College Football Week 8 Tech Trends

Bruce Marshall Sports Betting Expert

14 minute read

American football betting expert and handicapper Bruce Marshall breaks down the top trends for each college football game of Week 8. Check them out below and be sure sure to visit our college football picks page for expert selections on games this week!

Thursday, Oct. 20

Troy at South Alabama (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.)

• Trojans in control of series lately, winning and covering last four meetings.
• Troy also off to 5-2 spread start for Jon Sumrall in 2022 (5-1 vs. FBS-level foes).
• Jags, however, plenty tough lately in Mobile, covering six of last seven at home for Kane Wommack.

Tech Play: Troy

Virginia at Georgia Tech (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Cavs 1-5 vs. line in 2022.
• Jackets have won and covered last two since Brent Key took over from Collins.
• UVA 13-5-1 “under” since late 2020.

Tech Play: Georgia Tech, Under

Friday, Oct. 21

Tulsa at Temple (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.)

• Golden Hurricane won big 44-10 over Owls last season.
• Tulsa no covers last three as chalk vs. FBS foes in 2022 but is 7-3-1 vs. spread since mid 2021.
• Temple now no covers last two following UCF debacle, second straight game Owls have been destroyed.
• Though home team is 6-0 vs. line in Temple games this season after UCF result.

Tech Play: Tulsa

UAB at Western Kentucky (CBSSN, 8:00 p.m.)

• Teams didn’t meet last season.
• The home team has still covered in six of the Blazers' last seven regular-season games (UAB 0-2 SU and vs. line away this season).
• Tops 4-1 vs. spread last five as reg season host.
• WKU also “over” 7-2 at home since last season.

Tech Play: Western Kentucky, Over

Saturday, Oct. 22

Cincinnati at SMU (ESPN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Bearcats have won and covered big the past two years vs. Mustangs by combined 90-27 score.
• Cincy however 0-3-1 last four and 1-6-1 last eight vs. spread away from Nippert Stadium.
• SMU however no covers last five this season for Rhett Lashlee after Navy result last Friday.

Tech Play: Cincinnati

Houston at Navy (ESPNU, 12:00 p.m.)

• Navy has covered 2 of last 3 meetings.
• Mids doing what they did last season, dropped first two vs. number in 2021, then covered 8 of 10.
• In 2022, dropped first two again but have covered last four in 2022 after late rally last Friday at SMU.
• Navy also 11-3 last 14 as dog.
• Cougs “over” 5-1 in 2022.

Tech Play: Navy, Over

Indiana at Rutgers (BTN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Scarlet Knights had lost five in a row SU vs. Hoosiers prior to LY’s 38-3 whip of IU at Bloomington.
• Hoosiers have managed spread covers in losses the past two weeks but are still on a 5-15 spread skid since late 2020.
• Tom Allen now 1-8 vs. spread last nine away from home.
• Meanwhile Greg Schiano is 5-2 as chalk since last season though only 1-5 vs. line last six vs. Big Ten foes at Piscataway.

Tech Play: Rutgers

UL-Monroe at Army (CBSSN, 12:00 p.m.)

• Warhawks got cover last Saturday at USA but still just 1-3 vs. line away this season.
• Home teams now 6-1 SU and vs. spread in 2022 ULM games.
• Black Knights only 1-4 vs. spread in 2022, however.
• ULM "over" last week but “under” 8-3 last eleven since late 2021.
• Army “under” last two this season and 6-3 last nine since late 2021.

Tech Play: Under

Kansas at Baylor (ESPN2, 12:00 p.m.)

• Bears have annihilated Jayhawks ten straight (also vs. line) and have not lost outright in series since 2003.
• But Baylor has lost and failed to cover its last two after WVU result.
• KU 5-0-2 vs. line in 2022, 8-0-2 vs. spread since late 2021 as we throw out previous numbers with Jayhawks.

Tech Play: Kansas

Syracuse at Clemson (ABC, 12:00 p.m.)

• ‘Cuse has covered last two and four of last five in series.
• Dino Babers 6-0 SU and 5-1 vs. line this season.
• Dabo however on 7-1 spread run vs. ACC foes and working on 13-game SU win streak since mid 2021.

Tech Play: Syracuse

Akron at Kent State (ESPN+, 12:00 p.m.)

• Golden Flashes have destroyed their nearby neighbor lately, big wins and covers last three (total score 133-38) and have covered last six in series.
• Joe Moorhead 3-4 vs. line with Zips, 7-14-1 last 22 on board for his teams at Mississippi State & Akron.

Tech Play: Kent State

Iowa at Ohio State (FOX, 12:00 p.m.)

• First meeting since 2017 when Hawkeyes rolled 55-24 at Iowa City.
• Kirk Ferentz 8-2 last ten vs. line as visitor, 5-3 last eight as dog. Iowa also on 25-14-1 “under” run.
• Buckeyes stirring again 3-0-1 vs. spread last four in 2022, though OSU only 5-6-1 vs. spread last 12 since mid 2021.

Tech Play: Iowa

Duke at Miami-Florida (12:30 p.m.)

• Manny Diaz destroyed Cutcliffe the past two years by 95-10 combined score, but new coaches this season both ways.
• Blue Devils 4-2 vs. line vs. FBS foes in Mike Elko debut, Canes 1-3 SU and 0-4 vs. line last four in 2022 for Mario Cristobal.
• Duke also 5-2-1 “under” last eight since late 2021, and last five in series “under” as well.

Tech Play: Under

Toledo at Buffalo (ESPN+, 1:00 p.m.)

• Teams haven’t met since 2019.
• Bulls on a bit of an uptick lately now 4-0-1 last five vs. spread in 2022 after last week's romp as UMass.
• Meanwhile, Rockets only 4-5 vs. spread last nine at Glass Bowl.

Tech Play: Buffalo

Bowling Green at Central Michigan (ESPN3, 1:00 p.m.)

• Teams haven’t met since 2019.
• Falcons recovered last week vs. Miami-O but still only 2-4-1 vs. line in 2022 (0-2-1 away).
• Also “over” 5-2 in 2022 and 10-4 last 14 since early last season.
• Meanwhile Jim McElwain off to his slowest start (2-5 SU) at CMU and only 3-4 vs. line this season.

Tech Play: Central Michigan, Over

Eastern Michigan at Ball State (ESPN+, 2:00 p.m.)

• Cards have won by identical 38-31 scores past two seasons and have won three in row SU vs. Eagles.
• But despite covers in 3 of last 5, Ball just 7-13 vs. spread since last season after falling short last week vs. UConn.
• Note EMU has covered 8 straight as MAC road dog and 17-1-1 last 19 as MAC road dog.

Tech Play: Eastern Michigan

Northern Illinois at Ohio (ESPN+, 2:00 p.m.)

• Teams haven’t met since 2019.
• Prior to last week's whip of Eastern Michigan, Huskies were on 2-5 spread downturn since late 2021.
• NIU also “over” 6-1 in 2022 and 12-3 last 15 since early 2021 even after last week's "under" vs. the Ypsilanti Eagles.
• Bobcats "under" last week at WMU but still “over” 5-2 this season.

Tech Play: Over

UNLV at Notre Dame (Peacock, 2:30 p.m.)

• As non-conference road dog, Rebs have covered amazing 13 of last 14.
• Irish no covers first three at South bend this season, also “under” 5-1-1 last seven as host.

Tech Play: UNLV, Under

West Virginia at Texas Tech (FS1, 3:00 p.m.)

• Red Raiders have won and covered last three meetings.
• Mounties have now won and covered three of last four this season after Baylor result.
• Joey McGuire 5-1 vs. spread in Tech debut season.

Tech Play: Texas Tech

Rice at Louisiana Tech (ESPN+, 3:00 p.m.)

• Owls have covered last three meetings.
• Rice working on five straight covers after slipping inside of number at FAU last week.
• Also “overs” nine of last ten even after the "under" last week at Boca Raton.
• Meanwhile Bulldogs “over” 9-1 last ten since late 2021 after another high-scoring affair vs. UNT last week.

Tech Play: Rice, Over

Georgia Southern at Old Dominion (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• After last week's upset of James Madison, the Eagles are 8-2 vs. spread last ten since late 2021 (5-2 for Clay Helton).
• Though the Monarchs are off of their own upset of Coastal Carolina and now 8-3 vs. line last eleven reg season.
• ODU also "under" 9-5 since early 2021, though that was well "over" last week vs. Coastal.

Tech Play: Under

Texas at Oklahoma State (ABC, 3:30 p.m.)

• Underdog side has covered last five in series.
• Texas failed to cover last week vs. ISU but Steve Sarkisian now on 6-1 spread streak since late 2021.
• Mike Gundy's OSU 14-5 vs. spread since LY.

Tech Play: Texas

Boston College at Wake Forest (ACCN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Deacs romped 41-10 LY at Chestnut Hill though failed to cover the two previous meetings.
• Wake however on 6-1 spread run since late 2021.
• Deacs also 6-1 last seven vs. line as ACC host.
• Eagles only 1-7 last eight and 3-10 last 13 vs. spread since mid 2021.

Tech Play: Wake Forest

Ole Miss at LSU (CBS, 3:30 p.m.)

• Home team has covered last four meetings.
• Though "over" last week vs. Florida, Tigers “under” 5-2 in in 2022 and 9-3 last 12 reg season games.
• Lane Kiffin also "over" last week but has been “under” 15-6 since late 2020.

Tech Play: LSU, Under

Memphis at Tulane (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.)

• Wave has covered last two in series and 3-1 vs. spread last four against Tigers.
• Memphis has covered twice this season on the road but is still just 2-9-1 vs. points as visitor under Ryan Silverfield (since 2020).
• Tulane 6-1 SU and vs. line in 2022 in a big bounce-back year for Willie Fritz.
• Now 8-1 vs. spread last nine since late 2021, also “under” 10-2 since later in 2021 campaign.

Tech Play: Tulane, Under

UCLA at Oregon (FOX, 3:30 p.m.)

• Chip vs. former employer.
• Ducks won pair of 3-point decisions from Bruins each of past two seasons, split those vs. spread.
• UCLA 7-1 vs. line last eight as visitor.
• Ducks have covered last three as host this season and five straight since late 2021.
• Last three meetings “over” as well.

Tech Play: UCLA, Over

Western Michigan at Miami-Ohio (CBSSN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Teams haven’t met since 2019.
• After ugly loss to Ohio last week, Broncos 1-5 vs. line against FBS foes this season.
• RedHawks 7-1 “under” run since late last season after another low-ball score vs. Bowling Green last week.

Tech Play: Miami-Ohio, Under

BYU at Liberty (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.)

• Cougs 1-7 vs. spread last eight away from Provo.
• BYU 8-3 “over” since mid 2021.
• Hugh Freeze 8-1 as underdog since late 2019.

Tech Play: Liberty, Under

Marshall at James Madison (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m.)

• Dukes did finally lose last week at Georgia Southern but had come out roaring in the FBS debut.
• Now 5-1 SU and vs. spread out of chute, also “over” last five.
• Meanwhile, Herd no covers last three in 2022 and 2-5 last seven vs. number since late last season, but “under” 4-1 to begin this season.

Tech Play: James Madison

FIU at Charlotte (ESPN3, 3:30 p.m.)

• 49ers did win and cover this one 45-33 last season, but since then is on a 3-10 spread skid even after last week's cover at UAB.
• Also “over” 9-2 last eleven since late 2021.
• After spread win last Friday vs. UTSA, FIU has covered 2 of last 3 for Mike MacIntyre after 8-game spread skid prior.

Tech Play: Over

North Texas at UTSA (Stadium, 3:30 p.m.)

• Upset win for 9-point dog Mean Green vs. unbeaten Roadrunners by 45-23 count LY.
• Home team has covered last eight in series.
• Though note UNT on 10-3 spread uptick its last 13 reg.-season games after last week's romp past La Tech.
• Two “unders” now in a row for UTSA after FIU last Friday following eight consecutive “over” results.

Tech Play: UTSA, Over

Purdue at Wisconsin (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Visiting team has covered last seven meetings.
• Though Boilermakers don’t have a SU win in series since 2003.
• Brohm 5-1 vs. spread last six as Big Ten visitor.
• First home game for Leonhard as Wiscy HC, but Badgers just 2-5 vs. spread last seven as Big Ten host.

Tech Play: Purdue

Northwestern at Maryland (BTN, 3:30 p.m.)

• Teams didn’t meet LY but NU won in 43-3 rout at beginning of Covid 2020 campaign.
• Cats, however, 0-5 SU and 1-4 vs. line this season since opening win over Huskers in Dublin.
• Pat Fitz did cover at Penn State on Oct. 1 in what has historically been a good road dog role for him.
• Though he was 0-4 vs. spread as Big Ten road dog last season.
• Terps however just 1-6 vs. line last seven as Big Ten host for Locksley.

Tech Play: Northwestern

Hawaii at Colorado State (Spectrum, 4:00 p.m.)

• Bows took 50-45 shootout on the islands last season.
• CSU now two spread covers in a row in 2022 after breaking a 10-game SU and spread slump with last-second win at Nevada on October 9.
• UH “under” 5-2 in 2022, Rams “under” 6-0 to begin 2022.

Tech Play: Under

FAU at UTEP (ESPN+, 4:00 p.m.)

• Owls back-and forth this season vs. spread but only 3-9 vs. line since mid 2021.
• Note Willie Taggart also “under” 20-8 since 2020. Miners “under” 4-2 in 2022.

Tech Play: Under

Vanderbilt at Missouri (SECN, 4:00 p.m.)

• Dores have covered 3 of last 4 meetings.
• Defenseless Vandy, however, has dropped 5 of last 7 vs. spread this season.
• Now “over” 6-2 their last eight since late 2021.
• Mizzou has covered three straight this season, four of last five at home since late 2021.
• Also 8-3 spread uptick last 11 since late 2021.

Tech Play: Missouri, Over

Arizona State at Stanford (P12N, 4:00 p.m.)

• Sun Devils got win and cover last season, 28-10.
• Part of Tree’s 0-11 spread skid that was just ended vs. Oregon State, and Stanford now working on back-to-back spread covers.
• Shawn Aguano covers last two for ASU in 2022.
• Cardinal “over” 6-2 last eight since late 2021.

Tech Play: Arizona State, Over

Southern Miss at Texas State (ESPN+, 5:00 p.m.)

• Golden Eagles 7-2 vs. line since late 2021 (was 7-0 prior to Oct. 8 loss to Troy).
• Home teams, however, are 6-1 SU and vs. spread in Bobcats games this season (TSU 3-0 at San Marcos in 2022).

Tech Play: Southern Miss

Arkansas State at Louisiana (ESPN+, 5:00 p.m.)

• Red Wolves covered last two years vs. a couple of very good Ragin’ Cajun teams.
• Butch Jones 8-2 vs. spread with Ark State since late 2021 (6-1 to begin 2022).
• Michael Desormeaux’s ULL 3-0 vs. line at Lafayette this season.

Tech Play: Arkansas State

San Jose State at New Mexico State (Flo Sports, 6:00 p.m.)

• Spartans have covered four of last five this season, 8-4 vs., spread last 11 on board since mid 2021.
• Also on 6-1 “under” run since late 2021.

Tech Play: San Jose State

Fresno State at New Mexico (FS2, 6:30 p.m.)

• Bulldogs rolled last season over Lobos but lost in a big upset at Vegas vs. UNM in 2020 when dropping 49-36 verdict as 16-point chalk.
• Fresno did get first cover of last season in mild upset of San Jose State last Saturday, but still just 1-5 vs. spread in Jeff Tedford 2.0.
• He’s now 4-13-1 vs. line with Fresno since 2019.
• Lobos improved 3-3-1 vs. spread this season compared to 1-11 a year ago.

Tech Play: New Mexico

Mississippi State at Alabama (ESPN, 7:00 p.m.)

• Last Bulldogs win in series cam under Sly Croom in 2007 vs. Saban’s first Bama team.
• Saban has destroyed Leach a combined 90-9 past two seasons, and Tide has covered last four meetings.
• MSU has covered six of its last eight as an SEC visitor (even after last week's loss at Kentucky).
• Bama just 1-3 last four vs. line as SEC host.
• “Unders” last four in series.

Tech Play: Under

Boise State at Air Force (CBSSN, 7:00 p.m.)

• Broncos had won and covered four straight in series prior to Falcs’ 24-17 win on blue carpet last Oct. 16.
• Boise 0-3-1 vs. spread last four away from home since late 2021.
• Force 7-3 vs. line last ten as Mountain West host.
• Broncos also “under” 14-5 since late 2020 (though “over” last two in 2022).

Tech Play: Air Force, Under

Minnesota at Penn State (ABC, 7:30 p.m.)

• Teams haven’t faced since 2019.
• Even after last week's loss at Illinois, PJ Fleck 9-2 vs. number last eleven away from Minneapolis.
• Also 7-1 last eight as dog.
• Note Nittany Lions only 3-5 vs. points last eight at Happy Valley.
• James Franklin also “under” 12-6 since 2021 (though “over” 4-2 to begin 2022).

Tech Play: Minnesota, Under

UCF at ECU (ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.)

• Pirates have lost last six SU in series but have covered last three against Knights.
• Malzahn has now won last 4 in 2022 and covered 3 of those after Temple rout last Thursday.
• ECU 6-3 vs. spread last nine at Greenville, though fell short of covering in last Saturday's 4-OT thriller vs. Memphis at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.

Tech Play: ECU

Texas A&M at South Carolina (SECN, 7:30 p.m.)

• Jimbo has won and covered big the last three meetings vs. Gamecocks (combined score 122-19) and 4-0 SU and vs. line last four vs. SC.
• A&M 8-0 SU last eight meetings.
• A&M however only 2-5 vs. spread last seven away from Kyle Field.
• Shane Beamer 5-5 vs. spread at Columbia since last season, though 5-3 last eight as dog.

Tech Play: Texas A&M

Pittsburgh at Louisville (ACCN, 8:00 p.m.)

• Teams have only met once since 2015 (in 2020).
• Narduzzi has covered his last ten non-bowl games away from Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium.
• Cards 1-3 vs. spread last four as ACC host.

Tech Play: Pittsburgh

Kansas State at TCU (FS1, 8:00 p.m.)

• Chris Klieman and Wildcats have won and covered all three meetings since he moved to Manhattan in 2019.
• K-State on 4-1-1 spread uptick since late last season.
• TCU however is 6-0 SU and 4-1-1 vs. spread for Dykes.
• Note those last three meetings in series “under” as well.
• Cats “under” 8-4 since mid 2021.

Tech Play: Kansas State, Under

Colorado at Oregon State (P12N, 8:00 p.m.)

• Dorrell closed his CU career losing and failing to cover five straight in 2022.
• Buffs recovered for a win and cover last week vs. Cal in Mike Sanford, Jr.'s debut as interim.
• Buffs also “over” 7-4 last eleven since mid 2021.
• Beavs, however, have last ten as host at Corvallis or Portland since last season.
• Revenge for OSU after 37-34 loss at Boulder LY.

Tech Play: Oregon State

Utah State at Wyoming (FS2, 9:45 p.m.)

• Wyo a shocking 44-17 winner last season.
• Utags rallying a bit with wins in last two and 2-1 vs. spread last three in 2022 after 0-4 break from gate vs. line.
• Bohl a stunning 8-2 “over” since late last season.

Tech Play: Over

San Diego State at Nevada (CBSSN, 10:30 p.m.)

• Jay Norvell’s Wolf Pack covered the last four years vs. Aztecs, but note Ken Wilson’s Nevada no covers last five in 2022.
• SDSU 2-9-1 vs. points last 12 non-bowl games since mid 2021.
• Also “under” 10-4 last 14 reg season games (not count bowl or MW title).

Tech Play: Nevada, Under

Washington at California (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)

• Golden Bears have covered last three vs. Huskies.
• Home teams are 6-0 SU and vs. line in U-Dub games this season (DeBoer 0-2 away).
• Wilcox 8-2 last ten as dog.
• Huskies also “over” 6-0-1 last seven since late 2021.

Tech Play: California, Over

Bruce Marshall

Bruce's unique and colorful brand of football and basketball analysis, as well as informed commentary on the national and international sports scene, has made him an in-demand guest for many years on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country. Bruce's vast array of editorial work has also been featured in VegasInsider, along with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and New York Post. Bruce, who is also in the midst of several book projects, combines all of his work while splitting time between Celebration, Florida and Henderson, Nevada. More from Bruce Marshall