Despite there being no matchups between top-25 teams this week, the most accurate and correct sports staff takes no breaks! We are back again with completely factual predictions of how week 8 will shake out.
Memphis @ UCF
James Brisentine: Memphis 35 UCF 31
Memphis meets UCF when they are hampered by injuries and starting a true freshman, while Memphis is looking to maintain momentum from their Thursday night victory. Expect big plays and fireworks with Memphis claiming a hard-fought victory in Orlando for the first time ever.
Brian Bada: Memphis 31 UCF 24
The Tigers finally snapped their losing streak last week against Navy. This will be a tough game but they find a way to win late in the fourth quarter.
Johnny Hill: Memphis 34 UCF 24
The Tigers are coming off a great win against Navy, but as of right now freshman starting quarterback Seth Henigan is questionable to play on Friday. Even if he doesn’t play, the Tigers have backup quarterback Peter Parish, a former LSU commit and one of the top dual threat prospects in the 2019 class. They also still have wide receiver Calvin Austin III and tight end Sean Dykes. It will be a tough challenge in the bounce house, but those two will be enough to help them pull through.
Zach Thompson: Memphis 31 UCF 21
It feels weird picking Memphis to do something it has never done before and actually win in Orlando, but that is where we are. UCF has struggled since losing Dillon Gabriel to injury, but they certainly are still capable. Right now, however, I think Memphis just has too much firepower on offense for the Knights to keep up. There is a first time for everything, right?
LSU @ #12 Ole Miss
James Brisentine: Ole Miss 38 LSU 24
Ole Miss is riding high after their emotional win last Saturday night in Knoxville. Their high-powered offense meets an LSU team that looks to play through emotion after it was announced Ed Orgeron would not be back next year. While the Tigers will surely want to win one for Coach O, the Rebels will be too much for them to handle in Oxford.
Brian Bada: Ole Miss 35 LSU 28
Ole Miss is playing some great football right now. That will continue at home.
Johnny Hill: Ole Miss 37 LSU 20
The Lane Train has a tough challenge on its hands this week facing Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers. Even though O will not be back next year, he has a bright spot with running back Tyrion Davis. Davis is coming off a record-breaking game against Florida where he rushed for 287 yards in the upset win. Despite featuring Davis, he alone won’t be enough to stop Matt Corral and the Ole Miss offense which averages 43.7 points a game. The Rebels win it at home.
Zach Thompson: Ole Miss 38 LSU 27
LSU pulled off the upset win last week over Florida in a thriller. It will not go as smoothly for them in Oxford on Saturday. The Rebels, coming off an emotional win up in Knoxville last week, will be happy to be home once again and out of the line of fire of beer cans and golf balls. The Rebels cruise here and the Lane Train keeps on rolling.
Tennessee @ #4 Alabama
James Brisentine: Alabama 41 Tennessee 7
Oh Tennessee, there won’t be any mustard bottles or golf balls to throw for this one. If they throw them, it’ll be in the first quarter. The Tide rolls in this one.
Brian Bada: Alabama 38 Tennessee 21
Josh Heupel has done a solid job so far as the head coach of the Vols. However, Bama is on another level and they roll.
Johnny Hill: Alabama 41 Tennessee 17
The Vols are heading down to Tuscaloosa to face Saint Nick. It will not be too jolly, however. They have quite the challenge on their hands facing Heisman candidate Bryce Young and that elite Alabama offense. They have too much fire power on offense and defense. Tennessee is on the right track, but they are not at this level yet.
Zach Thompson: Alabama 41 Tennessee 21
Remember when this rivalry mattered? The last time Tennessee beat Alabama, George Bush was in his second term and Tom Brady had only won three SuperBowls. The Vols seem to be on the right track with Josh Heupel, but they still have a long way to go before they are ready to seriously compete with the Tide.
ECU @ Houston
James Brisentine: Houston 27 ECU 24
Two budding teams look to make statement wins in the AAC. Houston wants to keep pace with SMU for contention in the AAC West, and that’ll be their motivation to win.
Brian Bada: Houston 35 ECU 17
Houston is playing some great football right now. They win easily at home.
Johnny Hill: Houston 37 ECU 14
Simply put, Eastern Carolina is one of the weaker teams in the AAC. Meanwhile, Houston is one of the best. The Cougars are on a tear right now and they will continue their momentum against the Pirates. This one will not be close.
Zach Thompson: Houston 35 ECU 24
ECU still has my vote as the friskiest team in the AAC. They can play close with most teams, but not necessarily beat them. They will keep it closer than some expect here, but the Cougars are rolling in year two under Dana Holgorson right now. They win at home and keep pace with SMU in the West Division race.
Junior Jaylon Allen warms up prior to the start of the UTSA game. The Tigers are looking to get back on track after dropping their first two conference games.
