Last week was a big week for the Chalk in college football. The hot streak continued with a 6-0 record against the spread, with two of my three underdogs winning straight up. Hammering big spreads wasn’t a problem in week 7 and going with road underdogs was a recipe for success.
There have been several opportunities to exploit spreads this season in college football. Here’s the week 8 college football picks featuring three underdogs that will cover the spread.
Overall: 29-13 ATS
Underdogs: 15-6 ATS
Iowa State (+7.5) at Texas Tech
I know we’re expecting a typical Iowa State letdown after beating Oklahoma two weeks ago. But I just don’t see it.
This Iowa State team is much better than what we’ve seen in past years. The skill position players are good enough athletically to match up against big-time college football defenses. And the defense has been better than what we’ve seen in years past. This spread isn’t based on this year’s Iowa State team. The Cyclones led late in the fourth quarter against Iowa earlier this season and eventually lost in overtime, and despite not showing up against an improved Texas team, they still only lost by 10.
This spread is based on past years in regards to Iowa State. Instead of anticipating an Iowa State collapse, we should look more into Texas Tech’s history. The Red Raiders got out to a big lead in week 7 against West Virginia, only to collapse on a major scale. And when Texas Tech starts losing, it generally doesn’t stop under Kliff Kingsbury. Last year, the Red Raiders lost six of seven games at one point in the season. In 2013, in Kingsbury’s first year, the team lost five in a row. In 2014, they lost seven of eight games.
When Texas Tech starts losing, it doesn’t stop. This team doesn’t have a defense and the Cyclones have enough on that side of the ball to at least slow down the Red Raiders. This will be within one possession. — Go Against The Chalk with Iowa State
Oregon (+6.5) at UCLA
Oregon isn’t the same team it used to be. But it’s better than what it’s shown in the last two weeks.
The Ducks have lost by a combined 82-17 in the last two games. So of course, I’m banking on them to not only cover, but win this game straight up. It’s going to take some time for the Ducks to return to near normalcy with Willie Taggart at the helm.
Oregon will catch some slack this week compared to recent games against UCLA’s porous defense. The Bruins are atrocious on that side of the ball, meaning this game will allow Oregon to start moving the ball better.
The matchup works in the Ducks favor. UCLA can’t stop the run, and while Oregon’s offense isn’t the juggernaut it used to be, it still can run really well. The Bruins won’t be able to get off the field in this one. — Go Against The Chalk with Oregon
Wake Forest (+5.5) at Georgia Tech
This is going to be a major grind.
Wake Forest’s offense doesn’t exactly look like the Oregon Ducks of old, while the Yellow Jackets are going to showcase their patented triple option. Both teams are going to have to be patient, which should tilt in the direction of Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons are nasty up front, giving them the opportunity at neutralizing Georgia Tech’s running game. Putting the Yellow Jackets in long second and third downs is the key to beating Georgia Tech.
Wake Forest can do that. The Demon Deacons are getting quarterback John Wolford back this week, so that should pump some energy in the lackluster offense. Wake Forest has an elite defensive front, so that’s a solid matchup to exploit. — Go Against The Chalk with Wake Forest
