College Football 2018: Top 3 under-the-radar games of Week 8
Week after week, we have correctly identified some of the most under-the-radar games in college football. Here are the Week 8 games you should watch.
Last week, we were three of four in our identification of under-the-radar games, with one game that did not bring as much noise as it should have. The UCLA Bruins won big against Cal, and earned their first win of the season. Nebraska came quite close to their first win as well, but lost in overtime. And Auburn, well, all I will say is, “saw that coming”.
The game that did not receive the attention it should have, was Houston versus East Carolina. So we will try again this week, but with a twist.
3. Houston at Navy
Last week, we predicted that the Houston Cougars would dominate against East Carolina and break into the Top 25. Well the beating East Carolina badly part happened, but Houston remained outside of the Top 25. How can college football’s third-best offense, with a 5-1 record, and the best player in the entire nation not be in the Top 25? I don’t know either.
Houston in averaging 48.7 points per game. Additionally, their only loss came at Texas Tech, against a Red Raiders team that has proven itself against many other quality opponents. Lastly, the Cougars’ defense is led by Ed Oliver, who is agreed to be the best player in college football by the vast majority of people. Oliver is likely to be the number one draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Lastly, Houston has a pretty clear path to the AAC Championship game. The only ranked opponent left on their schedule is a home game against No. 21 USF. Should they will all of their games, the will face, likely, No. 10 UCF in the championship game with a record of 11-1. A win against UCF would make them 12-1 with a conference title, putting them at least in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
But here’s the twist, Houston plays Navy this week, in Annapolis, Maryland. Navy is not nearly as good this year as they have been in previous years. However, the Midshipmen are known to play extremely well at home. Last time these two teams faced off in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Houston was ranked No. 6 in the nation and Navy beat them 46-40.
Navy is currently 2-4 on the season and is struggling to a quarterback, which is essential for their triple-option offense. Houston should win this game, but don’t be surprised if it’s a close one.