As we roll into Week 8 of the college football season, bettors are gearing up for another exciting weekend of action. With several intriguing matchups on the slate, there are plenty of opportunities to find value and make smart plays. If you’ve had a rough start to the week, don’t worry—there’s still time to bounce back. We’ve got five key picks lined up for Friday night and Saturday that could help you turn things around. From college football to the NHL, let’s dive into the best bets for this weekend.

College Football Friday Night Picks

BYU vs. Oklahoma State: BYU -9.5

One of the best games to watch on Friday night features BYU hosting Oklahoma State. BYU has been a solid team this season, sitting at 6-0 both straight up and against the spread. Their ability to cover the spread has been impressive, and they’ve consistently won by large margins, making them a reliable pick.

Oklahoma State, on the other hand, is struggling. Under Mike Gundy, the team hasn’t found its rhythm, suffering heavy losses before their bye week. They lost to West Virginia by 24 points and to Kansas State by 22 points. This Oklahoma State team has yet to show that they can compete with stronger opponents, especially on the road.

Meanwhile, BYU has been rolling. They’ve covered the spread in their last six games and have dominated both home and away. In their last few outings, they won by 22 points against Arizona, 29 points against Kansas State, and 20 points against Wyoming. Their defense has held strong, while their offense consistently puts up big numbers.

With the game being played in Provo, Utah, BYU will have the home-field advantage. This is always a challenge for visiting teams, and it’s unlikely that Oklahoma State will be able to handle the pressure. The spread has moved from 7.5 to 9.5, and while the line is climbing, it’s still a solid play to take BYU at -9.5.

Oregon vs. Purdue: Under 60 Points

Another game to watch on Friday night is Oregon traveling to Purdue. The total for this game is set at 60, but historical trends suggest the under is a smart bet. College football totals set at 60 or higher have gone under 83 times and over 44 times this season—a trend that has been the best start for an under-run in over 20 years.

Oregon is coming off a huge win at home, which might set them up for a bit of a letdown game. Traveling from the West Coast to the Central Time Zone often doesn’t bode well for teams, especially when facing a weaker opponent. Purdue isn’t the strongest team, but their defense has been decent, and they will likely put up a fight.

Oregon has hit the under in several games this season, and the total of 60 feels high given the circumstances. Purdue’s offense has struggled, scoring only 10 points in their last home game against Nebraska. Oregon’s defense should be able to hold them in check, and while Oregon may score some points, they likely won’t run up the score in this spot. Expect a slower-paced game with fewer points overall, making the under 60 a smart bet.

NHL Pick for Friday Night

Pittsburgh Penguins Team Total Over 2.5 Goals

If you’re looking for some action outside of college football, the NHL has a solid game worth betting on Friday night. The Pittsburgh Penguins are playing the Carolina Hurricanes, and betting on Pittsburgh’s team total to go over 2.5 goals looks like a solid play.

The Penguins have been scoring consistently, putting up six goals in three of their last five games. While there’s always the chance that Carolina’s defense could step up, Pittsburgh has been on a roll offensively, and they’re likely to continue that trend.

The juice on this bet is heavy, sitting at -150, but it’s worth laying the extra juice in this spot. Pittsburgh’s offense has shown up consistently, and they’ll likely get at least three goals at home against Carolina. Take the team total over 2.5 goals for the Penguins and ride the momentum of their scoring streak.

Saturday College Football Picks

Maryland vs. USC: Maryland +7.5

Moving on to Saturday’s slate, one of the more interesting games features Maryland hosting USC. The Trojans have had a rough time playing in the Eastern and Central time zones, going 0-10 straight up and 1-9 against the spread in these situations since 2011. This trend is hard to ignore, especially when USC has shown vulnerability on the road.

USC has been dealing with some tough losses recently, including a home defeat to Penn State. While Maryland hasn’t been perfect either, they will be up for this game. Hosting a powerhouse like USC doesn’t happen often, and the Terrapins will want to show up strong in front of their home crowd. Maryland might not have a lot to play for in terms of the postseason, but this game will still get plenty of attention, and the team will be motivated.

The spread is currently at +7.5 for Maryland, which gives them enough of a cushion to make this a solid bet. USC has struggled when traveling east, and Maryland could take advantage of this trend. Look for Maryland to keep this game close and cover the spread at +7.5.

Michigan vs. Illinois: Michigan -4

Another Saturday game worth betting on is Michigan on the road against Illinois. Michigan has been inconsistent this season, especially against the spread, going 1-5 ATS. However, this game sets up well for them to get back on track.

Illinois has had some success this season, going 4-1-1 ATS, but they’ve also shown weaknesses. In their last game, they barely won against Purdue, a team they should have handled more easily. Illinois wants to run the ball, but Michigan’s defense should be able to stop the run and force Illinois to become one-dimensional.

The line for this game has moved up from three to four points, and it’s still a solid bet to take Michigan at -4. The Wolverines have more to play for, with bigger games coming up later in the season. Illinois doesn’t have the firepower to keep up, and Michigan should be able to control the game from start to finish.

Final Thoughts

Betting on college football and the NHL can be tricky, especially as sportsbooks sharpen their lines later in the season. It’s important to limit your number of bets and focus on finding value in the games you do play. For this weekend, we’ve got five strong picks to consider:

1. BYU -9.5 vs. Oklahoma State

2. Oregon vs. Purdue under 60 points

3. Pittsburgh Penguins team total over 2.5 goals

4. Maryland +7.5 vs. USC

5. Michigan -4 vs. Illinois

These picks offer a mix of solid trends, situational analysis, and value. Whether you’re looking to bounce back after a tough week or continue building on a successful start, these bets can help you navigate through Week 8 with confidence. Be smart, stick to your strategy, and good luck this weekend!