NCAAF betting: What we learned from CFB Week 8, with a look ahead to Week 9

Hopefully you were in the majority ...

... that backed Tennessee to cover the spread against Alabama, as we discussed last week. The Vols didn't have their best game of the season, and Nico Iamaleava was far from perfect after throwing for 194 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Yet, Dylan Sampson was able to exploit the Crimson Tide's defense with two rushing TDs, and the Vols marched to a 24-17 victory.

In addition to moving up to No. 7 in the AP poll, the Vols also advanced to 5-2-0 ATS, via Covers. After a dip at the halfway point of the season, Tennessee appears to be firing up the Jets at just the right time. The key now will not be losing momentum during their Week 9 bye.

Meanwhile, Alabama have dropped to No. 15 in the AP poll and have failed to cover in three straight games. They must get ready to host a Missouri team in Week 9 that is 6-1-0 on the season and has covered the spread in each of their last two games, via Covers. 

Jalen Milroe and company are early 13.5-point favorites at DraftKings ahead of that tango with the Tigers. Given their current form, however, you may want to wager your money elsewhere.

Speaking of SEC teams ...

... Texas met its match in Georgia on Saturday despite Quinn Ewers having an objectively better game than Carson Beck. Instead, it was Trevor Etienne owning the run game and the Bulldogs defense keeping the Longhorns off the scoreboard until the third quarter.

The win was great for Georgia's CFP title odds as they moved up to be the +360 favorite at DK, while Texas's odds lengthened to +475. Moreover, it sent them into their bye week in the win column and at No. 2 in the AP poll.

Texas was dethroned and fell to No. 5, so the heat is on for them to right the ship ahead of their own bye in Week 10. Steve Sarkisian now readies his team to face an opportunistic No. 25 Vanderbilt side that has won three straight.

The Commodores failed to cover the spread in their last outing, however, which could be why DK is favoring the Longhorns by 18.5 points.

Latest in the beef between the Heisman hopefuls

Maybe we shouldn't classify it was a beef since Ashton Jeanty said he respected Travis Hunter's fiery comments about who should win the big award this season. Nevertheless, it's going to make watching both of these players down the stretch -- and deciding which of them you may want to back if you haven't placed your Heisman bets yet.

Boise State wasn't in action last weekend because of their bye, but Jeanty is still the betting favorite at DK to win the Heisman at +220 odds. Colorado played in Week 8 but Hunter had a quiet game, which could be why is now a +2000 long shot on the odds board.

Fans should keep an eye on both players in the coming weeks as the competition becomes even more fierce. If Hunter has a bounce-back game in Week 9 against Cincinnati, he could catch up to favored Jeanty before you know it.

What to watch for in Week 9

Best to back of the undefeated teams is ...

... surprisingly, not the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. They may have a perfect record and may be coming off of a 35-0 road win against Purdue, but Dan Lanning's team is actually 3-4-0 ATS this season.

It's a similar situation for the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes, who are 4-3-0 ATS over their undefeated season after failing to cover in games that got too close for comfort. And No. 3 Penn State, with its upset win against USC to stay undefeated, heads into Week 9 2-4-0 ATS in 2024.

As it turns out, none of the remaining undefeated teams have covered the spread every time this season, although there are four that have covered in all but one: Army, Navy, No. 13 Indiana and No. 11 BYU.

The Hoosiers are early 7-point favorites to top Washington in Week 9 while the Cougars are narrow 2-point favorites going up against UCF. The Shipman are 12.5-point underdogs at BetMGM against No. 12 Notre Dame.