College Football Rankings: NCAAF Top 25 (After Week 8)
Charlie Brewer, Baylor Bears Football
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 2019 season was headlined by Penn State's home victory over Michigan, Illinois' upset of Wisconsin and Oregon's road win at Washington. Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Clemson take the top four spots once again, with Oklahoma at No. 5 and Penn State moving to No. 6 in the post-Week 8 top 25 rankings. With the eighth week of the 2019 season officially in the books, here are the top 25 teams in college football:
College Football Top 25 Rankings
1. Alabama (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Tennessee
Timely offense and late fumble return for a touchdown help Crimson Tide beat Tennessee for the 13th time in a row. However, the victory was a costly one, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left due to a high ankle sprain.
2. LSU (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Mississippi State
Thanks to four scores versus Mississippi State, quarterback Joe Burrow now owns the school’s single-season record for most touchdown passes (29) in a year.
3. Ohio State (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Northwestern
Justin Fields accounted for four touchdowns, and Ohio State’s defense did not allow a play longer than 16 yards in Friday night’s win over Northwestern.
4. Clemson (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Louisville
Trevor Lawrence already has eight interceptions in 2019 after tossing only four last season. However, as evidenced by a 45-10 win at Louisville on Saturday, the extra mistakes aren’t slowing down coach Dabo Swinney’s team.
5. Oklahoma (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated West Virginia
Jalen Hurts was sharp once again, and Oklahoma’s defense held West Virginia to just 242 yards.
6. Penn State (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Michigan
Nittany Lions were outgained for the second week in a row, but coach James Franklin’s squad got timely stops on defense and a couple of clutch plays by receiver KJ Hamler to hold off Michigan.
7. Florida (7-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated South Carolina
Gators score 21 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Gamecocks and rebound from last week’s loss at LSU.
8. Georgia (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Kentucky
The weather was awful, but Georgia’s offense (270 yards) didn’t gain much confidence going into the bye week.
9. Notre Dame (5-1)
Week 8 Result: Off Week
The Fighting Irish were off in Week 8 and return to action next Saturday against Michigan.
10. Auburn (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Arkansas
Bo Nix was sharp (12 of 17 for 176 yards and three scores) in Auburn’s 51-10 win at Arkansas.
11. Oregon (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Washington
Ducks used three drives of 70 yards or more in the second half to win at Washington and take full control of the Pac-12 North.
12. Texas (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Kansas
The Longhorns needed some late heroics by quarterback Sam Ehlinger to prevent a Kansas upset in Austin.
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13. Baylor (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Oklahoma State
The Bears gashed Oklahoma State for 9.9 yards a play, while the defense forced three turnovers, generated two sacks and scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.
14. Utah (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Arizona State
Utah’s defense held Arizona State to just 136 yards in a huge game for positioning within the Pac-12 South.
15. Wisconsin (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Lost to Illinois
Stunned in Champaign. Missed field goal and two turnovers proved costly in Wisconsin’s defeat at Illinois.
16. Cincinnati (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Tulsa
Bearcats have forced 10 turnovers over their last two games.
17. SMU (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Temple
Shane Buechele’s six passing scores led the way in SMU’s 45-21 win over Temple.
18. Minnesota (7-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Rutgers
Saturday’s 42-7 win over Rutgers was Minnesota’s third Big Ten win by 20 or more points this season.
19. Michigan (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Lost to Penn State
The Wolverines came up short in Happy Valley, but the offense showed signs of life. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s team has another tough test ahead next week against Notre Dame.
20. Wake Forest (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Florida State
As expected, Sam Hartman (308 yards) played well in relief of quarterback Jamie Newman. The defense also stepped up by holding Florida State to just six points in the second half.
21. Boise State (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Lost to BYU
Broncos hopes of a New Year’s Six bowl trip took a hit with loss to BYU. However, coach Bryan Harsin’s team shouldn’t slip too far in the rankings after losing by three points on the road without quarterback Hank Bachmeier.
22. Iowa (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Purdue
Hawkeyes need to do a better job of finishing drives after kicking four field goals in 26-20 win over Purdue.
23. Appalachian State (6-0)
Week 8 Result: Defeated ULM
Mountaineers join the top 25 after crushing ULM 52-7 on Saturday.
24. Arizona State (5-2)
Week 8 Result: Lost to Utah
Inexperience along the offensive line caught up to Arizona State in loss to Utah.
25. Memphis (6-1)
Week 8 Result: Defeated Tulane
Quarterback Brady White and running back Kenneth Gainwell guided Memphis to scores on eight of their first nine drives to quickly put away Tulane on Saturday night.
