College Football Week 8: Major Upsets Impact Rankings

Week 8 of the college football season featured several unexpected outcomes, impacting the playoff landscape. Notable upsets included No. 2 BYU losing to UCF in double overtime and No. 8 Texas Tech falling to Cincinnati, while No. 6 Indiana and No. 13 Alabama narrowly avoided defeats.

As a result of these losses, the Big 12's chances of securing multiple playoff spots have diminished, with only two teams expected to remain in the top 12 rankings. In contrast, No. 1 Miami showcased its strength by defeating Pittsburgh 52-23, maintaining an undefeated record of 7-0 and earning its first AP No. 1 ranking since 2002.

In other developments, Baylor's loss to Kansas marked a significant downturn for head coach Dave Aranda, while South Carolina achieved a thrilling victory over No. 11 Tennessee. Additionally, James Madison's hopes for a Sun Belt title were complicated by a loss to Appalachian State.