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    AP College Football Poll 2019: Week 8 Rankings Unveiled for Top 25 Teams

    Rob Goldberg@TheRobGoldbergFeatured ColumnistOctober 13, 2019

    LSU coach Ed Orgeron sings the alma mater with wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2); Orgeron's wife, Kelly; and other team members after LSU's win over Florida in an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. LSU won 42-28. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
    Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

    A busy weekend of college football led to a few notable changes in the Week 8 Associated Press rankings. 

    There was limited drama over the past month, but Saturday saw three of the Top 11 teams in the country go down, with two of those losses coming against another highly ranked squad. Georgia suffered the most surprising defeat with a home loss against unranked South Carolina.  

            

    Associated Press Poll

    1. Alabama

    2. LSU

    3. Clemson

    4. Ohio State

    5. Oklahoma

    6. Wisconsin

    7. Penn State

    8. Notre Dame

    9. Florida

    10. Georgia

    11. Auburn

    12. Oregon

    13. Utah

    14. Boise State

    15. Texas

    16. Michigan

    17. Arizona State

    18. Baylor

    19. SMU

    20. Minnesota

    21. Cincinnati

    22. Missouri

    AP College Football Poll 2019: Week 8 Rankings Unveiled for Top 25 Teams
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    23. Iowa

    24. Appalachian State

    25. Washington

         

    Georgia took a major fall this week, dropping from No. 3 to No. 10.

    That came after a 20-17 double-overtime loss to South Carolina, as UGA quarterback Jake Fromm threw three interceptions and lost one fumble. One of those picks was returned for a touchdown to give the Gamecocks a halftime lead:

    CBS Sports HQ @CBSSportsHQ

    South Carolina feeling an upset?? The Gamecocks lead Georgia after this pick six from Israel Mukuamu on Jake Fromm's first interception of the year. https://t.co/Ag2ZrWHFPn

    "When a team scores on defense, it's like a 90 percent chance they're going to win, and we still almost overcame that," head coach Kirby Smart said after the game, per Mike Griffith of Dawg Nation. "But you can't turn the ball over four times and win."

    Turnovers might have cost Georgia a shot at a national championship.

    LSU had arguably the most impressive victory of the week, defeating No. 7 Florida. Down 28-21 in the third quarter, the Tigers finished the game with 21 unanswered points to make a big move to No. 2 in the rankings.

    It continues an impressive trend for head coach Ed Orgeron in big games:

    Aaron Torres @Aaron_Torres

    LSU beats Florida and it's time to admit: Coach O has become one of the best big game coaches in college football. Since the start of last year, he's 5-1 vs Top 10 teams (only loss to Bama). Same number of Top 10 wins as Dabo/Riley/Kirby combined over the same stretch. UN. REAL.

    Florida fell to No. 9.

    Oklahoma also proved itself, winning the Red River Rivalry 34-27, and Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb connected for three touchdown passes.

    Some off-the-radar squads also gained respect this week, including Minnesota, which moved into the Top 25 at No. 20 after improving to 6-0 with a 34-7 blowout win over Nebraska. Appalachian State is now No. 24 following its 5-0 start to 2019.

    There is plenty to watch behind No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson, who won by a combined 50 points Saturday over Texas A&M and FSU, respectively.