Power Rankings: Week 8

Last weekend’s slate of games was the best of the season, and it lived up to that billing with down-to-the-wire games from coast-to-coast.

Interestingly, it was one of the off-the-radar matchups in the SEC that produced the most shakeup. South Carolina went into Athens, Ga., and beat the Bulldogs in overtime. That loss temporarily sends Georgia tumbling from the playoff picture, but there will be opportunity for Kirby Smart’s squad to work its way back up should the Bulldogs run the table to win the SEC East and then win the SEC Championship.

In the SEC West, LSU continued its impressive play, defeating previously unbeaten Florida. The Tigers have two of the nation’s best wins (on the road at Texas and home vs. Florida), and are firmly in the playoff picture. What is truly exciting in the SEC West is that LSU, Auburn and Alabama have all yet to play one another, so we’re just getting started.

Elsewhere, Penn State escaped the always dangerous Kinnick Stadium but holding off Iowa. The Nittany Lions now advance to a critical game against Michigan this week. It’s the first of three remaining ranked showdowns for Penn State, which also plays upstart Minnesota and Ohio State in November.

The Big 10 has four undefeated teams heading into the second half of the year, led by the aforementioned Nittany Lions, Golden Gophers and Buckeyes. The other is Wisconsin, which is putting up near record-breaking defensive numbers. The Badgers must avoid a shocker this week at Illinois, but otherwise is primed for a showdown at Ohio State next week.

A little further south, Oklahoma’s defense stood up in the Red River Shootout as the Sooners knocked off Texas. While a rematch in the Big 12 title game could be likely once again, Baylor is a surprising 6-0 overall after a controversial overtime win over Texas Tech.

In the Pac-12, Oregon dominated in a Friday night victory over slumping Colorado, while rival Washington knocked off Arizona in the desert. The Huskies’ win sets up a huge game Saturday in Seattle when the Ducks come to down. An Oregon win effectively eliminates Washington from contention, but a loss would make things quite interesting the rest of the way.

Arizona’s loss leaves no Pac-12 South team unscathed in conference play. The carnage will continue this week as the Wildcats play a one-loss USC squad, and national-ranked foes Utah and ASU face off in Salt Lake City. Those matchups will leave only two teams with a single conference loss.

Here’s a look at where things stand heading into Week 8.

Pac-12 Power Rankings

South Division

1. Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last Week: Won at Oregon State, 52-7
Next Game: Saturday vs. Arizona State

It took a wake-up call road loss at USC, but the Utes are finally clicking on all cylinders like many expected. Can they fend off a pesky Sun Devil squad this week?

2. USC (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last Week: Lost at Notre Dame, 30-27
Next Game: Saturday vs. Arizona

The Trojans battled in South Bend, but couldn’t pull the upset. Back to conference play, USC remains in the hunt in the South.

3. Arizona State (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last Week: Won vs. Washington State, 38-34
Next Game: Saturday at Utah

Herm Edwards and Co. pulled out another close win. Doing so on the road in Salt Lake City will be difficult, but if they do they will become one of the nation’s true surprise teams.

4. Arizona (4-2, 2-1 Pac-12)
Last Week: Lost vs. Washington, 51-27
Next Game: Saturday at USC

It was a reality-check game for the Wildcats, who learned once again they can’t win with sloppy play. It doesn’t get easier from here with consecutive road games looming.

5. Colorado (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12)
Last Week: Lost at Oregon, 45-3
Next Game: Saturday at Washington State

No one expected the Buffaloes to win at Autzen, but losing in blowout fashion with four interceptions from a senior quarterback was suspiring. If CU has any hopes of a bowl this season, it needs to win on the Palouse.

6. UCLA (1-5, 1-2 Pac-12)
Last Week: Idle
Next Game: Thursday at Stanford

Maybe a bye week helped Chip Kelly and the Bruins. But, Stanford is quietly improving and could find itself in contention in the North again if Washington beats Oregon.

North Division

1. Oregon (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12)
Last Week: Won vs. Colorado, 45-3
Next Game: Saturday at Washington

The Ducks appear to have hit their stride at the right time. A win this week would not only be a blow to rival Washington, while thrusting Oregon back into the national discussion.

2. Stanford (3-3, 2-2 Pac-12)
Last Week: Idle
Next Game: Thursday vs. UCLA

David Shaw has his team finding its identity. Another win this week, coupled with an Oregon loss, could really make things interesting in the North.

3. Washington (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12)
Last Week: Won at Arizona, 51-27
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oregon

The Huskies brushed off an ugly first half with dominant second half at Arizona. An upset this week dramatically shakes up the North Division race.

4. California (4-2, 1-2 Pac-12)
Last Week: Idle
Next Game: Saturday vs. Oregon State

The Golden Bears faced a gauntlet early in the year and learning how rough life is without quarterback Chase Garbers. A week off and a favorable matchup with the Beavers may get this squad back on track.

5. Washington State (3-3, 0-3 Pac-12)
Last Week: Lost at Arizona State, 38-34
Next Game: Saturday vs. Colorado

The Cougars had plenty of chances, but couldn’t get enough plays from its defense to pull off a win in Tempe. Now this feels like a must-win game against Colorado.

6. Oregon State (2-3, 1-1 Pac-12)
Last Week: Lost vs. Utah, 52-7
Next Game: Saturday at California

The high of their first Pac-12 win of the year quickly faded with a rout by Utah, and the Beavers face yet another stifling defense this week in the Bay Area.

National Top 10

1. Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big 10 East)
Last Week: Idle
Next Game: Friday at Northwestern

The nation’s most well-rounded team is rest coming off a bye. Could an unusual Friday night road game to slow this team down? Don’t count on it.

2. Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC Atlantic)
Last Week: Won vs. Florida State, 45-14
Next Game: Saturday at Louisville

After a bye week, Clemson came out with a complete performance against the outmanned Seminoles. Suddenly, this week’s tilt at Louisville looks a little tougher, but expect the Tigers to be ready.

3. LSU (6-0, 2-0 SEC West)
Last Week: Won vs. Florida, 42-28
Next Game: Saturday at Mississippi State

The Tigers have two of the nation’s most impressive wins (Texas, Florida) thanks to a balanced and explosive offense. Some tough games remain, but not this week.  

4. Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC West)
Last Week: Won at Texas A&M, 47-28
Next Game: Saturday vs. Tennessee

The Crimson Tide continue to win with ease despite not putting together their most complete efforts. Some questions remain about the defense (especially when looking ahead to LSU), but that shouldn’t be a concern this week.

5. Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0 Big 12)
Last Week: Won vs. Texas, 34-27
Next Game: Saturday vs. West Virginia

A strong defensive effort helped the Sooners to hold off rival Texas. Could we be waiting for a rematch in the Big 12 title game?

6. Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0 Big 10 West)
Last Week: Won vs. Michigan State, 38-0
Next Game: Saturday at Illinois

All you need to know about the Badgers is their defense has scored as many touchdowns (four) as it has allowed). This team is putting up historic defensive numbers, and has enough offense to challenge for the Big 10 title.

7. Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten East)
Last Week: Won at Iowa, 17-12
Next Game: Saturday vs. Michigan

The Nittany Lions escaped Kinnick Stadium with a win and return home for a showdown with Michigan.  

8. Georgia (5-1, 2-1 SEC East)
Last Week: Lost vs. South Carolina, 20-17 (2 OT)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Kentucky

Credit South Carolina, but no one expected Georgia to lose at home to the Gamecocks. Don’t count this team out, though. Win the SEC East and the SEC Championship game, and there is still a viable path to the CFB Playoff.

9. Notre Dame (5-1, Independent)
Last Week: Won vs. USC, 30-27
Next Game: Oct. 26 at Michigan

Brian Kelly’s squad held off a late charge from USC, and now take a week off before a trip to Ann Arbor. The Georgia loss doesn’t help their overall resume, so the Irish will need more convincing efforts going forward.

10. Florida (6-1, 3-1 SEC East)
Last Week: Lost at LSU, 42-28
Next Game: Saturday at South Carolina

The Gators hung tough in Baton Rouge, but ultimately couldn’t stop the balanced LSU offense. A loss by Georgia keeps things interesting in the SEC East, so don’t give up on these Gators just yet.

View last week’s rankings here.

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