1. Georgia Bulldogs 8-0 (Last week 1)

Last Week: Beat Florida 43-20

Brock Bowers was out but the offense was not slowed. The Dawgs looked very good against a Florida team that you had to think would put up a stiffer test.

The Bulldogs have looked a little vulnerable this season, but in the last few weeks, they have stated that they belong to be the nation’s top team.

Next Week: vs. Missouri

2. Michigan Wolverines 8-0 (2)

Last Week: Bye

The Wolverines have outscored their foes 325-44 on the season and have allowed less than 10 points in every game but one, and that one was a 52-10 win.

Michigan has won 20 consecutive Big Ten games, the longest active conference win streak in the nation, and the longest conference win streak in Michigan history.

Not the best week off the field for the Wolverines during the bye.

Next Week: vs.Purdue

3. Florida State Seminoles 8-0 (3)

Last Week: Won at Wake Forest 41-16

Jordan Travis is making his case as a legitimate Heisman candidate. Against Wake, he threw for 359 yards passing in three and a half quarters and was responsible for four TDs and 388 yards of offense.

The FSU defense limited Wake to just 82 yards passing on the day.

Next Week: at Pittsburgh

4. Ohio State Buckeyes 8-0 (4)

Last Week: Win at Wisconsin 24-10

The Buckeyes are second in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 10 points per game.

On the offensive side of the ball, Marvin Harrison Jr is the best receiver in America—and with the return of TreVeyon Henderson at RB—the Buckeyes offense should have a little more life.

Next Week: at Rutgers

5. Washington Huskies 8-0 (5)

Last Week: Won at Stanford 42-33

It was a second straight lackluster showing for a team that was riding so high after the Oregon win.

Washington’s offense should be able to take over against USC, but will the defense be able to stop the Trojans?

Next Week: at USC

6. Oregon Ducks 7-1 (7)

Last Week: Won at Utah

Oregon was able to move the ball and put up points on a very good Utah defense. The Ducks ended up flexing their muscles on the defensive side of things as well.

This is a well-rounded Oregon team that could pose a stiff challenge for any opponent.

Next Week: vs. California

7. Penn State Nittany Lions 7-1 (8)

Last Week: Beat Indiana 33-24

The Nittany Lions came away with plays when they needed them to secure the win, and this was not one they could afford to lose. PSU gave up big plays to the Hoosiers.

Maryland is also a team that will jump on them if the big plays are not stopped. With Michigan looming, the trip to College Park could turn into a trap game if the Nittany Lions aren’t careful.

Next Week: at Maryland

8. Oklahoma Sooners 7-1 (6)

Last Week: Lost at Kansas 38-33

The Sooners were flagged 11 times for 101 yards and allowed the Jayhawks to run for 225 yards. Dillon Gabriel was limited to 171 yards passing.

The Sooners are still in control of the Big 12, but their path to the playoffs just got dicey.

Next Week: at Oklahoma State

9. Texas Longhorns 7-1 (9)

Last Week: Beat BYU 35-6

The freshman QB was very efficient for the Horns as the offense was able to move the ball against a pretty good Cougars defense.

Texas stymied BYU on the defensive side of things.

Next Week: at Kansas State

10. Alabama Crimson Tide 7-1 (10)

Last Week: Bye

It will be a test this week with LSU paying a visit.

The Tigers offense can light up the scoreboard and the Crimson Tide will have their hands full with Jayden Daniels.

Next Week: vs. LSU

11. Ole Miss Rebels 7-1 (12)

Last Week: Beat Vanderbilt

The Rebels reached the 7-1 mark in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1961-62.

It was a dominant performance by the Mississippi defense in the win over Vandy as they limited the Commodores to just 229 yards of offense.

That was their best defensive total in an SEC game since 2014.

Next Week: vs. Texas A&M

12. Air Force Falcons 8-0 (14)

Last Week: Won at Colorado State 30-13

Air Force has now won 13 straight games, the fourth-longest current unbeaten run in the nation.

The Falcons found themselves in a battle with Colorado State in the first half but AFA defense completely shut down the Rams after halftime.

Next Week: vs. Army in Denver

13. LSU Tigers 6-2 (15)

Last Week: Bye

The offense is led by Jayden Daniels who became 1 of only 6 players in FBS history with at least 10,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his career.

Alabama will pose a tough test with their defense, but if the Tigers can put up points they’ll be in good shape.

Next Week: at Alabama

14. Oregon State Beavers 6-2 (11)

Last Week: Lost at Arizona 27-24

Those hopes took a major blow in Tucson.

The Beavs still have plenty to play for but a second conference loss is not what they needed. OSU had a few questionable calls against Arizona that came back to bite them.

Next Week: at Colorado

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 7-2 (16)

Last Week: Beat Pitt 58-7

The week off certainly did not slow them down.

Notre Dame controlled every facet of the game against Pitt, jumping on the Panthers early and never letting up.

Next Week: at Clemson

16. Utah Utes 6-2 (13)

Last Week: Lost to Oregon 35-6

The 29-point loss was Utah’s largest at home since losing to Arizona 42-10 in 2014.

The Utes will bounce back from the defeat.

Next Week: vs. Arizona State

17. Missouri Tigers 7-1 (17)

Last Week: Bye

If they want to repeat that feat they will need to get a win at Georgia.

The bye week could offer Mizzou a chance to put in some new wrinkles for the top team in the nation.

Next Week: at Georgia

18. Kansas Jayhawks 6-2 (NR)

Last Week: Beat Oklahoma 38-33

KU gets to bowl eligibility after just eight games.

It was the first time Kansas beat Oklahoma since 1997. Kansas averaged 5.5 yards per carry against OU.

Next Week: at Iowa State

19. Louisville Cardinals 7-1 (24)

Last Week: Beat Duke 23-0

The Cardinals shut out Duke in a pivotal ACC contest. It is the first time Louisville has ever shut out a ranked opponent.

The win was the ninth straight conference win at home.

Next Week: vs. Virginia Tech

20. Tulane Green Wave 7-1 (19)

Last Week: Won at Rice 30-28

The Green Wave has gone 19-3 since the start of 2022, trailing only Georgia (23) and Michigan (20) for the most wins during that span.

Tulane let Rice get back into this one and were lucky to get out of Houston with a win.

Next Week: at East Carolina

21. UCLA Bruins 6-2 (20)

Last Week: Beat Colorado 28-16

The Bruins have allowed just 10 TDs on defense this season with only one coming on the ground.

The front seven is constantly in the opponent’s backfield, ranking sixth in the nation with 8.3 TFL per game and fourth in the country with 3.9 sacks per game.

Next Week: at Arizona

22. Tennessee Volunteers 6-2 (23)

Last Week: Won at Kentucky 33-27

The Vols rushed for 253 yards in Saturday’s contest, their most against an SEC opponent this season and their third time cracking the 250-yard mark as a team in 2023.

Josh Heupel’s squad is getting it done on the ground and with some solid defense this season. Against the Cats, they may or may not have had a little help from the officiating crew as well.

Next Week: vs. UConn

23. USC Trojans 7-2 (22)

Last Week: Won at Cal 50-49

The Trojans may have allowed 49 points and 527 yards to Cal, but they came away with a one-point win.

The defense will have to get a lot better in the next even days or Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies will have a field day.

Next Week: vs. Washington

24. James Madison 7-0 (25)

Last Week: Beat Old Dominion 30-27

Against ODU, the Dukes recorded five sacks and nine TFL. They currently lead the nation with 4.9 sacks per game and 10.3 TFL per game.

The JMU defense will get after it.

Next Week: at Georgia State

25. Kansas State Wildcats 6-2 (NR)

Last Week: Beat Houston 41-0

They got another one against Houston and return to our Top 25.

K-State has scored at least 40 points in each of their last six home games. This was the first time Houston suffered a shutout since 2000.

Next Week: at Texas

Dropped out: North Carolina & Duke