Joel Klatt Week 8 picks arrive after a turbulent Week 7 that produced a reshuffled top 25 and a new No. 1. The Week 8 slate features Ole Miss at Texas, a top-15 clash in Salt Lake City, and pivotal conference tests across the country.
Joel Klatt Week 8 picks: Ole Miss 28, Texas 21
Spread: Texas -3.5
Moneyline: Texas -162, Ole Miss +136
Klatt expects No. 7 Ole Miss to hand No. 19 Texas a third straight defeat. He said Texas’ offensive issues extend beyond quarterback Arch Manning, pointing to the offensive line as the primary concern and suggesting a simplified approach to revive the run game and create cleaner throwing opportunities.
On Ole Miss, Klatt praised the defense for stifling Missouri’s ground attack and noted key playmakers are healthy. He also flagged uncertainty around Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons following an injury in Week 7, adding that defending quarterback Trinidad Chambliss could strain a less-than-full-strength unit.
Klatt’s call: Ole Miss wins outright 28-21. Straight up: Ole Miss. Against the spread: Ole Miss +3.5.
Utah 30, Houston 27
Spread: Utah -6.5
Moneyline: Utah -225, Houston +185
Klatt called Houston’s Week 7 victory underrated, highlighting quarterback Conner Weigman’s prolific season and the Cougars’ ability to throw the ball and stop the run. He likes receivers Amare Thomas and Trent Walker as downfield threats.
Utah, he noted, has been less dominant against stronger opponents despite stacking wins, but Rice-Eccles Stadium remains a decisive advantage. He anticipates a higher-scoring game with home field tilting it to the Utes.
Klatt’s call: Utah prevails 31-27. Straight up: Utah. Against the spread: Houston +6.5.
LSU 34, Auburn 30
Spread: LSU -7.5
Moneyline: LSU -298, Auburn +240
Klatt acknowledged Auburn’s emotional win over Georgia and LSU’s 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State, which played without Kamario Taylor. He underscored LSU’s recent road struggles, including an 0-2 mark away from home this season, and said the Tigers must tighten defensively against quarterback Byrum Brown’s rushing threat.
While he expects LSU to escape with a win, he views 7.5 points as too rich on the road given LSU’s six-game road losing skid.
Klatt’s call: LSU edges it 34-30. Straight up: LSU. Against the spread: Auburn +7.5.
USC 24, Wisconsin 20
Spread: USC -2.5
Moneyline: USC -155, Wisconsin +130
Coming off a bye after a hostile road win at Penn State, USC looks to carry that progress into Madison. Klatt said the Trojans’ offense, healthier with receiver Trent Mosley, typically finds the low-20s even against solid defenses and should run the ball effectively against a Wisconsin front that has been average versus the run.
He praised Luke Fickell’s work but questioned Wisconsin’s passing ceiling with Colton Joseph, noting the Badgers must avoid turnovers, special teams errors, and penalties to keep pace. If USC plays clean, he likes the Trojans in a one-score game.
Klatt’s call: USC covers 24-20. Straight up: USC. Against the spread: USC -2.5.
Iowa 24, Minnesota 17
Spread: Iowa -6.5
Moneyline: Iowa -258, Minnesota +210
Klatt backed No. 15 Iowa after its dominant win at Washington, citing the Hawkeyes’ formula of a sturdy run game and defense. He highlighted quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski, receiver Reece Vander Zee, and the tight end group, and said Iowa’s only loss came while Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith was virtually unstoppable.
He questioned how Minnesota reaches 17 points against Iowa and pointed to the Gophers’ issues stopping the run after Purdue piled up more than 300 rushing yards last week.
Klatt’s call: Iowa covers on the road, 24-17. Straight up: Iowa. Against the spread: Iowa -6.5.
For readers tracking Auburn’s season arc, the Tigers’ recent results follow their dramatic upset of Georgia detailed in Auburn upsets Georgia on McPherson’s last-second field goal.
Fans interested in official information on these programs can find more on the University of Mississippi, the Louisiana State University athletics program, and the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.