Week 8 of college football has more conference play all day long. Saturday, October 24, doesn’t have the highly touted heavyweight fights, but several Power Four schools are gearing up for tough road tests, including #6 Indiana (-7.5) vs. Michigan.
Both of today’s top-25 matchups are on the night slate, including #7 OIe Miss vs. Texas (7:30 p.m. ET) and #14 Houston vs. #10 Utah (10:15 p.m. ET). That’s not at all either, with eight Power Four matchups scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET or later.
We’ll focus on night games for our best college football predictions today, featuring winner payouts, spreads, and over/unders on PrizePicks.
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Best College Football Predictions Today: Spreads, Schedule for Saturday, October 24
Since September 26’s 52-28 loss vs. #20 Florida, #7 Ole Miss has answered the call by winning back-to-back games — including last week’s 31-3 win as 3.5-point favorites vs. #22 Missouri. Meanwhile, #19 Texas has lost two straight as 7.5- and 13.5-point favorites vs. Oklahoma and Florida.
Alongside Ole Miss vs. Texas at 7:30 p.m. ET, Vanderbilt vs. #12 Kentucky kicks off simultaneously. After going 3-0 in non-conference play, the Commodores have lost four games in the SEC. The Wildcats are off to a dream 6-1 start, including a 4-1 SEC record, under head coach Will Stein.
The Big 12 has five teams in the AP Top 25 Poll, including four squads in the top 15. The conference treats us to the matchup of the day with a 10:15 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. The #14 Houston Cougars come off four straight wins and take on the 6-0 #10 Utah Utes, who have won two of three conference games by multiple possessions.
Before we dig into our best college football predictions for today’s primetime games, check out every Power Four school in action for games scheduled at 7:00 p.m. ET or later, including how to watch each matchup and the point spread via PrizePicks.
Make your plans accordingly and clear your schedule for these college football games tonight. Let’s break down each contest for our best CFB predictions on Saturday, October 24.
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#7 Ole Miss vs. #19 Texas Prediction on Spread for CFB Week 8
Time, How to Watch: 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
The sky is falling in Austin. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is firmly on the hot seat, and he said, “Everything is going to be evaluated,” after last week’s 27-24 loss as 13.5-point favorites vs. Florida.
Despite the Longhorns even giving some first-team reps to backup QB KJ Lacey Jr. this week, Texas is still favored by 3.5 points for Saturday night. UT is 1-5 against the spread (ATS) this season, failing to cover all three SEC games.
Following a 32-24 win as 2.5-point underdogs vs. LSU, Ole Miss also lost to Florida 52-28 as 4.5-point underdogs. The difference? The Rebels have improved by winning their last two games by an average margin of +31.5 points per game.
Texas’ offense is loaded with talent, led by former 5-star recruit QB Arch Manning, potential first-round NFL picks in WR Cam Coleman and OT Trevor Goosby. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, the Longhorns have five offensive players among the top 65 prospects on the 2027 Consensus Big Board.
Yet, this unit has managed an abysmal 5.2 yards per play (35th percentile) and -0.01 EPA per play (28th percentile). Texas’ 1.3 turnovers per game (46th percentile) — including Manning’s 11 turnover-worthy plays in six games via Pro Football Focus — is a clear worry with Ole Miss forcing 1.2 turnovers per game (54th percentile).
The Rebs’ have surrendered a mediocre 43.5% success rate on defense (53rd percentile), per Game on Paper, but they just held Missouri to 3 points and 1.5 yards per carry last week. Ole Miss’ 23.5% havoc rate also leads college football, via Fourth and Short, further aiding its chances of forcing turnovers.
On the other side of the ball, we’re getting a good-on-good matchup. The Rebs sport 0.21 adjusted EPA per play on offense (96th percentile), and Texas’ defense allows -0.28 adjusted EPA per play (98th percentile).
However, the Longhorns will be without their best defender, EDGE Colin Simmons — who sports 10 sacks and 26 pressures in six games.
The injury report has swung in Ole Miss’ favor, with C Brycen Sanders upgraded to probable on Friday, though OT Terez Davis remains questionable. Meanwhile, Texas RB Hollywood Smothers is doubtful, and Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy is off the injury report.
The Rebels could have an advantage in the run game on both sides of the ball, and if they are winning the turnover battle, too, Texas is in trouble.
Most importantly, Texas’ elite defense may take a step back without perhaps college football’s best defensive player, Colin Simmons. That should give Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss time in the pocket, and he’s shredded quality defenses, including 363 passing yards vs. LSU (seventh in pass success rate allowed).
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Vanderbilt vs. #12 Kentucky Prediction on Spread for CFB Week 8
Time, How to Watch: 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network
If it’s producing results, why stop? We’ve backed Kentucky weekly, and it comes with good reason, including three straight outright wins as underdogs.
This team is eerily similar to Indiana in the 2024-25 season, which was head coach Curt Cignetti’s first season. That Hoosiers team was 9-4 ATS.
No, I’m not saying the Wildcats are going to win a national championship in head coach Will Stein’s second season. Instead, this is about a bottom-feeding program suddenly turning around, and it takes a long time to build trust for setting point spreads.
If Kentucky could cover as 6.5-point underdogs on the road vs. Oklahoma and 9.5-point dogs vs. LSU two weeks ago, why not keep it going against one of the SEC’s worst teams in Vanderbilt? In fact, the Commodores are 66th nationally in adjusted EPA per play (out of 138 FBS teams), and the Cats are 20th nationally in the metric.
Furthermore, UK’s run game is a strength with 4.7 yards per carry (67th percentile) and a 50.8% rush success rate (93rd percentile). Wildcats RB CJ Baxter is off the injury report, and that helps ease the loss of WR Nic Anderson on Saturday. According to PrizePicks, Baxter is projected for 76.5 rush yards vs. Vandy.
Vanderbilt allows 4.4 yards per carry (41st percentile) with a low 16.2% stuff rate (24th percentile). Kentucky’s offensive line is establishing itself as one of the SEC’s best, producing 3.2 line yards per rushing attempt (70th percentile) — which measures an O-line’s ability to generate push in the run game.
Backed by a home crowd night, Kentucky could play to its strength. That’s further emphasized by Vandy’s 2.0 turnovers per game (ninth percentile), while the Cats force 2.5 turnovers per contest (98th percentile).
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#14 Houston vs. #10 Utah Prediction on Spread for CFB Week 8
Time, How to Watch: 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
According to Game on Paper, these teams are nearly dead even, with Houston 17th in adjusted EPA per play and Utah is 15th.
Of the two, the Utes have been more balanced by sitting 14th on offense and 48th on defense for adjusted EPA per play. The Cougars are firmly leaning on an explosive offense that tops college football in adjusted EPA per play, while the defense lags at 85th out of 138 FBS schools. This is the theme of tonight.
The Big 12 injury report lists Houston LB Jaden Yates and DT De’Marion Thomas as out for Saturday night. However, the unit is getting a boost with CB Jalen Mayo set to return after missing last week’s 35-32 win over Oklahoma State.
The Cougs could certainly use one of their best corners with the pass D allowing 8.0 yards per passing attempt (28th percentile). That likely won’t completely patch a defense 115th in EPA per passing attempt allowed. Plus, the run defense is in the 62nd percentile for EPA per rushing attempt allowed, and replacing a 340-pound nose tackle is easier said than done.
Utah is capable of running it right at Houston’s void in the middle of the defensive line, proven by the Utes’ 5.0 yards per carry (83rd percentile). RB Wayshawn Parker is averaging 99.5 rushing yards per game and 6.7 YPC, while QB Devon Dampier adds a wrinkle with his 198 rushing yards.
Dampier holds 234.5 pass yards and 44.5 rush yards for his PrizePicks projections on Saturday night.
Adding to Houston’s defensive troubles, the unit allows 6.0 yards per play (28th percentile) and a 1.64 pass explosiveness rate (26th percentile). The Utes can also air it out thanks to Dampier’s 8.2 yards per passing attempt, spearheading a 50.8% pass success rate (88th percentile).
The Cougars likely boast the best offense of this matchup with lofty success rates: 52.3% (97th percentile), 55.7% rush (98th percentile), and 49.6% pass (89th percentile).
QB Conner Weigman racks up 253.0 passing yards per game with 20 passing TDs and 2 INTs. Alongside Weigman’s mobility, Houston’s backfield has a two-headed monster: RB Makhi Hughes (464 rushing yards) and RB Re’Shaun Sanford II (440 rushing yards).
According to PrizePicks, Weigman is projected to have 231.5 pass yards and 30.5 rush yards. He has two quality targets; WR Amare Thomas is a YAC monster with 227 receiving yards after the catch, and TE Patrick Overmyer logs 61.7 receiving yards per contest.
This offense has everything you could ask for, but Utah’s defense is miles better than Houston’s unit. Here’s a look at the success rates allowed: 36.9% (96th percentile), 36.9% pass (90th percentile), and 36.9% rush (92nd percentile).
Utah’s ability to win third downs is especially something to watch, with each unit ranking in the 92nd percentile for average distance per third down. The Utes allow just 15.0 PPG (94th percentile) with a 69.23% red zone scoring rate allowed (93rd percentile).
Houston can move the ball at will, but it has a chink in the armor with just a 80.00% red zone scoring rate (29th percentile). Third downs and red zone chances could be Utah’s bread and butter for Saturday night.
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For two top-25 matchups tonight, the higher-ranked squad in each battle could carry favorable matchups on Saturday. Trinidad Chambliss should benefit from facing a Texas defense without Colin Simmons, and Utah’s defense may be the difference in a clash of quality offenses.
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