College Football Week 8 Bold Predictions

1. Texas A&M knocks Alabama out of playoff contention

The Crimson Tide survived a scare last week at Arkansas, and certainly won't be overlooking the Aggies since the last couple games between these teams have been decided by a touchdown or less.  Meanwhile, Texas A&M is looking to avoid a third-straight loss and regain some pride.  The teams are mirror-images of one another, as Alabama boasts a 6th-ranked defense and 48th-ranked offense, while A&M features the 6th best offense and 48th-best defense.  But the Aggies' offense sets the tone in this one in a 33 - 28 win.

2. Florida State embarrasses Notre Dame with 20+ point victory

I still think the Seminoles are going to lose one before all is said and done, but it won't be this week.  They've had this game circled from the beginning of the season and will be ready against a Notre Dame team that has been prone to turning the ball over lately.  If we examine recent history for these two teams, we see that Notre Dame has struggled mightily against top-5 opponents.  Florida State has also won the past two meetings of these schools, and holds an overall 5 - 2 advantage in the series.  The trend continues on Saturday with a big win for the Noles, 43 - 23.

3. Rutgers' Leonte Carroo has 100+ receiving yards against Ohio State

The wide receiver out of New Jersey is on target to break 1,000 receiving yards this season and is poised to have a big game against Ohio State.  If the Buckeyes have a weakness, it's the inability to limit big passing plays.  The Scarlet Knights will try to exploit this by getting Carroo open in space, and will likely have some success doing so.  However, Rutgers will not be able to move the ball consistently enough to keep up with the Ohio State offense which has looked unstoppable in three straight blowout wins.  A big day for Carroo is not enough as the Bucks roll to a 45 - 27 win.

4. Northwestern mixes up the Big Ten West race with win over Nebraska

Things are already pretty cloudy in the West Division of the Big Ten with Iowa and Minnesota atop the standings and Northwestern, Nebraska, and Wisconsin close behind.  While a loss wouldn't eliminate the Cornhuskers as a B1G title contender, it would make it an uphill battle for a team that was picked by many to represent the West in Indy.  Since joining the conference, games against Northwestern have been extremely close, and this one figures to be as well.  Last year the Cornhuskers shocked the Wildcats with a last-second Hail Mary.  This year, Fitzgerald's squad repays the favor with their own fourth-quarter comeback win, 31 - 30.

5. New evidence comes to light that shows Ben Affleck is not Batman

On Thursday, movie star Ben Affleck dropped a bombshell by revealing that he was Batman during a speech to the Michigan State Spartans.  I, however, remain skeptical.  First, I see no motivation for Affleck to out himself as the Caped Crusader.  Keeping your true identity a secret is rule #1 among superheroes and the real Batman would know this.  Secondly, while Affleck certainly has the money to pay for the Batmobile and all the gadgets, he does not have the attitude to pull it off.  Sorry, but something about that silly smirk of his just doesn't seem like it could strike fear into the heart of the criminals of Gotham.

The speech, on the other hand, will prove effective, motivating the Spartans to beat Indiana on Saturday.  They will have laser-sharp focus as they take on the Hoosiers, no longer distracted by that nagging question: "Who is Batman?"  MSU wins, 48 - 20.