Alabama Football continued its now 15-game, win streak against Tennessee and was rewarded by moving up in the major polls. Week eight of college football was not filled with big games, but it had surprising outcomes and reversals that caused several teams to drop in the polls.
The Alabama Crimson Tide moved up one spot in the AP Poll to No. 3. The same movement of the Tide occurred in the Coaches Poll. In the AP Poll, Alabama Football and the Oklahoma Sooners traded positions. Oklahoma was fortunate to grab the No. 4 slot after beating a one-win Kansas team 35-23. The Jayhawks led after three quarters and it took 21, 4th quarter points by the Sooners to win. Oklahoma was favored to win the game by more than five touchdowns.
The big, rankings losers from week eight were Penn State, Coastal Carolina and Clemson. The Nittany Lions dropped to No. 20 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll after a nine-overtime loss to now 3-5, Illinois. The Chanticleers dropped to No. 24 in both polls after losing to Appalachian State. Clemson was out of the AP Top 25 last week while holding on to the No. 24 slot in the Coaches Poll. Not only are the Tigers not ranked in either poll this week, but they were also not one of the ‘others receiving votes’ teams in either poll.
After losing to Iowa State, a now one-loss Oklahoma State team dropped to No. 15 in both polls. The Cowboys had been No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll.
Cincinnati is No. 2 in both polls after an uninspiring, 27-20 victory over a one-win, Navy team. Pitt got a big bump in the AP Poll from No. 23 to No. 17 after beating Clemson. The Panthers are No. 19 in the Coaches Poll.
Oregon beat UCLA, 34-31, and moved up to No. 7 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches Poll. Wake Forest moved up to No. 13 in both polls after beating Army. Though undefeated, the Demon Deacons have seven one-loss teams ranked above them.
Alabama Football opponents get poll boosts
Ole Miss is one of those teams ahead of Wake. The Rebels moved to No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 9 in the Coaches Poll after beating LSU. Alabama football fans will be rooting for Ole Miss (and Texas A&M) for the rest of the season.
Among other SEC schools, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Auburn moved up in the polls. The Aggies beat South Carolina 44-14. The Wildcats and the Auburn Tigers had bye weeks.
Though it matters little, the Miami win over North Carolina State gave the Crimson Tide resume a slight boost.