<body><div><h2>Penn State's gutsy overtime showing will have an effect on the voters.</h2><p>No. 4 Penn State erased a double-digit halftime deficit and upended USC in overtime <a href="https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/penn-state-usc-score-game-recap-highlights-drew-allar-nick-singleton-quinten-joyner-tyler-warren-woody-marks-miller-moss-kaytron-allen-237837213/">to win a competitive Big Ten battle</a>. The Nittany Lions move up in the Week 8 Top 25 AP Poll depending on the result of the Ohio State vs. Oregon matchup, a contest featuring two top-three unbeatens at Autzen Stadium.</p><p><i>Editor's note: This is a top-25 rankings projection and updates throughout Saturday night's late games. Rankings are subject to change as results come in.</i></p><p>No. 1 Texas obliterated No. 18 Oklahoma for the <a href="https://247sports.com/longformarticle/oklahoma-offense-faces-heavy-criticism-after-34-3-red-river-rivalry-loss-to-texas-237847589/">second time in three years and is now unbeaten</a> through six games for the first time since 2009. this could be a special season for the Longhorns, the SEC's lone remaining unblemished team. Steve Sarkisian led Texas to last season's playoff and has bigger goals this time around. Meanwhile, No. 7 Alabama held on against South Carolina after a severe home upset scare.</p><p>Here's how Sunday's new rankings should look after Statement Saturday...</p><h2>1. Texas Longhorns (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3uOGBH_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3uOGBH_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Oklahoma, 34-3</p><p>A 21-point second quarter was more than enough to stay unbeaten and handle Oklahoma in the SEC's first version of the Red River Rivalry. Quinn Ewers' return to the lineup included a couple touchdowns, but the primary takeaway was the Texas defense after limiting the Sooners to fewer than 200 yards of total yards with a pair of takeaways. Quarterback Michael Hawkins never found a rhythm after the Longhorns stymied the rushing attack and made their presence known often in the backfield.</p><h2>2. Ohio State Buckeyes</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3hcffI_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3hcffI_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><h2>3. Oregon Ducks</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3jxNtK_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3jxNtK_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Jason Fairchild, 247Sports)</figcaption></figure><h2>4. Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3MRmez_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3MRmez_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat USC, 33-30</p><p>Penn State forced overtime witha 14-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar to Nicholas Singleton with 2:53 remaining on the strength of two fourth-down conversions. The loss is USC's third in four games against Big Ten competition and is the Nittany Lions' most notable. Penn State gets to the midway point unbeaten and ranked inside the top five — exactly where James Franklin wants to be with this group.</p><h2>5. Georgia Bulldogs (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2qixR7_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2qixR7_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Mississippi State, 41-31</p><p>The Bulldogs fought off feisty Mississippi State behind 459 yards passing and three touchdowns from Carson Beck, who overcame two interceptions with a 42-yard score to Arian Smith in the third quarter that pushed the Bulldogs' lead to 34 points. Making his second-career start, Mississippi State true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. threw two touchdown passes two weeks after having to play Texas.</p><h2>6. Miami Hurricanes (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=04QkIh_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=04QkIh_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Open</p><p>Six wins away from a perfect regular season, Miami's <a href="https://247sports.com/college/miami/longformarticle/miami-hurricanes-football-schedule-ranking-miamis-six-remaining-opponents-in-the-second-half-of-the-2024-season-237765549/">remaining schedule is favorable</a>. Louisville and Georgia Tech are the two toughest matchups left and neither of those league opponents are slotted inside the top 25. Cam Ward has a major opportunity in the coming weeks to continue in the Heisman conversation at the top player at his position.</p><h2>7. Tennessee Volunteers </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0crrg9_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0crrg9_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Lance King, Getty)</figcaption></figure><h2>8. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0o3Jsy_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0o3Jsy_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat South Carolina, 27-25</p><p>After falling six spots to No. 7 in last week's ranking following a stunning loss to Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide nearly suffered another catastrophe against South Carolina at home. A late two-point conversion stop in the final minute preserved a bounce-back win for Alabama after the Gamecocks led 19-14 midway through the fourth quarter. Jalen Milroe accounted for three touchdowns, including a pair in the final frame to help his team prevail. This Alabama team is flawed, however.</p><h2>9. Ole Miss Rebels </h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1tKSix_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1tKSix_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><h2>10. Clemson Tigers (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3SfThZ_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3SfThZ_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Wake Forest, 49-14</p><p>Clemson turned back an early deficit on the road with a 28-point second quarter and never looked back during its romp of the Demon Deacons. Another 300-yard, three-touchdown performance out of Cade Klubnik along with 118 yards on the ground and two scores from Phil Mafah was more than enough for this red-hot offense. Clemson looks the part as an ACC title-contending adversary to Miami.</p><h2>11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0bs0E9_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0bs0E9_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Stanford, 49-7</p><p>The Fighting Irish could move into the top 10 after beating the Cardinal and keeping playoff hopes alive since the unexpected loss to NIU in September. Notre Dame trailed by a touchdown early before two touchdown passes in the second quarter from Riley Leonard gave the offense plenty of breathing room by intermission. Notre Dame plays Georgia Tech, which beat UNC on Saturday, next week before a date with unbeaten and potentially ranked Navy.</p><h2>12. Iowa State Cyclones</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0u3Cf1_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0u3Cf1_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images), Getty)</figcaption></figure><h2>13. LSU Tigers</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0Awkgl_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Awkgl_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><h2>14. BYU Cougars (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4YOfnc_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4YOfnc_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Arizona, 41-19</p><p>Keep doubting the Cougars! That's why BYU wants from the rest of the country as the leaders of the Big 12 through Week 7. Saturday's destruction of Arizona was another major move in the league pecking order behind a couple touchdown passes from Jake Retzlaff and a defensive push that collected three takeaways. BYU hosts Oklahoma State and then travels to UCF before the first playoff rankings are revealed to kick off November.</p><h2>15. Texas A&amp;M Aggies (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=19lWtU_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=19lWtU_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: John Bunch/Icon Sportswire, Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Open</p><p>In review of the Aggies' season <a href="https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/article/texas-a-m-bye-week-review-scheme-personnel-changes-upgrade-the-production-of-the-secondary-237845462/">up to this point during their bye week</a>, Texas A&amp;M is still very much alive in the SEC Championship and playoff conversation as one of the league's lone unbeaten (in conference play). The Aggies haven't lost since the season opener and now have their starting quarterback in healthy form after Conner Weigman's notable performance in last week's win over previously unbeaten Missouri.</p><h2>16. Boise State Broncos</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ocG0V_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ocG0V_0w4mo9p000" width="619" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Loren Orr, Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: at Hawaii, late</p><p>If you haven't watched Heisman frontrunner Ashton Jeanty, you're missing out. He only played a half of football last week and still managed 186 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, giving him a nation-leading 1,031 yards and 16 scores this fall. He's the heart and soul of this Broncos team, whose only loss came to Oregon on the road early. If Boise State wins out and takes the Mountain West, the Broncos will likely be the Group of Five's highest-ranked team and will advance to the playoff.</p><h2>17. Indiana Hoosiers (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2uaYam_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2uaYam_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images, USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Open</p><p>Next week's home showdown with Nebraska is the biggest game for Indiana football since 2020, when the program climbed into the top 10. The unbeaten Hoosiers are one of two teams nationally to not trail at any point this season, joining Army. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke has thrown 14 touchdown passes for an offense that's lit up the scoreboard with 41 or more points in five-straight games.</p><h2>18. Missouri Tigers (5-1)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ShNjv_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ShNjv_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Eric Canha, USA TODAY Sports)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat UMass, 45-3</p><p>In a rare road game for an SEC team against a Group of Five opponent, Missouri ran away from UMass early and bounced back from last week's disappointing blowout loss to Texas A&amp;M. Tigers playmaker Luther Burden scored on a 61-yard run in the first half, Marcus Carroll found the end zone three times at running back and Brady Cook tossed two touchdown passes to spearhead the offense. Missouri hosts Auburn next week before traveling to Alabama.</p><h2>19. Army Black Knights (6-0)</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3u3KUs_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3u3KUs_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat UAB, 44-10</p><p>Army jumped out front with a 34-point first half and proved worthy of a spot in Week 8's AP Top 25 with a convincing win over UAB. Army has entered the Group of Five playoff conversation with its unbeaten start, alongside Navy and one-loss Boise State. The Black Knights rushed for 413 yards against the Blazers, spearheaded by 136 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries from quarterback Bryson Daly. Army averaged 7.4 yards per carry.</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0ovbX0_0w4mo9p000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0ovbX0_0w4mo9p000" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p><b>20. Kansas State Wildcats</b></p><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: at Colorado, late</p><p><b>21. Pittsburgh Panthers (6-0)</b></p><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Cal, 17-15</p><p><b>22. SMU Mustangs (5-1)</b></p><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Open</p><p><b>23. Michigan Wolverines (4-2)</b></p><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Open</p><p><b>24. Illini Fighting Illini (5-1)</b></p><p><b>Saturday's result</b>: Beat Purdue, 50-49</p><p><b>25. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1)</b></p><p><b>Friday's result</b>: Beat Utah, 27-19</p><p><i>Dropped from rankings</i>: Utah, Oklahoma, USC</p></div></body>

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College football rankings: AP Top 25 projection for Week 8 after No. 4 Penn State wins at USC

Penn State's gutsy overtime showing will have an effect on the voters. No. 4 Penn State erased a double-digit halftime deficit and upended USC in overtime to win a competitive Big Ten battle. The Nittany Lions move up in the Week 8 Top 25 AP Poll depending on the result of the Ohio State vs. Oregon matchup, a contest featuring two top-three unbeatens at Autzen Stadium.

College football rankings: AP Top 25 projection for Week 8 after No. 4 Penn State wins at USC

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