TOP 25 NCAA COLLEGE FOOTBALL RANKINGS – WEEK 8

WOW! WHAT A SATURDAY! We finally saw Alabama lose – and Nick Saban lose his cool as well on the sidelines in a viral meltdown during the loss to Tennessee. James Madison had a short-lived ranking but still, what a run so far into their inaugural FBS season. Utah took care of business against USC at home. Oklahoma State losing with a 2-touchdown lead was almost as bad as Kansas’ defense letting up 52 to Oklahoma.

Lots of quality matchups between closely ranked opponents did not disappoint as pretty much every top 25 ranked game was close or at least exciting. Tulane jumps over James Madison as the irrelevant team ranked at 25th and I like this trend of the obscure teams earning some first-time rankings.

Besides Tennessee playing a very weak UT-Martin team and a couple top dogs enjoying a bye week, we should have more close games between close opponents with some conference matchups. Drink some water and let’s get back out there!

1. Georgia Bulldogs

Stetson Bennett continues to lead this team to victory as they rolled Vanderbilt 55-0. The Bulldogs will head into the bye week with a 7-0 record.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes will come off a bye week fresh and ready to defend their home turf against Iowa in a game that has CJ Stroud and the boys –29 favorites as this offense looks to roll against a stout defense.

3. Tennessee Volunteers

Hendon Hooker and the Volunteers conquered the Crimson Tide in a 52-49 shootout. They will have a very soft game this week at home vs UT-Martin where Tennessee should win by 10 touchdowns.

4. Michigan Wolverines

Dominated Penn State 41-17 as Blake Corum rushed for massive gains, building his draft stock. They will enjoy the big win for an extra week as the Wolverines enjoy their bye.

5. Clemson Tigers

34-28 victory over the up-and-coming Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers open as –13.5 point favorites against #14 ranked Syracuse at home, which should be another tough ACC battle.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Swaps places with the Volunteers as they lose 52-49. Bryce Young is expected to have a great game as they open as –21 favorites over 25th ranked Mississippi State.

7. Ole Miss Rebels

Jaxson Dart balled for a Rebels 48-34 victory over Auburn. They travel to LSU as +1.5 underdogs in the bayou.

8. TCU Horned Frogs

MASSIVE win over Big 12 opponent Oklahoma State that saw the Horned Frogs victorious in OT 43-40. They open as –3.5 favorites over pesky Kansas State who has Adrian Martinez on a nice tear against Duggan at TCU.

9. UCLA Bruins

Fresh off a bye week, The Bruins travel to 10th ranked Oregon as they open as +6 underdogs.

10. Oregon Ducks

Bo Nix and the boys had a nice bye week to plan for their upcoming game. The Ducks will open as –6 home favorites as they welcome 9th ranked UCLA in a huge PAC-12 smackdown.

11. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Lost 43-40 in OT in a tough loss against 8th ranked TCU. They hope to bounce back at home as +6 underdogs against the Texas Longhorns.

12. USC Trojans

Suffering their first loss to 15th ranked Utah in an epic PAC-12 game in a 43-42 nailbiter. The Trojans will have time to rest and recover as they head into their bye week.

13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Fresh off a bye week, they will welcome Boston College and are expected to dominate as they open as –21 home favorites. Sam Hartman has looked really strong this season and can be a threat in a tough ACC conference.

14. Syracuse Orange

24-9 thumping over the 23rd ranked NC State Wolfpack who were without their leader, QB Denis Leary. The Orange hope to continue their momentum onto a massive road win over Clemson as they open as +13.5 underdogs against the Tigers.

15. Utah Utes

Massive 43-42 PAC-12 victory over 12th ranked USC which saw the Utes win a big game at home. They will enjoy the win for an extra week as they head into a bye.

16. Penn State Nittany Lions

Lost 41-17 to a better Michigan team that forced Clifford into poor play and an eventual injury. They hope to rally at home vs Minnesota as the Nittany Lions open as –4.5 favorites in solid Big Ten matchup.

17. Kansas State Wildcats

Coming off a fresh bye week, Adrian Martinez continues to be a one man show as he hopes to lead the Wildcats to another victory, this time on the road with a +3.5 underdog label over 8th ranked TCU.

18. Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini won huge at home vs Minnesota in a 26-14 underdog victory. They will celebrate the big win for another week as they head into a bye.

19. Kentucky Wildcats

27-17 handling of the 24th ranked Mississippi State Rebels who couldn’t overcome the Wildcats on the road. Christopher Rodriquez can rest up after such a strong game as the team enjoys a nice bye week.

20. Texas Longhorns

24-21 win over Iowa State came as a close margin for a Longhorns team that’s hoping to continue the rankings climb with more W’s. Texas opens as –6 favorites as they travel to 11th ranked Oklahoma State.

21. Cincinnati Bearcats

Off a fresh bye week, the Bearcats travel to SMU as –3 favorites.

22. North Carolina Tar Heels

Are heading into a bye week after a big ACC win over Duke, 38-35.

23. NC State Wolfpack

The Wolfpack couldn’t manage much on offense without their QB Denis Leary as they fell 24-9 to 14th ranked Syracuse. They will hope to develop some more chemistry in the bye week as Leary was a massive leader for that offense.

24. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Losing 27-17 on the road to Kentucky is never a good thing but they didn’t fall out of the rankings entirely. Although they will have a tougher task next week as they travel to 6th ranked Alabama as +21 underdogs.

25. Tulane Green Wave

Michael Pratt has been electric and connected for 4 TDs as the Green Wave rolled over South Florida 45-31. Tulane will hope to hold on to their ranking as they open as –7 favorites at home against Memphis.