20. Tennessee (5-2, Previous Rank: 10)

Week 8 Result: Loss at Alabama (20-37)
Next Week: at Kentucky

The Volunteers allowed 16 unanswered points in the final eight minutes of the first half, including a safety and an interception returned for a touchdown, and they were unable to dig out of that early hole against the Crimson Tide defense. DeSean Bishop had a good individual game out of the backfield, tallying 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee will need to win out to have a chance at a playoff spot, with Oklahoma and Vanderbilt their toughest remaining games.

19. Cincinnati (6-1, Previous Rank: 21)

Week 8 Result: Win at Oklahoma State (49-17)
Next Week: vs. Baylor

The Bearcats cruised to victory against arguably the worst Power Four team in the nation, building a 28-10 lead at halftime behind three second quarter touchdowns. Brendan Sorsby completed 20-of-29 pass attempts for 270 yards and three touchdowns while adding a fourth score on the ground, and he has quietly emerged as one of the more consistent quarterbacks in the nation in his second year under center at Cincinnati.

18. South Florida (6-1, Previous Rank: 20)

Week 8 Result: Win vs. Florida Atlantic (48-13)
Next Week: at Memphis

After previously undefeated Memphis lost earlier in the day, South Florida took care of business against Florida Atlantic to cement their status as the top Group of Five team in the nation midway through the season. Dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown had another big game, logging 256 passing yards, 111 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and the Bulls piled up 522 total yards of offense while recording their fourth straight game with at least 200 rushing yards.

17. Notre Dame (5-2, Previous Rank: 23)

Week 8 Result: Win vs. USC (34-24)
Next Week: BYE

On the strength of a career night from running back Jeremiyah Love, the Fighting Irish took another significant step toward putting their 0-2 start in the rearview mirror as they try to win out and make their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Love had 228 rushing yards on 24 carries while also recording one of Notre Dame’s three rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the defense shut down the USC running game, picked off Jayden Maiava twice and held standout wide receiver Makai Lemon to four catches for 76 yards.

16. Louisville (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 8 Result: Win at Miami (24-21)
Next Week: vs. Boston College

Miller Moss (23-of-37, 248 yards, 2 TD), Isaac Brown (15 carries, 113 yards) and Chris Bell (9 catches, 132 yards, 2 TD) all had strong games, but it was Louisville’s defense that shined in a huge win against previously undefeated Miami. After jumping out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, they locked down the victory by picking off Carson Beck four times and allowing just 2.6 yards per carry.