Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.
The eighth weekend of the 2024 season was headlined by several matchups, including Tennessee's win over Alabama, Georgia's victory at Texas, Miami's high-scoring ways edging Louisville, and a key win by BYU over Oklahoma State on Friday night. Also, Iowa State rallied in the final two minutes to beat UCF, with Kansas State and Colorado also picking up big-time wins in Big 12 play.
Oregon moves the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 8 top 25 rankings, followed by Georgia, Texas, and Ohio State. Here are Athlon Sports' top 25 college football teams after Week 8:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 8)
1. Oregon (7-0)
Last Week: 2
Week 8 Result: Defeated Purdue
A week after a massive win over Ohio State, Oregon was on letdown alert for a trip to Purdue. Instead, 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.
2. Georgia (6-1)
Last Week: 4
Week 8 Result: Defeated Texas
The Bulldogs made a statement in Saturday's 30-15 win over Texas: The SEC still runs through Athens. 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. However, 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. Texas (6-1)
Last Week: 1
Week 8 Result: Lost to Texas
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. 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.
4. Ohio State (5-1)
Last Week: 3
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Buckeyes had an off date in Week 8 and are set to return to action next Saturday against Nebraska. After the date versus the Cornhuskers, Ohio State has a tough road trip on tap to Penn State on Nov. 2.
5. Penn State (6-0)
Last Week: 5
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Nittany Lions were off on Saturday and return to action next Saturday at Wisconsin. After the showdown in Madison, Penn State returns home to play Ohio State on Nov. 2.
6. Miami (7-0)
Last Week: 6
Week 8 Result: Defeated Louisville
Another week, another thrilling win for the Hurricanes. 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 319 yards and four scores, and running back Damien Martinez ran for 89 yards to power a ground game that churned out 219 overall.
7. LSU (6-1)
Last Week: 9
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. 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.
8. Tennessee (6-1)
Last Week: 8
Week 8 Result: Defeated Alabama
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 24-17 win over Alabama. 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. Notre Dame (6-1)
Last Week: 10
Week 8 Result: Defeated Georgia Tech
The Fighting Irish used 31 unanswered points to pull away for a 31-13 victory over Georgia Tech. Quarterback Riley Leonard was solid (254 total yards and two touchdowns), while the defense limited the Yellow Jackets to just 333 total yards. A huge showdown against undefeated Navy is on tap for coach Marcus Freeman's team next Saturday.
10. Clemson (6-1)
Last Week: 11
Week 8 Result: Defeated Virginia
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)
Last Week: 12
Week 8 Result: Defeated UCF
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 38-35 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.
12. BYU (7-0)
Last Week: 13
Week 8 Result: Defeated Oklahoma State
Friday night college football delivered once again, as BYU scored a touchdown with 10 seconds left to beat Oklahoma State 38-35. 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.
13. Indiana (7-0)
Last Week : 19
Week 8 Result: Defeated Nebraska
The Hoosiers jump six spots after crushing Nebraska 56-7. 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.
14. Texas A&M (6-1)
Last Week: 14
Week 8 Result: Defeated Mississippi State
An undermanned Mississippi State team gave Texas A&M all it could handle, but coach Mike Elko's squad held on for a 34-24 victory. The Aggies gave up too many big plays but also recorded 11 tackles for a loss and allowed just seven points over the final two quarters. Texas A&M faces a huge showdown against LSU next week in a game that will significantly impact the CFB Playoff.
15. Kansas State (6-1)
Last Week: 15
Week 8 Result: Defeated West Virginia
A road trip to West Virginia after last week's close win at Colorado was a tough turnaround for coach Chris Klieman's team. However, the Wildcats handled the long road trip with ease, as K-State pounded the Mountaineers 45-18. Quarterback Avery Johnson was the catalyst for the win, throwing for 298 yards and three scores and leading the offense to an average of 7.5 yards a snap.
16. Alabama (5-2)
Last Week: 7
Week 8 Result: Lost to Tennessee
Alabama's hopes of a CFB Playoff trip are on life support after Saturday's 24-17 loss to Tennessee. Although the Crimson Tide's defense showed some improvement, this unit gave up 24 second-half points and surrendered 214 yards on the ground. Quarterback Jalen Milroe had a few highlights (239 passing yards) but wasn't accurate (56 percent) and tossed two picks. Alabama has lost its last two trips to Knoxville and likely needs to win out to have any shot at a playoff bid.
17. Ole Miss (5-2)
Last Week: 16
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Rebels had an off date on Saturday and return to action next week against Oklahoma.
18. Missouri (6-1)
Last Week: 17
Week 8 Result: Defeated Auburn
Quarterback Brady Cook's heroic return from a significant ankle injury sparked Missouri's 15-point fourth quarter and a 21-17 victory over Auburn. After an injury in the first quarter, Cook went to the hospital for a MRI but managed to return late in the second half. Although the numbers weren't overly prolific (11 of 22 for 194 yards), Cook made a handful of clutch plays to lead the comeback win. Missouri's defense also came up big, holding Auburn to 286 total yards and just four third-down conversions on 14 attempts.
19. Boise State (6-1)
Last Week: 18
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Broncos had an off date on Saturday and return to action next week at UNLV on Friday night.
20. Illinois (6-1)
Last Week: 21
Week 8 Result: Defeated Michigan
The Fighting Illini were outgained 322 to 267, but coach Bret Bielema's squad made all of the timely plays to beat Michigan 21-7. Illinois forced three turnovers, limited the Wolverines to 114 rushing yards, and generated five sacks to help seal the victory.
21. Pitt (6-0)
Last Week: 20
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Panthers were off on Saturday and return to action on Thursday night against Syracuse.
22. SMU (6-1)
Last Week: 22
Week 8 Result: Defeated Stanford
The Mustangs clinched bowl eligibility with win No. 6 in an easy 40-10 victory over Stanford. SMU's offense averaged 7.7 yards a snap behind a huge day from quarterback Kevin Jennings (322 passing yards). The defense also stepped up, generating six sacks and holding the Cardinal to 206 total yards.
23. Navy (7-0)
Last Week: 23
Week 8 Result: Defeated Charlotte
Navy converted five Charlotte turnovers into 31 points (including two interceptions returned for touchdowns) in a 51-17 victory over the 49ers. Quarterback Blake Horvath was solid once again (117 yards and three touchdowns through the air and 56 yards on the ground) and helped to power a ground attack that managed 171 rushing yards.
24. Vanderbilt (5-2)
Last Week: 25
Week 8 Result: Defeated Ball State
The Commodores earned their fifth victory and moved one step closer to bowl eligibility by beating Ball State 24-14 on Saturday night. Coach Clark Lea's team outgained the Cardinals 420 to 268, with quarterback Diego Pavia accounting for over 300 total yards and two scores.
25. Army (7-0)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 8 Result: Defeated East Carolina
The Black Knights scored over 40 points (45) for the fourth game in a row to help coach Jeff Monken's team improve to 7-0 with a 45-28 victory over East Carolina. Army is 7-0 for the first time since 1996 and has two weeks to get ready for rival Air Force on Nov. 2.
Related: Predicting the AP Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 8
Related: College Football Top 134 Team Rankings for 2024
Related: College Football 2024 Midseason All-America Team
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