College Football Rankings: Week 8 AP Poll winners and losers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Check out the biggest winners and losers from the most recent AP Poll from Saturday Blitz’s Jordan Luth.

Week 7 has now come and gone, but it did leave behind another great week of college football. Week 7 had it all, a few top 10 matchups, blow out wins, and two top three teams almost losing. It was quiet the exciting Saturday as ever game begins to effect the outcome for the college football playoff.

Alabama once more showed their strength by blowing Tennessee out of the water. Notre Dame continued their fall from grace with their fifth loss of the year, this one to Stanford. Nebraska escaped Bloomington to stay undefeated. Clemson needed the NC State kicker to miss a chip shot at the end of the game to pull out the win in overtime. Meanwhile coming off their bye week and their first loss of the season, Louisville had trouble with Duke. It took a roughing the kicker penalty for Louisville to get the win.

As the new AP poll gets released, I feel that the top five will stay the same, but the order will be different. The middle of the poll will get shaken up a little bit and a few new teams will enter. With that being said, here are AP poll winners and losers from the Week 8 AP Top 25 poll.

Losers

Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Stacy Coley (3) hauls in a touchdown catch in front of Florida State Seminoles defensive back Tarvarus McFadden (4) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. FSU won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Hurricanes

4-2

Last week: L 13-20 vs. North CarolinaLast rank: 16th

After taking a very tough loss to Florida State, Miami followed that with a second straight loss to North Carolina. This loss dropped them straight out of the rankings.

In the long run, this loss won’t hurt all that much. Miami is still a solid team and they have a good coach that will help lead them back up. Take a look at Miami’s schedule and these may be the only two losses that Miami takes all year.

Although North Carolina only scored in the first half, those 20 points would be all they need. Miami struggled on offense. Even with QB Brad Kaaya throwing for 224 yards, they never found the endzone through the air. Meanwhile North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky threw for 299 yards and two scores. North Carolina got back on track after getting whacked the week before by Virginia Tech. The 13 points that Miami scores was the smallest amount they have scored all year.

Next week: @ Virginia Tech

Miami and Virginia Tech are two teams that are mirror images of each other. The each average about 35 points a game and average 420 yards of offense a game. This will be a big conference game for both teams. Each team still needs two more wins for bowl eligibility.

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) is tackled by East Carolina Pirates defensive back Travon Simmons (3) during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech Hokies

4-2

Last week: L 17-31Last rank: 17th

After getting a great win against North Carolina, Virginia Tech fell flat this week against Syracuse. Some losses are a bit embarrassing, and this loss may be that. Syracuse was 2-4, they aren’t ranked, they aren’t the best team in any sense. Virginia Tech was No. 17 and had a 4-1 record, now 4-2.

Virginia Tech fell from the rankings as a result. Which isn’t a big surprise since Syracuse was a team that they should beat and a team that they know they should have beaten.

Throwing the ball was not a problem for Virginia Tech as they threw for over 300 yards. Running the ball was an issue. The Hokies lead rusher had only 61 rushing yards on 11 carries. Syracuse was really able to slow down Virginia Techs rushing attack which made them more one dimensional. The 31 points that the Hokies gave up was the second most that they have given up all year. Second only to Tennessee. The 17 that they scored is the least amount of points that they have scored all year.

Next week: Vs. Miami

This game will be a big game for both teams. Its an a conference game and each team will be looking to get back on the right track as they both lost this past week. Virginia Tech has home field advantage which they will need to capitalize on.

Winners

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen (8) passes in the first quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas Razorbacks

5-2

Last week: W 34-30 vs Ole MissLast rank: 22

In Week 7, Arkansas took a tough loss at the hands of Alabama. This week they came back and got a huge win over No. 12 Ole Miss. Arkansas took the lead early and finally gave it up in the fourth quarter. They would end up getting it back for good with two minuets left.

With that win, Arkansas went up from No. 22 to No.17.

The Arkansas defense gave up over 400 yards of offense, while the Arkansas offense put up 429 yards of total offense and picked up 27 first downs. The SEC has always been competitive and Arkansas looked very competitive on Saturday. They are now 5-2 and need one win for a bowl game berth.

Next week: @ Auburn

Like I said, the SEC is ultra competitive. Ever SEC game is a 12 round prize fight. This game is sure to be no different. Auburn is trying to get a signature win on the season, while Arkansas wants their sixth win.

Everyone in the SEC looks up to Alabama. The middle of the pack is truly fun to watch. Ever team plays with a lot of passion.

Oct 8, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma Sooners

4-2

Last week: W 38-17 vs Kansas StateLast rank: 19th

Oklahoma was 1-2 to start the year. Since then they have rattled off three straight wins. They may have finally stabilized themselves and are playing great football. Their win over Kansas State was a dominating win after two close games the two weeks prior.

Baker Mayfield threw for four touchdowns and 346 yards. Three of those touchdowns passes were to Dede Westbrook. Mayfield and Westbrook had a good thing going against the Kansas State defense. Oklahoma took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.

Next week: @ Texas Tech

The Sooners are 3-0 in Big 12 play and go on the road to Texas Tech next week. By this time next week, Oklahoma should be 4-0 in Big 12 play. Texas Tech doesn’t pose much of a threat to the Sooners.

The Sooners are climbing back up the rankings after dropping straight out only a few weeks ago.