We are just a week away from the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2024. Where do teams stand for the final power rankings of October.
1. Oregon Ducks (8-0) | Last week: 1
Being the No. 1 team in the nation was not too heavy of a burden for the Ducks in their first test, with an overwhelming 35-3 first half versus No. 20 Illinois. Oregon probably could have made it a bit worse than their eventual 38-9 margin of victory during which they racked up 527 yards of offense compared to the Fighting Illini’s 293.
2. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) | Last week: 2
With five games left on their regular season schedule, Georgia is well rested for three straight SEC matchups—vs. Florida, at Ole Miss, and vs. Tennessee. Kirby Smart had his guys locked in at Texas a couple of Saturdays ago, and you can expect that intensity to continue.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1) | Last week: 3
Nebraska made it a fight in Columbus, but Ohio State survived despite giving up the lead in the fourth quarter and going just 1/10 on third downs on the afternoon. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly will certainly want to get the run game on track, setting up more favorable positions for the offense after Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson combined for just 54 rushing yards on 20 carries last week.
4. Texas Longhorns (7-1) | Last week: 4
Vanderbilt would not go away, with the Longhorns needing to recover an onside kick to secure the road SEC victory. Receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. starred for Texas, catching six passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns from Quinn Ewers, who completed 18 consecutive passes in the win.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0) | Last week: 5
Jaylen Reed’s pick-six sparked a dominant final stretch for Penn State to get a road win against Wisconsin, and backup quarterback Beau Pribula did an outstanding job both through the air and on the ground in relief of Drew Allar. Ahead of a highly anticipated showdown with Ohio State, Allar’s health will be a big storyline to track.
6. Miami Hurricanes (8-0) | Last week: 6
A 36-14 win versus Florida State says a lot about where the one-win Seminoles are this season—but it’s also a phenomenal sign for Miami to beat a longtime rival the way they did. Running back Damien Martinez led the way with 15 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and Heisman hopeful quarterback Cam Ward caught a touchdown late.
7. Tennessee Volunteers (6-1) | Last week: 7
The Vols had the week off to prepare for a Kentucky squad that’s 3-5 and has historically been dominated by Tennessee in the series. The Wildcats turned two of the past three matchups into shootout losses, but the last matchup in Knoxville went very well for the Vols (44-6).
8. Clemson Tigers (6-1) | Last week: 8
November will be a challenge for Clemson, with matchups against Louisville (5-3), Virginia Tech (5-3), and Pittsburgh (7-0) ending their regular season conference slate. Following a bye, the Tigers get to begin the stretch at home when they host the Cardinals.
9. Indiana Hoosiers (8-0) | Last week: 10 (+1)
Indiana scored a touchdown in each quarter of their 31-17 win against Washington. They are the first team in two decades to not trail in any of their first eight games in a season. If the Hoosiers win this Saturday at East Lansing, they better be in the top ten of the initial College Football Playoff rankings.
10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1) | Last week: NR
A few teams could have been included in the latest top ten, including Texas A&M after defeating LSU behind a tremendous spark from redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed. But Notre Dame is on a six-game winning streak, owns a win over A&M, and had a very convincing victory at Navy—51-14, while forcing six turnovers (Navy had just two turnovers entering the game).