2024 college football rankings: Oregon, Georgia at the top; Colorado finishes in the top 25

RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

In the first season of the 16-team SEC, the league has proven even more difficult than we imagined. It's not just that Alabama upset Georgia back in Week 5 to reach the No. 1 ranking. It's that Vanderbilt was upset at the time – No. 1-Rank Alabama. It's that the next best team in the SEC – not the best team in the Big Ten, Big 12 or ACC, all of which have undefeated teams in their leagues – earned the distinction of being the No. 1 team in the country.

There have been three No. 1 teams through the first eight weeks of the season, and they're all from the same conference: SEC! However, with Georgia's 30-15 win over Texas, it's likely that the Associated Press rankings will catch up with me and my rankings Oregonis currently 7-0 with a home win against an exceptional team Ohio State team, as the new consensus No. 1 team in America.

However… There is an argument for Georgia reclaiming the No. 1 ranking it held at the start of the season, and it starts with this Bulldogs hit the road to secure a double-digit victory over the Longhorns. This is the best in the country. The 15-point win on the Forty Acres tops Oregon's one-point win over Ohio State in Autzen, and the Bulldogs accomplished the feat with quarterback Carson Beck throwing three interceptions and completing just 23 of 41 passes for 175 yards with no touchdowns completed.

Georgia's win over Texas was a dominant and classic defensive performance from Kirby Smart that saw Texas do next to nothing for two quarters and trail UGA 23-0 at halftime. The Dawgs haven't played a complete game on offense, defense or special teams this season.

But victories must be respected and losers punished. So Oregon is the No. 1 team here – for now. But be careful if this Georgia team finds a way to play complete football.

Georgia, even at No. 2, once again feels inevitable.

Here's a look at my top 25 rankings after Week 8 College football Season:

1. Oregon (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Purdue 35-0

The Ducks showed no signs of a hangover after their 32-31 win over Ohio State last week and made easy work of the Boilermakers. Dillon Gabriel was shockingly efficient, completing 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

#2 Oregon Ducks vs. Purdue Boilermakers Highlights

2. Georgia (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Texas 30-15

Georgia hasn't played a perfect game in all three phases, but good teams find ways to win big games, and that's exactly what Kirby Smart's team did on Saturday. While Carson Beck struggled throughout, Trevor Etienne picked up the slack, scoring three touchdowns in a win over the No. 1 team in America.

3. Ohio State (5-1)

Result week 8: idle

4. Penn State (6-0)

Result week 8: idle

5. Texas (6-1)

Result week 8: Lost to Georgia, 30-15

Texas is a good football team, but the SEC is simply too deep for teams to leave this league unscathed. Quinn Ewers threw for 211 yards with two touchdowns and a pick, while Georgia's defense held Texas to just 29 yards on the ground. The Longhorns have now lost their last five home games against top-five opponents.

6. Miami (Florida) (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Louisville 52-45

Canes quarterback Cam Ward completed 21 of 32 passes with four passing touchdowns in a blowout loss to the Canes Cardinals. Miami has now scored 50 or more points in four games this season, which is the most any Canes team has scored in a single season.

7. Clemson (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Virginia 48-31

The tiger appeared to be the best-positioned challenger to Miami's dominance alongside undefeated Pitt. Since a 34-3 loss to Georgia in Week 1, they have scored 40 or more goals in five of their last six games.

8. Iowa State (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated UCF 38-35

After an interception that almost looked like it was returned for a hard-hitting touchdown, UCF defensive back Braeden Marshall unnecessarily dropped the ball before crashing the plane, giving Iowa State a chance at a comeback. That's exactly what Rocco Becht and the Cyclones did.

UCF's Braeden Marshall intercepts a pass but drops the ball at the 1-yard line against Iowa State

In a tough win, Becht threw for 274 yards and ran for 97 yards with three total touchdowns to keep Iowa State undefeated.

9. BYU (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Oklahoma State 38-35

This team feels like the Texas Christian of 2022. Are the Cougars perfect? Well, their file says they are. And they are certainly one of the two best teams in the Big 12, and that will be enough to get them into the College Football Playoff.

10. LSU (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Arkansas 34-10

LSU tailback Caden Durham rushed for 101 yards with three touchdowns in a game the Tigers opened late in the second half. They maintain their undefeated streak in SEC play and face another undefeated SEC opponent on Saturday in Texas A&M.

11. Tennessee (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Alabama 24-17

Thanks to tailback Dylan Sampson, who ran for more than 100 yards in the second half alone, the Vols defeated their hated rival for the second time in 18 years. With the win, Tennessee keeps its SEC title and CFP hopes alive.

12. Indiana (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Nebraska 56-7

The Hoosiers are one of only three undefeated teams left in the Big Ten, and they appear to be a legitimate threat to compete in the Big Ten Championship. Indiana has never trailed an opponent in a game this season.

13. Notre Dame (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Georgia Tech 31-13

The Fighting Irish came back from a 7-0 deficit to win for the second time in as many weeks. Without Haynes King at quarterback, the Yellow Jackets leaned on Zach Pyron, who completed 20 of 36 passes for 269 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Notre Dame's defense gave in and held Georgia Tech scoreless in the second and third quarters.

14. Texas A&M (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Mississippi State 34-24

The Aggies were able to defeat the Bulldogs and maintain their undefeated SEC season. Texas A&M is now one of only two programs in the league yet to suffer a loss in conference play. The Aggies' only loss this season came against a top-25 Notre Dame team.

15. Missouri (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Auburn 21-17

The Tigers scored a touchdown with 46 seconds left in the game, securing a comeback win against Auburn. With the win, Missouri not only maintained its spot in these rankings, but also remains on the bubble for the CFP. Mizzou trailed Auburn 17-6 in the fourth quarter before its comeback.

16. Boise State (5-1)

Result week 8: idle

17. Kansas State (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated West Virginia 45-18

Kansas State is off to its first 6-1 start since 2014 after an impressive win over West Virginia. With WVU selling out to stop DJ Giddens and the Wildcat attack, quarterback Avery Johnson completed 19 of 29 passes for 298 yards with three touchdowns.

Kansas State's Avery Johnson connects with Jadon Jackson on a 60-yard ELECTRIC TD against West Virginia

18. Illinois (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Michigan 21-7

The win was the Illini's first against Michigan since 2009 and their third against a team ranked in the top 25. They handed Michigan a second loss in as many Saturdays, marking the first time the Wolverines lost back since 2020. consecutive games.

19. Alabama (5-2)

Result week 8: Lost to Tennessee, 24-17

After reaching the No. 1 ranking following a win over Georgia, the Tide have now lost two of their last three – both losses to Tennessee State programs – and could be the only team ranked No. 1 once the season begins that the GFP doesn't have make.

20. Pitt (6-0)

Result week 8: idle

21. Ole Miss (5-2)

Result week 8: idle

22. SMU (6-1)

Result week 8: Defeated Stanford 40-10

Along with Miami, Clemson and Pitt, the Mustangs are undefeated in conference play. Kevin Jennings passed for more than 300 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a win over the Cardinal.

23. army (7-0)

Result week 8: Defeated East Carolina 45-28

The Black Knights defeated the Pirates and quarterback Bryson Daily added 318 yards, including 171 rushing yards, in the win.

24. marine (6-0)

Result week 8: Defeated Charlotte 51-17

The Midshipmen led Charlotte 38-0 with 10:24 left in the second quarter. The victory was highlighted by three passing touchdowns by quarterback Blake Horvath and two interceptions for TDs by Dashaun Peele, becoming the first Navy player ever to accomplish the feat in a game.

25. Colorado (5-2)

Result week 8: Defeated Arizona 34-7

The Buffaloes are 5-2 for the first time since 2005 and look like a latecomer to a Big 12 title game with a decisive road win against Arizona. One where the second half was played without Travis Hunter.

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and host of The Number One College Football Show podcast. Follow him at @RJ_Young.

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