AL.com college football staff picks for Week 8 of 2023
Just in time for the Third Saturday in October, perhaps we’re turning a corner.
All nine panelists in AL.com’s college football staff picks were at or above the .500 mark last week, including 8-2 performances by two of them. It’s not time to rest, however, as Week 8 brings with it another set of intriguing games.
Alabama faces one of its bitterest rivals, while Auburn’s coach faces his old school. UAB is also meets a long-time rival, albeit in a new conference.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Ohio State wide receiver Xavier Johnson (0) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)AP
Penn State (+4.5) at Ohio State, 11 a.m., Fox
Michael Casagrande: Penn State
Matt Cohen: Penn State
Evan Dudley: Penn State
Ben Flanagan: Ohio State
Patrick Greenfield: Ohio State
Andrew Hammond: Ohio State
Mark Inabinett: Ohio State
Ainslee Lee: Penn State
Creg Stephenson: Ohio State
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz against Wisconsin during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. Iowa won 15-6. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)AP
Minnesota (+5.5) at Iowa, 2:30 p.m., NBC
Michael Casagrande: Minnesota
Matt Cohen: Minnesota
Evan Dudley: Minnesota
Ben Flanagan: Minnesota
Patrick Greenfield: Iowa
Andrew Hammond: Iowa
Mark Inabinett: Iowa
Ainslee Lee: Minnesota
Creg Stephenson: Minnesota
Arkansas wide receivers Andrew Armstrong (2) and Isaiah Sategna (16) celebrate after Sategna’s touchdown catch against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Mississippi State (+7) at Arkansas, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: Arkansas
Matt Cohen: Arkansas
Evan Dudley: Mississippi State
Ben Flanagan: Mississippi State
Patrick Greenfield: Mississippi State
Andrew Hammond: Arkansas
Mark Inabinett: Arkansas
Ainslee Lee: Arkansas
Creg Stephenson: Arkansas
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)AP
South Carolina (+7.5) at Missouri, 2:30 p.m., SEC Network
Michael Casagrande: South Carolina
Matt Cohen: Missouri
Evan Dudley: South Carolina
Ben Flanagan: Missouri
Patrick Greenfield: Missouri
Andrew Hammond: South Carolina
Mark Inabinett: South Carolina
Ainslee Lee: Missouri
Creg Stephenson: Missouri
Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
Duke (+13.5) at Florida State, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Michael Casagrande: Duke
Matt Cohen: Florida State
Evan Dudley: Florida State
Ben Flanagan: Duke
Patrick Greenfield: Duke
Andrew Hammond: Florida State
Mark Inabinett: Florida State
Ainslee Lee: Florida State
Creg Stephenson: Duke
Southern California wide receiver Tahj Washington (16) checks his positioning during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Oct. 14, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)AP
Utah (+6.5) at USC, 7 p.m., Fox
Michael Casagrande: USC
Matt Cohen: USC
Evan Dudley: USC
Ben Flanagan: USC
Patrick Greenfield: Utah
Andrew Hammond: Utah
Mark Inabinett: Utah
Ainslee Lee: USC
Creg Stephenson: Utah
Syracuse Orange defensive back Justin Barron (8) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Phil Mafah (7)). Syracuse football vs Clemson played at the JMA Wireless Dome Sep.30, 2023. Dennis Nett | [email protected]
Clemson (-3) at Miami, 7 p.m., ACC Network
Michael Casagrande: Miami
Matt Cohen: Clemson
Evan Dudley: Miami
Ben Flanagan: Clemson
Patrick Greenfield: Miami
Andrew Hammond: Clemson
Mark Inabinett: Clemson
Ainslee Lee: Clemson
Creg Stephenson: Clemson
UAB head coach Trent Dilfer looks over his team before the Blazers’ 41-20 loss to UTSA, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. (UAB Athletics)
Memphis (-5.5) at UAB, 11 a.m., ESPN2
Michael Casagrande: UAB
Matt Cohen: Memphis
Evan Dudley: UAB
Ben Flanagan: Memphis
Patrick Greenfield: Memphis
Andrew Hammond: UAB
Mark Inabinett: UAB
Ainslee Lee: Memphis
Creg Stephenson: Memphis
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter (27) prays in the end zone before an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP
Ole Miss (-6.5) at Auburn, 6 p.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: Ole Miss 34, Auburn 13
Matt Cohen: Ole Miss 34, Auburn 21
Evan Dudley: Ole Miss 34, Auburn 20
Ben Flanagan: Ole Miss 37, Auburn 20
Patrick Greenfield: Auburn 21, Ole Miss 17
Andrew Hammond: Ole Miss 35, Auburn 21
Mark Inabinett: Ole Miss 31, Auburn 24
Ainslee Lee: Ole Miss 31, Auburn 24
Creg Stephenson: Ole Miss 28, Auburn 24
Alabama running back Justice Haynes (22) drags Arkansas linebacker Jaheim Thomas (28) on a running play during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Tennessee (+8.5) at Alabama, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 21, Tennessee 17
Matt Cohen: Alabama 31, Tennessee 17
Evan Dudley: Alabama 23, Tennessee 17
Ben Flanagan: Alabama 29, Tennessee 23
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 31, Tennessee 21
Andrew Hammond: Alabama 23, Tennessee 20
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 28, Tennessee 19
Ainslee Lee: Alabama 34, Tennessee 21
Creg Stephenson: Alabama 17, Tennessee 13
Florida State dancers and cheerleaders walk in front of the team on their way to the stadium before an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
Standings after Week 7
| Name | Record |
|---|---|
| Mark Inabinett | 38-32 |
| Ainslee Lee | 35-35 |
| Creg Stephenson | 34-36 |
| Evan Dudley | 33-37 |
| Michael Casagrande | 31-39 |
| Ben Flanagan | 31-39 |
| Patrick Greenfield | 29-41 |
| Matt Cohen | 28-42 |
| Andrew Hammond | 26-44 |