College football rankings in week 8 have a big change in the AP top 25 poll. But the college football rankings for week 8 aren’t that surprising, considering Alabama and Florida’s recent games. The change in the college football week 8 rankings at number one really means nothing, since Florida and Alabama are still on a collision course. But with Alabama the new AP number 1 in the college football rankings for week 8, it signals to Florida that they need to be careful.
The college football rankings in week 8 have Alabama as number 1 in the AP top 25, by a narrow margin. By 13 votes, Alabama overtook Florida as number 1, due to the Gators’ struggles against Arkansas and the Tide’s easier win over South Carolina.
Florida is still number 1 in the USA Today poll, but Alabama is number 2 for the first time. Yet as long as the Gators and Tide do not lose, they can switch places in the college football rankings all they want – so the BCS hopes.
With the Gators and Tide still 1-2 in the AP top 25 rankings, Texas is still at number 3 after holding off Oklahoma. The Longhorns are still the favorite to face either Florida or Alabama in the BCS title game, but the college football rankings behind them show who their top challengers will be.
USC is now lurking behind Texas, at number 4. Cincinnati has emerged as a possible dark horse at number 5, while Boise State fell to 6 after a bad win at Tulsa. The college football rankings have Iowa, Miami, LSU and TCU rounding out the AP top 10.
The college football rankings in week 8 are the least anticipated new poll of the week, however. The BCS standings will give a clearer picture of where the top contenders are, when they are released later today. Florida, Alabama and Texas will likely be 1-2-3 in some order, with USC ready to make a move if one of them loses.
With the new college football rankings for week 8, Florida, Alabama, Texas and USC are now officially the big four teams to watch. But with Cincinnati, Boise State and TCU trying to climb up, there is still a chance for a BCS buster to cause havoc. And all of a sudden, Iowa is emerging as a possible contender, while Miami and LSU may be the best one-loss teams left behind USC.
While everyone still believes Florida and Alabama are the two best teams in the nation, this week’s AP top 25 may help convince some that Alabama, not the defending champions, may be the favorite going into December. But all it takes is one upset for that to change, and for the entire BCS to go back into chaos.
Sources
Associated Press- “Alabama is No. 1 in AP poll after jumping UF” www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jR46pPLXtPslhqRzHZVqLn9d7slgD9BDKQKO0
ESPN- “2009 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 8” espn.go.com/college-football/rankings
USA TODAY- ‘Top 25 Coaches Poll” www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm
