Dave Cokin’s College Football Week 8 Betting Notes
College Football Week 8 Betting Preview
WagerTalk handicapper Dave Cokin offers analysis on games that just missed his College Football Week 8 betting card. Each week on Twitter, Dave shares the games that fell just outside his comfort zone. Here, he expands upon those games with reasons why he was drawn in a particular direction, and why ultimately he decided to pass.
Following a 4-1 week on the college football gridiron, Dave Cokin has his highest-volume week of the season with EIGHT selections on the College Football Week 8 card. Stay on top of the latest College Football updates direct from Las Vegas!
College Football Week 8 Betting Leans
Again, just to reiterate: As of Wednesday evening, these are games that I have not bet. I am simply sharing some of my notes that may, perhaps, assist in your handicapping as you break down the College Football Week 8 card.
Louisiana -18 at Arkansas State – My projections have this game slightly lower as I made it ULL by 16. That kept the Cajuns off my card, but it’s starting to look as though Arkansas State has waved the white flag on the season.
Memphis -1 at UCF – The Tigers own the stat edge in this matchup and UCF’s season went south with the Gabriel injury. But this game opened UCF -3 and any value has subsequently been lost.
Arizona +18 vs Washington – I just can’t muster the courage to bet on the Wildcats. Washington is a major flop and the Huskies might be at the point where they simply start losing interest. Washington is not a team that I would chance laying large lumber with.
Army +3 vs Wake Forest – The Cadets match up well with Wake Forest and an Army win would be no surprise. The holdup for me is the scheduling with Army coming off a physical duel at Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons have some extra prep time to defend the option. Ultimately, I had to stay away.
UCLA -2 vs Oregon – I was on the Bruins last week and considered backing them again here. But the oddsmakers have caught up and there’s no longer Bruins value to be had.
Oklahoma State +7 at Iowa State – This is a proving ground game for the Cowboys, who are unbeaten but have not made believers out of the masses. I think this one could be highly competitive, but a couple of variables are keeping me on the sidelines.
UTSA -6.5 at Louisiana Tech – The Roadrunners’ dream season is still going strong and Louisiana Tech seems to be losing interest. I came pretty close to adding this one, but ultimately passed as I was hoping to lay just a little less.
Fresno State -3 vs Nevada – I have gone back-and-forth on this one all week. This is a fun matchup between Strong and Haener, and it’s a very big game for both Mountain West entries. I am passing for now, but my lean is to the small home favorite.
Here’s this week’s college football free play vid. pic.twitter.com/m6vExhAUxp
— Dave Cokin (@davecokin) October 19, 2021
College Football Week 8 Injury Notes from The GoldSheet
- Arizona – QB Gunner Cruz is out for the remainder of the year after being injured vs. Colorado. Leading rusher Drake Anderson was limited to one carry in that game before leaving early.
- Army – QB Christian Anderson has missed the past two games.
- Buffalo – All-conference DE Taylor Riggins and RB Kevin Marks were held out of Saturday’s game against Ohio for undisclosed reasons.
- Central Michigan – WR JaCorey Sullivan missed last week’s game against Toledo with a hand injury.
- Georgia – QB JT Daniels missed his third-straight game last week against Kentucky.
- Georgia Southern – Leading WR Khaleb Hood was knocked out of last week’s game with an arm injury.
- Hawaii – QB Chevan Cordeiro missed last week’s game against Nevada.
- Memphis – QB Seth Henigan injured his hand on a throw last week and didn’t return.
- Miami (Fla) – Top RB Cam’Ron Harris suffered a season-ending knee injury.
- Miami (Oh) – QB Brett Gabbert has missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury.
- Ole Miss – Heisman candidate QB Matt Corral is questionable this week, along with WR Braylon Sanders who suffered a leg injury.
- Mississippi State – QB Will Rogers injured his shoulder against Alabama and is questionable for Vanderbilt Saturday.
- Northwestern – WR Bryce Kirtz and backup TE Bryce Kritz were among 18 Wildcats who were held out against Rutgers for undisclosed reasons.
- Notre Dame – QB Jack Coan remains the starter but will be in a job-share situation with frosh Tyler Buchner.
- Penn State – QB Sean Clifford, knocked out Oct. 9 against Iowa, is questionable to face Illinois this week.
- South Carolina – QB Luke Doty is not expected to play this week against Texas A&M after suffering a foot injury against Vandy.
- Tennessee – QB Hendon Hooker, the team’s second-leading rusher as well as having completed 69-percent of his passes) suffered a leg injury last week against Ole Miss.
College Football Daily
Can CJ Stroud and the Buckeyes continue their climb back up the rankings this week at Indiana? Join Joe Raineri, Dave Cokin and Tony Mejia for College Football Daily as we preview the marquee College Football Week 8 matchups, including Colorado State vs Utah State; Indiana vs Ohio State; and Virginia vs Georgia Tech.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the College Football Week 8 moneylines, point spreads, first half lines, betting percentages and so much more from your desktop or phone.
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