The College Football News 2019 college football rankings after Week 8.
As always, the rankings are done by the results as much as humanly possible.
For example, Tulsa might be 2-5, but those five losses came to Michigan State, Oklahoma State, SMU, Navy and Cincinnati – all teams ranked relatively high. The Golden Hurricane beat Wyoming, who not only beat Missouri, but whose only other loss is to a highly-ranked San Diego State.
Long story short, Tulsa is ranked way too high for a reason.
For most of this, though, it’s no longer humanly possible to go by the season-long results. The ACC, MAC and Pac-12 are too much of a mess now, so most of those are by a combination of what happened this week, and trying to be honest about how good the teams really appear to be.
And then there are the upsets. Illinois gets bumped up, Georgia Tech gets a big push, and Vanderbilt has to go up to a point. That raises up teams like UNLV, who whacked the Commodores in Nashville last week.
As always, November comes around and most of this goes into judgement call mode. But for now, yes, it’s a mish-mosh of methods to put this puzzle together.
As always, if you have an issue or a question about a ranking, go ahead and tweet us @ColFootballNews and we’ll try to figure it out/explain. If you see something that looks REALLY off, look at the schedule and follow the trail from there – or notice the one horrific loss or wildly big win.
College Football News Rankings: Week 8
Contact @ColFootballNews
CFN Rankings After Week 8
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
130. Akron Zips (0-7)
Week 8: Buffalo 21, Akron 0
Last Week Ranking: 130
Week 9 Opponent: at Northern Illinois
129. UMass Minutemen (1-6)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 129
Week 9 Opponent: UConn
128. New Mexico State Aggies (0-7)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 127
Week 9 Opponent: at Georgia Southern
127. Rice Owls (0-7)
Week 8: UTSA 31, Rice 27
Last Week Ranking: 125
Week 9 Opponent: Southern Miss
126. UTEP Miners (1-5)
Week 8: FIU 32, UTEP 17
Last Week Ranking: 126
Week 9 Opponent: Louisiana Tech
125. UTSA Roadrunners (3-4)
Week 8: UTSA 31, Rice 27
Last Week Ranking: 124
Week 9 Opponent: at Texas A&M (Nov. 2)
124. UConn Huskies (1-6)
Week 8: Houston 24, UConn 17
Last Week Ranking: 128
Week 9 Opponent: at UMass
123. South Alabama Jaguars (1-6)
Week 8: Troy 37, South Alabama 13
Last Week Ranking: 123
Week 9 Opponent: at Appalachian State
122. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-6)
Week 8: Minnesota 42, Rutgers 7
Last Week Ranking: 122
Week 9 Opponent: Liberty
121. New Mexico Lobos (2-5)
Week 8: Wyoming 23, New Mexico 10
Last Week Ranking: 121
Week 9 Opponent: Hawaii
120. Charlotte 49ers (2-5)
Week 8: WKU 30, Charlotte 14
Last Week Ranking: 120
Week 9 Opponent: North Texas
119. Old Dominion Monarchs (1-6)
Week 8: UAB 38, Old Dominion 14
Last Week Ranking: 119
Week 9 Opponent: Florida Atlantic
118. East Carolina Pirates (3-4)
Week 8: UCF 41, East Carolina 28
Last Week Ranking: 118
Week 9 Opponent: USF
117. FIU Golden Panthers (4-3)
Week 8: FIU 32, UTEP 17
Last Week Ranking: 117
Week 9 Opponent: at Middle Tennessee
116. UAB Blazers (6-1)
Week 8: UAB 38, Old Dominion 14
Last Week Ranking: 116
Week 9 Opponent: at Tennessee (Nov. 12)
115. Colorado State Rams (2-5)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 113
Week 9 Opponent: at Fresno State
114. Troy Trojans (3-3)
Week 8: Troy 37, South Alabama 13
Last Week Ranking: 110
Week 9 Opponent: at Georgia State
113. Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-4)
Week 8: Louisiana 37, Arkansas State 20
Last Week Ranking: 109
Week 9 Opponent: Texas State
112. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (3-4)
Week 8: Georgia Southern 30, Coastal Carolina 27 3OT
Last Week Ranking: 106
Week 9 Opponent: Troy (Nov. 2)
111. Georgia Southern Eagles (3-3)
Week 8: Georgia Southern 30, Coastal Carolina 27 3OT
Last Week Ranking: 115
Week 9 Opponent: New Mexico State
110. Army Black Knights (3-4)
Week 8: Georgia State 28, Army 21
Last Week Ranking: 71
Week 9 Opponent: San Jose State
109. Georgia State Panthers (5-2)
Week 8: Georgia State 28, Army 21
Last Week Ranking: 105
Week 9 Opponent: Troy
108. Texas State Bobcats (2-4)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 104
Week 9 Opponent: at Arkansas State
107. ULM Warhawks (3-4)
Week 8: Appalachian State 52, ULM 7
Last Week Ranking: 115
Week 9 Opponent: Arkansas State (Nov. 2)
106. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-5)
Week 8: Auburn 51, Arkansas 10
Last Week Ranking: 102
Week 9 Opponent: at Alabama
105. San Jose State Spartans (3-4)
Week 8: San Diego State 27, San Jose State 17
Last Week Ranking: 101
Week 9 Opponent: at Army
104. Toledo Rockets (4-3)
Week 8: Ball State 52, Toledo 14
Last Week Ranking: 89
Week 9 Opponent: Eastern Michigan
103. Bowling Green Falcons (2-5)
Week 8: Central Michigan 38, Bowling Green 20
Last Week Ranking: 88
Week 9 Opponent: at Western Michigan
102. Western Michigan Broncos (4-4)
Week 8: Eastern Michigan 34, Western Michigan 27
Last Week Ranking: 90
Week 9 Opponent: Bowling Green
101. Eastern Michigan Eagles (4-3)
Week 8: Eastern Michigan 34, Western Michigan 27
Last Week Ranking: 99
Week 9 Opponent: at Toledo
CFN Rankings After Week 7
76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
NEXT: 76-100, 50-75, Top 25
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
100. Buffalo Bulls (3-4)
Week 8: Buffalo 21, Akron 0
Last Week Ranking: 98
Week 9 Opponent: Central Michigan
99. Kent State Golden Flashes (3-4)
Week 8: Ohio 45, Kent State 38
Last Week Ranking: 87
Week 9 Opponent: Miami University
98. Ohio Bobcats (3-4)
Week 8: Ohio 45, Kent State 38
Last Week Ranking: 97
Week 9 Opponent: at Ball State
97. Northern Illinois Huskies (2-5)
Week 8: Miami University 27, Northern Illinois 24
Last Week Ranking: 96
Week 9 Opponent: Akron
96. Central Michigan Chippewas (5-3)
Week 8: Central Michigan 38, Bowling Green 20
Last Week Ranking: 92
Week 9 Opponent: at Buffalo
95. Miami University RedHawks (3-4)
Week 8: Miami University 27, Northern Illinois 24
Last Week Ranking: 91
Week 9 Opponent: at Kent State
94. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (4-3)
Week 8: Louisiana Tech 45, Southern Miss 30
Last Week Ranking: 60
Week 9 Opponent: at Rice
93. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (6-1)
Week 8: Louisiana Tech 45, Southern Miss 30
Last Week Ranking: 114
Week 9 Opponent: at UTEP
92. Houston Cougars (3-4)
Week 8: Houston 24, UConn 17
Last Week Ranking: 86
Week 9 Opponent: SMU
91. Liberty Flames (5-2)
Week 8: Liberty 59, Maine 44
Last Week Ranking: 80
Week 9 Opponent: at Rutgers
90. Ball State Cardinals (4-3)
Week 8: Ball State 52, Toledo 14
Last Week Ranking: 93
Week 9 Opponent: Ohio
89. Vanderbilt Commodores (1-6)
Week 8: Vanderbilt 21, Missouri 14
Last Week Ranking: 95
Week 9 Opponent: at South Carolina (Nov. 2)
88. UNLV Rebels (2-5)
Week 8: Fresno State 56, UNLV 27
Last Week Ranking: 94
Week 9 Opponent: San Diego State
87. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (5-2)
Week 8: Louisiana 37, Arkansas State 20
Last Week Ranking: 78
Week 9 Opponent: Texas State (Nov. 2)
86. Florida Atlantic Owls (4-2)
Week 8: Marshall 36, Florida Atlantic 31
Last Week Ranking: 75
Week 9 Opponent: at Old Dominion
85. Marshall Thundering Herd (4-3)
Week 8: Marshall 36, Florida Atlantic 31
Last Week Ranking: 77
Week 9 Opponent: at WKU
84. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-5)
Week 8: North Texas 33, Middle Tennessee 30
Last Week Ranking: 76
Week 9 Opponent: FIU
83. Northwestern Wildcats (1-5)
Week 8: Ohio State 52, Northwestern 3
Last Week Ranking: 79
Week 9 Opponent: Iowa
82. North Texas Mean Green (3-4)
Week 8: North Texas 33, Middle Tennessee 30
Last Week Ranking: 112
Week 9 Opponent: at Charlotte
81. Syracuse Orange (3-4)
Week 8: Pitt 27, Syracuse 20
Last Week Ranking: 81
Week 9 Opponent: at Florida State
80. Fresno State Bulldogs (3-3)
Week 8: Fresno State 56, UNLV 27
Last Week Ranking: 82
Week 9 Opponent: Colorado State
79. NC State Wolfpack (4-2)
Week 8: Boston College 45, NC State 24
Last Week Ranking: 69
Week 9 Opponent: at Wake Forest (Nov. 2)
78. Boston College Eagles (4-2)
Week 8: Boston College 45, NC State 24
Last Week Ranking: 108
Week 9 Opponent: at Clemson
77. Kansas Jayhawks (1-6)
Week 8: Texas 50, Kansas 48
Last Week Ranking: 107
Week 9 Opponent: Texas Tech
76. Maryland Terrapins (3-4)
Week 8: Indiana 34, Maryland 28
Last Week Ranking: 85
Week 9 Opponent: at Minnesota
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
NEXT: 50-75, Top 25
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
75. Purdue Boilermakers (2-5)
Week 8: Iowa 26, Purdue 20
Last Week Ranking: 84
Week 9 Opponent: Illinois
74. Nevada Wolf Pack (4-3)
Week 8: Utah State 36, Nevada 10
Last Week Ranking: 83
Week 9 Opponent: at Wyoming
73. West Virginia Mountaineers (3-4)
Week 8: Oklahoma 52, West Virginia 14
Last Week Ranking: 68
Week 9 Opponent: at Baylor (Oct. 31)
72. WKU Hilltoppers (5-2)
Week 8: WKU 30, Charlotte 14
Last Week Ranking: 70
Week 9 Opponent: at Marshall
71. Miami Hurricanes (3-4)
Week 8: Georgia Tech 28, Miami 21 OT
Last Week Ranking: 44
Week 9 Opponent: at Pitt
70. Ole Miss Rebels (3-5)
Week 8: Texas A&M 24, Ole Miss 17
Last Week Ranking: 67
Week 7 Opponent: at Auburn
69. Tennessee Volunteers (2-5)
Week 8: Alabama 35, Tennessee 13
Last Week Ranking: 66
Week 9 Opponent: South Carolina
68. BYU Cougars (3-4)
Week 8: Boise State 28, BYU 25
Last Week Ranking: 65
Week 9 Opponent: at Utah State (Nov. 2)
67. USF Bulls (3-4)
Week 8: Navy 35, USF 3
Last Week Ranking: 64
Week 9 Opponent: at East Carolina
66. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5)
Week 8: Georgia Tech 28, Miami 21 OT
Last Week Ranking: 111
Week 9 Opponent: Pitt
65. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5)
Week 8: Illinois 24, Wisconsin 23
Last Week Ranking: 100
Week 9 Opponent: at Purdue
64. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-3)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 74
Week 9 Opponent: Indiana
63. Tulane Green Wave (5-2)
Week 8: Memphis 47, Tulane 17
Last Week Ranking: 62
Week 9 Opponent: at Navy
62. Kentucky Wildcats (3-4)
Week 8: Georgia 21, Kentucky 0
Last Week Ranking: 61
Week 9 Opponent: Missouri
61. Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-4)
Week 8: LSU 36, Mississippi State 13
Last Week Ranking: 59
Week 9 Opponent: at Texas A&M
60. South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4)
Week 8: Florida 38, South Carolina 27
Last Week Ranking: 58
Week 9 Opponent: at Tennessee
59. Missouri Tigers (5-2)
Week 8: Vanderbilt 21, Missouri 14
Last Week Ranking: 57
Week 9 Opponent: at Kentucky
58. Wyoming Cowboys (5-2)
Week 8: Wyoming 23, New Mexico 10
Last Week Ranking: 56
Week 9 Opponent: Nevada
57. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-5)
Week 8: Cincinnati 24, Tulsa 13
Last Week Ranking: 55
Week 9 Opponent: Memphis
56. Stanford Cardinal (3-4)
Week 8: UCLA 34, Stanford 16
Last Week Ranking: 23
Week 9 Opponent: Arizona
55. UCLA Bruins (2-5)
Week 8: UCLA 34, Stanford 16
Last Week Ranking: 72
Week 9 Opponent: Arizona State
54. San Diego State Aztecs (6-1)
Week 8: San Diego State 27, San Jose State 17
Last Week Ranking: 52
Week 9 Opponent: at UNLV
53. Florida State Seminoles (3-4)
Week 8: Wake Forest 22, Florida State 20
Last Week Ranking: 46
Week 9 Opponent: Syracuse
52. Utah State Aggies (4-2)
Week 8: Utah State 36, Nevada 10
Last Week Ranking: 50
Week 9 Opponent: at Air Force
51. North Carolina Tar Heels (3-4)
Week 8: Virginia Tech 43, North Carolina 41 6OT
Last Week Ranking: 43
Week 9 Opponent: Duke
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 26-50 | 11-25 | Top 10
NEXT: 26-50, Top 25
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 11-25 | Top 10
50. Virginia Tech Hokies (5-2)
Week 8: Virginia Tech 43, North Carolina 41 6OT
Last Week Ranking: 41
Week 9 Opponent: at Notre Dame (Nov. 2)
49. Duke Blue Devils (4-3)
Week 8: Virginia 48, Duke 14
Last Week Ranking: 40
Week 9 Opponent: at North Carolina
48. TCU Horned Frogs (3-2)
Week 8: Kansas State 24, TCU 17
Last Week Ranking: 38
Week 9 Opponent: Texas
47. Cal Golden Bears (4-3)
Week 8: Oregon State 21, Cal 17
Last Week Ranking: 36
Week 9 Opponent: at Utah
46. Oregon State Beavers (3-4)
Week 8: Oregon State 21, Cal 17
Last Week Ranking: 63
Week 9 Opponent: at Arizona (Nov. 2)
45. Colorado Buffaloes (3-4)
Week 8: Washington State 41, Colorado 10
Last Week Ranking: 34
Week 9 Opponent: USC
44. Washington State Cougars (4-3)
Week 8: Washington State 41, Colorado 10
Last Week Ranking: 73
Week 9 Opponent: at Oregon
43. Indiana Hoosiers (5-2)
Week 8: Indiana 34, Maryland 28
Last Week Ranking: 49
Week 9 Opponent: at Nebraska
42. Appalachian State Mountaineers (6-0)
Week 8: Appalachian State 52, ULM 7
Last Week Ranking: 42
Week 9 Opponent: at South Alabama
41. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (6-1)
Week 8: Wake Forest 22, Florida State 20
Last Week Ranking: 48
Week 9 Opponent: NC State (Nov. 2)
40. Louisville Cardinals (4-3)
Week 8: Clemson 45, Louisville 10
Last Week Ranking: 47
Week 9 Opponent: Virginia
39. Michigan State Spartans (4-3)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 37
Week 9 Opponent: Penn State
38. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2)
Week 8: Utah 21, Arizona State 3
Last Week Ranking: 35
Week 9 Opponent: at UCLA
37. Kansas State Wildcats (4-2)
Week 8: Kansas State 24, TCU 17
Last Week Ranking: 31
Week 9 Opponent: Oklahoma
36. Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-3)
Week 8: Baylor 45, Oklahoma State 27
Last Week Ranking: 30
Week 9 Opponent: at Iowa State
35. Texas Tech Red Raiders (3-4)
Week 8: Iowa State 34, Texas Tech 24
Last Week Ranking: 29
Week 9 Opponent: at Kansas
34. Arizona Wildcats (4-3)
Week 8: USC 41, Arizona 14
Last Week Ranking: 28
Week 9 Opponent: at Stanford
33. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (4-3)
Week 8: Air Force 56, Hawaii 26
Last Week Ranking: 27
Week 9 Opponent: at New Mexico
32. Air Force Falcons (5-2)
Week 8: Air Force 56, Hawaii 26
Last Week Ranking: 33
Week 9 Opponent: Utah State
31. Navy Midshipmen (5-1)
Week 8: Navy 35, USF 3
Last Week Ranking: 32
Week 9 Opponent: Tulane
30. Memphis Tigers (6-1)
Week 8: Memphis 47, Tulane 17
Last Week Ranking: 54
Week 9 Opponent: at Tulsa
29. Temple Owls (5-2)
Week 8: SMU 45, Temple 21
Last Week Ranking: 53
Week 9 Opponent: Houston (Nov. 2)
28. UCF Knights (5-2)
Week 8: UCF 41, East Carolina 28
Last Week Ranking: 51
Week 9 Opponent: at Temple
27. Pitt Panthers (5-2)
Week 8: Pitt 27, Syracuse 20
Last Week Ranking: 39
Week 9 Opponent: Miami
26. Boise State Broncos (6-1)
Week 8: Boise State 28, BYU 25
Last Week Ranking: 16
Week 9 Opponent: at San Jose State (Nov. 2)
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 11-25 | Top 10
NEXT: Top 25
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | Top 10
25. Virginia Cavaliers (5-2)
Week 8: Virginia 48, Duke 14
Last Week Ranking: 45
Week 9 Opponent: at Louisville
24. Texas A&M Aggies (4-3)
Week 8: Texas A&M 24, Ole Miss 17
Last Week Ranking: 21
Week 9 Opponent: Mississippi State
23. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1)
Week 8: Cincinnati 24, Tulsa 13
Last Week Ranking: 26
Week 9 Opponent: at East Carolina (Nov. 2)
22. USC Trojans (4-3)
Week 8: USC 41, Arizona 14
Last Week Ranking: 26
Week 9 Opponent: at Colorado
21. Washington Huskies (5-3)
Week 8: Oregon 35, Washington 31
Last Week Ranking: 24
Week 9 Opponent: Utah (Nov. 2)
20. SMU Mustangs (7-0)
Week 8: SMU 45, Temple 21
Last Week Ranking: 22
Week 9 Opponent: at Houston
19. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-0)
Week 8: Minnesota 42, Rutgers 7
Last Week Ranking: 20
Week 9 Opponent: Maryland
18. Iowa State Cyclones (5-2)
Week 8: Iowa State 34, Texas Tech 24
Last Week Ranking: 18
Week 9 Opponent: Oklahoma State
17. Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2)
Week 8: Iowa 26, Purdue 20
Last Week Ranking: 17
Week 9 Opponent: at Northwestern
16. Texas Longhorns (5-2)
Week 8: Texas 50, Kansas 48
Last Week Ranking: 13
Week 9 Opponent: at TCU
15. Utah Utes (6-1)
Week 8: Utah 21, Arizona State 3
Last Week Ranking: 19
Week 9 Opponent: Cal
14. Baylor Bears (7-0)
Week 7: Baylor 45, Oklahoma State 27
Last Week Ranking: 15
Week 9 Opponent: West Virginia (Oct. 31)
13. Michigan Wolverines (5-2)
Week 8: Penn State 28, Michigan 21
Last Week Ranking: 14
Week 9 Opponent: Notre Dame
12. Wisconsin Badgers (6-1)
Week 8: Illinois 24, Wisconsin 23
Last Week Ranking: 5
Week 9 Opponent: at Ohio State
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (5-1)
Week 8: DIDN’T PLAY THIS WEEK
Last Week Ranking: 11
Week 9 Opponent: at Michigan
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | Top 10
NEXT: Top Ten
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25
10. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
Week 8: Georgia 21, Kentucky 0
Last Week Ranking: 10
Week 9 Opponent: Florida (Nov. 2)
9. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0)
Week 8: Penn State 28, Michigan 21
Last Week Ranking: 12
Week 9 Opponent: at Michigan State
8. Oregon Ducks (6-1)
Week 8: Oregon 35, Washington 31
Last Week Ranking: 9
Week 9 Opponent: Washington State
7. Auburn Tigers (6-1)
Week 8: Auburn 51, Arkansas 10
Last Week Ranking: 8
Week 9 Opponent: at LSU
6. Florida Gators (7-1)
Week 8: Florida 38, South Carolina 27
Last Week Ranking: 7
Week 9 Opponent: Georgia (Nov. 2)
5. Clemson Tigers (7-0)
Week 8: Clemson 45, Louisville 10
Last Week Ranking: 6
Week 9 Opponent: Boston College
4. Oklahoma Sooners (7-0)
Week 8: Oklahoma 52, West Virginia 14
Last Week Ranking: 4
Week 9 Opponent: at Kansas State
3. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
Week 8: Alabama 35, Tennessee 13
Last Week Ranking: 1
Week 9 Opponent: Arkansas
2. LSU Tigers (7-0)
Week 8: LSU 36, Mississippi State 13
Last Week Ranking: 3
Week 9 Opponent: Auburn
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0)
Week 8: Ohio State 52, Northwestern 3
Last Week Ranking: 2
Week 9 Opponent: Wisconsin
CFN Rankings After Week 8
101-130 | 76-100 | 51-75 | 26-50 | 11-25
