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There are no ranked matchups happening during the Week 8 college football afternoon slate.
But that doesn't mean there isn't value to be had in the betting landscape. In fact, our staff has four picks to target.
So, read below for college football best bets today and NCAAF picks for Saturday, October 24.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Picks, Best Bets for Afternoon Slate
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Oregon vs. Illinois
By Joshua Nunn
This line opened with Oregon listed as a 12.5-point favorite with a total set at 51.5. Illinois has taken money this week and is now catching just 9.5 points, and the total is down to 50.5.
I like for Oregon to stay under its posted team total, which is 30.5.
This Oregon offense isn't efficient without its star quarterback, and the team has racked up just 514 yards combined over its last two games against UCLA and Nebraska, both played at home.
Oregon has averaged just 3.7 yards per play during that stretch, and the first-half performances have been concerning. Oregon has started slowly each of the last two weeks, with 12 of its 16 first-half possessions ending with punts, three resulting in turnovers and one being a scoring drive.
Looking at Oregon’s drive chart over the last two weeks, through three quarters, the team had the ball 22 times. One of those drives was executed with Oregon running more than five plays. One!
The Ducks have not been able to put successful plays together, and success on early downs has been non-existent. The tempo has been slow and the play calling is conservative.
We should see that here, as Oregon will try to establish the ground attack and the Ducks could have moderate success, but Illinois hasn't played too badly against the run this season.
The Illinois defensive weakness is in its secondary, and I'm not sure Oregon is going to be able to exploit that. The passing offense has been inefficient and non-explosive.
Illinois is likely to grind this game to a snail's pace as well, as it's breaking in a true freshman quarterback to line up against a strong Oregon defense. This will be a tough assignment.
Expect Illinois to run the ball significantly more than we're used to seeing in an effort to out-possess Oregon in this game. Both coaches should be comfortable with a slow-burning grind and a game that ends up being a field position battle.
The Ducks will grind this game out and win, but exceeding 30 points isn't a likely event to occur.
Pick: Oregon Team Total Under 30.5 Points
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North Texas vs. Navy
By Stuckey
Coming into the season, nobody thought North Texas would be this good after losing almost its entire team and staff to Oklahoma State. The Mean Green are a legitimate threat to win the American, which would be quite a feat following the offseason turnover.
New head coach Neal Brown deserves a ton of credit, as does quarterback Tayven Jackson, who's playing at an absurdly high level.
It all starts with star running back Jahiem White, who's averaging over seven yards per carry. That sets up the play-action, where Jackson has arguably been the most productive quarterback in the country this season.
Believe it or not, North Texas actually ranks in the top 10 nationally in Passing Success Rate and EPA, and it has arguably been the top G6 offense so far in 2026.
There's just no reason why Jackson can't absolutely shred a porous Navy pass defense that ranks in the bottom 10 nationally in EPA allowed.
The Mids have been very stout against the run but will just have no answers for the Mean Green's aerial assault. That's the biggest mismatch in this game by far, and the weather looks clear in Annapolis on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the North Texas defense has a similar profile. It has been downright dominant against opposing ground games but has major holes in the secondary, which has dealt with injuries at cornerback since camp.
Well, fortunately for the Mean Green, Navy has the third-highest rush rate (behind Army and Air Force, as you'd expect) in the country, so this is a very good matchup for their defense.
Plus, Brown and his staff will have an extra week to prepare for Navy's unique offense with a well-timed bye coming last week. I assume they spent almost the entire two weeks figuring out how to slow down Jackson Gutierrez's legs. He's basically been a one-man show over the past two weeks with a whopping 62 carries for 371 yards.
If this strong North Texas tackling team (third in that department, per PFF) can wrap up Gutierrez, it will cut the head off the snake of this Navy offense. That's exactly what Air Force did a few weeks back.
Coming off the bye, this is a good spot to back what I think is still an undervalued Mean Green gang in what profiles as a very favorable matchup on both sides of the ball.
Plus, I project them as favorites of over a field goal, so this checks all of the boxes even if I know Navy will put up one helluva fight at home.
Pick: North Texas ML -135
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Boston College vs. Georgia Tech
By Kyle Hunter
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are money in the bank as an underdog under head coach Brent Key, but they have struggled mightily in the favorite role.
Georgia Tech is lacking a run game. It ranks 112th in Offensive Line Yards, and it's just 87th in the nation in yards per carry. Quarterback Alberto Mendoza and the passing attack have gotten going some in recent weeks. Can they have a big day here?
The Boston College defense has been pretty impressive in recent weeks and held SMU to just 3.5 yards per play. The Eagles then held Pitt to 21 points despite the defense being put in some terrible situations.
Boston College's secondary ranks 27th nationally in yards per pass attempt allowed and 13th in pass explosiveness allowed. The safeties are the strength of this Eagles stop unit.
BC plays slowly on the offensive side and wants to run the football. Georgia Tech ranks 102nd in the nation in Rushing Success Rate allowed.
I think Boston College should have some drives that take a good amount of time in this game. The lack of tempo is helpful for unders.
Georgia Tech has yet to top 28 points in a game against an FBS opponent this season. I don’t think it'll top 28 this week either.
Pick: Georgia Tech Team Total Under 28.5
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Iowa vs. Minnesota
The Hawkeyes have been a pleasant surprise this season. Despite question marks at the quarterback position with Hank Brown injured, Iowa is 5-1, with its lone loss coming at the hands of Ohio State.
Jeremy Hecklinski has filled in serviceably, as the Hawkeyes won on the road at Washington.
Now they head on another road trip to face Minnesota.
And our Action PRO projections say that the Gophers against the spread is the play to make for this Big Ten affair.
Our projections say this spread should be closer to +4, giving us a B+ grade and a nice +6.3% edge.
So, while Iowa may win this matchup, I expect the Gophers to keep things close.
Pick: Minnesota +7.5
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