It’s getting to the point of the college football season when some of the lines set for games are a little off. Some teams have good records but not such notable wins, while others with gaudy records are being a little undersold. We’ve taken a look around college football and chosen a few games you should be putting in a parlay for in Week 8.
Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Wolverines
Odds: Michigan -23½
Northwestern has not been the most consistent team, losing by 17 at home to Michigan State and by 49 on the road to Nebraska, but it comes into this game with a 3-3 record. The Wildcats take on a sixth-ranked Michigan team that might be looking ahead to a showdown with undefeated Michigan State the following weekend. The Wolverines haven’t exactly been blowing teams away in starting 6-0 and they come off a bye following a narrow three-point win at Nebraska. Northwestern isn’t going to win this game, but we like Pat Fitzgerald’s Wildcats to at least put up enough of a fight to keep it closer than the line.
Pick: Northwestern +23½
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Iowa State Cyclones
Odds: Iowa State -7
The Cowboys are 6-0 and ranked No. 8 in the country, yet they’re a touchdown underdog against the 4-2 Cyclones. Oklahoma State has defeated three straight ranked teams, including Texas on the road last week. Meanwhile, Iowa State has won two in a row, beating Kansas and Kansas State. Look for Mike Gundy’s team to respond to the disrespect of the college football odds with a big win on the road to stay unbeaten.
Pick: Oklahoma State +7
Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers
Odds: Wisconsin -3
No. 25 Purdue is coming off one of the most stunning results of the season, routing No. 2 Iowa on the road to hand the Hawkeyes their first loss. Now the Boilermakers return home to face a Wisconsin team that has been a disappointment, barely beating Army 20-14 at home last week.
So why are the Badgers a three-point favorite on the road? Good question. Purdue has to avoid a letdown from last week, but playing in West Lafayette should help coach Jeff Brohm keep his team focused in their first game as a ranked team in a while. Taking the Boilermakers as a home underdog should definitely be one of your college football picks this week.
Pick: Purdue +3
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FIU Panthers
Odds: Western Kentucky -15
Both of these teams can put points on the board in a hurry, with the Hilltoppers averaging 40.8 points behind a lethal passing attack. The Panthers also possess a solid aerial assault. Problem is, FIU is allowing nine more points per game than it’s scoring. That’s trouble against a Western Kentucky team that is averaging 447.7 passing yards behind quarterback Bailey Zappe. Yes, the Hilltoppers are just 2-4 coming into this contest, but two of those losses were to Big Ten opponents Indiana and Michigan State. The Hilltoppers righted their ship last week with a 23-point win over Old Dominion, and we like them to do the same in this one.
Pick: Western Kentucky -15
Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide
Odds: Alabama -25½
The Volunteers played Ole Miss tough at home last week, falling by just five points, 31-26. But now Tennessee hits the road to face an Alabama squad that needs big wins to impress the College Football Playoff committee. The Crimson Tide had no trouble with Mississippi State last week, winning by 40 on the road. Coach Nick Saban will have his team focused on the task at hand again against a Tennessee team whose two SEC wins this season have come against lesser members South Carolina and Missouri. Look for another offensive explosion from the Crimson Tide. When you’re betting online, make sure to take the Crimson Tide to cover the large spread.
Pick: Alabama -25½
Oregon Ducks at UCLA Bruins
Odds: UCLA -2
Another interesting line has the No. 10 Ducks (5-1) as an underdog on the road against the 5-2 Bruins. UCLA is coming off two straight wins, though they were against Washington and Arizona, who are a combined 2-10. Oregon is in a dogfight with Oregon State for the North Division lead in the Pac-12. The Ducks also feel like they still have a shot at the College Football Playoff if they win out. It’s hard to see Oregon coming up short in this one, so count this as one of the picks you should be making in your parlay.
Pick: Oregon +2
CFB Parlay:
Northwestern +23½
Oklahoma State +7
Purdue +3
Western Kentucky -15
Alabama -25½
Oregon +2