NCAA Week 8 results and Top 25

We had some upsets this week, but none affected the unbeaten teams.  Some affected Top 25 teams, so we had some shakeup.

Top 25 [Last week's position]
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) [1]
2. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) [2]
3. Georgia Bulldogs (7-0) [3]
4. Wisconsin Badgers (7-0) [4]
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) [5]
6. Clemson Tigers (6-1) [6]
7. UCF Golden Knights (6-0) [7]
8. TCU Horned Frogs (7-0) [8]
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1) [10]
10. Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1) [9]
11. Washington Huskies (6-1) [11]
12. Virginia Tech Hokies (6-1) [14]
13. Oklahoma Sooners (6-1) [12]
14. South Florida Bulls (7-0) [13]
15. Auburn Tigers (6-2) [17]
16. Washington State Cougars (7-1) [19]
17. Miami Hurricanes (6-0) [20]
18. Stanford Cardinal (5-2) [18]
19. Iowa State Cyclones (5-2) [NR]
20. Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-2) [NR]
21. North Carolina State Wolfpack (6-1) [21]
22. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-2) [22]
23. Michigan State Spartans (6-1) [25]
24. Michigan Wolverines (5-2) [16]
25. Arizona Wildcats (5-2) [NR]

Dropped off: USC Trojans [#15], Texas Longhorns [#23], Utah Utes [#24]
On the Edge: Marshall Thundering Herd (6-1), Texas A&M Aggies (5-2), Toledo Rockets (6-1), South Carolina Gamecocks (5-2), Ohio Bobcats (6-2), Memphis Tigers (6-1), Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3), Boise State Broncos (5-2)

Big Ten Report
Big games for Wisconsin and Penn State.  Wisconsin has put themselves in good place to win their division. Iowa continues their struggles in Big Ten play, although it took a failed drive in overtime to lose this time.  Purdue failed a two-point conversion to send their game into overtime, giving Rutgers their second consecutive victory.  Illinois nearly spoiled Minnesota's day, who barely pulled out a victory at home.  The Spartans offense sputtered against Indiana, but their defense saved the day.

Upset Alert
PITTSBURGH gained their first ACC victory while continuing Duke's conference woes.  BOSTON COLLEGE dominated Virginia, giving the Cavaliers their first conference loss.  Virginia was playing to keep pace with Virginia Tech and Miami, but this loss severely hampers their divisional chances. Kentucky was competing for the SEC East title, but MISSISSIPPI STATE sunk those plans with a devastating defeat of the Wildcats.

Out west, Utah fell out of the Top 25 after being toppled by ARIZONA STATE.  San Diego State, on the cusp of the Top 25, was completely dominated by FRESNO STATE.

One game was a near upset.  Charlotte, FCS emigrant who has not beaten an FBS team, forced UAB to overtime before finally falling.

Poor Performers
KANSAS, rarely a strong performer, had no offense show up at all this week.  Defense was lacking for several teams this week, including Virginia, North Carolina, and North Texas.  WEST VIRGINIA's defense lost power in the fourth quarter, nearly allowing Baylor the chance to win their first game of the season. 

Two teams were poor overall, and it proved disastrous.  KENTUCKY couldn't generate any offense, and failed to slow the Mississippi State Bulldogs.  USC, whose offense had been struggling often and surviving on some lucky plays, completely derailed this weekend.  Notre Dame shredded them, and Sam Darnold's Heisman hopes evaporated.

Great Performers
PENN STATE brought their high-powered offense against Michigan's vaulted defense, and Michigan could not keep up.  Great defenses were exhibited by Indiana, UConn, and Arizona State.  Overall, UCLA had a great day, suppressing the Oregon offense and finding the kind of offense that people raved about prior to the season.