker, who has 644 rushing yards and 198 receiving yards this season. Defensively, Syracuse may be more impressive than on offense, as they allow just 13.6 points per game. If Clemson can get through Syracuse, making the ACC Championship Game is virtually a lock.
LSU has had an up-and-down season, but sit at a solid 5-2 record in Brian Kelly‘s first season. They have solid wins over teams like Florida and Mississippi State, but have lost to Tennessee and Florida State. It is hard for them to find consistency offensively, as Jayden Daniels has some accurate games at quarterback and a lot of not-so accurate games for the Tigers. He will have to be at his best to win in week 8.
Ole Miss travels to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers. The Rebels are undefeated right now Their offense leads the way, as they average 40.9 points per game. The running game has been specifically really good with both Zach Evans and Quinshon Judkins having great starts to the season. On top of that, their defense allows just 17.3 points per game. LSU will have a tough time on their hands, but they are fully capable of pulling off an upset.
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