As we roll through the heart of the college football season, each team reveals more about itself by the week and each game offers a chance for the most observant bettors to take advantage of what they learn. Every Thursday, Phil Steele, Chris Fallica and "Stanford Steve" Coughlin pick their top plays across the college football landscape.
Here are the best bets for Week 8 of the college football season (All times ET):
No. 16 NC State Wolfpack at No. 3 Clemson Tigers (-17.5)
3:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN
Fallica: The 5-0 Wolfpack are 17.5-point underdogs at No. 3 Clemson. History says that might not be enough points though, as dating back to 1994 none of the last eight teams that were 5-0 or better and were an underdog of more than 14 points in a road game covered the spread. I know each of the last two years have seen close games, but the NC State personnel, especially on the defensive side of the ball, is dramatically different.
Lost in all the talk of Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence is the fact Travis Etienne has rushed for 163.5 yards per game and 9 touchdowns on 10.2 yards per carry over the last four games. And despite the narrative that Clemson has been disappointing, the metrics tell a different story,