Week eight of the College Football season is here and there are a few exciting Top 25 match-ups on offer. The PAC-12 have 2 games that will shape the Championship game in December and the Big 10 has a loaded game between two rivals.

#13 University of Utah vs #17 Arizona State University 

First up is the PAC-12 game between the #17 ranked Arizona State Sun Devils at the #13 Utah Utes. Both teams are 5-1 through 6 games but on paper, Utah seem to be a bit more settled. Since losing to USC, Utah have averaged 45 points for and 10 against, a huge win for their defense. While on the impressive Utah defense, the Utes have allowed only 52 rushing yards per game on average, which puts them second in the nation. For the Utes offense, it's the senior combo working strongly still, QB Tyler Huntly has thrown for 1393 yards with 9 TDs and 3 rushing TDs and helping out in the backfield is RB Zack Moss, who has 514 yards and 6 TD.

The Sun Devils conceded 34 points last week, the most points they have given up in a game all year. They can't afford to let Utah score that much, especially against this Utah defense. Junior RB, Eno Benjamin, has 529 yards and 7 TD via rushing and 187 yards and 2 TD via receptions, if he can't get going then the Sun Devils will hope that senior WR Brandon Aiyuk can. Aiyuk has 651 yards and 5 TDs so far this year, with a long reception of 86.

Look out for:

Utah’s Aussie punter, Ben Lennon. The former Richmond Tiger has only punted 13 times this season averaging 39 yards, but he hasn’t had much room on the field with 9 of his punts landing inside 20.

Verdict:

A huge game for both of these teams with a trip to the PAC-12 Championship game on the line. If Utah’s defense continues to turn up, then it could be a bit too hard of a task for the Sun Devils. Expect Utah to continue their strong defensive year and hold ASU to a low score, but ASU will be ready for the defensive challenge themselves. Utah in a low scoring affair.

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#25 University of Washington(5-2) vs #12 University of Oregon (5-1)

In the second must-see PAC-12 game of the week, the #12 Oregon Ducks travel over to #25 Washington Huskies for the 112^th edition of this rivalry game. The Ducks are another team with a great defense, averaging just 8.7 points against per game this season which puts them 3^rd in the nation. The Ducks held Colorado to just 3 points last week while scoring 45 themselves, so they are in good form. Senior QB Justin Herbert has a lot to do with that form, throwing for 1602 yards and 17 TDs so far this season. In a blow for the Ducks offense, senior TE Jacob Breeland is set to miss the remainder of the season after picking up a leg injury in the win against Colorado. Breeland was the team’s leading receiver with 406 yards and 6 TD. For the Huskies, they rejoined the Top 25 after a win against Arizona last week, but they could be out as quick as they came in if things don’t go right for them this week. Junior QB Jacob Eason has the second most passing yards in the PAC-12 this season with 1717 and has 13 TD to go with that too. Junior RB Salvon Ahmed is also second in the PAC-12 but for rushing yards, with 547; with 6 TD to boot. If the Huskies are any chance this week, they need to bring their A-game as anything less against this formidable Ducks team, will result in a loss.

Look out for:

Washington’s Aussie punter, Joel Whitford. The senior has had 20 punts for a 45-yard average this season, with only 7 return yards too. Pretty decent punt stats!

Verdict:

Can't look past the Ducks here. The only thing that could help them is the fact it is a massive rivalry game at home, but then again, Cal beat them at home in week 2. Anything goes in rivalry games but expect the Ducks to quack to 6-1.

#7 Pennsylvania State University vs #16 University of Michigan

The biggest Big 10 game of the week has to be the battle between the #7 Penn State Nittany Lions and the #16 Michigan Wolverines. Last time they played each other it was the Wolverines who got up at home, 42-7. But don’t expect a scoreboard like that this week as the game goes to State College, home of the Nittany Lions. Michigan are 5-1 this season, with their only loss coming against the now #6 Wisconsin. Michigan gave up 25 points against Illinois last week, the most points against in a game this year. Freshman RB Zach Charbonnet is questionable to play this week. He scored 1 TD from 116 rushing yards last week but limped off late in the game. It would be a massive loss for Michigan if their leading scorer doesn’t play.

Penn State are a team with a great defense and a great offense. Their defense has only given up 8.2 points per game this year, putting them second in the nation and their offense is scoring 42 points per game, putting them ninth in the nation. With the two sides of the ball playing complimentary football, the sky is the limit on where this team can end up. Sophomore QB Sean Clifford is second in the Big 10 in passing yards with 1560 (13 TD to go with that too). Freshman RB, Noah Cain, is doing very well for the Nittany Lions with 310 yards and 6 TD so far this season.

Look out for:

A fast-starting Wolverine outfit. But that might be all the excitement they give the fans.

Verdict:

Penn State should move to 7-0 on the season and could move into the Top 5 with a solid victory here. It might be too much of a task for Michigan to control the game against both the powerful Penn State offense and defense.

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