4 College Football Games to Watch that Aren’t Penn State: Week 8

This series started out by focusing on games to watch to fill your Saturdays with the glory that is college football. Then it briefly changed to focus on games that would improve Penn State’s playoff chances. For obvious reasons, we’re back to looking at games from the perspective of sheer entertainment value.

Week eight is shaping up to be a good one as we’re just past the midway point of the season. This week offers several compelling games in each timeslot throughout the day. With Penn State hitting the road and the temperatures dropping, it’s a great Saturday to hunker down with a cold beer and some comfort food for a long day of college football from the sofa. Enjoy!

(#6)Michigan at (#24)Michigan State
Noon, FOX
Michigan is more talented and matches up very well against the injury-depleted Spartans, so the Wolverines should have no trouble coming out on top, right? As we learned last week, never count out Sparty, a program famous for rising to the occasion and playing with a chip on its shoulder. This game is always a hard-fought contest that comes down to the wire, and it sure seems like there’s a good chance it will happen again this season.

Or maybe Michigan will just figure out the easy way to halt the Spartans offense?

Prediction: Michigan-24, Michigan State-20

Maryland at (#19)Iowa
Noon, ESPN2
Does the sight of a Michigan State uniform still make you want to throw things? Can’t root for either Jim Harbaugh or Mark Dantonio? Well check out this noon game instead that features two upcoming opponents for Dear Ol’ State. Iowa is quietly having an outstanding season thanks to a high-powered (checks notes)...offense? The Hawkeyes have put up a combined 90 points in the last two weeks against Minnesota and Indiana, and will look to come in to Happy Valley on a hot streak next week. Maryland has both beaten the current-7th ranked team and have also been blown out by a 4-3 Temple squad, so who knows what to expect from the Terps.
Prediction: Iowa-35, Maryland-24

(#22)Mississippi State at (#5)LSU
7 p.m., ESPN
Both of these teams are coming off major upset victories. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they are also coming off a bye week while LSU had to face Georgia. The atmosphere will be intense in Death Valley, but it will be interesting to see what Joe Moorhead cooks up as the Bulldogs become more familiar with the new offense.
Prediction: LSU-27, Mississippi State-21

(#12)Oregon at (#25) Washington State
7:30 p.m., FOX
The excitement surrounding this game in Pullman is what makes college football such an incredible spectacle, regardless of your rooting interests. Washington State fans have been fired up all week in anticipation of the program’s first-ever visit from College GameDay. They will do all they can to make life difficult for the Ducks. Washington State is still a bit of a mystery, as the schedule has not been very challenging so far. Oregon should be undefeated and in the thick of the playoff conversation, but absolutely gave the game away to Stanford in its only loss of the season.
Prediction: Oregon-38, Washington State-31