Sportsvival’s Week 8 College Football Six-Pack
Brought to you by First Due Plumbing
October football has a way of turning a promising season into a pressure cooker. This week, Sportsvival’s College Football Six-Pack features a major Big 12 showdown, an SEC battle between ranked teams, several dangerous road trips and a Pittsburgh team taking its shot at the nation’s new No. 1. Conference positioning, playoff hopes and plenty of NFL Draft evaluations will be on the line.
All rankings reflect the Sportsvival Week 8 Top 25. All games are Saturday, October 24, with kickoff times listed in Eastern time.
1. No. 13 Houston at No. 7 Utah
Kickoff: 10:15 p.m. | TV: ESPN
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah
Save some energy for the late game, because this matchup deserves your attention. Utah enters unbeaten, while Houston has an opportunity to turn a strong season into a serious Big 12 championship push. Both teams can run the football, which makes the battle at the line of scrimmage especially important.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman brings confidence after throwing for 343 yards and five touchdowns against Oklahoma State. Utah presents a different challenge, particularly on the road. The Cougars must protect Weigman, avoid wasted possessions and make Utah defend the entire field.
The Utes can counter with quarterback Devon Dampier and a ground game that forces defenders to respect multiple threats. Houston’s ability to stop the run makes this a compelling matchup: if the Cougars contain Utah without committing extra defenders, they can create difficult passing situations.
Three players to watch
Conner Weigman, QB, Houston: Watch his decisions when Utah takes away the first read. Staying patient and avoiding unnecessary risks will matter as much as his downfield throws.
Patrick Overmyer, TE, Houston: His work between the numbers could give Weigman an answer against pressure. He is an important player near the goal line.
Devon Dampier, QB, Utah: His mobility puts stress on defensive discipline. Houston must account for him even when the initial coverage holds.
Sportsvival prediction: Utah 31, Houston 27. Houston makes this a four-quarter fight, but Utah’s offensive versatility and home field provide the difference.
2. No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 23 Texas
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC
Location: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas
Texas needs a response, and Ole Miss would love to make sure it never arrives. The Longhorns have dropped consecutive games to Oklahoma and Florida by a combined six points, leaving little room for another frustrating finish. Ole Miss arrives with an opportunity to strengthen its position against a talented opponent in a difficult setting.
Arch Manning must keep Texas moving and turn scoring opportunities into touchdowns. Long stretches of stalled offense would give the Rebels too many chances to dictate the game.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy give the Rebels different ways to attack. Lacy’s effectiveness matters because a productive running game can keep Texas from concentrating entirely on Chambliss. The Longhorns need sound tackling and a complete offensive performance.
Three players to watch
Arch Manning, QB, Texas: Watch his anticipation, pocket movement and ability to finish drives. This is an important opportunity to steady the offense.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss: His decisions against Texas’ defense will help determine whether the Rebels can sustain possessions.
Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss: His vision and ability to turn modest openings into productive gains could keep the Rebels ahead of the chains.
Sportsvival prediction: Texas 30, Ole Miss 27. Texas finally finishes a close game, with Manning helping deliver a late scoring drive.
3. No. 11 Tennessee at South Carolina
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ESPN
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, South Carolina
Tennessee must follow its Alabama victory with a difficult road trip against a South Carolina team capable of making the afternoon uncomfortable. The Volunteers need to bring the same focus and physical play into Columbia while avoiding the mistakes that can give an underdog confidence at home.
The offensive formula starts with establishing the running game and giving George MacIntyre manageable passing situations. Tennessee can help its young quarterback by staying ahead of the chains, mixing in play-action and preventing South Carolina’s pass rush from attacking obvious passing downs. Sustained possessions would also help keep LaNorris Sellers on the sideline.
Sellers gives the Gamecocks a chance to change the game on any possession. Tennessee must contain his movement, tackle well in space and maintain coverage when he extends plays. South Carolina also has a defensive difference-maker in Dylan Stewart, whose presence demands attention in protection.
South Carolina has enough talent to challenge the Volunteers, but Tennessee’s path to victory is clear: control the ground game, protect the football and force the Gamecocks to earn their points through sustained drives.
Three players to watch
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina: Our Week 6 Impact HVAC Player of the Week can hurt a defense through the air or with his legs. Tennessee must limit his explosive plays and make him work through long possessions.
Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina: Watch his first step, hand usage and ability to affect the quarterback without losing outside containment. Tennessee’s protection must account for him throughout the afternoon.
George MacIntyre, QB, Tennessee: His recognition of pressure and willingness to take available completions will be central to Tennessee’s chances. A controlled performance would allow the Volunteers to maintain their offensive balance.
Sportsvival prediction: Tennessee 30, South Carolina 20. The Volunteers establish the running game, get an efficient performance from MacIntyre and limit enough of Sellers’ big plays to leave Columbia with a conference road victory.
4. No. 10 Indiana at Michigan
Kickoff: Noon | TV: FOX
Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Indiana cannot allow the disappointment of losing to Ohio State to carry into another important Big Ten game. The Hoosiers remain in position to accomplish plenty, but a trip to Michigan requires an immediate reset.
The challenge is maintaining offensive patience. Indiana must protect the quarterback, avoid penalties that derail possessions and make Michigan defend sustained drives. Chasing a quick response to last week’s loss could lead to unnecessary mistakes.
Michigan’s best route is to establish a physical running game and keep the score within reach. Running back Jordan Marshall is a central player to monitor as the Wolverines try to control the pace.
Three players to watch
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana: Watch how he responds when Michigan forces him to move beyond his initial read. Composure will be essential.
Carter Smith, LT, Indiana: His balance and ability to handle changing pass-rush approaches will help determine how comfortably Indiana operates.
Jordan Marshall, RB, Michigan: His ability to gain yards after contact could keep Michigan in favorable down-and-distance situations.
Sportsvival prediction: Indiana 27, Michigan 20. The Hoosiers regain their footing and generate enough offense to survive a physical road game.
5. No. 18 LSU at Auburn
Kickoff: Noon | TV: ABC
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
Auburn just delivered one of the season’s biggest statements by beating Georgia. Now comes another test: finding that same focus against an LSU team looking to build momentum.
LSU needs disciplined quarterback play from Sam Leavitt. Giving Auburn short fields would make a difficult road assignment considerably tougher. The visitors must stay balanced and avoid letting the crowd turn a single mistake into a disastrous stretch.
Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown adds another challenge with his ability to extend plays. LSU’s defenders must finish their assignments, particularly when Brown escapes the pocket and forces the secondary to cover longer.
Three players to watch
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU: Watch his pocket awareness and decisions when the crowd and pass rush become factors.
Byrum Brown, QB, Auburn: His movement can turn a well-defended play into a first down. LSU must make him earn his production.
Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSU: His size and receiving ability make him an important matchup to monitor, particularly on third down and near the end zone.
Sportsvival prediction: LSU 31, Auburn 27. Auburn makes another strong push, but LSU produces the more consistent offensive finish.
6. Pitt at No. 1 Miami
Kickoff: Noon | TV: ESPN
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Pitt gets its opportunity against the top team in the Sportsvival rankings, but the Panthers face a demanding assignment. Miami has explosive offensive weapons, and Pitt must find a way to limit possessions and prevent the game from opening up.
The Panthers need productive early downs, strong tackling and touchdowns when scoring opportunities arrive. Falling behind and becoming predictable would make this matchup much more difficult.
Miami’s combination of Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney presents the central challenge. Pitt must disrupt the timing of the passing game while limiting yards after the catch. Toney, our Week 7 Impact HVAC Player of the Week, deserves attention every time Miami breaks the huddle.
Three players to watch
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami: His ability to separate and create after the catch can change field position quickly. Pitt must tackle him immediately.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami: Watch how he handles pressure and whether Pitt can force him to hold the football.
Sean FitzSimmons, DL, Pitt: Interior disruption could help the Panthers prevent Miami’s passing game from finding a comfortable rhythm.
Sportsvival prediction: Miami 38, Pitt 17. Pitt needs an exceptional performance to pull the upset. Miami’s offensive playmakers give the Hurricanes the clear advantage.
Sportsvival’s Week 8 Six-Pack Selections
Matchup Sportsvival prediction
No. 13 Houston at No. 7 Utah Utah 31, Houston 27
No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 23 Texas Texas 30, Ole Miss 27
No. 11 Tennessee at South Carolina Tennessee 30, South Carolina 20
No. 10 Indiana at Michigan Indiana 27, Michigan 20
No. 18 LSU at Auburn LSU 31, Auburn 27
Pitt at No. 1 Miami Miami 38, Pitt 17
The Week 8 Six-Pack offers a full day of conference battles, standout players and opportunities for teams to change the direction of their seasons. Houston has a chance to make a major statement, Texas needs a rebound, and Tennessee looks to keep its momentum rolling in Columbia. From the opening kick at noon through the final possession in Salt Lake City, there will be plenty worth watching.
Thank you to First Due Plumbing for bringing you Sportsvival’s College Football Six-Pack.
Reminder to all you college football fans, get your College Football Notebook today!!! Go to www.sportsvival.com.
Sportsvival: “If not for sports, how would we survive.”