ESPN FPI Top 25 updated following Week 8 of college football
The ESPN FPI top 25 has been updated following a wild Week 8 of college football. While the juicy ranked matchups we’ve grown accustomed to weren’t taking place, the upsets and lunacy were still prevalent.
First, Penn State‘s College Football Playoff hopes were dashed — and it took nine overtimes to do it. In a game that’ll live on for years, James Franklin’s squad simply couldn’t close the deal.
Moreover, the Oklahoma Sooners made a slate that originally looked weak very entertaining. However, Caleb Williams quelled any ideas of a Kansas upset using his legs.
Many of the top teams in the ESPN FPI top 25 got a much needed bye week in Week 8. For example, the Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan State Spartans and Florida Gators enjoyed a stressless week. Let’s take a look at the ESPN FPI top 25 following Week 8.
ESPN FPI top 25:
1) Georgia Bulldogs
2) Alabama Crimson Tide
3) Ohio State Buckeyes
4) Michigan Wolverines
5) Oklahoma Sooners
6) Pittsburgh Panthers
7) Florida Gators
8) Iowa State Cyclones
9) Cincinnati Bearcats
10) Clemson Tigers
11) Texas Longhorns
12) Ole Miss Rebels
13) Texas A&M Aggies
14) Michigan State Spartans
15) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
16) Auburn Tigers
17) Penn State Nittany Lions
18) NC State Wolfpack
19) Oregon Ducks
20) Iowa Hawkeyes
21) Nebraska Cornhuskers
22) Baylor Bears
23) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
24) Oklahoma State Cowboys
25) Tennessee Volunteers
Biggest Movers:
Texas A&M Aggies (+6). The Aggies dismantled South Carolina, and they continue to steadily climb the leaderboard. If not for their two-game slip-up last month, you have to wonder how much higher Texas A&M could’ve climbed the ESPN FPI Top 25.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (-4). Mike Gundy’s squad may not be getting the limelight, but they kept finding ways to win prior to Saturday. That all changed with an Iowa State victory last night, but the Cowboys still moved up four spots via ESPN.
Ole Miss Rebels (+3). On the day they retired Eli Manning’s jersey, the Ole Miss Rebels put on a clinic for their former star quarterback. After falling behind 7-0, the Rebels never looked back — boatracing Ed Orgeron and the LSU Tigers.
Penn State Nittany Lions (-6). The most disappointing team of the weekend goes to Penn State. With their chips on the table and a date with Ohio State coming next week, James Franklin’s squad laid an egg. Subsequently, they fell like a rock in the ESPN FPI.
Iowa Hawkeyes (-4). Although they didn’t play this weekend, the Iowa Hawkeyes fell down the ESPN FPI. Perhaps Penn State’s loss to Illinois contributed, as their big win doesn’t look so impressive anymore.
Cincinnati Bearcats (-3). After getting through the gauntlet, all Cincinnati has to do is win out. Well, they almost blew it — as a tough Navy squad pushed them to the limit. The Bearcats need style points, and their performance against the Midshipmen isn’t one that’ll inspire confidence.