Week 8 recap
After beating the former No. 2-ranked Notre Dame in Week 7, the Cougars took their spot in the rankings. They faced unranked UCF, and the Knights capitalized on having a home-field advantage and outlasted BYU 39-31 in second overtime. The Cougars suffered a massive upset after climbing in the AP poll. After riding the high of upsetting the Fighting Irish, BYU suffered an unexpected loss and fell to #8.
“We set a standard,” quarterback Keyone Jenkins said. “That standard has got to be upheld week in and week out. We just beat the No. 2 team in the country.”
South Carolina lost three straight matchups before taking down former No. 17 Florida Gators. The Gamecocks kept their confidence and momentum and upset #11 Tennessee 27-24.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers completed 18 passes for 210 yards and led South Carolina on a game-winning field-goal drive.
Meanwhile, LSU took down Auburn 38-17 behind QB Sam Leavitt tossing a career-high 387 passing yards.
The Texas Longhorns bounced back with a 34-27 win over the Ole Miss Rebels after a 33-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic sealed the game. Quarterback Arch Manning went 18-for-30 on passes, while Rebels QB Trinidad Chambliss recorded three interceptions.
The unranked Cincinnati Bearcats upset the former No. 8-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders 37-24. Texas Tech fell to 6-1, and failed to go 7-0 for the first time since 2013 as Cincinnati controlled the entire game thanks to QB JC French IV's four-touchdown performance.
“We just beat the No. 8 team in the country,” Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield said. “That team played in the playoffs last year. I’m really proud of our program. This is one of the greatest wins I’ve been a part of.”
The Big Ten conference entertained fans across the country as unranked Minnesota beat former No. 13 Iowa 13-10. Wisconsin stunned the former No. 16 USC Trojans 24-7 for just their second win of the season.
Former No. 6-ranked Indiana needed overtime to edge the Michigan Wolverines 13-6, as both teams struggled to find rhythm at the quarterback position. Michigan started freshman Tommy Carr and benched Bryce Underwood, but after a stellar performance against Penn State last week, Carr was off to a slow start, went 20-for-32 on passing, and had a fumble.
The Hoosiers also considered making a change but ultimately bet on Josh Hoover again.
“There were a lot of discussions about Grant Wilson and Josh Hoover in the second half because Grant had a good week of practice and is really capable," head coach Curt Cignetti said. “At the end of the day, it’s been Josh's season and even though he’s not 100%, we’ve got to finish it out with him, and he responded.”
The Oregon Ducks announced that Dante Moore will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a concussion followed by an extreme hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens.
Mississippi State will also be without their star QB for the rest of the year, as Kamario Taylor will undergo surgery on his injured toe. Ever since losing Taylor, the Bulldogs have yet to win a game.
#1 Miami Hurricanes handled their business at home and beat Pitt 52-23 in a dominant fashion. Quarterback Darian Mensah continued playing well, completing 31 of 37 passes for 387 yards. Star wide receiver Malachi Toney recorded 16 receptions for 194 yards as Miami keeps performing on a high note, targeting another deep postseason run.
Now, all the focus goes to Week 9. Here are the games you don’t want to miss!
#17 Florida vs. #3 Georgia
The Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs renew one of college football's fiercest rivalries - known as the World's largest outdoor cocktail party - this Saturday, with plenty at stake for both SEC programs. Florida has been up and down - after starting the season 4-0, the Gators fell twice in a row but then found their momentum again against Texas.
They had a bye last weekend. Can the Gators start another winning streak?
Georgia has been steady all season, occupying the top spots in the ranking each week. But after falling to the unranked Auburn Tigers in Week 7, a clear message resonated through the football sphere: the Bulldogs are vulnerable, too.
The Gators will be another tough test in conference play. While Florida has an opportunity to shake up the SEC race, Georgia has a chance to reassert itself as a national championship contender.
The Gators' best offensive weapon is running back Jadan Baugh. He has scored 13 rushing touchdowns in seven games, giving Florida a powerful option near the goal line and a reliable way to control the tempo.
Duke Clark, who is also averaging more than seven yards per carry, provides another potential threat if he is available.
Florida has shown that it can compete with elite opponents, but consistency remains the biggest question for first-year head coach Jon Sumrall's team. Georgia will punish even the slightest dip in focus and discipline, and Florida cannot afford to fall behind early.
Georgia remains one of the most dangerous teams in the country, even after its setback against Auburn. The offense has been Georgia's biggest strength. The Bulldogs average 43 points and nearly 470 total yards per game, ranking among the SEC's best in scoring, rushing, and passing.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton is poised, experienced, and has the skills to orchestrate game-winning situations. He also boasts a 74.1% completion rate.
Most likely, the biggest difference maker will be defense. Georgia allows just 15.9 points per game, compared with 28.3 for Florida, giving them a significant statistical edge. If the Bulldogs stay true to their scrappy defensive identity, they should stand on top.
Focus point: This year, this rivalry comes with a twist: the contest takes place at a neutral site, as both teams meet at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Nobody will have the home-field advantage, and both programs expect a good crowd to come support them. Traditionally, this matchup takes place in Florida, and staying in their home state could give Georgia a slight mental boost.
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
#22 Arizona vs. #13 Texas Tech
The clash between the Wildcats and the Red Raiders highlights an exciting race for the Big 12 crown. Both teams enter the contest with a 3-1 record, and the winner will move significantly closer to the conference title game bid.
However, the programs arrive in very different circumstances. Arizona has won five consecutive games, including a dominant 39–3 victory over Iowa State, while Texas Tech is looking to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season, a 37–24 defeat at Cincinnati.
Arizona wants to keep riding that winning streak, while Texas Tech targets a comeback.
For Arizona, quarterback Noah Fifita remains the centerpiece of the offense. The veteran has thrown for 2,064 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, completing approximately 74% of his passes while throwing just four interceptions.
He also owns Arizona's career records for passing yards and touchdown passes, making him one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country.
Texas Tech will rely on its supreme defense. Their 13 interceptions include five defensive touchdowns, an extraordinary run of playmaking that has helped the Red Raiders remain one of the nation's most dangerous teams at creating turnovers. Going into Saturday, the challenge will be containing Fifita and not letting him get comfortable in the pocket.
Arizona will be playing on the road and will have to endure a loud Texas Tech environment. Last week, the Red Raiders struggled to protect their quarterback as the offensive line couldn’t stop the pass rush - if Texas Tech wants to win, protecting quarterback Will Hammond will be essential.
Focus point: At Cincinnati, the Red Raiders were missing a critical piece of their puzzle - running back Cameron Dickey. He suffered a high ankle sprain against Colorado and missed two games. Last year, Dickey tallied 1,124 yards and 14 touchdowns. Just a couple of days before the Wildcats come to Lubbock, Dickey has been cleared and will take the field, giving Texas Tech a significant offensive boost.
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
Army vs. Memphis
The American Athletic Conference race takes center stage on Halloween night as the Army Black Knights visit the Memphis Tigers in a matchup that could have major implications for the conference championship.
Army enters at 5–2 overall and 4–1 in conference play, after winning four consecutive AAC games. Memphis is 6–2 overall and 3–1 in conference play. Last week, the Tigers got a dramatic 41–34 overtime victory over East Carolina, while Army beat Tulsa by drilling a game-winning, 50-yard-long field goal.
The contrast in styles makes this game extremely intriguing. Army relies on its trademark triple-option offense and a relentless ground attack, while Memphis boasts a balanced offense capable of producing big plays through the air and on the ground.
The Black Knights lead the nation in rushing, averaging approximately 346 yards per game, and their ground attack has been the foundation of a four-game conference winning streak.
Quarterback Cale Hellums is a senior and knows the team better than anyone. His ability to make the right reads, keep the football and make runs makes Army's option offense difficult to prepare for in a single week.
But Memphis is stacked with offensive firepower - the Tigers average 36.1 points and more than 500 total yards per game, combining an effective passing attack with a productive group of running backs. Quarterback Marcus Stokes formed a standout duo with wide receiver Hunter Tipton, who leads the team with 409 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.
This could be an offensive showdown. The team that finds a way to stop the momentum of its opponent will most likely gain a significant advantage as the game goes on.
Focus point: Memphis has won four straight games against Army, but the teams haven’t met since 2002. Their Saturday clash will mark their first conference meeting. Army is eager to snap the unpleasant streak, while Memphis is having its homecoming weekend on the 31st. The winner will get closer to a chance to compete for the AAC title, while the losers will most likely fall out of that race. Also, if Army wins, the Black Knights will become bowl-eligible.
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
#6 Utah vs. Cincinnati
Upset alert: the Cincinnati Bearcats host the Utah Utes, and after taking down Texas Tech, they are confident and ready to keep another ranked team on their toes. Utah is only a 6-point favorite, and the Bearcats are looking to strike again.
Utah is one of the strongest teams in the Big 12 after opening the season 7–0 for the first time since 2010. The Utes' 21–13 victory over Houston last week was not their most explosive offensive performance, but it reinforced their ability to win close games with defense and physicality.
The Bearcats rushed for more than 250 yards in their win over Texas Tech, showcasing that their offense can succeed even against a highly ranked opponent with a strong defensive front. Cincinnati can strike in the air and on the ground, giving Utah’s defense plenty of things to worry about.
Cincinnati averages 35.4 points and 455.3 total yards per game, but Utah only allows 14.6 points and 312.4 total yards per game.
It will be interesting to see if the Bearcats can make the Utes’ defense crumble, or if Utah stands its ground and shuts the Bearcats down.
Focus point: This marks just the second meeting between these two programs in history. Utah won last year’s contest 45-14 in Salt Lake City. But now, Cincinnati has the home-field advantage, and it matters. The Bearcats are 5–0 at home and have just beaten a top-10 opponent at Nippert Stadium. With the last two weekends filled with major upsets, nothing is impossible in Week 9.
When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. ET
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio