RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

In the first season of the 16-team SEC, the competition has proven to be even tougher than we thought. It’s not just that Alabama Upsetting Georgia in Week 5 to reach the No. 1 ranking. It’s that Vanderbilt was upset at the time. No. 1-ranked Alabama. It’s that the second-best team in the SEC — not the best team in the Big Ten, Big 12 or ACC, all of which have undefeated teams in their leagues — got the nod as the No. 1 team in the country.

There have been three No. 1 teams through the first eight weeks of the season, and they’re all from the same conference: SEC! However, with Georgia’s 30-15 win against Texas, it’s likely that the Associated Press rankings will overtake me and move up the rankings. Oregonwhich is currently 7-0 with a home win against an exceptional State of Ohio team, as the new consensus No. 1 team in America.

But… There’s an argument for Georgia to take back the No. 1 ranking it had to start the season, and it starts with the Bulldogs going on the road to a double-digit victory over the Longhorns. That’s the best in the country. The 15-point win over the Forty Acres tops Oregon’s one-point win over Ohio State in Autzen, and the Bulldogs accomplished the feat when quarterback Carson Beck threw three interceptions and completed just 23 of 41 passes for 175 yards with zero touchdowns.

Georgia’s win over Texas was a dominant and vintage defensive performance from Kirby Smart, with Texas doing virtually nothing for two quarters and trailing UGA 23-0 at halftime. This is despite the fact that the Dawgs have yet to play a full game on offense, defense or special teams this season.

But winning should be respected, and losing should be punished. So Oregon is the No. 1 team here for now. But watch out if this Georgia team finds a way to play complete football.

Georgia, even at number 2, feels inevitable again.

With that, here’s a look at my top 25 rankings after week 8 of the college football season:

1. Oregon (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Purdue, 35-0

The Ducks showed no signs of a hangover after their 32-31 win against Ohio State last week, making light work for the Boilermakers. Dillon Gabriel was frighteningly efficient, completing 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

No. 2 Oregon Ducks vs. Purdue Boilermakers Highlights

2. Georgia (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Texas, 30-15

Georgia has yet to play a perfect game in all three phases, but good teams find ways to win big games, and that’s exactly what Kirby Smart’s side did on Saturday. While Carson Beck struggled throughout, Trevor Etienne picked up the slack and rushed for three touchdowns in the win over the No. 1-ranked team in America.

3. State of Ohio (5-1)

Result week 8: Inactive

4. Penn State (6-0)

Result week 8: Inactive

5. Texas (6-1)

Result week 8: Lost to Georgia, 30-15

Texas is a good football team, but the SEC is simply too deep for teams to come out of this league unscathed. Quinn Ewers threw for 211 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, as Georgia’s defense held Texas to just 29 yards on the ground. The Longhorns have now lost their last five home games against top five opponents.

6. Miami (Fla.) (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Louisville, 52-45

Canes quarterback Cam Ward completed 21 of 32 passes with four passing touchdowns in a riveting rout of the Cardinals. Miami has now scored 50 points or more in four games this season, the most of any Canes team in a single season.

7. Clemson (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Virginia, 48-31

The Tigers seemed the best-positioned challenger to Miami’s dominance, aside from undefeated Pitt. Since losing 34-3 to Georgia in Week 1, they have scored 40 or more in five of their last six games.

8. The state of Iowa (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated UCF, 38-35

After an interception that looked every bit like a return for a back-breaking touchdown, UCF defensive back Braeden Marshall needlessly dropped the ball before breaking the plane, leaving Iowa State with a chance at a comeback. That’s exactly what Rocco Becht and the Cyclones did.

UCF’s Braeden Marshall intercepts a pass, but drops the ball on the 1-yard line vs. Iowa State

In a gritty win, Becht threw for 274 yards and ran for 97 with three total touchdowns to keep Iowa State undefeated.

9. BYU (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Oklahoma State, 38-35

This team feels like Texas Christian from 2022. Are the Cougars perfect? According to their file, it is. And they’re certainly one of the top two teams in the Big 12, and that’ll be good enough to get them to the College Football Playoff.

10. LSU (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Arkansas, 34-10

LSU tailback Caden Durham rushed for 101 yards with three touchdowns in a game the Tigers broke open late in the second half. They maintain their undefeated streak in SEC play and will face another undefeated SEC foe on Saturday at Texas A&M.

11. Tennessee (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Alabama, 24-17

Riding tailback Dylan Sampson, who rushed more than 100 yards in the second half alone, the Vols defeated their hated rival for the second time in 18 years. With the win, Tennessee keeps its SEC title and CFP hopes alive.

12. Indiana (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Nebraska, 56-7

The Hoosiers are one of only three undefeated teams left in the Big Ten, and they appear to be a legitimate threat to play in the Big Ten Championship. Indiana has not trailed an opponent in any game it has played this season.

13. Notre Dame (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Georgia Tech, 31-13

The Fighting Irish came back from a 7-0 deficit for the second time in as many weeks to record a win. Without Haynes King at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets leaned on Zach Pyron, who completed 20 of 36 passes for 269 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Notre Dame’s defense bowed out, holding Georgia Tech scoreless in the second and third quarters.

14. Texas A&M (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Mississippi State, 34-24

The Aggies held on to beat the Bulldogs and keep their undefeated SEC season intact. Texas A&M is now one of only two programs in the league without a loss in conference play. The Aggies’ only loss this season came against a top-25 Notre Dame team.

15. Missouri (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Auburn, 21-17

The Tigers scored a touchdown with 46 seconds left, sealing a comeback victory against Auburn. With the win, Missouri not only retained its spot in these rankings, but also remained on the bubble for the CFP. Mizzou trailed Auburn 17-6 in the fourth quarter before its comeback.

16. Boise State (5-1)

Result week 8: Inactive

17. State of Kansas (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated West Virginia, 45-18

Kansas State is off to its first 6-1 start since 2014 after an impressive win over West Virginia. With WVU selling out to stop DJ Giddens and the Wildcat rushing attack, quarterback Avery Johnson completed 19 of 29 passes for 298 yards with three touchdowns.

Kansas State’s Avery Johnson connects with Jadon Jackson on an ELECTRIC 60-yard TD vs. West Virginia

18. Illinois (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Michigan, 21-7

The win was the Illini’s first against Michigan since 2009 and their third against a team ranked in the top 25. They handed Michigan a second loss in as many Saturdays, marking the first time the Wolverines have lost back since 2020. games in a row.

19. Alabama (5-2)

Result week 8: Lost to Tennessee, 24-17

After earning the No. 1 ranking following a win over Georgia, the Tide have now dropped two of their last three — both losses to programs from the state of Tennessee — and could be the only No. 1-ranked team after season started. not to make the CFP.

20. Pitt (6-0)

Result week 8: Inactive

21. Ole ma’am (5-2)

Result week 8: Inactive

22. SMU (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Stanford, 40-10

Along with Miami, Clemson and Pitt, the Mustangs are undefeated in conference play. Kevin Jennings passed for over 300 yards with three touchdowns and an interception in a rout of the Cardinal.

23. Army (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Eastern Carolina, 45-28

The Black Knights mauled the Pirates and quarterback Bryson Daily accounted for 318 yards – including 171 rushing yards – in the win.

24. Navy (6-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Charlotte, 51-17

The Midshipmen led Charlotte 38-0 – with 10:24 left in the second quarter. The win was highlighted by three passing touchdowns by quarterback Blake Horvath and two interceptions returned for TDs by Dashaun Peele, the first Navy player ever to perform the feat in a game.

25. Colorado (5-2)

Result week 8: Defeated Arizona, 34-7

The Buffaloes are 5-2 for the first time since 2005 and look like a latecomer to a Big 12 title battle with a signature win against Arizona along the way. One in which it played the second half without Travis Hunter.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of “The Number One College Football Show” podcast. Follow him up @RJ_Young.

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