Phil’s Friday Forecast Follow-Up – Week 8’s Wins and Losses

Nebraska wins over Minnesota – No, Minnesota 24, Nebraska 6

I thought the Huskers would finally break their curse at the hands of Minnesota. The Gophers are now 9-5 against Nebraska since joining the Big Ten and have now beaten the Huskers six straight times. Drake Lindsey is a better quarterback than people give him credit for, and they’re rowing the boat in Minneapolis.

Notre Dame wins over USC – Yes, Notre Dame 34, USC 24

I was pretty on the ball here by predicting both offenses would score well, but it would be the Notre Dame defense that would make more stops and decide the game. Marcus Freeman has shown that he and the Irish can take some early lumps (in games and in seasons), bounce back, and finish at an elite level that Notre Dame has missed for a while.

Virginia wins over Washington State – Yes, Virginia 22, Washington State 20

Washington State played well, kept it close, and for the second straight week nearly upset a ranked team on the road. Virginia survived this test, but it’s hard to gauge because, at the moment, it looks like they’ve had an easier schedule.  

Oregon wins over Rutgers – Yes, Oregon 56, Rutgers 10

Dante Moore had a big game, and the Ducks won big over Rutgers. Moore’s four touchdown passes led to Oregon’s offensive eruption. The Ducks scored 56 in the first three quarters before taking their foot off the gas in the fourth.

Texas Tech wins over Arizona State – No, Arizona State 26, Texas Tech 22

Sam Leavitt just made more plays down the stretch than Texas Tech’s backup Will Hammond did. The Red Raiders couldn’t get their running game going against ASU the way they did against Kansas, and Arizona State finds themselves right back in the Big 12 race.

Georgia wins over Ole Miss – Yes, Georgia 43, Ole Miss 35

Another big game against a team not named Bama and another win for the Dawgs. I was pretty sure they were going to get payback on Ole Miss for that loss late last year. It was a close run thing, but Georgia just keeps on winning all of their not-Bama games.

Baylor wins over TCU – No, TCU 42, Baylor 36

It was a bit of a Texas Big 12 shootout (despite the weather), but it was TCU who prevailed and n Baylor. Sawyer Robertson had over 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns but had three picks that cost them the game, and likely cost him his Heisman hopes too. TCU’s Josh Hoover had three touchdown passes and no interceptions as TCU moves to 5-2.

Houston wins over Arizona – Yes, Houston 31, Arizona 28

Willie Fritz and Houston prove, again, that they are better than folks think. They’re 6-1 and should be ranked. Their lone loss was to Big 12 leader Texas Tech. They’ll follow in Tech’s footsteps next week to try and win on the field of the defending Big 12 Champions, Arizona State.

Washington wins over michigan – No, michigan 24, Washington 7

I was correct when I said Demond Williams would be the deciding factor of the game, I just was mistaken that it would be in Washington’s favor. Williams threw three interceptions and was held to -19 rushing yards. Jonah Coleman had 50 yards on 21 carries, and the Huskies’ offense couldn’t get a thing going in this game.

Georgia Tech wins over Duke – Yes, Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18

It’s not tough to predict that Haynes King will have a good game as a dual threat. King had over 200 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing in a game that was very close deep into the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech’s toughness and ability to just keep swinging and rely on their star was how they got this one done.

Vanderbilt wins over LSU – Yes, Vanderbilt 31, LSU 24

LSU didn’t seem to be looking past Vandy, but the Commodores were ready to rock from the word ‘go.’ Diego Pavia led Vanderbilt, as expected, and did it in the air and on the ground, as expected. Pavia had 160 yards and a touchdown passing and had 86 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Vanderbilt is having a historic run with Diego Pavia.

UNLV over Boise State – No, Boise State 56, UNLV 31

I shouldn’t have changed my mind at the last minute and should’ve stayed with Boise State. They once again proved why they have been the class of the Mountain West for years. Beating a previously unbeaten by 25 is impressive, even if you have their number the way Boise State does UNLV.

Alabama wins over Tennessee – Yes, Alabama 37, Tennessee 20

Tennessee couldn’t disrupt Ty Simpson. Every time the Vols would make some plays of offense and position themselves to make a run, Alabama would answer with a touchdown. Tennessee’s troubles in Tuscaloosa will stretch on for another year.

BYU wins over Utah – Yes, BYU 24, Utah 21

The Cougars’ rushing attack was the main point of their offense with Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin. The crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium was wild and helped BYU overwhelm Utah. BYU contained Devon Dampier, and BYU won just in the way they were expected to.

Ohio State wins over Wisconsin – Yes, Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 0

It was the layup it should have been for the Buckeyes. Their defense is still insanely good and the best scoring defense in the nation. Their offense still hasn’t ironed out the kinks, and can seem to stall or struggle to shift gears. Yet they still have two Heisman candidates in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith . It’ll be on Ryan Day and his staff to get the offense humming when the biggest games arrive.

Week 8 Record: 10-6

2025 Record: 86-58 (Overall: 188-101)

All the Rankings are from Week 7 of the Power Rankings, see where these teams are after these games in the Week 8 Power Rankings!