The AP Poll was released Sunday afternoon and, as in Week 7, it saw many changes, including a new No. 2 team. In a week in which seven ranked teams lost, the highlight came from Orlando, Florida, as then-No. 2 BYU fell to unranked UCF, 39-31, in a double-overtime thriller. It was the third consecutive week six or more ranked teams lost.
Meanwhile, then-No. 10 Utah overcame a 10-point deficit to defeat then-No. 14 Houston, 21-13, in a key Big 12 matchup. Other notable upsets in college football included then-No. 7 Ole Miss, then-No. 8 Texas Tech, and then-No. 11 Tennessee. Six undefeated teams remained in the FBS heading into Week 8, but after more chaos this week, only three remain undefeated. Because of the chaos, some conference races got turned upside down, boosting some teams’ College Football Playoff chances, while others were significantly damaged. Here are my biggest takeaways from the Week 8 AP Poll.
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Week 8 AP Poll Reaction
1. Utah In Prime Position To Make Big 12 Championship Game After Conference Chaos
In a week when seven ranked teams lost, three were from the Big 12, including BYU, and Utah benefited most, moving to No. 6 in this week’s AP Poll. With Utah’s huge win over Houston keeping it the conference’s only undefeated team, it is in prime position to make the Big 12 Championship Game.
The Utah Utes were on upset alert heading into their game against the Houston Cougars, as they hadn’t faced a ranked opponent before this game. It looked like they were on the verge of a loss, as Houston held them scoreless halfway through the third quarter and took a 10-0 lead. However, Utah overcame the deficit by outscoring the Cougars 21-3, with their running game scoring all three touchdowns. Despite quarterback Devon Dampier‘s struggles through the air, he ran for two touchdowns on 150 yards, while running back Wayshawn Parker ran for the other.
Utah’s win also benefited from upset losses by then-No. 2 BYU and then-No. 8 Texas Tech, who were undefeated heading into Week 8. Now, it is the conference’s only remaining undefeated team. BYU suffered a huge letdown after a big win over Notre Dame, falling to an upset loss to a 3-3 UCF team and dropping from No. 2 to No. 8 in this week’s AP Poll. Texas Tech fell to an unranked Cincinnati team, committing three uncharacteristic turnovers and giving up 255 rushing yards.
As a result, the Red Raiders fell to No. 13 in the AP Poll, and Utah is now the only unbeaten team in the Big 12. Week 8 couldn’t have gone better for the Utes, and now they have a margin for error and are in prime position to make the Big 12 Championship game.
2. Kentucky Is Emerging as an SEC Contender for the College Football Playoff
Who would’ve thought that after eight weeks into the college football season, Kentucky would lead the SEC standings? Now, after a huge win over Vanderbilt that put them at the top of the conference, the Wildcats are becoming a strong favorite to represent the SEC in the College Football Playoff.
What a turnaround it’s been for Kentucky since its Week 2 loss to Alabama: they have gone on to win six straight games, moving from unranked to No.9 in this week’s AP Poll in six weeks. After a slow start against Vanderbilt this week that left them down 10 in the second quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Commodores 34-7 to avoid the upset. They put themselves half a game ahead of second-place Georgia heading into their bye week, with plenty of momentum to make the Playoff.
In their win over Vanderbilt, the Wildcats delivered a complete team performance: the defense forced two turnovers, and the offense scored on six of its last seven drives. Quarterback Kenny Minchey threw for 203 yards and a touchdown while rushing for one. The running game was also exceptional, totaling 173 yards on 39 attempts and scoring three touchdowns. With its defense forcing two turnovers, it limited Vanderbilt to 15 rushing yards on 17 attempts and forced the Commodores to run 36 passing plays.
Now, after this win, Kentucky has a path to the Playoff with four games remaining this season. Even though three of their next four games after the bye week are against ranked opponents, the Wildcats have shown they can respond to adversity and compete against tough competition. First-year head coach Will Stein deserves a lot of credit for turning this program around, from failing to make a bowl game last season to becoming one of the best teams in the SEC. The Wildcats have a great opportunity to turn this turnaround into a College Football Playoff berth.
3. USC and Iowa See Their College Football Playoff Hopes Fade
After the Week 7 chaos, Iowa and USC benefited, moving up in last week’s AP Poll despite being on bye weeks. They had a huge opportunity to keep their narrow College Football Playoff hopes alive this week with wins over unranked teams. Instead, they suffered upset losses that essentially ended their Playoff hopes.
Then-No. 15 Iowa took the road to take on an unranked Minnesota team coming off a loss to Purdue two weeks ago. Instead of capitalizing on the chance to keep their Playoff hopes alive, the Hawkeyes came out flat, scoring only 10 points against a Minnesota defense that gave up 41 points in its last game. Iowa struggled offensively, not scoring its first touchdown until less than four minutes remained in the fourth quarter. The offense managed less than 300 yards, went 4-for-16 on third-down conversions, and committed four turnovers, but still lost on a game-winning field goal, 13-10, despite a defense that limited Minnesota to a season-low 209 yards. They are now unranked after this week’s AP Poll.
As for USC, they also went on the road to face a Wisconsin team that struggled offensively in its loss to UCLA last week. Like Iowa, the Trojans struggled, scoring only seven points and going scoreless in the second half in their 24-7 upset loss to the Badgers. Despite outgaining Wisconsin’s offense, USC’s offense, which averaged 36.4 points per game heading into the game, had its worst performance of the season, rushing for -17 yards on 25 attempts and Jayden Maiava throwing two interceptions. The defense also allowed 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns, which helped the Badgers sustain long drives. After this loss, the Trojans are now unranked in this week’s AP Poll.
These losses hurt both teams, as they missed golden opportunities to keep their Playoff hopes alive. After this loss, USC might have to consider whether Lincoln Riley should remain head coach as he continues to underachieve with the Trojans. As for Iowa, the offense may need more changes as it continues to hold back this team’s potential behind an elite defense. While neither team should be considered a serious Playoff contender after these losses, their remaining games will offer opportunities to address their weaknesses and build momentum for next season.
Main Image: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
