Welcome back to Craven's Corner. We are in Week 8 of the college football season and we've cashed on most weeks. A 5-3 record in Week 7 brings our yearly total to 38-24-1 against the spread in 2022. 

GAMES OF THE WEEK 

TCU vs. Kansas State
Viewing guide: Saturday at 7 p.m. on FS1 
Gambling odds: TCU -3.5; O/U 58.5
The two remaining unbeaten Big 12 teams meet in Fort Worth for a showdown under the lights at Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU (6-0) hosts Kansas State (5-1) for sole possession of first place in the Big 12. Max Duggan is emerging as a dark horse Heisman candidate with 1,591 yards and 16 passing touchdowns to just one interception. Running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver Quentin Johnston are the playmakers on offense. Kansas State is a running team that uses quarterback Adrian Martinez and running back Deuce Vaughn in creative ways. The Horned Frogs struggled against the run in 2021, but a new-look odd-man front engineered by defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie is paying off. 
Craven’s bet: TCU -3, under 59 (buy the hooks) 

Texas at Oklahoma State 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC
Gambling odds: Texas -6; O/U 58.5 
The Longhorns receive another chance to pass an exam it flunked in 2021 with a trip to Stillwater to take on an Oklahoma State team that blew a 14-point loss to TCU in Week 7. Texas proved it can play a four-quarter football game in a 49-0 beatdown of Oklahoma. The Longhorns then proved they can win a fistfight in a close victory over Iowa State last week. They are 1-5 on the road in Sark’s tenure with the only win coming last year against a TCU squad that fired its coach before the end of the year. This marks the first out-of-state trip for Texas in the 2022 season. The only other true road game of the year resulted in an overtime loss at Texas Tech. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders is nursing a shoulder injury. 
Craven’s bet: Over 58.5

North Texas at UTSA
Viewing guide: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on Stadium 
Gambling odds: UTSA -10; O/U 69.5
A clash that likely decides one of the C-USA championship contenders takes place Saturday afternoon in the Alamodome. The fact that this game is on the Stadium App rather than national television underscores why both teams are bolting to the AAC in 2023. The Roadrunners are beat up thanks to a tough non-conference schedule and the lack of an open date so far on the season. North Texas set a school record with 475 rushing yards in the win over La Tech last week. Both teams are 3-0 in CUSA entering the contest.  
Craven’s bet: North Texas +10

WIDE ZONE 

Texas A&M at South Carolina 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network 
Gambling odds: Texas A&M -3; O/U 45 
The Aggies hope an open week helped the offense figure out how to score points. Texas A&M only averages 21.5 points per game and are allowing 40 more yards a game than it gains. South Carolina enters the contest with some momentum thanks to a Week 7 road win over Kentucky. The Gamecocks look to be playing with a lot more freedom and enjoyment than Texas A&M. Still, the Aggies are much more talented at every position except for quarterback. 
Craven’s bet: Over 45

Baylor vs. Kansas 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN2 
Gambling odds: Baylor -8; O/U 60.5 
Baylor’s defense has given up more than 30 points in consecutive games after not allowing those types of offensive explosions since the final game of the 2020 season. Oklahoma State and West Virginia capitalized on special teams mistakes and offensive turnovers to create points. And the Bears defense lacks the playmakers they used to win a Big 12 title a year ago. Kansas limps into the game without its starting quarterback, but Baylor might be in the same position because Blake Shapen was knocked out of the West Virginia game after a late hit to the head. 
Craven’s bet: Kansas +8 

SMU vs. Cincinnati 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN 
Gambling odds: SMU +3; O/U 59
The Mustangs snapped a three-game losing streak in Week 7 with a win at home over Navy. Starting quarterback Tanner Mordecai avoided turnovers and the defense played well against the run for large chunks of the victory. Cincinnati might be without its starting quarterback and most electric wide receiver. A win for SMU would be the first signature when of the Rhett Lashlee era. 
Craven’s bet: Over 59

Texas Tech vs. West Virginia 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+
Gambling odds: Texas Tech -7; O/U 68.5 
The unknown for Texas Tech is at starting quarterback. The Red Raiders have started three different guys at the position through six games due to injury. Head coach Joey McGuire says all three could play if healthy against West Virginia. The Mountaineers knocked off Baylor in Week 7 and are dangerous on offense. 
Craven’s bet: West Virginia +7; under 68.5 

Houston at Navy 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU
Gambling odds: Houston -3; O/U 52.5 
Houston hopes an idle week provided a boost for a Cougars team that is struggling to handle expectations in 2022. Injuries are a concern with guys such as wide receiver Matthew Golden and cornerback Alex Hogan out for an extended period. Navy is always a tricky opponent because of the triple-option offense. 
Craven’s bet: Houston -3 

Rice at La Tech 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN+
Gambling odds: Rice -3; O/U 58.5 
Rice failed at an upset bid last week against FAU thanks to three offensive turnovers in a three-point game. The Owls should win this game if quarterback T.J. McMahon can avoid interceptions. Rice’s defense is excellent and should find success rushing the passer. 
Craven’s bet: Rice -3 

Texas State vs. Southern Miss 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN+
Gambling odds: Texas State +2.5; O/U 44.5 
Texas State is another team that feels like it should’ve pulled a road upset in Week 7. An inconsistent passing game squandered an excellent defensive performance in the loss at Troy last week. Southern Miss is an improved squad that isn’t the pushover it was in previous years. The Bobcats need more from quarterback Layne Hatcher to stay perfect at home. 
Craven’s bet: Texas State +3 (buy the hook) 

UTEP vs. FAU
Viewing guide: Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN+
Gambling odds: UTEP +4; O/U 50.5 
A return trip to a bowl game hangs in the balance at home against FAU on Saturday afternoon. A win means the Miners are on schedule to reach the six-win mark. A loss puts Dana Dimel’s program in a tough spot. FAU struggled in a win at home over Rice in Week 7. If UTEP can avoid turnovers, it might do what the Owls couldn’t. 
Craven’s bet: UTEP +4