College Football Week 8 Fan's Guide

On a Saturday full of showdowns, three of the top four teams went down, creating plenty of movement atop the polls. Never before has owning the top spot meant so little. Texas is now your number one team and their performance in the Red River Shootout is beginning to make a case for Big 12 supremacy over the SEC. The Longhorns made a big statement with their 45-35 over the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. That was coupled with another surprising result in Columbia when fourth-ranked Missouri went down to Mike “I’m A Man” Gundy’s Oklahoma State Cowboys. Chase Daniel fumbled away his Heisman, and the Cowboys defense recovered it. LSU completed the trio by getting completed annihilated by Florida. Despite having a loss, the Gators showed they are still in the title hunt and they played like it in beating the third-ranked Tigers. With the first BCS poll coming out after Week 8, things are really going to start getting interesting - especially in the media -- from here on out no matter what your conference in. Mid-majors BYU, Boise State, and Utah are all in position to ensure a non-BCS conference team will crash the party for the third straight year. Each have looked strong throughout the year, but face a tough road ahead to guarantee that bid.

This week’s schedule may not be as good as last week’s, but it still looks great nonetheless. Four monster matchups from the three best conferences in the land headline the slate of games. This doesn’t even include Alabama or Penn State, who each have something to prove themselves in important home games. The Longhorns receive their second consecutive big matchup in a row when they take on the fallen Tigers. The game is at home, but it will not be easy for Colt & Co as they face a team striving to make a statement in Austin. That’s not the only big game in the Big 12, with one-loss Kansas taking on one-loss Oklahoma in Norman. The winner clings to a BCS dream, while the loser doesn't. In the Big 10, Javon Ringer has a real shot to earn himself some serious Heisman Trophy consideration as Michigan State hosts Ohio State. The winner of this one presents the best shot at challenging Penn State’s throne to the conference crown. The SEC’s prime matchup features Vanderbilt traveling to Athens to face Georgia. The Commodores didn’t show up in their last game, and they paid for it. Now, the ante goes up much more as they face a powerhouse.

#22 Vanderbilt (5-1) @ #10 Georgia (5-1), 12:30 pm ET

The Georgia Bulldogs are having a tough time grabbing attention, especially with Florida’s statement win over LSU. Alabama is still undefeated, and will continue to own the top of the totem pole as long as they stay undefeated. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs must continue taking care of business so that they can earn a rematch in the SEC Championship. This game offers a shot for Knowshon Moreno and his teammates to knock out one of their closest competitors, and prevent Vandy a shot at becoming bowl eligible for the secondi straight week. Expect the Bulldogs to come out fired up, and handle an overmatched team.

Georgia, 27-13

#12 Ohio State @ #20 Michigan State, 3:30 pm ET

Ohio State’s offense is having trouble integrating Terrelle Pryor, and failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second game this year in last week’s 16-3 win over Purdue. Luckily for Jim Tressel, his defense is dynamic enough to make plays and score points on its own. With the Spartans Javon Ringer in the mix, that will be harder to come by. Ringer has 14 touchdowns, and is second in the nation in rushing yards per game. The Spartans will be able to control the clock with their bruising running back, and prevent the Buckeyes defense from making big plays. Without a boost from their defense, Pryor and the offense won’t generate enough offense to get past the Spartans.

Michigan St., 20-17

#16 Kansas (5-1) @ #4 Oklahoma (5-1), 3:30 pm ET

Sam Bradford was superb last week, throwing for 382 yards and five touchdowns, but his defense really didn’t help him much. The Sooners had every opportunity to deal the crushing blow to Texas, but just couldn’t stop the Longhorns offense. Once Ryan Reynolds got injured - he’s out for the year - Texas began shredding the Sooners defense, and completed a surprising comeback. That’s not a trademark of a Bob Stoops team, but it’s a reality. Todd Reesing and the Jayhawks should have plenty of success moving the ball up and down the field, even on the road. However, Bradford and the Sooners offense won’t break down like they did last week.

Oklahoma, 38-27

#11 Missouri (5-1) @ #1 Texas (6-0), 8:00 pm ET

For the first time all year, the Tigers offense failed to dictate affairs with their offense. Oklahoma State’s resistance rattled Missouri, and they began pressing the gas much too hard. Daniel forced way too many passes, especially in the game-winning drive, and he paid dearly for it. The junior was still able to get his yards and threw for a score, but never found his rhythm. Colt McCoy has had his “A” game working all year long, and playmaker Jordan Shipley has done the rest. Shipley was McCoy’s sidekick in the upset win, with 225 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including a huge 96-yard kickoff return. Missouri’s defense hasn’t proven it can stop a high quality offense like Texas’, and won’t be able to keep the pressure off its offense all night.

Texas, 28-24

Upset Special:

TCU over #9 BYU

Last Week: 3-4

Season: 26-13