College Football Rankings : The college football landscape saw significant changes following Week 8, as the top-ranked Texas Longhorns fell to Georgia, paving the way for Oregon to claim the No. 1 spot. After a dominant road performance, the Ducks are set to reach a milestone, holding the top spot in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since 2012. Oregon’s rise and Michigan’s fall mark just a few of the key shifts in this week’s rankings.
Oregon Takes Over at No. 1
With Texas suffering a 30-15 loss to Georgia, the No. 1 ranking became up for grabs, and Oregon took full advantage. The Ducks delivered a convincing shutout victory against a highly-ranked opponent, further solidifying their claim as the top team in the country. This will mark only the second time since 2012 that Oregon has been ranked No. 1, a position they hope to hold for more than the one week they managed last time.
Dan Lanning’s squad has been a force this season, with their Week 7 win over Ohio State giving them a substantial edge. With another tough game ahead against Illinois, Oregon’s next challenge will be proving they can sustain their newfound ranking at the top.
Texas Falls, but Stays in the Top 5
Despite the loss to Georgia, the Longhorns are likely to remain one of the highest-ranked one-loss teams. Georgia’s defense suffocated Texas’ offense, and the Longhorns struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game. However, Texas’ overall season performance, including impressive wins earlier in the year, will keep them in the top five, even after losing the top spot.
Read More : Texas Longhorns vs. Georgia Bulldogs: A Thrilling Showdown at Daryl K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Georgia Moves Up to No. 3
Georgia’s upset of Texas vaulted them higher in the rankings, but the Bulldogs did not quite do enough to claim the No. 1 spot themselves. The voters seem to favor Oregon’s consistency and recent success, but Georgia’s commanding win in Austin showcased that they remain serious contenders for the SEC and national titles.
Other Key Changes: Michigan Drops Out, Penn State Climbs
After a rough few weeks, Michigan has fallen out of the rankings entirely, marking a dramatic fall from grace for one of the season’s early favorites. The Wolverines struggled with inconsistency and failed to recover from back-to-back losses. Meanwhile, Penn State has continued to rise steadily and now sits comfortably at No. 2, thanks to an impressive undefeated record.
LSU and Iowa State also made moves up the rankings, while teams like Tennessee and Miami are slowly climbing the top 10 with key victories. Clemson and Notre Dame continue to build solid resumes, sitting just outside the top five but remaining competitive in their respective conferences.
Full Projected AP Top 25 College Football Rankings After Week 8:
- Oregon (2)
- Penn State (3)
- Georgia (5)
- Ohio State (4)
- Texas (1)
- Miami (6)
- LSU (8)
- Iowa State (9)
- Clemson (10)
- Tennessee (11)
- BYU (13)
- Indiana (16)
- Notre Dame (12)
- Texas A&M (14)
- Alabama (7)
- Boise State (15)
- Kansas State (17)
- Illinois (22)
- Ole Miss (18)
- Pitt (20)
- SMU (21)
- Army (23)
- Navy (25)
- Missouri (19)
- Vanderbilt (NR)
Looking Ahead
The next few weeks will be critical for teams like Oregon, Georgia, and Penn State as they attempt to cement their places at the top. With several key conference games on the horizon, the playoff race is heating up. Oregon’s matchup against Illinois and Georgia’s SEC race will be must-watch games as they continue to battle for national supremacy.
The landscape of college football is shifting dramatically after Week 8, and as the playoff picture comes into focus, the pressure on top teams will only increase. Stay tuned for more surprises as the race to the championship intensifies.
Source : cbssports
