After one of the biggest weeks of the season, week eight brings two more massive games, affecting the College Football Playoffs race and the race for the SEC Championship. So how did the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers and Miami Hurricanes (among others) fare in Week 8 of the 2024 season?
The Longhorns Struggle against Georgia
The number one-ranked Texas Longhorns faced the five-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in the weekend game. Texas came into their first test of the season with an undefeated record and hoped to continue this against the Bulldogs’ side, which has struggled on defense recently.
The game did not start well for either team, with both their opening drives ending in punts. But Georgia would make the first mistake in the game. From their 23-yard line, the Longhorns’ defense intercepted the pass from Bulldogs’ quarterback Carson Beck. However, the mistake was vindicated, as Texas could not do anything from the subsequent possession.
History repeated itself on the next drive from the Bulldogs, as Beck’s pass would again be intercepted. This time, it happened deep into the Longhorns’ territory on their five-yard line. But Georgia would not be without the ball for long. On the Texas 28-yard line, Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers would be sacked and then fumbled the ball. The Bulldogs scooped this up, and a few plays later, Trevor Etienne found the endzone for a two-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead.
The Bulldogs added to their lead on their next drive. Taking advantage of another poor Texas drive, they started this drive in Longhorns’ territory. However, they could not do anything with this, forcing kicker Peyton Woodring to kick a 33-yard field goal to give them three points.
In reply, another mistake from the Longhorns. Ewers’ pass was intercepted on the 34-yard line, and the Bulldogs were able to take advantage of this. Beck moved the offense down to the Longhorns’ 15-yard line, and from here, Etienne found his way into the endzone for a 15-yard rushing TD.
Georgia extended their lead soon after with a 48-yard field goal from Woodring.
After this drive, the Longhorns made a change at quarterback, replacing the struggling Ewers with Arch Manning. He could not make any difference, and in his final play before the half, he fumbled the ball, which the Bulldogs recovered. They scored another field goal from this possession.
This meant that the Bulldogs had a 23-0 lead at halftime,
Texas had the first possession of the second half and was able to get off to the start they wanted. With Quinn Ewers as a quarterback, he moved the offense down to the Bulldogs, two-yard line. From here, he found Isaiah Bond for the TD pass. The subsequent two-point conversion was also successful.
After a turnover on down on their next drive, things did improve for the Longhorns, as Beck threw his third interception of the game. However, the original call on the play was defensive pass interference. This decision angered Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns fans, who threw bottles onto the field.
After a review, the decision was overturned, and the ruling was now that Beck’s pass was intercepted and returned to the Bulldogs’ nine-yard line.
The Longhorns could score from this possession, with Jaydon Blue finding the endzone for a 17-yard rushing TD. In reply to this, the Bulldogs were again able to score, with Etienne finding the endzone for his third touchdown.
Time was running out for Texas to launch a comeback. The comeback never came. They turned the ball over on the rest of their drives, mainly on a failed fourth-down conversion.
This meant that the number five-ranked Georgia Bulldogs defeated the number one-ranked Texas Longhorns 30-15.
The Longhorns crumbled in this game. The normally strong offense could not perform, and the defense could not keep up with Trevor Etienne. Now that every team has lost, this does open up the SEC. Both teams fall to a 6-1 record overall.
Next week, Georgia is on a rest week while the Longhorns face Vanderbilt.
It’s Over for Bama
If the slate of weekly games is like a UFC fight card, this would be seen as the co-main event. The number seven-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide faced the number 11-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. This was an important game for both teams, as they had one loss. Another loss would put them out of contention for the SEC championship game and potentially a spot in the CFP. These two teams last met in 2022 in an all-time classic. Would we see the same here?
The game did not start well. On the second drive, the Volunteers fumbled the ball on the Alabama 18-yard line, which was scooped up by the Crimson Tide defense. However, they could not do anything with it.
A few drives later, it was Alabama making a mistake. Jalen Milroes’ pass was intercepted on the Volunteers’ three-yard line and returned into Alabama territory. Luckily for the Crimson Tide, the Tennessee offense struggled, and this set up a 53-yard field goal for Volunteers kicker Max Gilbert. He missed this kick, keeping the scores deadlocked at all zeros.
But Alabama soon broke this deadlock. Quarterback Jalen Milroe moved his offense down to the Tennessee five-yard line and, from here, found 17-year-old sensation Ryan Williams for the TD pass. In reply, the Volunteers would throw an interception, which they also did on the drive after this one.
A pair of missed field goals capped off a dismal half of football on both sides. However, it did mean that Alabama had a slim 7-0 lead.
Like the first half, the second half did not start well. But Tennessee scored the first points.
Starting from their nine-yard line, Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava moved the offense down the field and to the Alabama two-yard line. From here, Dylan Simpson found the endzone for a two-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game.
But the tie did not last long, as Alabama was able to break into the Volunteers’ red zone on their next drive. However, the drive stalled at the 17-yard line, resulting in a successful field goal from Crimson Tide kicker Graham Nicholson from the 35-yard line.
But Tennessee was able to strike back on their next drive. A three-yard rushing TD from Simpson returned the lead to the Volunteers. They held this for about two minutes, as a seven-yard rushing TD from Justice Haynes gave the Crimson Tide a four-point lead as the teams entered the fourth quarter.
After a few drives that ended in punts, Tennessee would strike again. A 16-yard pass from Iamaleave to Chris Brazzell II found the endzone to give the Volunteers a three-point lead.
Alabama did try to regain this lead but turned the ball down on downs. This would be a massive mistake, as Tennessee would score a field goal to extend the lead to seven points. Jalen Milroe had to lead a game-winning drive to keep Alabama’s season alive.
He could not do this, as the opening pass of his drive was intercepted. This meant that the number 11-ranked Tennessee Volunteers had defeated the number seven-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide 24-17.
This was a close game; the victory was Tennessee’s second consecutive win over Alabama. The victory keeps their season alive and puts them in contention for the SEC championship game now that there are no more undefeated teams. They improve to 6-1 (3-1 SEC). As for Alabama, it is the first time since 2007 (the first Nick Saban season) that they have lost two games before November. They fall to 5-2 (2-2 SEC), and their season is on the rocks.
Next week, Tennessee is on a rest week, while Alabama faces Missouri.
Could Miami win the Natty?
Moving away from the SEC, the number six ranked (and still undefeated) Miami Hurricanes face the Louisville Cardinals in an ACC clash. Before their rest week, Miami was lucky to win at least two games. Would they be lucky to win another one, or will this finally be the day the Hurricanes lose?
The Hurricanes could get the game’s first score from their first drive. Starting from their 29-yard line, the offense led by quarterback Cam Ward would move down the field to the Cardinals’ 37-yard line before stalling. This set up Miami kicker Andres Borregales with a 55-yard field goal attempt, which he was successful with.
In reply to this, the Cardinals quickly responded. A 43-yard rushing touchdown from Isaac Brown gave Louisville the lead. But this did not last long, as Ward found Jacolby George for a 27-yard TD pass on the following drive to return the lead to Miami.
The Hurricanes extended this lead on their next drive. Ward would find Samuel Brown (no relation to the Louisville touchdown score, Isaac Brown) for a 49-yard touchdown pass. The Cardinals matched this on their next drive when quarterback Tyler Shough found Mark Redman for a three-yard TD pass.
But Louisville would make a mistake on their next drive. On their three-yard line, Brown fumbled the ball, which the Hurricanes scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
On the final half drive, the Cardinals scored a field goal, Brock Travelstead successfully making it from 22 yards out.
This means the Hurricanes had a 24-14 lead over the Cardinals at halftime.
Miami had the opening drive of the second half and was able to add to its lead. Starting from their 25-yard line, Ward slowly moved down to the Louisville nine-yard line, and from here, he found Xavier Restrepo for the TD pass.
However, it was at this moment that Louisville would gain the momentum. On the kickoff, Caullin Lacy returned the ball to the endzone for a 100-yard touchdown. On the game’s next play, Cam Ward fumbled the ball, which the Cardinals recovered. On the subsequent drive, Shough found Ja’Corey Brooks for a 21-yard touchdown pass. After these three plays, the scores would be tied 31-31.
But Miami was not having this. On their next drive, Ward found Isaiah Horton for a two-yard touchdown pass to retake the lead. But the Cardinals replied when Shough found Duke Watson for a four-yard pass to return the parity as the teams entered the fourth quarter.
Miami took the lead after this, with Ajay Allen scoring a two-yard rushing TD. They extended their lead on their next drive, with Damien Martinez finding the endzone from 30 yards out. With time running out and the game out of reach, Louisville scored one more touchdown. They should have found Brooks for a four-yard TD pass, but it was a consolation score.
Ultimately, the number six ranked Miami Hurricanes defeated the Louisville Cardinals 52-45.
This is what College Football is all about. A high-scoring shootout between two potent offenses. The Hurricanes were the stronger team in this game and improved to a 7-0 (3-0 ACC) record, while the Cardinals fell to a 4-3 (2-2 ACC record)
Next week, the Hurricanes face Florida State, while Louisville plays Boston College.
What Happened to the Other Ranked Teams?
#2 Oregon @ Purdue
The number two-ranked Oregon Ducks faced the Purdue Boilermakers after defeating Ohio State last week. Unlike Ohio State, Purdue was much weaker. Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel threw for two touchdowns as Oregon shut out the Boilermakers 35-0. This keeps their undefeated season alive and should give them the number-one ranking for next week.
#8 LSU @ Arkansas
The number eight LSU Tigers faced the Arkansas Razorbacks with their undefeated SEC record on the line. Tigers running back Caden Durham scored three touchdowns in the Tigers’ 34-10 win.
UCF @ #9 Iowa State
The number nine-ranked Iowa State Cyclones are undefeated and hoped to win another game this week against the UCF Knights. However, quarterback Rocco Becht’s late touchdown gave them a 38-35 win, keeping their undefeated season alive and putting them in control of the Big 12.
Virginia @ #10 Clemson
The number 10 ranked Clemson Tigers are likely to face Miami in the ACC Championship game. They faced the Virginia Cavaliers this week, and despite a comeback from the Cavs, the Tigers held on for victory. Clemson QB Cade Klubnik threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns in the 48-31 win.
#12 Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech
The number 12 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish continued their hunt for a CFP position by defeating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard was involved in three touchdowns as they recorded a 31-13 win. Questions can now be asked about their prospects and ranking if they did not lose to Northern Illinois, as they would be undefeated if that did not happen.
Oklahoma State @ #13 BYU
The number 13-ranked BYU Cougars faced the Oklahoma State Cowboys this week. The Cowboys needed to win this game, as they have not won a single game in the Big 12 this season. They were very close to doing this. This was until BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff found Darius Lassiter for a 35-yard TD pass with 10 seconds to play. This gave the Cougars a 38-35 victory and kept their undefeated season alive.
#14 Texas A&M @ Mississippi State
The 14th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies faced the struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs this week. Two touchdowns from running back Le’Veon Moss gave the Aggies a 34-24 win. This makes them undefeated against their fellow SEC opponents, which puts them in the driving seat in the SEC.
Nebraska @ #16 Indiana
The number 16-ranked Indiana Hoosiers faced their hardest test of the season so far, facing Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They were no match for the Hoosiers, who recorded a 56-7 win to keep their undefeated season alive. Forget Ohio State or Penn State; the Indiana Hoosiers are the closest challenge to Oregon at the moment.
#17 Kansas State @ West Virginia
After their victory over Colorado last week, the number 17 ranked Kansas State Wildcats faced the West Virginia Mountaineers. This was a simple win for the Wildcats. Quarterback Avery Johnson threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns in their 45-18 win.
Auburn @ #19 Missouri
The number 19-ranked Missouri Tigers faced the Auburn Tigers in a game in which Missouri QB Brady Cook left the game to go to the hospital for an MRI exam. He returned and helped the Tigers to a fourth-quarter comeback victory over Auburn, with the final score being 21-17.
#21 SMU @ Stanford
The number 21-ranked SMU Mustangs travelled west to face the Stanford Cardinals. Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for three touchdowns in their easy 40-10 win over the struggling Cardinal team.
#24 Michigan @ #22 Illinois
The number 22-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini faced the number 24-ranked Michigan Wolverines. How the Wolverines are still ranked is beyond me. Luckily, they will not be next week. Illinois dominated the defending national champions to record a 21-7 win.
East Carolina @ #23 Army
The number 23 ranked Army Black Nights are undefeated and finally ranked. They faced the East Carolina Pirates this week and demolished them. Quarterback Bryson Daily scored six touchdowns in the 45-28 win, keeping their undefeated season alive. However, to play devil’s advocate for the moment, they have not faced any hard opposition yet.
Charlotte @ #25 Navy
The number 25 ranked Navy Midshipman are also undefeated and ranked this week. Like the Army, they have not faced super tough opposition this week, and this week was not expected. They destroyed the Charlotte 49ers 51-17.
That was week 8 of the 2024 College Football season. Next week, LSU faces Texas A&M in a battle for the SEC. Notre Dame hopes to sink the Navy’s undefeated season, and Ohio State will return to action against Nebraska.
