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Welcome back, Big Ten.
The college football season officially started on Sept. 3. Fifty days later, the Big Ten returned with a game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini last night. The rest of the conference will compete on Saturday, and Mountain West teams will debut its season as well.
While it’s great to have more teams to the party, there aren’t too many huge matchups with College Football Playoff implications on the line, but there are some quality games that are in need of college football fan viewership. Here’s a look at the slate.
Best game
Four games on this weekend’s schedule are between ranked teams, but it’s Big Ten week and that’s where we’ll be going for the best game of the weekend. On Saturday night, the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines are headed on the road to play the 21st-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers. This has to be the quietest Michigan has been going into a college football season.
Michigan does not have a whole lot of buzz coming into this college football season. The Wolverines don’t appear to be much of a threat to Ohio State just like pretty much any team in the Big Ten, but they will be be led by their defense. For Minnesota, can the Gophers replicate an incredible season for the program in 2019? Wide receiver Rashod Bateman opted back into the season and is one of the best at his position in the country.
Sleeper game
It’s a game between a pair of ranked teams, but it’s a matchup between Group of 5 opponents, so we can call it a sleeper game. We’re going with the No. 9 Cincinnati Bearcats on the road when they take on the No. 16 SMU Mustangs. Both teams are coming into this game undefeated with Cincinnati at 3-0 and SMU at 5-0 so far in 2020.
It’s still early, but this would put the winner of this game in the driver’s seat in the AAC, especially since Memphis already lost a game and UCF has lost twice so far. SMU continues to operate without its star receiver Reggie Roberson Jr., and it survived in overtime in a 37-34 win over Tulane last week. For Cincinnati, it relies on its defense, so this should be a fun matchup between a great offense and great defense.
Worst game
We’re going with the No. 1 team in the country Clemson Tigers as they host the Syracuse Orange. After coming off a 73-7 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, Clemson is headed into Saturday’s game as 46-point favorites. Forty-six. It’s a high spread, but the Tigers went into halftime with a 45-point advantage last weekend. Syracuse is coming off a 38-21 home loss to Liberty and is 1-4 on the season with four double-digit losses. Feel free to enjoy your Saturday without tuning into ACC Network at noon ET for this one.
Here is the complete TV schedule for today’s games, with odds, spreads, and totals included, from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Week 8 Odds, Bet Splits, Time, TV
| Teams | TV/Time | Point Spread | % Handle | % Bets | Total Points | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | TV/Time | Point Spread | % Handle | % Bets | Total Points | % Handle | % Bets | Moneyline | % Handle | % Bets |
| #23 NC State | 12 p.m. | +15 | 58% | 58% | Over 60.5 | 70% | 84% | +420 | 25% | 17% |
| #14 North Carolina | ESPN | -15 | 42% | 42% | Under 60.5 | 30% | 16% | -670 | 75% | 83% |
| Georgia Southern | 12 p.m. | +4.5 | 36% | 34% | Over 51.0 | 26% | 90% | +163 | 21% | 33% |
| #25 Coastal Carolina | ESPNU | -4.5 | 64% | 66% | Under 51.0 | 74% | 10% | -200 | 79% | 67% |
| Kansas | 12 p.m. | +20 | 8% | 18% | Over 46.5 | 32% | 72% | +700 | 33% | 9% |
| #20 Kansas State | FS1 | -20 | 92% | 82% | Under 46.5 | 68% | 28% | -1667 | 67% | 91% |
| Nebraska | 12 p.m. | +27 | 12% | 21% | Over 68.0 | 77% | 68% | +1100 | 38% | 13% |
| #5 Ohio State | FOX | -27 | 88% | 79% | Under 68.0 | 23% | 32% | -5000 | 62% | 87% |
| Syracuse | 12 p.m. | +46.5 | 43% | 48% | Over 62.0 | 91% | 94% | OTB | ||
| Clemson | ACC Network | -46.5 | 57% | 52% | Under 62.0 | 9% | 6% | |||
| Auburn | 12 p.m. | -4 | 22% | 32% | Over 71.5 | 64% | 32% | -162 | 49% | 51% |
| Ole Miss | SEC Network | +4 | 78% | 68% | Under 71.5 | 36% | 68% | +125 | 51% | 49% |
| Florida State | 12 p.m. | +4.5 | 79% | 58% | Over 61.0 | 71% | 45% | +150 | 56% | 68% |
| Louisville | ESPN3 | -4.5 | 21% | 42% | Under 61.0 | 29% | 55% | -190 | 44% | 32% |
| Mercer | 12 p.m. | +30.5 | 23% | 31% | Over 50.0 | 21% | 53% | OTB | ||
| Army | CBSSN | -30.5 | 77% | 69% | Under 50.0 | 79% | 47% | |||
| Oklahoma | 12 p.m. | -7 | 88% | 28% | Over 59.0 | 71% | 94% | -250 | 86% | 71% |
| TCU | ABC | +7 | 12% | 72% | Under 59.0 | 29% | 6% | +188 | 14% | 29% |
| Rutgers | 12 p.m. | +13 | 13% | 19% | Over 44.5 | 46% | 75% | +440 | 7% | 8% |
| Michigan State | Big Ten Network | -13 | 87% | 81% | Under 44.5 | 54% | 25% | -625 | 93% | 92% |
| Temple | 12 p.m. | +13.5 | 32% | 24% | Over 69.5 | 25% | 58% | +360 | 8% | 10% |
| Memphis | ESPN+ | -13.5 | 68% | 76% | Under 69.5 | 75% | 42% | -530 | 92% | 90% |
| UTEP | 12 p.m. | +15 | 27% | 31% | Over 48.0 | 19% | 85% | +540 | 36% | 9% |
| Charlotte | ESPN+ | -15 | 73% | 69% | Under 48.0 | 81% | 15% | -910 | 64% | 91% |
| Syracuse | 12 p.m. | +46.5 | 43% | 48% | Over 62.0 | 91% | 94% | OTB | ||
| #1 Clemson | ACC Network | -46.5 | 57% | 52% | Under 62.0 | 9% | 6% | |||
| Southern Mississippi | 1 p.m. | +12.5 | 5% | 4% | Over 60.0 | 5% | 58% | +325 | 3% | 6% |
| Liberty | ESPN3 | -12.5 | 95% | 96% | Under 60.0 | 95% | 43% | -455 | 97% | 94% |
| Tulane | 2 p.m. | +20 | 65% | 63% | Over 72.0 | 30% | 62% | +600 | 8% | 9% |
| UCF | ESPN2 | -20 | 35% | 37% | Under 72.0 | 70% | 38% | -1115 | 92% | 91% |
| Florida Atlantic | 2:30 p.m. | +16 | 16% | 22% | Over 51.0 | 93% | 89% | +575 | 17% | 9% |
| #22 Marshall | N/A | -16 | 84% | 78% | Under 51.0 | 7% | 11% | -910 | 83% | 91% |
| #17 Iowa State | 3:30 p.m. | +2.5 | 55% | 8% | Over 52.0 | 85% | 85% | +112 | 60% | 68% |
| #6 Oklahoma State | FOX | -2.5 | 45% | 92% | Under 52.0 | 15% | 15% | -139 | 40% | 32% |
| #2 Alabama | 3:30 p.m. | -21.5 | 91% | 87% | Over 66.0 | 86% | 88% | -3335 | 91% | 97% |
| Tennessee | CBS | +21.5 | 9% | 13% | Under 66.0 | 14% | 12% | +850 | 9% | 3% |
| #3 Notre Dame | 3:30 p.m. | -10 | 39% | 60% | Over 42.0 | 76% | 90% | -435 | 82% | 86% |
| Pittsburgh | ABC | +10 | 61% | 40% | Under 42.0 | 24% | 10% | +300 | 18% | 14% |
| #6 Penn State | 3:30 p.m. | -6.5 | 80% | 79% | Over 62.0 | 92% | 66% | -250 | 85% | 81% |
| Indiana | FS1 | +6.5 | 20% | 21% | Under 62.0 | 8% | 34% | +175 | 15% | 19% |
| Baylor | 3:30 p.m. | +8.5 | 53% | 46% | Over 60.0 | 92% | 89% | +240 | 15% | 15% |
| Texas | ESPN | -8.5 | 47% | 54% | Under 60.0 | 8% | 11% | -335 | 85% | 85% |
| Houston | 3:30 p.m. | -15 | 64% | 53% | Over 55.0 | 41% | 69% | -625 | 78% | 80% |
| Navy | CBSSN | +15 | 36% | 47% | Under 55.0 | 59% | 31% | +450 | 22% | 20% |
| Iowa | 3:30 p.m. | -3 | 77% | 82% | Over 52.5 | 54% | 52% | -162 | 63% | 56% |
| Purdue | Big Ten Network | +3 | 23% | 18% | Under 52.5 | 46% | 48% | +125 | 37% | 44% |
| Middle Tennessee | 3:30 p.m. | +3.5 | 30% | 20% | Over 51.0 | 24% | 67% | +140 | 31% | 49% |
| Rice | ESPN | -3.5 | 70% | 80% | Under 51.0 | 76% | 33% | -175 | 69% | 51% |
| Chattanooga | 4:00 p.m. | +14 | 6% | 23% | Over 54.0 | 1% | 65% | +450 | 10% | 6% |
| Western Kentucky | ESPN3 | -14 | 94% | 77% | Under 54.0 | 99% | 35% | -910 | 90% | 94% |
| Georgia State | 4:00 p.m. | +2.5 | 35% | 30% | Over 68.5 | 44% | 63% | +106 | 52% | 65% |
| Troy | ESPNU | -2.5 | 65% | 70% | Under 68.5 | 56% | 37% | -129 | 48% | 35% |
| Kentucky | 4:00 p.m. | -5.5 | 47% | 73% | Over 47.0 | 8% | 86% | -225 | 59% | 57% |
| Missouri | SEC Network | +5.5 | 53% | 27% | Under 47.0 | 92% | 14% | +180 | 41% | 43% |
| West Virginia | 5:30 p.m. | -3 | 49% | 52% | Over 54.0 | 37% | 75% | -159 | 92% | 52% |
| Texas Tech | ESPN2 | +3 | 51% | 48% | Under 54.0 | 63% | 25% | +125 | 8% | 48% |
| Louisiana-Monroe | 7:00 p.m. | +15 | 71% | 56% | Over 56.5 | 82% | 52% | +450 | 7% | 7% |
| South Alabama | ESPN+ | -15 | 29% | 44% | Under 56.5 | 18% | 48% | -625 | 93% | 93% |
| South Carolina | 7:00 p.m. | +6.5 | 57% | 50% | Over 55.5 | 25% | 71% | +185 | 53% | 31% |
| LSU | ESPN | -6.5 | 43% | 50% | Under 55.5 | 75% | 29% | -240 | 47% | 69% |
| Utah State | 7:00 p.m. | +16 | 6% | 23% | Over 52.5 | 56% | 63% | +575 | 4% | 4% |
| Boise State | FS1 | -16 | 94% | 77% | Under 52.5 | 44% | 37% | -910 | 96% | 96% |
| Wyoming | 7:00 p.m. | -4.5 | 31% | 59% | Over 50.5 | 85% | 82% | -205 | 76% | 57% |
| Nevada | CBSSN | +4.5 | 69% | 41% | Under 50.5 | 15% | 18% | +160 | 24% | 43% |
| #18 Michigan | 7:30 p.m. | -3.5 | 37% | 45% | Over 53.5 | 28% | 38% | -167 | 53% | 43% |
| #21 Minnesota | ABC | +3.5 | 63% | 55% | Under 53.5 | 72% | 62% | +135 | 47% | 57% |
| Hawaii | 7:30 p.m. | +4 | 68% | 40% | Over 66.5 | 85% | 71% | +138 | 53% | 43% |
| Fresno State | Team1Sports | -4 | 32% | 60% | Under 66.5 | 15% | 29% | -180 | 47% | 57% |
| Maryland | 7:30 p.m. | +11 | 22% | 84% | Over 55.0 | 9% | 21% | +310 | 43% | 28% |
| Northwestern | Big Ten Network | -11 | 78% | 16% | Under 55.0 | 91% | 79% | -420 | 57% | 72% |
| La Tech | 8:00 p.m. | -2.5 | 3% | 18% | Over 53.5 | 36% | 51% | -132 | 39% | 51% |
| UTSA | ESPNU | +2.5 | 97% | 82% | Under 53.5 | 64% | 49% | +110 | 61% | 49% |
| Virginia | 8:00 p.m. | +12 | 2% | 9% | Over 57.0 | 9% | 62% | +335 | 1% | 3% |
| Miami Florida | ACC Network | -12 | 98% | 91% | Under 57.0 | 91% | 38% | -455 | 99% | 97% |
| #9 Cincinnati | 9 p.m. | +2.5 | 79% | 66% | Over 57.0 | 54% | 52% | +107 | 69% | 75% |
| #16 SMU | ESPN2 | -2.5 | 21% | 34% | Under 57.0 | 46% | 48% | -130 | 31% | 25% |
| Air Force | 10:30 p.m. | -7 | 0% | 0% | Over 62.5 | 12% | 44% | -275 | 91% | 75% |
| San José State | FS1 | +7 | 100% | 100% | Under 62.5 | 88% | 56% | +195 | 9% | 25% |
| UNLV | 10:30 p.m. | +14.5 | 19% | 30% | Over 49.0 | 69% | 89% | +480 | 41% | 6% |
| San Diego State | CBSSN | -14.5 | 81% | 70% | Under 49.0 | 31% | 11% | -715 | 59% | 94% |