2024 college football rankings: Oregon, Georgia top; Colorado comes in at 25

In the first season of the 16-team SEC, the league proved to be more difficult than we thought. That’s not all Alabama upset Georgia back in Week 5 to reach the No. 1 ranking. That’s what Vanderbilt is upset about. 1-ranked Alabama. It’s that the next 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 — gets the nod as the No. 1 team in the country.

There have been three No. 1 teams in the first eight weeks of the season, and they all come from the same conference: the SEC! However, with Georgia’s 30-15 win over Texas, we are bound to see the Associated Press’s level of concern and quality. In Oregoncurrently sitting at 7-0 with one win at home State of Ohio group, as the new consensus group No. 1 in America.

However … There is an argument that Georgia is returning the No. 1 ranking it had to start the season, and it starts with Bulldogs going on the road to secure a double-digit victory over the Long horns. That is the best in the country. The 15-point victory at Forty Acres was more than Oregon’s one-point victory over Ohio State in Autzen, and the Bulldogs accomplished the feat with quarterback Carson Beck throwing three interceptions and completing just 23 of his passes. 41 for 175 yards with zero touchdowns.

Georgia’s win over Texas was an outstanding and classic Kirby Smart defense, with Texas going scoreless in two quarters and trailing UGA 23-0 at halftime. This while the Dawgs have yet to play a complete game on offense, defense or special teams this season.

But winning must be respected, and losing must 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 No. 2, it feels inevitable again.

With that, here’s a look at my top 25 rankings following Week 8 of college football season:

1. In Oregon (7-0)

Week 8 result: Lost to Purdue, 35-0

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

2. Georgia (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to Texas, 30-15

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

3. State of Ohio (5-1)

Week 8 result: It doesn’t work

4. Penn State (6-0)

Week 8 result: Doing nothing

5. Texas (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to Georgia, 30-15

Texas is a good football team, but the SEC is too deep for teams to come out of this flawless league. Quinn Ewers threw for 211 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, while 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)

Week 8 result: Lost to Louisville, 52-45

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

7. Clemson (6-1)

Week 8 result: Virginia lost, 48-31

I Tigers they look like the best-placed opponent in Miami’s reign, except for undefeated Pitt. Since losing to Georgia 34-3 back in Week 1, they have scored 40 or more in five of their last six games.

8. Iowa State (7-0)

Week 8 result: UCF lost, 38-35

Following a punt that looked like it was going to be reversed for a backbreak touchdown, UCF defensive end Braeden Marshall unnecessarily dropped the ball before breaking a layup and leaving Iowa State with no chance for a comeback. That’s exactly what Rocco Becht did with the Cyclones.

In a tough game, Becht threw for 274 yards and ran for 97 with three total TDs to keep Iowa State undefeated.

9. BYU (7-0)

Week 8 result: Lost to Oklahoma State, 38-35

This team feels like 2022 Texas Christian. Are the Cougars perfect? However, their record says they are. And they are certainly one of the two best teams in the Big 12, and that will be good enough to get them into the College Football Playoff.

10. LSU (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost at Arkansas, 34-10

LSU running back 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 in Texas A&M on Saturday.

11. Tennessee (6-1)

Week 8 result: Alabama lost, 24-17

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

12. In Indiana (7-0)

Week 8 result: Nebraska lost, 56-7

The Hoosiers are one of three undefeated teams left in the Big Ten, and look like a legitimate threat to play in the Big Ten Championship. Indiana has not trailed an opponent in any of its games this season.

13. Notre Dame (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to Georgia Tech, 31-13

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

14. Texas A&M (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to 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 just two programs in the league to lose in conference play. The Aggies’ only loss this season was to a 25-year-old Notre Dame team.

15. Missouri (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to Auburn, 21-17

The Tigers scored a touchdown with 46 seconds left in the game to seal the comeback victory over Auburn. With the win, Missouri not only maintained its spot in this set of rankings, but also remains in the CFP bubble. Mizzou trailed Auburn 17-6 in the fourth quarter before its comeback.

16. Boise State (5-1)

Week 8 result: It doesn’t work

17. Kansas State (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to West Virginia, 45-18

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

18. Illinois (6-1)

Week 8 result: Lost to Michigan, 21-7

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

19. Alabama (5-2)

Week 8 result: Lost to Tennessee, 24-17

After getting the No. 1 after defeating Georgia, the Tide have now dropped two of their last three — both losses coming against programs from the state of Tennessee — and may be the only No. 1 after the start of the season. not to do CFP.

20. Pitt (6-0)

Week 8 result: It doesn’t work

21. Ole Miss (5-2)

Week 8 result: Doing nothing

22. SMU (6-1)

Week 8 result: 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 a touchdown for the Cardinals.

23. The army (7-0)

Week 8 result: Lost to East Carolina, 45-28

The Black Knights crushed the Pirates, with quarterback Bryson Daily accounting for 318 yards – including 171 rushing yards – in the victory.

24. The Navy (6-0)

Week 8 result: Charlotte lost, 51-17

The Midshipmen led Charlotte 38-0 with 10:24 left in the second half. The win was marked by three touchdown passes from quarterback Blake Horvath and two passes returned for TDs by Dashaun Peele, the first Navy player to do so in a game.

25. In Colorado (5-2)

Week 8 result: Lost to Arizona, 34-7

The Buffaloes are 5-2 for the first time since 2005 and look like latecomers to the Big 12 title party with a signature win against Arizona on the road. One where he played the second half without Travis Hunter.

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

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