College Football Week 8 Recap: SEC Showdowns and Big Shifts in the Rankings
The excitement of Week 8 in college football brought stunning matchups, particularly in the SEC, and led to a major reshuffling in the rankings.
Oregon surged to the top of the AP Poll for the first time in 12 years, taking over the No. 1 spot afterTexas suffered a home defeat to Georgia. Here’s a look at the key games and implications from an action-packed weekend.
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Tennessee Stuns Alabama, 24-17
One of the most anticipated SEC matchups saw No. 11 Tennessee overcoming a rough start to edge No. 7 Alabama with a 24-17 victory. Tennessee’s defense held strong in the second half, preventing Alabama from scoring after halftime. Joe Milton led a game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Alabama’s turnovers, including a fumble in the red zone that proved costly for the Crimson Tide.
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Georgia Hands Texas Their First Loss, 30-15
Previously ranked No. 5 Georgia made a powerful statement against previously ranked No. 1 Texas, defeating the Longhorns 30-15 and ending their unbeaten streak. Running back Trevor Etienne shined with three touchdowns, including a critical fourth-quarter score. Cornerback Daylen Everette contributed with a strip sack and an interception, setting up two of Georgia’s touchdowns. Texas struggled offensively, gaining only 38 yards in the first half as Georgia’s defense dominated. Quarterback Quinn Ewers finished with 211 passing yards but was constantly under pressure.
With this win, Georgia is positioning itself to move up in the rankings, while Texas will likely slide from their top position. This loss marked a crucial test for the Longhorns in their new SEC environment.
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Other Week 8 Highlights
Missouri 27, Auburn 24: No. 19 Missouri secured a gritty win despite an injury to quarterback Brady Cook, who led a remarkable comeback.
– Colorado 48, Arizona 14:Even without Travis Hunter in the second half, Colorado easily handled Arizona, showcasing depth on both sides of the ball.
Iowa State 34, UCF 31 No.9 Iowa State stayed undefeated with a last-minute comeback, scoring the game-winning touchdown after trailing by two touchdowns in the second half.
Illinois 23, Michigan 17: No. 22 Illinois upset defending national champion Michigan, handing the Wolverines their third loss of the season, dimming their playoff hopes.
Maryland 35, USC 31 USC dropped its third consecutive conference game in a thrilling shootout with Maryland, adding to their season’s woes.
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Poll Implications
With Texas’ loss, the rankings have shifted dramatically.
Oregon has taken over as the new No. 1 remaining undefeated at 7-0 after a dominant 35-0 win over Purdue. Georgia will likely challenge for the top spot after their commanding win over Texas. Meanwhile, the Longhorns will drop from the No. 1 spot.
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Key Games to Watch Next Week
– Georgia vs. Florida (Nov. 2): One of the SEC’s biggest rivalries will take place in Jacksonville, with both teams vying for crucial conference wins.
– Texas at Vanderbilt (Oct. 28): After a tough loss, Texas will look to regroup as they travel to face Vanderbilt in a pivotal SEC matchup.
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Week 8 was full of surprises, with the SEC delivering pivotal moments that will resonate through the rest of the season. With more crucial matchups looming, the road to the College Football Playoff remains as thrilling as ever. Fans can expect more drama as we head into the final weeks of the season, with conference races heating up
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