by Wayne Root
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024College football's Week 8 slate for the 2024 season produced several outcomes that altered the top 12 College rankings. Tennessee beat Alabama 24-17, Georgia upset Texas, and Miami held on in another high-scoring battle to knock off Louisville. Additionally, Illinois knocked off Michigan, while BYU and Iowa State remained unbeaten in the Big 12 with last-second victories.
Could 10-win teams pose a problem for the CFP committee? The new College Football Playoff means opportunity for two-loss – and perhaps even three-loss teams to make the postseason.
College Football Top 12 Rankings (After Week 8)
1. Oregon (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Purdue
A week after a massive win over Ohio State, Oregon was on letdown alert for a trip to Purdue. The Oregon Ducks kept their foot on the gas with a 35-0 win over Purdue Friday night to erase any doubts of a fluke. So a win over Ohio State and Purdue, a trap game situation, and the Ducks are clearly the best in the Big Ten right now. The Ducks simply took care of business in an easy 35-0 victory. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was efficient once again (21 of 25 for 290 yards and two touchdowns), and the defense pitched its first shutout since 2012. One big takeaway from the Oregon win Friday night was the red zone efficiency. Five touchdowns in five trips will do!
2. Georgia (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Texas
The Bulldogs made a statement in Saturday's 30-15 win over Texas: The SEC still runs through Athens. Georgia’s defense was so good, it seemed like Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning were both seeing ghosts Saturday night. This was the type of performance you’d expect from a national title contender. After losing to Alabama and a so-so performance last week against Mississippi State, coach Kirby Smart's team had plenty of doubters leading into the showdown with the Longhorns. The Bulldogs came back to life on defense and the running game was stout, despite Carson Beck’s three interceptions holding the offense back. The SEC just got way more interesting. Georgia dominated along the line of scrimmage, registering seven sacks and also forcing three turnovers to hold a high-powered Texas offense to 15 points and 3.4 yards a play.
3. Ohio State (5-1)
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
Ohio State probably needed a breather following the upset loss to Oregon. The Buckeyes were that close and it could’ve been the difference between this ranking and the No. 1 overall spot. The Buckeyes – the preseason Big Ten favorite – are the third team from the conference in the top six. Ohio State had a bye week to evaluate the 32-31 loss to Oregon on Oct. 12, and Nebraska is a welcome challenge ahead of Penn State. Edge rushers JT Tuimoloau (3.0 sacks) and Jack Sawyer (2.5 sacks) are players to watch in the second half of the season, especially this week against freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. The Buckeyes are set to return to action Saturday against Nebraska. After the date versus the Cornhuskers, Ohio State has a tough road trip on tap to Penn State on Nov. 2. First up, it’s Nebraska before the Penn State showdown.
4. Texas (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Lost to Georgia
Texas looked like the best team in the country when it dominated Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Saturday night, the offense looked overmatched by new SEC foe Georgia. The Longhorns fell 30-15 to Georgia in Saturday night's anticipated SEC showdown. Texas' high-powered offense was held to 259 yards, lost three turnovers, and had four drives end in Bulldogs' territory without points. Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, didn’t matter. Neither quarterback was going to get going against the Bulldogs. Now, is there a controversy? Did Steve Sarkisian unintentionally create one? Coach Steve Sarkisian's program is still squarely in the mix for the SEC title, but it's clear Georgia is still the team to beat in '24.
5. Miami (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Louisville
Another week, another thrilling win for the Hurricanes. The Miami Hurricanes avoided disaster again. Stop us if you heard that before. Maybe it’s not avoiding disaster so much as the ‘Canes know how to win thrilling close games? This time, Cam Ward did it with 319 yards in a 52-45 win over Louisville. Miami is 7-0 and in the driver’s seat in the ACC. Coach Mario Cristobal's team struggled to get stops against Louisville's passing game but scored on defense with a fumble recovery for a touchdown and made one timely stop in the fourth quarter to escape 52-45. Quarterback Cameron Ward was brilliant once again by throwing for four scores, and running back Damien Martinez ran for 89 yards to power a ground game that churned out 219 overall.
6. Penn State (6-0)
Week 8 Result: Bye Week
The Nittany Lions were off last Saturday and return to action this
Saturday at Wisconsin. Penn State had a week to recover following an epic win over USC on the road the other weekend. The Nittany Lions head to Madison against a surging Wisconsin team this coming weekend though. Drew Allar had his best performance against the Trojans, throwing for a career high 391 yards, but did have three interceptions. As long as Penn State limits the turnovers, it should be a win over the Badgers next Saturday. After the showdown in Madison, Penn State returns home to play Ohio State on Nov. 2.
7. LSU (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Arkansas
Playing a rivalry game against Arkansas a week after an overtime win at Ole Miss was a dangerous spot for the Bayou Bengals. LSU beat Arkansas for the eighth time in nine years and improved to 6-1 on the season. It’s now six wins in a row for the Tigers as we head into the latter half of the year. Instead of a letdown, coach Brian Kelly's team handled the Razorbacks in a 34-10 victory. Kelly's defense continues to improve, holding Arkansas to just 277 yards and an average of two yards per carry. Next week is going to be fascinating when LSU travels to take on Texas A&M, a fellow 6-1 team and winners of six in a row. Could Brian Kelly get this LSU team to another SEC Championship Game?
8. Tennessee (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Alabama
Tennessee didn’t look good early on after going scoreless in the first half. But they woke up and won 24-17 over Alabama to improve to 6-1 on the season. A struggling Tennessee offense came alive in the second half, scoring 24 points in the final two quarters to lift coach Josh Heupel's team to a win over Alabama. Nico Iamaleava also woke up after a dreadful first half. But this was quite the win for the Vols to take a step up in the SEC pecking order. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava (14 of 27 for 194 yards) missed a handful of throws again but made a couple of clutch passes in the second half to help the offense get on track. Additionally, Tennessee's defense limited a dynamic Crimson Tide attack to 314 total yards.
9. Indiana (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Nebraska
The Hoosiers crushed Nebraska 56-7 and now lead the FBS in points per game (48.7). That victory was tempered with news quarterback Kurtis Rourke (thumb) – who leads the FBS with a 188.7 passer efficiency rating – is out indefinitely. Tayven Jackson played well in Rourke's place Saturday and will be on the spot against Washington in Week 9. The Hoosiers jump six spots after crushing Nebraska. Coach Curt Cignetti's team dominated the Cornhuskers from the opening snap, jumping out to a 28-0 lead and never taking their foot off the pedal in a 49-point victory. The offense torched a solid Nebraska defense for 7.9 yards a snap, while Indiana's defense allowed only 304 total yards. Cignetti has quickly transformed the Hoosiers into a CFB Playoff contender in his first season.
10. Clemson (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Virginia
Clemson has won six games in a row since the season opening loss to Georgia and suddenly the Tigers look like a contender again. Does that continue as the season progresses? They’ll get a bye week fresh off another good performance from Cade Klubnik under center. That was after he threw a bad pick early in the game, but bounced back in a big way with over 300 yards and three touchdowns. Virginia tacked on 21 points in the fourth quarter to make the score respectable, but Clemson was in control most of the game for a 48-21 victory. The win gave the Tigers their sixth in a row, and quarterback Cade Klubnik was impressive once again (23 of 35 for 308 yards and three scores).
11. Iowa State (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated UCF
Iowa State remained undefeated by the skin of its teeth with a 38-35 win over UCF. The Big 12 leaders still have the inside track to the conference title game with a looming date with Kansas State at the end of the year. The Cyclones kept their undefeated season alive thanks to 24 second-half points, including a touchdown with less than two minutes to go to rally to a victory over UCF. Quarterback Rocco Becht was instrumental in the comeback, passing for 274 yards and a touchdown and adding 97 yards and two more scores on the ground. The biggest concern should be the defense, which has been one of the best in the conference. They’ll have to get it right before the final stretch.
12. BYU (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Oklahoma State
The Cougars are the other Big 12 team with a nine-lives to them, as they pulled out a thrilling 38-35 victory against Oklahoma State with Jake Retzlaff’s 35-yard TD pass to Darius Lassiter. The defense allowed 269 rushing yards against the Cowboys, however, and that is a real concern heading into a road test at UCF. Retzlaff will need to be more efficient and avoid turnovers here. Friday night college football delivered once again, as BYU scored a touchdown with 10 seconds left to beat Oklahoma State. The Cougars were favored by over a touchdown but struggled with turnovers (three lost) and couldn't contain the Cowboys' offense (421 yards allowed). BYU has a favorable slate remaining but three of the team's final five games come on the road.
