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Week 8 Upsets Shake Up College Football Playoff Race

3:16 AM ETConfirmed

Sports Desk

In Short: The Big 12 conference's momentum was halted by these upsets, significantly altering the College Football Playoff and conference championship races.

Kansas clinched a crucial victory by blocking a potential game-winning field goal, securing a win against the Bears despite allowing over 200 yards in both passing and rushing.

Quarterback Noah Fifita of Kansas has been playing at the top of his game, recording his fifth consecutive game with at least 275 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The Big 12 conference's momentum was halted by these upsets, significantly altering the College Football Playoff and conference championship races.

President Trump will attend the Tennessee game against Texas, marking his first college football game since the national championship in January.

Henderson, a local official, expressed excitement about Trump's visit, emphasizing the significance of Neyland Stadium as the best venue in college football.

LSU is showing strong offensive performance heading into its third game of the season, with a focus on shifting strategies if key players are unavailable.

Week 8 delivered more surprises, continuing the chaotic nature of the season.

The Big 12's potential for having three College Football Playoff teams was dashed due to the upsets.

Week 3 was expected to feature memorable matchups, but Week 8's upsets have made the season even more memorable.

Week 5 featured several high-stakes matchups, including Alabama vs Mississippi State, Ohio State vs Iowa, Florida vs Missouri, Auburn vs Tennessee, and Miami vs Clemson.

College football analysts are finding it particularly challenging to project the AP Top 25 rankings due to the unpredictability of the season.

BYU coach Kalani Sitake has stated that he is not focused on politicking for College Football Playoff spots.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Kansas clinched a crucial victory by blocking a potential game-winning field goal, securing a win against the Bears despite allowing over 200 yards in both passing and rushing.
• Quarterback Noah Fifita of Kansas has been playing at the top of his game, recording his fifth consecutive game with at least 275 passing yards and two touchdowns.
• The Big 12 conference's momentum was halted by these upsets, significantly altering the College Football Playoff and conference championship races.
• President Trump will attend the Tennessee game against Texas, marking his first college football game since the national championship in January.
• Henderson, a local official, expressed excitement about Trump's visit, emphasizing the significance of Neyland Stadium as the best venue in college football.
• LSU is showing strong offensive performance heading into its third game of the season, with a focus on shifting strategies if key players are unavailable.
• Week 8 delivered more surprises, continuing the chaotic nature of the season.
• The Big 12's potential for having three College Football Playoff teams was dashed due to the upsets.
• Week 3 was expected to feature memorable matchups, but Week 8's upsets have made the season even more memorable.
• Week 5 featured several high-stakes matchups, including Alabama vs Mississippi State, Ohio State vs Iowa, Florida vs Missouri, Auburn vs Tennessee, and Miami vs Clemson.
• College football analysts are finding it particularly challenging to project the AP Top 25 rankings due to the unpredictability of the season.
• BYU coach Kalani Sitake has stated that he is not focused on politicking for College Football Playoff spots.

What's still developing

• 2 BYU struggled to maintain its momentum after stunning Notre Dame a week ago, losing a 39-31 decision against UCF in double overtime.
• Here are the biggest winners and losers of Week 8 heading into primetime.
• Had the league powers taken care of business, the league would have had a realistic shot at three College Football Playoff teams.
• College football's Week 3 slate looked like it had a few memorable matchups, but it delivered a weekend that we'll remember for a while.
• According to WVLT-partner Volquest, Saturday’s game between the Vols and Longhorns will be the ninth college football game that Trump has attended across his two terms in office.
• “We are excited to welcome the President of the United States to Knox County for the Tennessee game. It’s one of the biggest college football games of the season and we look forward to the President experiencing firsthand what makes Neyland Stadium the best venue in college football,” Henderson said.
• With so many top teams returning experienced and high-caliber quarterbacks, we knew the most important position in football would be a particularly big storyline in the 2026 college season.
• Still, there’s plenty enough football in the books to start looking at who the top transfers through the first half of the season have been.
• MORE: College football analyst says all the pressure is on Lane Kiffin ahead of LSU-Ole Miss battle LSU must shift its focus on offense in the event Leavitt is unavailable on Saturday night.
• The SEC giants are close to facing their biggest test yet in the early portion of the 2026 college football season.
• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former NFL defensive end Allen Bailey dies at 37 Bailey was from the small town of Sapelo Island, Georgia, and played college football at the University of Miami, where he starred for the Hurricanes.
• Saturday’s Week 5 college football schedule kicks off with a must-see SEC matchup from Davis Wade Stadium between the No.

Sources

• CBS Sportslink
• CBS Sportslink
• Wvltlink
• Espnlink
• On3link
• Bleacherreportlink
• Thebigleadlink
• Wtoclink
• Sportsnautlink
• Fansidedlink
• Nbcsportslink
• Andthevalleyshooklink
• Complexlink
• WarpBeat — background on Week 7 College Football Upsets Shake Up Playoff Odds link
• WarpBeat — background on Week 7 College Football: Upsets and High-Stakes Games link
• ESPN College Football — video link