Saturday was a day of redemption for the Tennessee Volunteers, as they edged the Alabama Crimson Tide, 52-49. It had been 15 years since Tennessee beat the Tide. During that time, other SEC teams have won 11 national championships (including six just for the Tide). Lane Kiffin came to town to coach the team, only to bolt. Greg Schiano was even going to coach the team, before the uproar from the fan base caused that to end just three days later. Tennessee ran out to a 28-10 lead, only to see Alabama roar back to take a 35-34 lead (with the help of a very questionable pass interference call, one of several interventions by the officials that seemed to help the Alabama cause). Jalin Hyatt caught three touchdown passes in the second half, and Hendon Hooker brought the Volunteers within field goal range with two seconds left in regulation, making the game-winning field goal a sort of explosion that led to the Tennessee goal posts being dumped in a nearby river. Can we expect anything like that in Week 8? Maybe not, but we do have some terrific sports betting picks for you.
NCAA News: Sure Winners for Week 8
→ Saturday, October 22
#14 Syracuse Orange (+12.5) at #5 Clemson Tigers
(12:00 pm ET, ABC)
Syracuse (6-0, 3-0 ACC) has been a real find this year, especially after they knocked off North Carolina State last week, 24-9. Garrett Shrader has thrown for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just one interception. The offense is no longer gaining yards at a nationally ranked clip, but they are playing more efficient ball. They head to Death Valley to take on Clemson (7-0, 5-0 ACC). The Tigers went to Tallahassee and beat Florida State, 34-28, which raises some questions about the potency of their defense. D.J. Uiagalelei has bounced back from a horrendous 2021 to post a 14:2 TD:INT ratio, but you have to wonder if Clemson can beat Syracuse by two touchdowns, even at home. Orange to cover.
#21 Cincinnati Bearcats (-3) at SMU Mustangs
(12:00 pm ET, ESPN2)
Cincinnati (5-1, 2-0 AAC) struggled with lowly South Florida two weeks ago, winning, 28-24. Charles McClelland set a career best with 179 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati now has an 18-game winning streak against AAC foes. They will take on SMU (3-3, 1-1 AAC) who beat Navy on Friday in front of a national audience, 40-34. The Mustangs were down 14-13 shortly after halftime but then scored 20 unanswered points and led, 40-20, before Navy decided to scrap the option and start passing the ball down the field. For SMU, Tanner Mordecai threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns (each for at least 20 yards), and he ran for 74 yards and a touchdown. The problems for SMU come on defense; even under new head coach Rhett Lashlee, the simple failure to play defense will keep the Mustangs from covering. Bearcats to win and cover.
#20 Texas Longhorns (-4.5) at #11 Oklahoma State Cowboys
(3:30 pm ET, ABC)
The road team has won the last two matchups in this series, and the last five meetings have been one-score affairs. Texas looks terrific with Quinn Ewers on offense, but they still barely beat Iowa State at home last week, 24-21. Ewers had three touchdown passes, including the game-winner inside the five-minute mark. Bijan Robinson ran for 135 yards, breaking the 100-yard mark for the fifth straight game. Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) folded against TCU last week, giving up a lead to fall in double overtime. Spencer Sanders threw for 245 yards and a score while running for 68 yards on 11 carries and finding the end zone twice. However, Oklahoma State has covered in five straight games as an underdog, winning straight up three times, since last season. Cowboys to cover.
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