The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has proven to be even more challenging than anticipated in its inaugural season with 16 teams. The conference has produced three number 1 ranked teams within the first eight weeks of college football; Alabama, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. However, following Georgia’s 30-15 win over Texas, there’s a possibility that the Associated Press will rank Oregon, who is currently undefeated, as the top team in the country.
Despite a shaky performance by Georgia’s quarterback, Carson Beck, against Texas, the team’s commanding victory on the road puts them in consideration for the number one spot. Georgia’s defense, led by Kirby Smart, limited Texas to minimal performance for two quarters, a strategy which proves promising if expanded across full games. Oregon is currently holding the top spot, but Georgia remains a strong contender.
The top 25 rankings after the eighth week of college football puts Oregon (7-0) at the top after a decisive 35-0 win over Purdue. Sitting closely at second is Georgia (6-1), followed by Ohio State (5-1) and Penn State (6-0), both having idle weeks. Despite losing to Georgia, Texas (6-1) takes fifth place and Miami (7-0) grabs sixth position after beating Louisville 52-45.
Clemson (6-1) clinches the seventh spot beating Virginia 48-31, with Iowa State (7-0), BYU (7-0), and LSU (6-1) filling the eighth, ninth and tenth positions respectively. The remainder of the ranking includes Tennessee (6-1), Indiana (7-0), Notre Dame (6-1), Texas A&M (6-1), and Missouri (6-1) in the 11th to 15th spots, followed by Boise State (5-1), Kansas State (6-1), Illinois (6-1), and Alabama (5-2) holding 16th to 20th positions. The last five spots are taken by Pitt (6-0), Ole Miss (5-2), SMU (6-1), Army (7-0), and Navy (6-0).
Teams on the rise include Indiana, maintaining an undefeated streak and leading their games throughout, and Illinois marking their first win over Michigan since 2009. On the downside, Alabama fell from grace after being ranked number one following a win over Georgia and has now lost two out of their last three games. As the competition draws on, teams continue to position for the best possible stab at the College Football Playoff.
