The magnitude of every result is intensifying around college football.

Early in the campaign, a loss stung championship hopefuls but certainly didn't ruin the season. In many situations, it was a nonconference game anyway. Hopes of a league title remained intact.

Week 8, in reality, is similarly important to any remaining slate. However, it won't feel that way on Saturday. Many results in the upcoming action—from Miami at Louisville, Nebraska at Indiana and Michigan at Illinois to marquee games Alabama at Tennessee and Georgia at Texas—will be highly influential in ever-narrowing conference races.

Every win helps. But every loss begins to really hurt.

Along with a preview of each ranked team, we've predicted every game involving a Football Bowl Subdivision school.

AP Nos. 25-21

Charlotte (3-3) at No. 25 Navy (5-0), 3:30 p.m. ET

Can the visitors find a run defense? Five of Charlotte's six opponents have notched at least 4.8 yards per carry, and Navy has piled up 6.3 per attempt behind quarterback Blake Horvath. If those trends continue, Navy should win comfortably at home.

Prediction: Navy 38, Charlotte 24

East Carolina (3-3) at No. 23 Army (6-0), Noon ET

Turnovers have been a massive problem for East Carolina. Through six games, the Pirates have 18 giveaways—the most in the country—with multiple in each outing. Army, meanwhile has ceded possession one time in six victories. Again, that's a trend I just cannot ignore.

Prediction: Army 35, East Carolina 17

No. 24 Michigan (4-2) at No. 22 Illinois (5-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Seventh-year player Jack Tuttle will be Michigan's third starting QB of the season, and the matchup is an interesting one. Illinois played relatively well on defense for five games, then surrendered 49 points in an overtime escape over Purdue. I'm inclined to believe that was an outlier for the Illini, who should be able to scratch out a low-scoring win.

Prediction: Illinois 20, Michigan 16

No. 21 SMU (5-1) at Stanford (2-4), 8 p.m. ET

If this was a quick turnaround, the nerves may have been higher. SMU had an open weekend last Saturday, though, so the Mustangs should be well-prepared for a trip to the West Coast. Stanford has totaled a mere 28 points in recent losses to Clemson, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, too.

Prediction: SMU 37, Stanford 21

AP Nos. 20-16

No. 20 Pitt (6-0), Idle

Auburn (2-4) at No. 19 Missouri (5-1), Noon ET

Hugh Freeze isn't on a legitimate hot seat, but every Auburn loss heightens the unrest in a frustrated fan base. Since the offense hasn't surpassed 21 points against a power-conference team, I can't muster a compelling reason to think Auburn wins on the road at Mizzou.

Prediction: Missouri 34, Auburn 20

No. 18 Ole Miss (5-2), Idle

No. 17 Kansas State (5-1) at West Virginia (3-3), 7:30 p.m. ET

West Virginia held strong defensively against Iowa State until two second-half interceptions shaped the game. If the Mountaineers are that stingy again, they'll be in good shape. Plus, Kansas State has labored to a 2-1 road record, too. The foundation of an upset is there, even as I'm unwilling to pick WVU (and be wrong) for a second straight week.

Prediction: Kansas State 27, West Virginia 23

Nebraska (5-1) at No. 16 Indiana (6-0), Noon ET

Nebraska's excellent defense taking on Indiana's sizzling offense? Sign me up. I also believe the other matchup will be the decisive factor. Nebraska has mustered 3.9 yards per carry, and IU is ranked 12th nationally in defending the run. Dylan Raiola is very promising, but the freshman QB likely isn't ready to carry the Huskers on the road.

Prediction: Indiana 30, Nebraska 23

AP Nos. 15-11

No. 15 Boise State (5-1), Idle

No. 14 Texas A&M (5-1) at Mississippi State (1-5), 4:15 p.m. ET

Mississippi State hung at Georgia later than expected, so perhaps we should not hastily look past the Bulldogs. I'm simultaneously nowhere close to eyeing an upset, considering Mississippi State has given up 40.3 points per game in three conference tilts.

Prediction: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi State 24

Oklahoma State (3-3) at No. 13 BYU (6-0), Friday, 10:15 p.m. ET

Desperate to halt a three-game losing streak, Oklahoma State heads to unbeaten BYU as a clear underdog. The team hasn't cracked 20 points in three Big 12 contests. Unless the Cougars suddenly stop being such a pest defensively, OSU's slide will continue.

Prediction: BYU 31, Oklahoma State 20

No. 12 Notre Dame (5-1) vs. Georgia Tech (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET

This is a neutral-site matchup—as much as Georgia Tech making the drive to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons, can be. Tech's offense is good enough to handle a stout Notre Dame defense, but that margin for error is pretty thin—especially since the Yellow Jackets have been average at best on defense.

Prediction: Notre Dame 33, Georgia Tech 23

No. 8 Alabama (5-1) at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

For prediction, see No. 8 Alabama.

AP Nos. 10-6

Virginia (4-2) at No. 10 Clemson (5-1), Noon ET

This is less about Virginia than watching a Clemson team on a torrid hot streak. Could the Tigers lose? Sure! But if they do. I'll gladly find myself on the wrong side of a prediction. Clemson's first-string defense hasn't allowed more than 14 points in four ACC games.

Prediction: Clemson 41, Virginia 21

UCF (3-3) at No. 9 Iowa State (6-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

After such a promising start, UCF is reeling. There is hardly a good time for a quarterback controversy, but the week of a road trip to an undefeated team is a pretty miserable one.

Prediction: Iowa State 35, UCF 14

No. 8 Alabama (5-1) at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1), 3:30 p.m. ET

Neither team has looked convincing in the last two weeks, losing in upset fashion and barely winning as a clear favorite. I am concerned about both. I also happen to be more concerned with a Tennessee offense that has trudged to 4.8 yards per play and 20.7 points per game in SEC games. Home field matters, but scoring does, too.

Prediction: Alabama 27, Tennessee 23

No. 7 LSU (5-1) at Arkansas (4-2), 7 p.m. ET

Tennessee's loss happened on the road against Arkansas in a night game. You think LSU players might've been hearing about that all week? Arkansas is absolutely a major threat, but LSU's passing game can be the difference in lifting the visitors to an ugly win.

Prediction: LSU 24, Arkansas 19

No. 6 Miami (6-0) at Louisville (4-2), Noon ET

Any recent Miami team loses this matchup. Yet after seeing comeback wins against Virginia Tech and Cal, should we—gulp—start believing in the 'Canes? I am decidedly uncomfortable about picking Miami, mostly because UL coach Jeff Brohm will likely scheme up explosive gains on misdirection plays. Miami, nevertheless, finds a way.

Prediction: Miami 37, Louisville 34

AP Nos. 5-1

No. 4 Ohio State (5-1), Idle

No. 3 Penn State (6-0), Idle

No. 2 Oregon (6-0) at Purdue (1-5), Friday, 8 p.m. ET

Purdue beat No. 2 Ohio State in 2018 and No. 2 Iowa in 2021. Could this be another moment for the Spoilermakers? Until last weekend's near-comeback win at Illinois, I would've said there was barely a chance. Oregon is still a comfortable pick because Purdue's defense has been horrid, but the Boilers at least earned more respect after Week 7's effort.

Prediction: Oregon 44, Purdue 27

No. 5 Georgia (5-1) at No. 1 Texas (6-0), 7:30 p.m. ET

Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers are two of the biggest names in college football. Georgia has routinely had elite defenses under Kirby Smart, and Texas boasts the best one in the country so far this season. Want to flip a coin? I'm riding with a stingier Texas defense, but Ewers must execute much better than he did against Oklahoma last weekend. Otherwise, the Dawgs will hand Texas its first-ever SEC loss.

Prediction: Texas 27, Georgia 22

Rest of the Slate, Part I

Georgia State (2-3) at Marshall (3-3), Thursday, 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia State 27, Marshall 24

Boston College (4-2) at Virginia Tech (3-3), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Virginia Tech 31, Boston College 26

Florida State (1-5) at Duke (5-1), Friday, 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Duke 23, Florida State 20

Fresno State (3-3) at Nevada (3-4), Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Fresno State 34, Nevada 24

Wake Forest (2-4) at Connecticut (4-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Wake Forest 30, UConn 27

Wisconsin (4-2) at Northwestern (3-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Wisconsin 31, Northwestern 17

UCLA (1-5) at Rutgers (4-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Rutgers 28, UCLA 16

Arizona State (5-1) at Cincinnati (4-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Cincinnati 27, Arizona State 24

Louisiana (5-1) at Coastal Carolina (4-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Coastal Carolina 33, Louisiana 30

South Carolina (3-3) at Oklahoma (4-2), 12:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Oklahoma 24, South Carolina 19

Tulsa (2-4) at Temple (1-5), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Temple 29, Tulsa 26

Central Michigan (3-3) at Eastern Michigan (4-2), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: EMU 31, CMU 28

North Carolina State (3-4) at Cal (4-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Cal 28, NC State 20

Houston (2-4) at Kansas (1-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kansas 30, Houston 24

Hawaii (2-4) at Washington State (5-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Washington State 38, Hawaii 24

Rice (2-4) at Tulane (4-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Tulane 37, Rice 17

Florida Atlantic (2-4) at UTSA (2-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: FAU 28, UTSA 24

UAB (1-5) at South Florida (2-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: USF 35, UAB 21

Toledo (4-2) at Northern Illinois (4-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: NIU 24, Toledo 23

Western Michigan (3-3) at Buffalo (4-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Buffalo 27, WMU 21

Ohio (4-2) at Miami (Ohio) (2-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Miami 26, Ohio 20

Kent State (0-6) at Bowling Green (2-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Bowling Green 36, Kent State 13

Texas State (4-2) at Old Dominion (2-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas State 34, ODU 24

Rest of the Slate, Part II

USC (3-3) at Maryland (3-3), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: USC 28, Maryland 24

Baylor (2-4) at Texas Tech (5-1), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Texas Tech 37, Baylor 28

Colorado (4-2) at Arizona (3-3), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arizona 34, Colorado 31

Wyoming (1-5) at San Jose State (4-2), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: San Jose State 30, Wyoming 20

New Mexico (2-4) at Utah State (1-5), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: New Mexico 36, Utah State 33

James Madison (5-1) at Georgia Southern (4-2), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: JMU 33, Georgia Southern 24

Ball State (2-4) at Vanderbilt (4-2), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Vanderbilt 45, Ball State 20

Arkansas State (3-3) at Southern Miss (1-5), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas State 31, Southern Miss 23

Iowa (4-2) at Michigan State (3-3), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Iowa 27, Michigan State 17

North Texas (5-1) at Memphis (5-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Memphis 37, North Texas 30

Kentucky (3-3) at Florida (3-3), 7:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Kentucky 23, Florida 20

Colorado State (3-3) at Air Force (1-5), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: CSU 28, Air Force 16

UNLV (5-1) at Oregon State (4-2), 10 p.m. ET
Prediction: UNLV 38, Oregon State 31

TCU (3-3) at Utah (4-2), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: TCU 20, Utah 17