College Football: Preweek 8 Pollsand Week 8 Opponents

Week 8 is upon us and the playoff picture (best four teams) is still up in the air. With two teams from the SEC West in the #1 and #3 slots things are bound to remain cloudy for some time. Several Top 25 teams will be facing off this week: #2 Florida State vs #5 Notre Dame, #7 Alabama vs #21 Texas A&M, #11 Oklahoma vs #14 Kansas State, #12 TCU vs #15 Oklahoma State, and #17 Arizona State vs #23 Stanford.

Ranks on the left are those of the AP/Coaches Top 25/CBSSPORTS.COM 128 Polls as reported by CBSSports.com. NR = Not Ranked)

1/1/1 Mississippi State (6-0) The Bulldogs have this weekend off.

2/2/3 Florida State (6-0) The Seminoles host the #5 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (6-0). The Seminoles may see their long winning streak come to an end.

3/3/2 Ole Miss (6-0) The Rebels will host the Volunteers of Tennessee (3-3). The Rebels continue to roll.

4/4/4 Baylor (6-0) The Bears will be playing the West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) on the road. Bears win…if they play any defense at all.

5/5/5 Notre Dame (6-0) The Fighting Irish head south to face the #2 Florida State Seminoles (6-0). Notre Dame and Golson pound the ball keeping Winston and company off the field.

6/8/6 Auburn (5-1) The Tigers will be idle this week.

7/7/7 Alabama (5-1) The Crimson Tide host the #21 Aggies of Texas A&M (5-2). Alabama seldom loses at home. This could be the week. They’ll need more than a blocked extra point to outscore the Aggies.

8/6/9 Michigan State (5-1) The Spartans are on the road to play the Indiana Hoosiers (3-3). The Spartans take no prisoners in this one.

9/9/8 Oregon (5-1) The Ducks host the Washington Huskies (5-1). A couple of weeks ago I would have had no problem picking the Ducks in this one. Still will.

10/10/10 Georgia (5-1) The Bulldogs are visiting the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-3). The Bulldogs will need to get production from their running game…again, but their young corps of backs may be just enough.

11/11/12 Oklahoma (5-1) The Sooners will host the #14 Kansas State Wildcats (4-1). Sooners will use their powerful defense to break the Wildcats.

12/12/11 TCU (4-1) The Horned Frogs play host to the #15 Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-1). The questions to ask are: Can the Cowboys score enough? Can the Horned Frogs defense play a full four quarters? Pick ‘em.

13/13/13 Ohio State (4-1) The Buckeyes host the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers (5-1). My heart and soul will be rooting for Rutgers. My head says it’ll be a miracle. Ohio State wins.

14/14/16 Kansas State (4-1) The Wildcats play on the road to face the #11 Oklahoma Sooners (5-1). Sooners win thanks to their defense.

15/15/17 Oklahoma State (5-1) The Cowboys will be on the road to face the #12 TCU Horned Frogs (4-1). Pick ‘em.

16/17/14 Arizona (5-1) The Wildcats have this weekend off.

17/18/22 Arizona State (4-1) The Sun Devils host the #23 Stanford Cardinal (4-2). The Sun Devils win.

18/16/19 East Carolina (5-1) The Pirates are idle this week.

19/19/15 Nebraska (5-1) The Cornhuskers are on the road to face the Wildcats of Northwestern (3-3). Cornhuskers will win as they have a large day rushing.

20/23/24 Utah (4-1) The Utes will be on the road to play the Oregon State Beavers (4-1) Thursday night. This will be a close one. Pick ‘em.

21/21/18 Texas A&M (5-2) The Aggies head east to face the #7 Crimson Tide of Alabama (5-1). Possible upset for the Aggies. Assuming they can keep the Tide in check.

22/25/NR Southern California (4-2) The Trojans host the Buffaloes of Colorado (2-4). USC wins.

23/20/25 Stanford (4-2) The Cardinal head out to the desert to face the #17 Arizona Sun Devils (4-1). Sun Devils beat the Cardinal.

24/22/21 Clemson (4-2) The Tigers head north to play the Boston College Eagles (4-2). Clemson wins.

25/24/20 Marshall (6-0) The Thundering Herd will head south to play the FIU Golden Panthers (3-4). The Herd romps.

NR/NR/23 Duke (5-1) The Blue Devils will host the Virginia Cavaliers (4-2). Duke edges the Cavs.