Is the Pac-12 so good that it might be bad for its College Football Playoff hopes?
Keep that in mind in the second half of the season. Sure, Washington scored a huge victory in a 36-33 thriller over Oregon; the latest big-ticket game for a conference that will not exist as we know it in 2024.
Washington is now the lone unbeaten team in the Pac-12 – which means a top-five ranking is in the works for Week 8. Michael Penix Jr. strengthened his case for the Heisman Trophy, and Kalen DeBoer has led Washington to the second-longest win streak in the FBS at 13 games.
Yet USC’s 48-20 loss to Notre Dame was a reminder that outside the conference the perception might not have changed much. After all, the Huskies are the last team from the conference to make the College Football Playoff, a drought that extends back to 2016.
Oregon, USC, Utah and Oregon State all have one loss, and that is the Catch 22. There are a lot of head-to-head matchups to come before the Pac-12 championship game, and the two-loss rule applies in the four-team College Football Playoff era. Take two losses and you will be on the outside looking in. A look at the regular-season matchups over the next six weeks:
Pac-12 matchups
| DATE | MATCHUP |
| Oct. 21 | Utah at USC |
| Oct. 28 | Oregon at Utah |
| Nov. 4 | Washington at USC |
| Nov. 11 | USC at Oregon |
| Nov. 11 | Utah at Washington |
| Nov. 18 | Washington at Oregon State |
| Nov. 24 | Oregon State at Oregon |
Will one of those teams get out with one loss or less? The cannibalization risk is high for all five teams involved, and what makes this conference great in its farewell tour might work to its disadvantage in that five-conference scramble for four spots.
Each week, we will look at the college football rankings from 1-133.
Here is how that looks heading into Week 8:
MORE: Week 8 will be vital in Pac-12, ACC, Big Ten and SEC races
College football rankings 2023
Top 25 for Week 8
1. Georgia (7-0)
Georgia maintained its unbeaten record in a 37-20 victory against Vanderbilt, but tight end Brock Bowers' ankle injury will be a concern heading into the bye week. Carson Beck (29 of 39, 261 yards, TD, INT) relied on a strong running game from Daijuan Edwards (20-146, TD) in Bowers' absence. The Bulldogs have won 24 straight games and close October against Florida.
2. Michigan (7-0)
Indiana was up 7-0 and sacked J.J. McCarthy three times on Michigan's first two possessions. Reality set in afterward, and McCarthy (14 of 17, 222 yards, 3 TDs) led a 52-7 blowout. The Wolverines forced four turnovers, and now they've outscored opponents 276-47. A trip to Michigan State is next, and they have a strong case to be No. 1 despite its weak schedule.
3. Ohio State (6-0)
Ohio State wasted no time jumping on Purdue in a 41-7 blowout that sets up next week's showdown against Penn State. Kyle McCord (16 of 28, 276 yards, 3 TDs) is progressing, and Marvin Harrison Jr. (6-105, TD) and Cade Stover (4-53, 2 TDs) were the go-to receivers. Dallan Hayden (11-76, TD) might be the missing piece at running back. Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau combined for three sacks. The Buckeyes are in a great spot.
4. Florida State (6-0)
Keon Coleman (9-140, TD) helped the Seminoles set the tone in a 41-3 blowout against Syracuse. Jordan Travis (23 of 37, 284 yards, TD) was efficient, and the Seminoles hammered out 191 rushing yards behind Lawrance Toafili (7-93, TD) and Trey Benson (14-74). The defense forced two turnovers and limited Syracuse to 3.9 yards per play. FSU can take control of ACC race with a victory against Duke in Week 8.
5. Washington (6-0)
The Huskies earned their top-five billing with a dramatic 36-33 victory against Oregon. Washington now has pole position in the Pac-12 race. Penix Jr. (22 of 37, 302 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT) lived up to the billing as the Heisman Trophy front-runner. Oregon limited the Huskies to 99 yards rushing, but second-year coach Kalen DeBoer continues to find ways to win. Washington faces Arizona State and Stanford the next two weeks before the ultimate QB showdown with USC on Nov. 4.
6. Oklahoma (6-0)
The Sooners had a bye week after the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma has an elite Big 12 offense that averages 45.2 points and 506 yards per game, and the defense ranks second in the FBS with 15 turnovers. Brent Venables has engineered a quick turnaround, and the second-half schedule is friendly. A road trip to Kansas is the next hurdle on the schedule.
7. Penn State (6-0)
The Nittany Lions routed UMass 63-0 in the final tuneup before the Ohio State matchup. Drew Allar (16 of 23, 162 yards, 3 TDs) was efficient, and the defense limited the Minutemen to 23 yards in the first half and 109 yards for the game. Daequan Hardy added two punt returns for TDs. This entire season has built up to this shot at the Buckeyes. Now, Penn State has it.
8. North Carolina (6-0)
North Carolina should pop into the top 10 after a 41-31 victory against Miami. The trio of Drake Maye (17 of 33, 273 yards, 4 TDs), Omarion Hampton (24-197, TD) and receiver Tez Walker (6-132, 3 TDs) is a problem for opposing defenses, and the Tar Heels will face unranked opponents the next three weeks starting with Virginia in Week 8. Mack Brown has a serious chance to make a CFP run.
9. Texas (5-1)
The Longhorns had a bye week to recover from the 34-30 loss to Oklahoma, and this is a good reset point in the schedule. There is no margin for error now, but Quinn Ewers, Jonathan Brooks and a high-powered supporting cast can get back in the CFP mix by running the table. A rematch with the Sooners is possible, but it cannot be a distraction. Texas travels to Houston in Week 8.
10. Alabama (6-1)
Alabama continues to grind out victories, and it was closer than it needed to be in a 24-21 victory against Arkansas. Jalen Milroe hit 7 of 10 passes for 215 yards in the first half – including a 79-yard TD pass to Kobe Prentice. Milroe was just 3 of 11 for 23 yards in the second half, but Dallas Turner's sack held off a late Razorbacks' rally. Alabama plays an elimination game with Tennessee in Week 8.
11. Oregon (5-1)
Second-year coach Dan Lanning will lament three missed fourth-down calls, including a third with 2:16 remaining that led to Washington's go-ahead touchdown with 1:38 remaining. It was a tough loss considering Bo Nix passed for 337 yards and three TDs. A Pac-12 championship rematch is possible, but the Ducks have back-to-back ranked opponents in Washington State and Utah the next two weeks.
MORE: Lanning's aggressive style backfires against Washington
12. Ole Miss (5-1)
Ole Miss had a bye week – which came at the right time after the toughest stretch in the schedule. The Rebels (41.7 ppg.) are one of three SEC teams with a 40-point offense. Ole Miss likely has to win out to win the SEC West, but it cannot overlook a road test at Auburn in Week 8.
13. Tennessee (5-1)
Dee Williams' 39-yard punt return for a TD flipped the momentum in a 17-13 victory against Texas A&M. Joe Milton III (11 of 22, 100 yards, TD, INT) struggled, and Tennessee will need to clean up the penalties (12-115). The good news is the running game is dominant. Jaylen Wright had 136 of the Vols' 232 yards. Tennessee will get its shot at Alabama in Week 8.
14. Notre Dame (6-2)
The Irish closed out a four-game stretch against ranked teams with a 48-20 blowout against rival USC. Sam Hartman (13 of 20, 126 yards, 2 TDs) and Audric Estime (22-95, 2 TDs) took advantage of the Trojans' miscues, and the Irish head to a bye week before taking on the final third of their schedule. The CFP is likely out of reach, but Marcus Freeman scored a signature victory for 2023.
MORE: Safety Xavier Watts piles up takeaways for Irish
15. USC (6-1)
Will USC fall lower than this? It is possible after a 48-20 loss to Notre Dame, and the Trojans learned the hard way that reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is not a cure all for the problems on defense. Williams was sacked six times and threw three interceptions, and now second-year coach Lincoln Riley faces an uphill challenge in a break-through to the CFP. USC hosts Utah in Week 8 in a de facto elimination game.
MORE: The pass that launched Caleb Williams' Super career
16. Duke (5-1)
Riley Leonard (ankle) did not play, but the Blue Devils' defense stepped up in a 24-3 victory against NC State. Backup quarterback Henry Belin IV (4 of 12, 107 yards, 2 TDs, INT) did not need to do much because the defense limited the Wolfpack to 4 of 15 on third down. Will Leonard return in a huge showdown at Florida State? Duke has another opportunity to shine under second-year coach Mike Elko.
17. Oregon State (6-1)
Ryan Cooper Jr. had a pick six off Dante Moore that opened up a double-digit lead against UCLA, and the Beavers held on for a 36-24 victory at home. D.J. Uiagalelei (14 of 24, 266 yards, 2 TDs) has 8 TDs and one interception in Oregon State’s last three games, and the Beavers have the easiest schedule of the one-loss Pac-12 teams. This team remains in the mix.
18. LSU (5-2)
The Tigers are a two-loss chaos team under Brian Kelly in the SEC because they are good enough to win the conference championship. LSU thumped Auburn 48-18 after another all-around effort from Jayden Daniels (20 of 27, 325 yards, 3 TDs, INT, 93 rushing yards). Logan Diggs (18-97, TD) also keyed a blowout at Tiger Stadium. LSU plays Army in Week 8 before a bye week and the showdown with Alabama.
19. Utah (5-1)
Utah went with Bryson Barnes (15 of 21, 128 yards) at quarterback in a 34-14 victory against Cal. The Utes had no turnovers and rolled up 317 yards and 6.0 yards per carry against the Golden Bears. Cam Rising watch continues ahead of the trip to USC in a rematch of last year's Pac-12 championship rematch.
20. Air Force (6-0)
The Falcons won a 34-27 Mountain West Conference thriller against Wyoming. John Lee Eldridge III scored on a 58-yard TD run for the go-ahead score with 2:17 remaining. Quarterback Zac Larrier left in the second half with an injury, but backup Jensen Jones did not fold. Air Force is the highest ranked Group of 5 team as a result heading into a Week 8 matchup with Navy.
21. Missouri (6-1)
The Tigers bounced back from a loss to LSU by handling Kentucky 38-21 in an SEC road test. Brady Cook (19 of 29, 167 yards, TD, INT) did not put up huge numbers, but the defense forced three turnovers in a matchup of one-loss teams. Missouri might just be the toughest test remaining for defending national champion Georgia. The Tigers face South Carolina in Week 8.
22. Iowa (6-1)
Leshon Williams' 82-yard touchdown run was the offensive outburst in Iowa's 15-6 victory against Wisconsin. Kirk Ferentz continues to make winning ugly an art-form, and the Hawkeyes are now in control of the Big Ten West. Wisconsin converted just 2 of 17 on third down in the loss.
23. Louisville (6-1)
The Cardinals endured the classic letdown game under first-year coach Jeff Brohm. Pitt hammered Louisville 38-21. The Cardinals had three costly turnovers on the road, and running back Jawhar Jordan suffered a hamstring injury. The Panthers took advantage coming off a bye week. Louisville is still in the ACC race heading into a needed bye week.
24. Liberty (6-0)
Looking for a New Year's Day Six buster? Liberty remains unbeaten under first-year coach Jamey Chadwell after a 31-13 victory against Jacksonville State. Quarterback Kaidon Salter has 14 TDs and two interceptions, and the schedule is set up that the Flames might be able to make this run. Liberty plays Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday.
25. James Madison (6-0)
The Dukes remain unbeaten after knocking off Georgia Southern 41-13, and there are no remaining one-loss Power 5 teams that can claim this spot. Quarterback Jordan McCloud has 14 TDs and three interceptions, and coach Curt Cignetti has led an impressive two-year run in the FBS. The Dukes have a two-year postseason ban because they are making the transition to the FBS.
College football 1-133 rankings: (1-25)
Here is a look at how our Top 25 fared in Week 7:
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD | PREVIOUS | WEEK 7 RESULT |
| 1 | Georgia | 7-0 | 1 | Beat Vanderbilt 37-20 |
| 2 | Michigan | 7-0 | 2 | Beat Indiana 52-7 |
| 3 | Ohio State | 6-0 | 3 | Beat Purdue 41-7 |
| 4 | Florida State | 6-0 | 4 | Beat Syracuse 41-3 |
| 5 | Washington | 6-0 | 5 | Beat Oregon 36-33 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 6-0 | 6 | Bye |
| 7 | Penn State | 6-0 | 7 | Beat UMass 63-0 |
| 8 | North Carolina | 6-0 | 10 | Beat Miami 41-31 |
| 9 | Texas | 5-1 | 11 | Bye |
| 10 | Alabama | 6-1 | 12 | Beat Arkansas 24-21 |
| 11 | Oregon | 5-1 | 8 | Lost to Washington 36-33 |
| 12 | Ole Miss | 5-1 | 14 | Bye |
| 13 | Tennessee | 5-1 | 15 | Beat Texas A&M 20-13 |
| 14 | Notre Dame | 6-2 | 20 | Beat USC 48-20 |
| 15 | USC | 6-1 | 9 | Lost to Notre Dame 48-20 |
| 16 | Duke | 5-1 | 16 | Beat NC State 24-3 |
| 17 | Oregon State | 6-1 | 18 | Beat UCLA 36-24 |
| 18 | LSU | 5-2 | 21 | Beat Auburn 48-18 |
| 19 | Utah | 5-1 | 19 | Beat Cal 34-14 |
| 20 | Air Force | 6-0 | 22 | Beat Wyoming 34-27 |
| 21 | Missouri | 6-1 | 27 | Beat Kentucky 38-21 |
| 22 | Iowa | 6-1 | 30 | Beat Wisconsin 15-6 |
| 23 | Louisville | 6-1 | 13 | Lost to Pitt 38-21 |
| 24 | Liberty | 6-0 | 34 | Beat Jacksonville State 31-13 |
| 25 | James Madison | 6-0 | 32 | Beat Georgia Southern 41-13 |
Rest of FBS (26-133)
Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 7:
| 26 | Clemson | 4-2 | 31 | Bye |
| 27 | Kentucky | 5-2 | 24 | Lost to Missouri 38-21 |
| 28 | Tulane | 5-1 | 41 | Beat Memphis 31-21 |
| 29 | Florida | 5-2 | 39 | Beat South Carolina 41-39 |
| 30 | Fresno State | 6-1 | 45 | Beat Utah State 37-32 |
| 31 | Oklahoma State | 4-2 | 55 | Beat Kansas 39-32 |
| 32 | UCLA | 4-2 | 23 | Lost to Oregon State 36-24 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | 4-2 | 26 | Lost to Iowa 15-6 |
| 34 | Rutgers | 5-2 | 44 | Beat Michigan State 27-24 |
| 35 | Miami | 4-2 | 29 | Lost to North Carolina 41-31 |
| 36 | Washington State | 4-2 | 17 | Lost to Arizona 44-6 |
| 37 | Maryland | 5-2 | 28 | Lost to Illinois 27-24 |
| 38 | Toledo | 6-1 | 46 | Beat Ball State 13-6 |
| 39 | Kansas | 5-2 | 25 | Lost to Oklahoma State 39-32 |
| 40 | Kansas State | 4-2 | 49 | Beat Texas Tech 38-21 |
| 41 | Troy | 5-2 | 50 | Beat Army 19-0 |
| 42 | Texas A&M | 4-3 | 36 | Lost to Tennessee 20-13 |
| 43 | Miami, Ohio | 6-1 | 63 | Beat Western Michigan 34-21 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 4-2 | 38 | Lost to Houston 41-39 |
| 45 | Western Kentucky | 4-2 | 51 | Bye |
| 46 | SMU | 4-2 | 53 | Beat East Carolina 31-10 |
| 47 | Memphis | 4-2 | 42 | Lost to Tulane 31-21 |
| 48 | Arizona | 4-3 | 58 | Beat Washington State 44-6 |
| 49 | UNLV | 5-1 | 67 | Beat Nevada 45-27 |
| 50 | Auburn | 3-3 | 37 | Lost to LSU 48-18 |
| 51 | BYU | 4-2 | 35 | Lost to TCU 44-11 |
| 52 | Wyoming | 5-2 | 40 | Lost to Air Force 34-27 |
| 53 | Colorado | 4-3 | 33 | Lost to Stanford 46-43 |
| 54 | Iowa State | 4-3 | 64 | Beat Cincinnati 30-10 |
| 55 | TCU | 4-3 | 65 | Beat BYU 44-11 |
| 56 | Georgia State | 5-1 | 61 | Beat Marshall 41-24 |
| 57 | Mississippi State | 3-3 | 62 | Bye |
| 58 | Houston | 3-3 | 81 | Beat West Virginia 41-39 |
| 59 | NC State | 4-3 | 43 | Lost to Duke 24-3 |
| 60 | Georgia Tech | 3-3 | 66 | Bye |
| 61 | Wake Forest | 3-3 | 52 | Lost to Virginia Tech 30-13 |
| 62 | Jacksonville State | 5-2 | 48 | Lost to Liberty 31-13 |
| 63 | Syracuse | 4-3 | 54 | Lost to Florida State 41-3 |
| 64 | Texas State | 5-2 | 77 | Beat UL-Monroe 21-20 |
| 65 | Louisiana | 4-2 | 72 | Bye |
| 66 | UCF | 3-3 | 69 | Bye |
| 67 | Minnesota | 3-3 | 70 | Bye |
| 68 | Nebraska | 3-3 | 73 | Bye |
| 69 | Ohio | 5-2 | 47 | Lost to Northern Illinois 23-13 |
| 70 | Georgia Southern | 4-2 | 60 | Lost to James Madison 41-13 |
| 71 | Texas Tech | 3-4 | 56 | Lost to Kansas State 38-21 |
| 72 | Marshall | 4-2 | 59 | Lost to Georgia State 41-24 |
| 73 | South Alabama | 3-3 | 74 | Bye |
| 74 | South Carolina | 2-4 | 57 | Lost to Florida 41-39 |
| 75 | Virginia Tech | 3-4 | 83 | Beat Wake Forest 30-13 |
| 76 | Illinois | 3-4 | 86 | Beat Maryland 27-24 |
| 77 | Cal | 3-4 | 68 | Lost to Utah 34-14 |
| 78 | Boston College | 3-3 | 75 | Bye |
| 79 | Northwestern | 3-3 | 84 | Bye |
| 80 | Eastern Michigan | 4-3 | 103 | Beat Kent State 28-14 |
| 81 | Baylor | 2-4 | 78 | Bye |
| 82 | Stanford | 2-4 | 91 | Beat Colorado 46-43 |
| 83 | Pitt | 2-4 | 89 | Beat Louisville 38-21 |
| 84 | Arkansas | 2-5 | 79 | Lost to Alabama 24-21 |
| 85 | New Mexico State | 4-3 | 93 | Beat Sam Houston 27-13 |
| 86 | Central Michigan | 4-3 | 92 | Beat Akron 17-10 |
| 87 | UTSA | 3-3 | 88 | Beat UAB 41-20 |
| 88 | Michigan State | 2-4 | 80 | Lost to Rutgers 27-24 |
| 89 | Purdue | 2-5 | 82 | Lost to Ohio State 41-7 |
| 90 | Cincinnati | 2-4 | 85 | Lost to Iowa State 30-10 |
| 91 | Indiana | 2-4 | 87 | Lost to Michigan 52-7 |
| 92 | Coastal Carolina | 3-3 | 109 | Beat Appalachian State 27-24 |
| 93 | Navy | 3-3 | 112 | Beat Charlotte 14-0 |
| 94 | Appalachian State | 3-3 | 71 | Lost to Coastal Carolina 27-24 |
| 95 | Colorado State | 3-3 | 106 | Beat Boise State 31-30 |
| 96 | Arkansas State | 3-3 | 96 | Bye |
| 97 | Rice | 3-3 | 98 | Bye |
| 98 | Tulsa | 3-3 | 99 | Bye |
| 99 | FAU | 3-3 | 107 | Beat South Florida 56-14 |
| 100 | Vanderbilt | 2-6 | 90 | Lost to Georgia 37-20 |
| 101 | San Diego State | 3-4 | 102 | Beat Hawaii 41-34 |
| 102 | Boise State | 3-4 | 76 | Lost to Colorado State 31-30 |
| 103 | Arizona State | 1-5 | 95 | Bye |
| 104 | North Texas | 3-3 | 114 | Beat Temple 45-14 |
| 105 | Old Dominion | 3-3 | 104 | Bye |
| 106 | Bowling Green | 3-4 | 111 | Beat Buffalo 24-14 |
| 107 | Northern Illinois | 3-4 | 116 | Beat Ohio 23-13 |
| 108 | South Florida | 3-4 | 94 | Lost to FAU 56-14 |
| 109 | FIU | 3-4 | 97 | Lost to UTEP 27-13 |
| 110 | Utah State | 3-4 | 101 | Lost to Fresno State 37-32 |
| 111 | Army | 2-4 | 100 | Lost to Troy 19-0 |
| 112 | Middle Tennessee | 2-5 | 130 | Beat Louisiana Tech 31-23 |
| 113 | UAB | 2-4 | 110 | Lost to UTSA 41-20 |
| 114 | Louisiana Tech | 3-5 | 105 | Lost to Middle Tennessee State 31-23 |
| 115 | UTEP | 2-5 | 129 | Beat FIU 27-14 |
| 116 | Buffalo | 2-5 | 108 | Lost to Bowling Green 24-14 |
| 117 | Western Michigan | 2-5 | 115 | Lost to Miami, Ohio 34-21 |
| 118 | Temple | 2-5 | 113 | Lost to North Texas 45-14 |
| 119 | UL-Monroe | 2-4 | 117 | Lost to Texas State 21-20 |
| 120 | San Jose State | 2-5 | 123 | Beat New Mexico 52-24 |
| 121 | Virginia | 1-5 | 118 | Bye |
| 122 | Hawaii | 2-5 | 119 | Lost to San Diego State 41-34 |
| 123 | UMass | 2-6 | 120 | Lost to Penn State 63-0 |
| 124 | Charlotte | 1-5 | 122 | Lost to Navy 14-0 |
| 125 | East Carolina | 1-5 | 121 | Lost to SMU 31-10 |
| 126 | UConn | 1-5 | 124 | Bye |
| 127 | Southern Miss | 1-5 | 126 | Bye |
| 128 | Ball State | 1-6 | 127 | Lost to Toledo 13-6 |
| 129 | New Mexico | 1-5 | 125 | Lost to San Jose State 52-24 |
| 130 | Kent State | 1-6 | 128 | Lost to Eastern Michigan 28-14 |
| 131 | Akron | 1-5 | 131 | Lost to Central Michigan 17-10 |
| 131 | Nevada | 0-6 | 131 | Lost to UNLV 45-27 |
| 133 | Sam Houston | 0-6 | 133 | Lost to New Mexico State 27-13 |
