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This week we’ve heard the common refrain “this may be Alabama’s (or Saban’s) best team ever.” That remains to be seen (although, results-wise, it certainly could be the case,) but one group of influence-makers are definitely on board with the notion: The sportsbooks.
Below are the college football Week 8 opening odds from BookMaker.eu. I particularly like: Arkansas as an inexplicable 8-point underdog on the Plains versus Auburn; Nebraska huge against a rudderless Purdue team; Ole Miss as a four-point underdog versus LSU; and Navy as a ‘dog at home hosting Memphis.
As for Alabama? While I believe in my heart that Alabama can be (and probably is) 17-21 points better than Texas A&M, I’m not willing to put my wallet where my mouth is.
Top 25
Texas A&M at Alabama (-16.5)
Ohio State (-18.5) at Penn State
Illinois at Michigan (OFF)
Oregon State at Washington (-31.5)
NC State at Louisville (-16)
Purdue at Nebraska (-24.5)
Wisconsin (-3) at Iowa
Houston (-21) at SMU
TCU at West Virginia (-4.5)
BYU at Boise State (-7.5)
Oklahoma (-13.5) at Texas Tech
Arkansas at Auburn (-8)
Utah at UCLA (OFF)
Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (-21.5)
North Carolina (-10) at Virginia
Mississippi at LSU (-4)
Memphis (-1.5) at Navy
Week 8 Opening Odds
Miami at Virginia Tech (-4)
Troy (-8.5) at South Alabama
BYU at Boise State (-7.5)
South Florida (-7) at Temple
Oregon at California (OFF)
San Jose State at San Diego State (-22)
North Texas at Army (-16.5)
Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (-21.5)
Syracuse at Boston College (-4)
Rutgers at Minnesota (OFF)
East Carolina at Cincinnati (OFF)
TCU at West Virginia (-4.5)
Indiana at Northwestern (-4.5)
Purdue at Nebraska (-24.5)
Oklahoma State (-25) at Kansas
Wisconsin (-3) at Iowa
North Carolina (-10) at Virginia
NC State at Louisville (-16)
Central Michigan at Toledo (-10)
Akron at Ball State (-2)
Louisiana Tech (-14) at Florida International
Hawaii at Air Force (-16.5)
UL Lafayette (-6) at Texas State
Idaho at Appalachian State (-20)
Massachusetts at South Carolina (-21)
Charlotte at Marshall (-18.5)
UL Monroe at New Mexico (-12.5)
Buffalo at Northern Illinois (-19.5)
Central Florida (-2) at Connecticut
Ohio (-3) at Kent State
Washington State (-7) at Arizona State
Oklahoma (-13.5) at Texas Tech
Illinois at Michigan (OFF)
Houston (-21) at SMU
Memphis (-1.5) at Navy
Wyoming (-3.5) at Nevada
Tulane at Tulsa (-11.5)
Oregon State at Washington (-31.5)
Miami Ohio at Bowling Green (-4)
Mississippi State (-3.5) at Kentucky
UTEP at Texas San Antonio (-9.5)
Old Dominion at Western Kentucky (-14)
Texas at Kansas State (-2.5)
Colorado at Stanford (-3.5)
Michigan State at Maryland (OFF)
Middle Tennessee State at Missouri (-6)
Georgia Southern (-14) at New Mexico State
Utah at UCLA (OFF)
Mississippi at LSU (-4)
Arkansas at Auburn (-8)
Ohio State (-18.5) at Penn State
Texas A&M at Alabama (-16.5)
Colorado State at UNLV (-2)
Fresno State at Utah State (-14)