Sportsvival has picked three marquee Week 8 matchups with real playoff and rivalry stakes. Each preview includes game context, two players to watch from each team (one offense, one defense), and a prediction on each battle.
#10 (5-1) Tennessee at #6 (5-1) Alabama
This rivalry brings tempo versus trench power. Tennessee’s vertical passing and perimeter speed will test Alabama’s secondary, while the Tide’s front uses gap discipline and interior push to control down-and-distance.
Players to watch
Tennessee : Chris Brazzell II, WR Long-striding outside target with catch radius and smooth acceleration. Wins on posts, digs, and back-shoulder fades; projects as a chain-mover who can flip field position with chunk plays.
Tennessee: Arion Carter, LB Twitchy second-level defender with downhill burst and range. Flashes strike-and-shed in the box, plus zone awareness on crossers—key for spying QB runs and closing RPO windows.
Alabama : Ryan Williams, WR Explosive route runner with elite burst out of breaks and deep-ball tracking. Stresses leverage on slot fades and crossers; a sequencing piece for shot plays and quick-game explosives.
Alabama : LT Overton, DL Lengthy, versatile lineman who can reduce inside or set the edge. Hands-first rusher with good pad level against the run; generates interior knockback that disrupts timing and forces off-script plays.
Sportsvival Prediction----- Sportsvival sees the scoreboard being very busy, but thinks Alabama will eventually pull away from the Vols.
Alabama- 45 Tennessee- 31
#7 (6-0) Ole Miss at #8 (5-1) Georgia
Ole Miss brings tempo, spacing, and vertical shots; Georgia counters with physicality, disguised coverage, and a methodical offense that squeezes possessions. Noise and pre-snap communication in Athens will be pivotal.
Players to watch
Ole Miss : Cayden Lee, WR Sudden separator with reliable hands and YAC juice. Threatens leverage in the slot with option routes and whip routes; a third-down safety valve who can also hit seams.
Ole Miss : Suntarine Perkins, LB Multipurpose force—blitz, scrape, and cover tight ends/backs. Closing speed and play violence show up on perimeter runs; a momentum-shifter on pressure packages.
Georgia : Gunner Stockton, QB Calm, rhythmic passer who marries play-action with intermediate accuracy. Mobile enough to extend; strong command of protections and progression timing in 3rd-and-medium.
Georgia : CJ Allen, LB Instinctive MIKE with downhill temperament and clean angles. Efficient finisher who limits yards after contact; communicates fronts and adjustments against tempo.
Sportsvival Prediction----- Ole Miss has been a great story so far in 2025, but Sportsvival believes they fall back to earth this Saturday.
Georgia- 30 Ole Miss- 13
#17 (5-1) USC at #18 (4-2) Notre Dame
USC’s explosive perimeter talent meets Notre Dame’s balanced, physical identity. Expect third-down discipline, red-zone execution, and field-position swings off special teams to loom large.
Players to watch
USC : Makai Lemon, WR Polished route runner with snap at the top and strong hands through contact. Works all three levels—screens for easy yards, deep overs for explosives; a quarterback-friendly target.
USC : Bishop Fitzgerald, S Savvy back-end communicator with range and trigger. Fits the run from depth and closes windows on posts/digs; opportunistic when QBs hold the ball versus pressure.
Notre Dame : Jeremiyah Love, RB Glider with vision, patience, and burst. Presses doubles, slips arm tackles, and catches cleanly out of the backfield; a drive-starter who turns modest creases into first downs.
Notre Dame : Leonard Moore, CB Long, composed corner with mirror skills and ball tracking. Comfortable in press and off; limits verticals and contests in-breakers without grabbing. Coming off a high ankle sprain.
Sportsvival Prediction----- Both teams have been playing great football as of late. We love the way USC has been explosive on both sides of the ball and believe they will have more splash plays which will lead to a Trojan victory.
USC 37 Notre Dame 31
(photo courtesy of NY Times)