| Rank | Team | Comments | Prior | |
| 1 |  | Alabama | Alabama had a slow start against Tennessee, but got a big win. Now a week off before the huge game vs. LSU. | 1 |
| 2 |  | LSU | LSU had no trouble with Auburn and, like Alabama, have a week off before the biggest game of the year. | 3 |
| 3 |  | Oklahoma State | OSU keeps rolling along and now RG3 will need a huge game for Baylor to hand the Cowboys their first loss. | 5 |
| 4 |  | Boise State | BSU eventually grounded Air Force's offense last week. There are not many opportunities left for BSU to lose. | 6 |
| 5 |  | Stanford | Stanford handled their test against Washington without a problem. It gets tougher with a trip to the Coliseum. | 7 |
| 6 |  | Clemson | Clemson has won some tough games, but the run defense will have to show up on the road at Georgia Tech. | 8 |
| 7 |  | Oregon | Oregon toyed with Colorado in their 45-2 victory. Another big win should come on Saturday against WSU. | 9 |
| 8 |  | Oklahoma | If OU can lose at home to TTU, they could lose this week at Kansas State…or take out revenge on the Wildcats. | 2 |
| 9 |  | Michigan State | The Spartans are riding high after their incredible win against UW, but a trip to Nebraska may prove more difficult. | 14 |
| 10 |  | Arkansas | It took a second half comeback for Arkansas to beat Ole Miss, but another road win at Vandy should be easy. | 11 |
| 11 |  | Wisconsin | The Badgers have little time to relax after their loss at MSU with a trip to the Horseshoe at a rested OSU team. | 4 |
| 12 |  | Nebraska | Beating Minnesota is implied. A much bigger game with Leader Division title implications awaits against MSU. | 10 |
| 13 |  | South Carolina | South Carolina's bye week does not help the injury problems and now it is time to take care of business again. | 12 |
| 14 |  | Kansas State | We will find out if Kansas State is for real when they host an angry Oklahoma team on Saturday. | 15 |
| 15 |  | Texas A&M | Texas A&M has put their early losses behind them and now look to make some serious noise in the Big 12. | 18 |
| 16 |  | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech looked average last week against BC. Heading to Durham should not trip up the Hokies though. | 16 |
| 17 |  | Michigan | Following a week off, Michigan has what could turn into a pretty good game against a surging Purdue team. | 17 |
| 18 |  | Penn State | Penn State finally got their offense moving against Northwestern. Now they take on a faltering Illinois squad. | 23 |
| 19 |  | West Virginia | The road to the Big East title still goes through Morgantown, but WVU has to win on the road...starting with RU. | 13 |
| 20 |  | Houston | Case Keenum is heating up. After throwing six touchdowns last week, Keenum will pick apart Rice on Thur. | 24 |
| 21 |  | Arizona State | Arizona State had a bye week to recover from their loss to Oregon. To keep pace, they have to beat Colorado. | 21 |
| 22 |  | USC | USC took care of Notre Dame in South Bend and can shoot up the polls with a victory over Stanford on Saturday. | NR |
| 23 |  | Texas | Texas' only losses have come to OU and OSU. They will get back to their winning ways against Kansas this week. | 25 |
| 24 |  | Georgia | Georgia is quietly turning into one of the second tier teams in the SEC. Beating Florida will prove it. | NR |
| 25 |  | Washington | Losing to Stanford is understandable, but now Washington has to rebound against a rejuvenated Arizona. | 22 |
Week 8 Football Top 25
Sat, 10/22/2011
