College Football Week 7 lived up to the hype with thrilling matchups all day. Starting with Alabama narrowly escaping, Penn State coming from behind to take down USC in Overtime and multiple SEC Overtime games, as well as Oregon Ohio State going down to the final possession.
The Week 8 College Football Top 25 Rankings are once again led by Texas after their big win in the Red River Rivalry, followed by Oregon and Penn State both jumping up after their big wins. The bottom of the poll is rounded out by the two service academies that find themselves both ranked at the same time for the first time since 1960. Let’s get into the full Week 8 College Football Top 25 Rankings.
1. Texas Longhorns
After trailing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, Texas went on to score 34 unanswered points to roll their rival Oklahoma 34-3. Quinn Ewers threw for 199 yards with a touchdown and interception, as well as rushing for a TD. Texas hosts Georgia in a Top 5 clash next weekend.
2. Oregon Ducks
Oregon came out on top 32-21 over Ohio State in the battle of two top-five teams this weekend. Dillion Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, as well as leading Oregon on a 74-yard drive in the 4th quarter capped off by Atticus Sappington’s game-winning field goal. The Ducks head across the country to West Lafayette to take on Purdue Friday night.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Despite trailing 20-6 at halftime, Penn State came back to beat USC 33-30 in Overtime. Even though he threw three interceptions, Drew Allar had 391 yards passing and two touchdowns. Tight End Tyler Warren was his favorite target, as Warren had 224 yards receiving and a touchdown. Ryan Baker was 4/4 on field goals, hitting the game-winner for the Nittany Lions.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State fell 32-31 to Oregon on Saturday and is now 1-7 against AP Top 5 opponents since Ryan Day took over as head coach. Jeremiah Smith had 100 yards receiving and a touchdown but had a critical offensive pass interference penalty on the Buckeye’s last drive. Will Howard threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing for another, but also had a critical mistake sliding down as time expired to end the game?
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama almost suffered their second straight loss, squeaking by South Carolina 27-25. The Crimson Tide trailed 19-14 heading into the 4th quarter before Jayden Milroe rushed for a touchdown and then connected with Germie Bernard for a 34-yard touchdown pass. However, Bernard’s scoring allowed South Carolina to get the ball back and score a touchdown. But a failed two-point conversion and Domani Jackson intercepting Lanorris Sellers after the Gamecocks recovered an onside kick allowed Alabama to hang on. They head to Knoxville to take on Tennessee next Saturday.
6. Georgia Bulldogs
While Mississippi State put up a good fight in the second half, Georgia was able to hold them off to win the battle of the Bulldogs 41-31. Carson Beck threw for 459 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, connecting with Arian Smith for 134 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Bulldogs offense as a whole outgained Mississippi State 609-385 in total yards. Georgia heads to Austin to take on top-ranked Texas Saturday Night.
7. Miami Hurricanes
Miami had a much-needed bye following two controversial wins the past two weeks. The Hurricanes head to Louisville in a big ACC matchup on Saturday at Noon.
8. LSU Tigers
Despite trailing most of the game, LSU came back to beat Ole Miss 29-26 in Overtime. Garrett Nussmeier threw three touchdowns, including the game-tying score to Aaron Anderson with 27 seconds to play, and then connected with Kyren Lacy on the Tiger’s first offensive play of Overtime to win the game. LSU looks to avoid a letdown spot in Fayetteville next week, taking on Arkansas, who has already beat Tennessee at home this year.
9. Clemson Tigers
Clemson rolled Wake Forest, winning 49-14 on the road Saturday. Cade Klubnik threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns, and Phil Mafa rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers host Virginia at Noon on Saturday.
10. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State went on the road and took down West Virginia 28-16. Carson Hansen ran for 96 yards and three touchdowns, while Rocco Becht threw for 265 yards and a touchdown. The Cyclones host UCF on Saturday.
11. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee took down rival Florida 23-17 in the other SEC Overtime game Saturday Night. After trailing 10-0, Dylan Sampson rushed for 112 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the winner in Overtime. The Gators tied the game when DJ Lagway connected with Chimere Dike with 27 seconds left to play but missed a go-ahead field goal attempt that left the door open for the Volunteers to take home the W. Tennessee hosts Alabama Saturday afternoon.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame cruised to a 49-7 victory over rival Stanford behind Riley Leonard passing for 229 yards, three touchdowns, and rushing for another touchdown. The Fighting Irish outgained Stanford 477-200 in total yards. Georgia Tech comes to South Bend to take on the Irish Saturday.
13. BYU Cougars
BYU took down Arizona 41-19 to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2020. Jake Retzlaff led the Cougars with 218 yards passing and two touchdowns. BYU’s defense forced four turnovers, including a pick-six by Isaiah Glasker. The Cougars welcome Oklahoma State to Provo on Friday Night.
14. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M had a bye this past weekend following their big win over Missouri the week before. The Aggies head to Starkville to take on Mississippi State on Saturday.
15. Missouri Tigers
Missouri went on the road and took care of UMass with a 45-3 victory. Marcus Carroll rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns, while Brady Cook threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers battle another set of Tigers this Saturday as Auburn comes to town.
16. Kansas State Wildcats
After giving up the lead with 3 minutes to go, Avery Johnson connected with Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown to give Kansas State a 31-28 road win over Colorado. Brown caught both of Johnson’s touchdown passes and had 121 yards receiving, and DJ Giddens had 182 yards rushing to lead the Wildcats. Kansas State faces another road test Friday night at West Virginia.
17. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss suffered their second loss of the year, falling 29-26 to LSU in Overtime. After taking a 17-7 lead late in the first half on a touchdown pass from Jaxon Dart to Tre Harris, the Rebels would allow LSU to kick two field goals following a fumble, allowing LSU to cut the lead to 17-13 at halftime. Ole Miss would not be able to punch the ball into the endzone for the remainder of the game, and it cost them. The Rebels look to bounce back at home in two weeks against Oklahoma.
18. Boise State Broncos
Boise State remains undefeated on the year following a 28-7 win over Hawaii. Ashton Jeanty once again put up a Heisman-level stat line with 217 yards rushing and a touchdown, and Maddux Mansen threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Boise State is on bye this weekend before heading to Vegas to take on UNLV in a big Mountain West matchup in two weeks.
19. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana was on bye this past weekend before hosting Nebraska at Noon on Saturday in their most difficult test of the year.
20. Pitt Panthers
Pitt hung on to beat Cal 17-15 on Saturday despite being shutout in the 2nd half. Desmond Reid led the way for the Panthers with 122 yards rushing and two touchdowns, one of which was from 72 yards out. Pitt is off this upcoming weekend before hosting Syracuse the following Thursday.
21. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois survived Purdue, giving up 40 points in the second half, but tied the game on a last-second field goal to force Overtime. Luke Altmyer threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in Overtime, connecting with Pat Bryant for a 25-yard score. After giving up a touchdown, Illinois stopped Purdue’s two-point conversion attempt to win 50-49. The Fighting Illini host Michigan in a ranked conference matchup this weekend.
22. SMU Mustangs
SMU was on bye this past weekend before heading west for an ACC matchup versus Stanford Saturday Night.
23. Navy Midshipmen
Navy was on bye this past week before hosting Charlotte this Saturday in an American Conference matchup.
24. Army Black Knights
Army enters the rankings this week after beating UAB 44-10 to improve to 6-0 on the year. Bryson Daily lead the way for the Black Knights with four rushing touchdowns and another passing. Army hosts East Carolina on Saturday at Noon.
25. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan was on bye this past weekend after losing to Washington the previous week. They look to get back in the win column against Illinois on the road this weekend.
Next Four Teams: Nebraska Cornhuskers, Vanderbilt Commodores, Arizona State Sun Devils, Oklahoma Sooners