South Carolina is set to host Tennessee this Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jason Clark/Getty Images.

Last week was the best week our betting season has had in a few weeks, going 3-1. Our only bet that didn’t hit last week was, unfortunately, the bet of the week, Missouri-Ole Miss over. I don’t think the Mizzou offense even got off the bus for that one. Alabama-Tennessee under hit, albeit not in the way I expected, but a cash is a cash nonetheless. UCLA’s defense completely shut down the Wisconsin offense for an easy cover, and BYU didn’t just cover, but won outright. A good week moves us to 17-12 on the year, and let’s move that to 21-12 with my best bets of Week 8.

Bet of the Week:

South Carolina -2.5

Every week in the SEC, it feels like the same story on repeat: a big upset followed by a loss, which turns into another big upset. I think this trend continues this week, with the Vols coming to Williams-Brice Stadium to face South Carolina. Regardless of the win against Alabama last week, Tennessee still doesn’t majorly move me as a team. Another elite defense followed by a bad offense. The Vols are also coming off a huge home upset win against their biggest rival and face a rested South Carolina team coming off a bye. Without Neyland at their backs, the Vols will falter against the Gamecocks and lose a low-scoring game. Shane Beamer will always find a way to keep his job, and don’t forget what month it is: Cocktober.

Quick Hitters:

UCF +7

BYU just got one of the biggest wins in program history on the last play of the game against a big rival. Does this feel familiar yet? UCF isn’t a pushover of a team, and I’m still not fully sold on BYU as a national championship contender. The Cougars’ offense isn’t an elite unit, and I’ll always gravitate toward a home underdog facing a team coming off an emotional road win. We saw Georgia lose at home to Auburn after an emotional win. What’s stopping BYU from doing the same? Give me the Golden Knights to keep this one close and cover +7.

Kentucky -10.5

Vanderbilt is really bad at football. The one SEC game in which they were favored at home, against a rough-looking Arkansas team, and they lost by 10. Kentucky is a really good football team led by a great coaching staff. If Vandy lost to Arkansas at home by 10, how are they supposed to keep it close with Kentucky on the road? Gimme the Wildcats in a dominating victory.

Northwestern -16.5

Speaking of dominating victories, another set of Wildcats are big favorites against a not-very-good opponent. Rutgers just beat a really bad Maryland team, but this doesn’t move me at all. Northwestern might run for 500 yards against this Rutgers defense. Give me these Wildcats to cover -16.5 and keep their hunt for the playoffs alive.

Longshot:

Auburn Moneyline

Our longshot barely missed last week, with Nebraska losing the lead late in that game. This week, there will be some Tiger-on-Tiger crime, with, I believe, the Auburn Tigers coming out on top. Auburn’s offense showed some explosiveness last week, and Byrum Brown has looked quite good all season. Auburn gets this game at home, and as an Alabama fan, I know Jordan-Hare has some voodoo magic going on when the Tigers are underdogs. Give me Auburn to beat LSU outright and solidify its status as a top-25 team in college football.

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