Can Vandy really beat one of the top cats?

It’s time for another Upset Alert Special Saturday, Friday Night Extra edition.

Not a ton of matchups here that involve ranked teams in Week 8, but there are a handful among the following.

Topping the list would be No. 10 LSU (5-1) at No. 17 Vanderbilt (5-1), which will kick off Saturday at noon on ABC.

The host Commodores come in as 2.5-point favorites and, considering how the two squads have performed this season, they probably should be.

Two things, however, are working against them:

-Talent favors the Tigers … heavily.

-Vandy’s element of surprise is gone.

A major reason why the Commodores are favored is that they only lost 24-17 in Baton Rouge when the teams met last fall. They had already shocked Alabama, but, still, no one – despite the nonstop bluster coming from QB Diego Pavia – paid them any mind … and LSU almost paid dearly for that.

Tigers HC Brian Kelly and Co. are acutely aware of what they’re dealing with now. Combine that with the reality check that is bound to hit them that, oh, wow, we’ve played, well, lousy thus far in 2025 and yet we’re still in the running for the SEC title, a CFP berth, and – gulp – a national title.

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is a major talent who has yet to unleash his skills this fall. A year ago, he threw for 4,000 yards and accounted for 32 TDs. He’s well off that pace through six games this year and, with ranked matchups in LSU’s next three games, he knows now is the time that he needs to turn it on.

He’s not alone. Just about the entire Tigers’ star-studded roster has another level or four it can reach.

Vandy, conversely, has been performing at its optimum level. Clark Lea has worked wonders quickly at his alma mater. It’s the best coaching performance in Nashville since James Franklin (remember him?).

Unfortunately for the Commodores, effort, inspiration and even Xs and Os won’t stack up against an awakening LSU.

FRIDAY

No. 25 Nebraska (5-1) -7.5 at Minnesota (4-2), 8, Fox. Can’t escape the vibe that the Matt Rhule-to-Penn State chatter the last few days could have the Huskers off their game.

SATURDAY

Washington (5-1) at Michigan (4-2) -4.5. 12, Fox. In a battle of letter-logo teams, U-Dub has looked a lot better than the Wolverines so far this season.

Connecticut (4-2) at Boston College (1-5) -1.5, 12, ACC Network. The Huskies could be unbeaten at this point. Both of their losses came in OT. No biz being ‘dogs here.

No. 14 Oklahoma (5-1) -5.5 at South Carolina (3-3), 12:45, SEC Network. Plain and simple, despite the records, Carolina is better – overall and at QB.

UNLV (6-0) at Boise State (4-2) -12.5, 3:30, FS1. Boise laying more than 2 TDs seems insane when Dan Mullen’s Rebels can smell that CFP berth already.

Mississippi State (4-2) at Florida (2-4) -9.5, 4:15, SEC Network. Maybe the oddsmakers believe the Gators want to give Billy Napier a winning send-off. Why, who knows?

Penn State (3-3) at Iowa (4-2) -3.5, 7, Peacock. This just reeks of a classic Nittany Lions’ rising from the dead act, playing college football’s version of the Undertaker.

Maryland (4-2) at UCLA (2-4) -2.5, 7, FS1. The Bruins have been a great story after a brutal 0-4 start, but the Terrapins are good. Really good.

No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) at No. 6 Alabama (5-1) -8.5, 7:30, ABC. Not so sure the Volunteers don’t just walk into Tuscaloosa and win outright … even easily.

No. 20 Southern Cal (5-1) at No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2) -9.5, 7:30, NBC. Probably ends up being the game of Week 8, meaning the spread here would be way too high.