ESPN College GameDay: Picks for Week 8, Penn State at Ohio State

There was only one game ESPN could’ve brought College GameDay to in Week 8, and that’s Penn State at Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions are looking to break through and move to the other side, re-entering the upper-echelon of college football, while the Buckeyes are trying to stop them, so of course Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso, Pat McAfee and company wanted in of the action.

However, with both teams undefeated and having designs on the College Football Playoff, only one squad will be celebrating later this afternoon.

Joining the fray on College GameDay this morning as the Celebrity Guest Picker was former Ohio State star quarterback turned Houston Texans leader CJ Stroud. After playing in this game and defeating the Nittany Lions numerous times throughout his tenure with the Buckeyes, there’s no doubt Stroud is returning to pick against them.

With an intense slate is ahead of us in Week 8, featuring other games like Tennessee at Alabama and Utah at USC, the College GameDay crew has locked in their picks for the biggest games. Here’s who they’re riding with on Saturday.

CGD Predictions for Week 8:

Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes are favored, and Howard, Herbstreit, McAfee and Stroud are rocking with Ohio State to put the Nittany Lions in their place.

As for Corso’s head-gear selection, would he pick against his beloved Brutus Buckeye? Of course not, he’s rocking with Ohio State over Penn State in Week 8.

Tennessee Volunteers at Alabama Crimson Tide: The whole crew believes Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will get some revenge on Josh Heupel and the Volunteers in Week 8.

Utah Utes at USC Trojans: Can Caleb Williams and the Trojans bounce back this weekend? Only Herbstreit believes USC will suffer back-to-back losses, picking the Utes.

Washington State Cougars at Oregon Ducks: Cameron Ward will make it tough on the Ducks, but the whole crew is on Oregon.

TCU Horned Frogs at Kansas State Wildcats: In a rematch of last season’s Big 12 title game, only McAfee and Stroud believe the Horned Frogs get some revenge.

Oklahoma State Cowboys at West Virginia Mountaineers: Stroud is the lone dissenter, riding with the Cowboys.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Iowa Hawkeyes: Some rough offensive football might be on the docket in this Big Ten showdown, and only Howard is a believer in the Golden Gophers.

Duke Blue Devils at Florida State Seminoles: No pick from Herbstreit, as he’s calling the game, but it was easy for the rest of the crew, as they all went with the Seminoles with Riley Leonard likely missing the game.

Clemson Tigers at Miami Hurricanes: Only Stroud is a believer in the Hurricanes getting the win on Saturday.

Toledo Rockets at Miami (OH) RedHawks: Picking some MACtion — Howard, Corso and Herbstreit are riding with the RedHawks, while McAfee and Stroud picked the Rockets.

Air Force Falcons at Navy Midshipmen: The Falcons are undefeated and ranked, and the whole crew is on Air Force continuing their dominance in 2023.

Full CGD analyst picks for Week 8: 

Desmond Howard: Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Oregon, Kansas State, West Virginia, Minnesota, Florida State, Clemson, Miami (OH), Air Force

Pat McAfee: Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Oregon, TCU, West Virginia, Iowa, Florida State, Clemson, Toledo, Air Force

Celebrity Guest Picker — CJ Stroud: Ohio State, Alabama, USC, Oregon, TCU, Oklahoma State, Iowa, Florida State, Miami, Toledo, Air Force

Lee Corso: Alabama, USC, Oregon, Kansas State, West Virginia, Iowa, Florida State, Clemson, Miami (OH), Air Force

Kirk Herbstreit: Ohio State, Alabama, Utah, Oregon, Kansas State, West Virginia, Iowa, Clemson, Miami (OH), Air Force