Image – Deseret News
After a wild Week 7 slate that saw five of the top seven teams in the AP poll fall, college football fans now turn their attention to another intriguing group of Week 8 games.
Three matchups headlined Saturday’s early action. No. 4 Ohio State battled No. 5 Indiana in a top-five showdown, while Florida faced No. 7 Texas and No. 16 Mississippi State met No. 22 LSU in a pair of SEC games.
The afternoon slate featured two more ranked SEC matchups. No. 6 Alabama and No. 14 Tennessee renewed their Third Saturday in October rivalry in Knoxville, while No. 13 Missouri traveled to Oxford to face No. 9 Ole Miss.
Two ranked showdowns closed out the day. No. 2 Notre Dame faced No. 8 BYU in Provo, Utah, while No. 18 Oklahoma State battled No. 20 Houston in an important Big 12 matchup.
Now, the attention shifts to Week 8. Pittsburgh takes on No. 1 Miami, while No. 6 Indiana faces Michigan in another important Big Ten game.
The SEC slate includes No. 7 Ole Miss against No. 19 Texas, with both teams looking to strengthen their position in the conference race. Elsewhere, North Dakota State meets New Mexico, while No. 14 Houston battles No. 10 Utah in a top-15 Big 12 showdown.
AP Top 5
No. 1 Miami 6-0 (4-0) ACC This Week: Pittsburgh (5-2) (Saturday, 11 a.m., ESPN)
No. 2 BYU 6-0 (4-0) Big 12 This Week: at UCF (3-3) (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., FOX)
No. 3 Ohio State 6-1 (4-0) Big Ten This Week: Off
No. 4 Notre Dame 6-1 Independents This Week: Off
No. 5 Georgia 6-1 (4-1) SEC This Week: Off
Biggest risers and fallers in the AP Top 25 this week:
Risers
No. 2 BYU 6-0 (4-0) Big 12 Week 7: No. 8 (Defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24)
No. 9 UCLA 6-0 (4-0) Big Ten Week 7: No. 12 (Defeated Wisconsin 17-7)
No. 11 Tennessee 6-1 (3-1) SEC Week 7: No. 14 (Defeated No. 6 Alabama 26-10)
No. 12 Kentucky 6-1 (3-1) SEC Week 7: No. 15 (Defeated Oklahoma 21-13)
No. 18 LSU 5-2 (2-2) SEC Week 7: No. 22 (Defeated No. 16 Mississippi State 31-0)
Fallers
No. 5 Georgia 6-1 (4-1) SEC Week 7: No. 1 (Lost to Auburn 27-24)
No. 13 Alabama 5-2 (3-2) SEC Week 7: No. 6 (Lost to No. 14 Tennessee 26-10)
No. 19 Texas 4-2 (1-2) SEC Week 7: No. 7 (Lost to Florida 27-24)
No. 22 Missouri 5-2 (2-2) SEC Week 7: No. 13 (Lost to No. 9 Ole Miss 31-3)
Dropped Out
Mississippi State 4-2 (2-2) SEC Week 7: No. 16 (Lost to No. 22 LSU 31-0)
Oklahoma State 4-2 (2-1) SEC Week 7: No. 18 (Lost to No. 20 Houston 35-32)
New
No. 20 Florida 5-2 (3-2) SEC Week 7: NR (Defeated No. 7 Texas 27-24)
The Week 8 Slate (Rankings based on the AP Top 25.)
*All times CDT.*
Saturday, Oct. 24
Image – The Miami Hurricane
Pittsburgh (5-2) at No. 1 Miami (6-0)
11 a.m., ESPN
Pittsburgh and Miami renew an old Big East matchup that will be a key matchup for ACC championship implications. The Panthers will go on the road and attempt to upset the top-ranked Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter) on the call at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Miami survived a double-overtime thriller against Florida State, 43-35, after preventing a Seminoles’ Hail Mary on the final play of the game on Saturday, Oct. 17, moving them up to No. 1 in the AP Poll on Sunday.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah continues to keep his name on the Heisman Trophy watch list after completing 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Mensah’s top wide receiver Malachi Toney continued his successful season with 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns while running back Javian Mallory carried the ball 13 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Hurricanes linebacker Mohamed Toure and defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot will hope to lead their defense to a better performance against Pittsburgh. Toure has recorded 30 tackles while Lightfoot has totaled 20 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble across six games so far during the 2026 season.
Pittsburgh fell to Boston College, 21-17, on Saturday, Oct. 17, the Panthers second consecutive loss. Quarterback Corey Daily completed 11 of 25 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Eagles. Wide receiver Cataurus Hicks caught five passes for 135 yards and a touchdown while tailback Damon Ferguson Jr. rushed 17 times for 119 yards in the loss.
Panthers defensive back Cruce Brookins leads the team with 46 tackles so far this season. His teammate, defensive lineman Jaeden Moore tops the team with 2.5 sacks in addition to two fumbles he has forced.
After a close win, Miami must refocus on the task at hand and defeat Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes have one of the best offense in the country with Darian Mensah behind center throwing the football to receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate alongside running backs Javian Mallory and Mark Fletcher Jr. If the offense shows up like they did last week, it will be easier for the defense to shut down a struggling Pittsburgh offense.
Pittsburgh must hope Corey Daily can step up against the Mohamed Toure and Marquise Lightfoot-led Miami pass-rush and deliver the ball to his receivers without turning the ball over. Despite losing last week, running back Damon Ferguson Jr. was able to get down the field against Boston College but it will be vital to score against the Hurricanes defense to set up the pass.
The Panthers defense will have a tough job stopping the Miami offense but any chance they have to set their offense up with quality field position. Cruce Brookins and Jaeden Moore will be important as leaders but it will be vital for the other nine defenders to stop the dynamic unit that includes Mensah, Toney, Barkate, Mallory and Fletcher Jr.
Miami should dominate Pittsburgh in front of a packed house. The Hurricanes offense should go up and down the field and their defense should shut the Panthers’ offense down consistently, moving one game closer to clinching a spot in their first ACC Championship game.
Projected Score: Miami 42, Pittsburgh 21
Image – FOX Sports
No. 6 Indiana (6-1) at Michigan (4-2)
11 a.m., FOX
Indiana looks to bounce back against a Michigan team that is looking to build behind a new quarterback. The Hoosiers will face off against the Wolverines with Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), Tom Rinaldi (sideline reporter) and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter) on the call at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Indiana was defeated by Ohio State in a tremendous defensive battle, 19-15 after wide receiver Nick Marsh’s potential game-winning touchdown catch was no good thanks to having a foot out of bounds on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover completed 20 of 40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown against the Buckeyes. Wide receiver Charlie Becker was crucial for the Hoosiers, catching nine passes for 165 yards while running back Turbo Richards rushed 16 times for 46 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones leads the team with 52 tackles and an interception so far this season. Defensive lineman Tobi Osunsanmi has also been impactful with 26 tackles, seven sacks and a forced fumble.
Michigan edged Penn State 21-18 on Saturday, Oct. 17 in their last appearance on the field. Starting quarterback Bryce Underwood was replaced by freshman Tommy Carr after completing only 5 of 11 passes for 43 yards and two interceptions. After entering the game, Carr completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards while rushing for 36 yards and a touchdown on four attempts.
Wide receiver JJ Buchanan caught three passes for 36 yards and tailback Jordan Marshall got 14 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown in the win against the Nittany Lions.
After holding Penn State to just 18 points, helping them earn their first win in three weeks, Michigan linebacker Troy Bowles, who has totaled 50 tackles and a half a sack, leads the Wolverine defense. Alongside Bowles, defensive end John Henry Daley has added 19 tackles and four sacks so far this season.
Indiana can get back to their winning ways by continuing to play complimentary football. It will be difficult for the Hoosiers to score against a talented Michigan defense but having already played Ohio State, they have seen a defense with similar playmakers.
Josh Hoover has yet to throw an interception this season and if he can avoid turning the ball over and making the right play with the help of Turbo Richards, Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh as his playmakers, the Hoosiers can get another win on Saturday, especially given the defects of a Michigan offense that will rely on the first start of Tommy Carr and a group of playmakers that has not been able to consistently move down the field for most of the season.
As mentioned above, Michigan’s defense, headed by Troy Bowles and John Henry Daley, will need to stop Indiana consistently if they want to come out with the win. Like their arch rivals Ohio State did last Saturday, the Wolverines will need to force Hoover and the Indiana offense to settle for field goals instead of giving up touchdowns.
If Michigan is able to force the Hoosiers to settle for three points instead of seven, their offense must take advantage of that and score to compete with Indiana. If Tommy Carr is given the opportunity to win the game for the Wolverines’ quarterback must use his legs and decision-making to lead successful drives.
In what could be another low-scoring game, Indiana will avoid an upset and defeat Michigan. The Hoosiers’ offense will rely on their ground game and passing game while their defense will shut down the Wolverines’ offense at opportune times.
Projected Score: Indiana 24, Michigan 14
Image – The State
No. 11 Tennessee (6-1) at South Carolina (3-3)
2:30 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee will hope history does not repeat itself when it heads to South Carolina for a huge showdown on Saturday afternoon. The Volunteers and Gamecocks renew an old SEC east division matchup with Wes Durham (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst), Taylor McGregor (sideline reporter) on the call at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.
Following a sleepy performance in a victory against Arkansas, Tennessee woke up and defeated Alabama for the third consecutive time in Knoxville, 26-10, on Saturday, Oct. 17. Quarterback George MacIntyre completed 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards and an interception. Running back DeSean Bishop continued his successful season, rushing 32 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Mike Matthews caught a seven passes for 85 yards in the win against the Crimson Tide.
The Tennessee defense has continued to be one of the strongest units in the nation. The Volunteers’ linebacker Amare Campbell leads the team with 46 tackles and two sacks, and defensive tackle Tyree Weathersby has totaled 17 tackles and a team-high six and a half sacks through seven contests so far this season.
South Carolina defeated Florida 38-19 on Saturday, Oct. 10 before taking their open week last Saturday. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has had an up and down season however against Florida, he completed 23 of 35 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns. Tailback Matt Fuller carried the ball 10 times for 52 yards and Nyk Harbor caught four passes for 82 yards in the Gamecocks’ latest victory.
After holding Florida’s high-scoring offense to just 19 points, the South Carolina defense should feel good about themselves. But stopping the Tennessee rushing attack will be difficult on Saturday. Linebacker Justin Okoronkwo leads the team 43 tackles and an interception while defensive end Anthony Addison has added 12 tackles and three sacks through six games this season.
Tennessee can make their winning streak four games by relying on their strong running game with DeSean Bishop and a tough defense headed by Amare Campbell and Tyree Weathersby. George MacIntyre will just need to make the right throws and get out of the pocket to have success against South Carolina on Saturday afternoon.
South Carolina will hope quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ dynamic play is here to stay after an impressive performance two weeks ago against Florida. Sellers must get time from his offensive line and get the ball to playmakers Nyk Harbor, Mazeo Bennett Jr. and DJ Black on the perimeter. Matt Fuller must get yards on the ground on first and second down to keep the Tennessee pass-rush honest with a strong performance from their offensive line.
The Gamecocks defense can stop the Tennessee offense but only if they keep Bishop from moving the ball on the ground. If they cannot, MacIntyre can succeed in the passing game and if they want to complete the upset, that cannot happen.
In what could be a great back-and-forth game between Tennessee and South Carolina, the Volunteers will go to Columbia and prove that they are a true College Football Playoff contender, which would set up a huge matchup against No. 12 Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Projected Score: Tennessee 24, South Carolina 17
Image – USA Today
No. 7 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 19 Texas (4-2)
6:30 p.m., ABC
Ole Miss will head on the road for their first matchup against Texas as conference foes in the SEC on Saturday night. The Rebels square off against the Longhorns with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter) and Laura Rutledge (sideline reporter) on the call at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at Campbell-Williams Field in Austin, Texas.
Ole Miss dominated their former quarterback Austin Simmons and Missouri 31-3 in a ranked battle on Saturday, Oct. 17. Rebels signal-caller Trinidad Chambliss completed 20 of 36 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers. Wide receiver Deuce Alexander caught three passes for 20 yards and running back Kyren Lacy rushed 16 times for 122 yards in the win.
Linebacker Luke Ferrelli has led the Ole Miss defense so far this season after totaling 39 tackles and two sacks through six games so far this season. Also, defensive end Blake Purchase has recorded 23 tackles, three and a half sacks and a forced fumble, will be vital for the Rebels defense.
Texas took their second consecutive 27-24 loss, this time to Florida on Saturday, Oct. 17. Questions have continued to arise about head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Arch Manning, who have not coached or played up to expectations this season. It gets even more difficult for Manning, who faces his grandfather and uncle’s former team, Ole Miss, on Saturday.
Manning completed 14 of 20 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown while wide receiver Ryan Wingo caught five passes for 49 yards against the Gators. The Longhorns’ leading rusher, Hollywood Smothers, rushed 12 times for 52 yards in the win.
The Texas defense will likely be without star edge defender Colin Simmons due to a high-ankle sprain. As a result, it will be that much more important for the Longhorns to prepare for Trinidad Chambliss and the high-scoring Ole Miss offense with their leader, linebacker Rasheem Biles, who has 48 tackles, two interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble.
Ole Miss will need to start fast on the road against a struggling Texas team. If Chambliss and the Rebels start out fast, they will have a better shot at defeating the Longhorns. If the Ole Miss defense makes Arch Manning uncomfortable by consistently getting into the backfield to sack him, which would prevent the ground and passing games from establishing against a Rebels defense that is improving.
Texas can win if Arch Manning shows up, quiets the doubters and gets the ball to talented wideouts Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman. Even without Simmons on their defensive front, the overall unit is too good to not do their best against a high-scoring offense led by Chambliss. Steve Sarkisian and his team need a win and a second AP Top 10 win would do wonders as they look to get back to their winning-ways.
Ole Miss will come into Austin and give Texas their third consecutive loss. The Rebels’ Trinidad Chambliss will lead them to a victory that will see him outplaying Arch Manning, despite the talented Longhorns defense. Ole Miss will take care of Texas in a close game.
Projected Score: Ole Miss 34, Texas 24
Image – Go Lobos
North Dakota State (6-1) at New Mexico (5-1)
9 p.m., The CW
In what could be a preview of this season’s Mountain West Championship game, North Dakota State will meet New Mexico on Saturday night. The Bison and Lobos face off with Jack McMullen (play-by-play), Cody Kessler (analyst) and Marshall Newhouse (sideline reporter) on the call at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
North Dakota State bounced back from their first loss in Mountain West play to UNLV, the Bison bounced back with a 31-17 victory against Nevada 31-17 on Saturday, Oct. 17. Quarterback Nathan Hayes completed 19 of 25 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns along with eight carries for 42 yards and one touchdown against the Wolfpack. Wide receiver Jackson Williams caught five passes for 58 yards and running back Myles Mitchell had 13 carries for 49 yards in the victory.
Linebacker Donovan Woolen leads the North Dakota State defense with 51 tackles, one and a half sacks and an interception through six games so far during the 2026 season. Along with Woolen, defensive end Kelton McCaslin has added 16 tackles and four sacks as well for the Bison.
New Mexico defeated Hawaii 21-10 in its last time on the field on Saturday, Oct. 17. Quarterback Toa Fa’avae completed 5 of 10 passes for 59 yards and two interceptions while rushing 10 times for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Rainbow Warriors. Running back Scottre Humphrey carried the ball 15 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Bailen George caught one pass for 22 yards in the victory.
New Mexico linebacker Mercury Swaim and defensive end Darren Agu are big parts of the Lobos defense. Swaim has totaled 32 tackles, a sack and a half and a forced fumble while Agu has recorded 24 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble through six contests so far during the 2026 season.
In a battle of two strong defenses, North Dakota State’s must stop up and shut down Fa’avae from rushing the ball down the field, especially. If the Bison defense can do that, they can set quarterback Nathan Hayes up in good situations to lead his offense down the field against New Mexico.
If New Mexico’s Mercury Swain and Darren Agu can get into the backfield and force Hayes and Myles Mitchell to have problems moving the ball down the field, they too can set their offense up for success. The Lobos fell to Oklahoma by just a score of 14-6 and have dominated the rest of their schedule, so if they show up, they have a great shot to protect their home field.
North Dakota State heads to Albuquerque needing a win over New Mexico to hand the Lobos their first conference loss and avoid falling two games behind them in the standings. The Bison will play tough and keep the game close, but New Mexico will move to 3-0 in Mountain West play and move closer to a potential bid in the College Football Playoff.
Projected Score: New Mexico 27, North Dakota State 24
Image – KSL Sports
No. 14 Houston (6-1) at No. 10 Utah (6-0)
9:15 p.m., ESPN
ESPN’s College GameDay will be in the state of Utah for the second consecutive Saturday for a huge Big 12 battle between Houston and Utah on Saturday night. The Cougars will face the Utes with Tom Hart (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst), Quint Kessenich (sideline reporter) on the call at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Houston seeks their second consecutive ranked win on Saturday following a 35-32 win against Oklahoma State on Saturday, Oct. 17. Quarterback Connor Weigman completed 24 of 33 passes for 343 yards, five touchdowns and an interception in a huge performance against the Cowboys. Wide receiver Amare Thomas caught seven passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns and running back Makhi Hughes carried the ball 18 times for 77 yards in the victory.
Houston defensive back Kentrell Webb leads the team with 43 tackles through six contests so far during the 2026 campaign. Fellow defensive back Javion White has added 30 tackles, a team-leading two and a half sacks and a forced fumble.
Utah slipped by Colorado 27-24 on Saturday, Oct. 17. Quarterback Devon Dampier completed 24 of 41 passes for 278 yards for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Tailback Wayshawn Parker rushed 23 times for 98 yards while wide receiver Braden Pegan caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the close win.
Utah linebacker Trey Reynolds has totaled a team-leading 35 tackles and an interception so far this season. Reynolds’ teammate Karson Kaufusi has also been important for the Utes, recording 11 tackles and a team-high two sacks through six games so far this season.
Houston will lean on quarterback Connor Weigman to build on his success in last weekend’s win over a previously ranked Oklahoma State team. Defensively, the Cougars will try to replicate the Cowboys’ success in containing Devon Dampier, who finished with minus-8 rushing yards on eight carries. Houston will also look to limit Wayshawn Parker on the ground and keep the offense from creating opportunities for Braden Pegan, Creed Whitmore and Ricky Johnson.
Utah needs Dampier to not turn the ball over like he did last week against Colorado and get the ball to his playmakers Parker, Pegan, Whitmore and Johnson down the field if they want to win against Houston. The Utes’ defense will attempt to get in the backfield and keep Weigman from getting the ball to his receivers and scoring consistently.
In what should be a battle for all four quarters in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, Utah will find a way to protect their home field and bounce back after their sleepy win against Colorado last weekend with a season-defining performance against Houston. The Utes defense will stop Connor Weigman and the Cougars’ offense from scoring in the fourth quarter and they will continue their undefeated season.
Projected Score: Utah 34, Texas Tech 31
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