College Football Playoff Race: Week 8
This college football season has not gone as many had expected with many favorites going down early. As Week 8 of the season approaches, let’s take a look at some of the top teams in the rankings.
Georgia Bulldogs (7-0)
The Bulldogs have easily looked like the best team in the country especially on the defensive side of the ball. Defensively, this unit looks to be one of the best in recent memory as they have put up some great performances on that side of the ball.
From only allowing three points against No. 3 Clemson to open up the season to last week against No. 11 Kentucky where the Bulldogs only allowed 13 points.
Whether it’s been Stetson Bennett or JT Daniels at quarterback, the Bulldogs have been rolling and could ride an easy remaining schedule all the way to the SEC Championship Game.
Cincinnati Bearcats (6-0)
Like Georgia, the hard part of Cincinnati's schedule has already passed by.
The Bearcats had a two-week span where they traveled on the road to take on the Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish and beat them both by multiple scores.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder has played the most efficient football of his career, throwing for 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Ridder continues to grow his NFL Draft stock as he has the Bearcats looking like the best Group of Five team during the College Football Playoff era.
Oklahoma Sooners (7-0)
The Sooners look to have finally figured things out at quarterback which is a scary sight for the rest of the nation.
Following preseason Heisman-favorite Spencer Rattler’s struggles to start games, true freshman Caleb Williams stepped in midway through the Red River Rivalry against Texas and led a come-from-behind 55-48 win, earning the starting job.
Williams was flawless in his first start in a 52-31 win over TCU with 295 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The remaining schedule for Oklahoma still has a few challenges late in the season including the final week as it travels to play No. 8 Oklahoma State.
Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1)
There’s no need to panic yet in Tuscaloosa.
Despite the loss against Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide have played strong all season with three wins against ranked opponents.
Quarterback Bryce Young has looked like the Heisman favorite with 2,082 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first season as a full-time starter. Young was even able to outduel another top contender for the trophy in Matt Corral in a 42-21 win over Ole Miss earlier this season.
The Tide only have one ranked opponent left to play as of now which comes at the end of the season against No. 19 Auburn in the Iron Bowl on the road.
Outside looking in: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma State
Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
