College Football 2021: Top 3 under-the-radar games to watch in Week 8

1. Utah at Oregon State

Both Utah and Oregon State enter this week’s contest with identical 4-2 records. The game carries significant stakes and is Week 8’s only contest to feature both teams controlling their own destiny. If the Utes win out, they will take the Pac-12 South whereas if the Beavers run the table, they will be crowned Pac-12 North champions.

After early season stumbles against BYU and San Diego State, the Utes have won three games in a row and appear to have found their identity. Those three straight wins coincide with sophomore Cameron Rising taking over as the Utes’ starting quarterback. Rising has played well along with a rushing attack averaging 175 yards a game led by Tavion Thomas.

Oregon State’s had two weeks to get ready for this contest and to put their last game behind them, a close seven-point loss to Washington State. The Beavers like to pound the rock on the ground. Lead rusher B.J. Baylor averages nearly 7 yards per carry and has found the end zone nine times this season.

Utah has a pretty solid rush defense but it is not a brick wall. Oregon State should be able to get Baylor going but cannot become one-dimensional. The Beavers have a great opportunity to snap their five-game losing streak to the Utes and generate notice they will be a factor in the Pac-12 North race.