James Franklin is out at Penn State as a monster Week 8 looms. Georgia faces Ole Miss, Alabama battles Tennessee, and Notre Dame takes on USC.

Penn State made waves across college football this week, officially parting ways with head coach James Franklin. The move signals the end of an era in Happy Valley, one filled with 10-win seasons but empty trophy cases. For over a decade, Franklin rebuilt the Nittany Lions into a national contender, but the inability to break through against Ohio State, Michigan, and the elite finally cost him his job.

This is a defining moment for Penn State. The next hire must find that balance: a coach who wins ten games as the floor, not the ceiling, and can finally knock off the big boys.

While the Franklin firing dominates headlines, Week 8 is loaded with marquee matchups across the country. Six ranked-on-ranked games highlight a Saturday that could reshape the playoff picture.

Ole Miss at Georgia tops the list. For Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs, this is a program game, not in terms of validation, but sustainability. Georgia’s secondary has looked vulnerable at times, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has the arm talent to exploit it. Can UGA’s pass defense hold up under pressure? On the other side, Lane Kiffin continues to push the Rebels toward SEC title contention. It’s Kiffin’s creativity versus Smart’s precision, two of the sport’s sharpest minds squaring off between the hedges.

Over in Tuscaloosa, Tennessee at Alabama brings a different flavor of intensity. Ty Simpson and Joey Aguilar headline the quarterback duel, but the storyline runs deeper. Alabama’s physical style has shown fatigue late in games, while Tennessee’s defense, particularly its secondary, gives the Vols a legitimate path to pull the upset. If the Tide drop another game, the playoff door might begin closing for Kalen DeBoer’s squad.

Don’t sleep on a few trap spots this weekend. Oklahoma at South Carolina carries serious upset potential, especially with how volatile the Sooners’ defense has looked in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Holy War between Utah and BYU promises emotion, intensity, and plenty of playoff implications out West. The Cougars have been stingy at home, but Utah’s physicality and experience might be the difference late.

Saturday Seven Picks | Week 8

The crew closed Episode 139 with their Saturday Seven Picks:

1. LSU at Vanderbilt (-2.5)

2. Missouri (-1.5) at Auburn

3. Georgia Tech at Duke (-1.5)

4. Ole Miss at Georgia (-8.5)

5. Tennessee at Alabama (-7.5)

6. USC at Notre Dame (-7.5)

7. Utah (-3.5) at BYU

Blake and David each gave their ATS picks, setting the stage for another weekend of bold calls and tight finishes.

Listen to Episode 139 of Saturday Cadence on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Stay locked in with The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) and follow @SaturdayCadence and @BlakeBiscardi on social media for coverage, clips, and weekly picks throughout the season.

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