College Football Power Rankings: The Top 25 Quarterbacks Heading Into Week 8

As we've done every week this season, we have your updated quarterback rankings after yet another exciting weekend of college football. 

The story of Saturday was Auburn's Cameron Newton, who had another outstanding performance to catapult himself to the forefront of the Heisman discussion. 

A little luster was taken out of the Tigers' win over Arkansas with Ryan Mallett missing most of the game with injury. But you still can't take away from what Auburn was able to accomplish with the 65-43 victory. 

But where does that leave Newton in the quarterback rankings?

Check out the standings heading into Week 8. 

25. Andy Dalton, TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs scrambles with the ball against the Brigham Young University Cougars at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by To

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,450 / TD: 13 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 66.7 / Rating: 156.72 / Rushing Yards: 281 / AVG: 5.4 / TD: 3

Dalton makes his first appearance of the year in the top 25, but in all honesty, we're still a bit skeptical based on the strength of schedule he has faced.

TCU is 7-0 and outscoring its opponents by over 30 points a game. But besides Oregon State, the competition has been fairly weak.

Still, with some other quarterbacks struggling and Dalton passing for 273 yards and four touchdowns against BYU, that's the name we come up with at No. 25.  

24. Christian Ponder, Florida State

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MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Christian Ponder #7 of the Florida State Seminoles runs out of the pocket to pass the ball against the Miami Hurricanes on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,187 / TD: 12 / INT: 7 / CMP%: 60.4 / Rating: 129.29 / Rushing Yards: 118 / AVG: 2.1 / TD: 2

Ponder seemed to be doing everything he could to lose on Saturday, with two interceptions and a fumble in the third quarter that gave Boston College the lead over FSU entering the fourth quarter.

If not for the running game, Ponder's performance would have resulted in a loss rather than a 24-20 victory for the Seminoles. 

23. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs from the grasp of Texas Longhorns linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. T

2010 Stats

Yards: 723 / TD: 3 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 56.6 / Rating: 141.62 / Rushing Yards: 758 / AVG: 9.3 / TD: 12

Martinez had the worst game of his young career in Nebraska's crushing 20-13 loss to Texas on Saturday, failing to do much of anything as a passer or rusher. 

He completed only four passes for 63 yards, rushed for 21 yards and failed to find the end zone for the first time in his career, as the Longhorns' defense completely shut him down. 

22. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: Blaine Gabbert #11 of the University of Missouri Tigers looks to pass against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,591 / TD: 10 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 66.5 / Rating: 137.29 

Gabbert has been a little up and down this season.

But Missouri remains undefeated at 6-0, so there isn't too much to complain about right now. 

In the Tigers' win over Texas A&M last week, Gabbert threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns—his best performance of the year. 

21. Dan Persa, Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 31: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats throws a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ryan Field on October 31, 2009 in Evanston, Illinois. Penn State defeated Northwestern 34-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,663 / TD: 10 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 78.0 / Rating: 173.27 / Rushing Yards: 295 / AVG: 3.4 / TD: 3

Northwestern suffered its first loss of the season when Purdue beat the Wildcats 20-17.

While Dan Persa played a good game, he couldn't score when it mattered. 

Northwestern got shut out in the fourth quarter, taking the flair out of Persa's 300-yard game. He failed to throw a touchdown on the day, but did rush for a score in the third quarter. 

20. Dayne Crist, Notre Dame

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Dayne Crist #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks for a receiver against the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Stanford defated Notre Dame 37-14. (Photo by Jonathan Da

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,855 / TD: 14 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 59.4 / Rating: 132.95 

Crist had the chance to pad his stats a bit in Notre Dame's 44-20 victory over Western Michigan in Week 7, and he took full advantage of it. 

Crist passed for 255 yards and three touchdowns, with another score on the ground, though he did have an interception as well. 

19. Geno Smith, West Virginia

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in action against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,358 / TD: 14 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 68.4 / Rating: 156.65

Smith is quietly putting together one of the most consistent seasons of any quarterback in the country.

Others might shine brighter on occasion, but few have been more reliable throughout the year. 

He's completed over 65 percent of his passes in every game besides one, and is on pace for 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions. 

18. Nick Foles, Arizona

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats drops back to pass during the college football game against the Oregon State Beavers at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 2

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,600 / TD: 9 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 75.3 / Rating: 156.37 

Arizona might have won its Week 7 matchup with Washington State, but the Wildcats suffered a huge loss when Nick Foles went down with a sprained knee early in the contest.

He's going to miss at least a couple of weeks, according to reports from the AP. With Washington and UCLA up next, Arizona could be in big trouble going forward. 

17. Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

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ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Steve Nichol #7 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 42 yard pass compleation from Kirk Cousins #8 during the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,617 / TD: 11 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 66.3 / Rating: 163.39

Cousins wasn't his accurate self in Michigan State's 26-6 win over Illinois, completing only 54.2 percent of his passes; the first time in five games he's competed less than 69-percent of his throws.

Cousins was 13-24 for 201 yards and a touchdown in a game in which the Spartans' offense wasn't nearly as potent as it's been through the first half of the season. 

16. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Reno Wolf Pack looks to pass against the UNLV Rebels in the third quarter of their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Reno won 44-26. (Photo by Et

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,480 / TD: 10 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 68.2 / Rating: 151.89 / Rushing Yards: 669 / AVG: 6.9 / TD: 12

Kaepernick has been one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country the last couple of seasons, but there's a nagging impression that he's riding the hype machine at the moment. 

He hasn't looked that great over the last month, and it finally caught up with him in a 27-20 loss to Hawaii this weekend.

Kaepernick was 14-26 for 159 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had his lowest rushing total of the year with 11 carries for 30 yards and a score. 

15. Darron Thomas, Oregon

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,213 / TD: 14 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 58.5 / Rating: 152.45 / Rushing Yards: 221 / AVG: 6.0 / TD: 2

Thomas wasn't needed for much in Oregon's blowout win over Washington State a couple of weeks back, and Oregon was off this week.

That's given other passers the chance to improve their statistics, as Thomas has remained pretty much idle since Oregon's win against Stanford. 

14. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies scrambles in the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,322 / TD: 12 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 62.4 / Rating: 159.49 / Rushing Yards: 480 / AVG: 6.1 / TD: 3

It may have been Wake Forest the Hokies were up against on Saturday, so we'll try to keep our expectations in check.

But it looks like Tyrod Taylor is finally playing like we expected him to entering the year.

He has accounted for at least three touchdowns in each of his last three games, and had his best performance of the season against the Demon Deacons, with 292 yard and three touchdowns and a fourth score rushing. 

13. Russell Wilson, N.C. State

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RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 16: Russell Wilson #16 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats during their game at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 16, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/

2010 Stats

Yards: 2,124 / TD: 18 / INT: 9 / CMP%: 57.8 / Rating: 132.59 / Rushing Yards: 200 / AVG: 2.9 / TD: 2

Wilson has struggled with interceptions the last few weeks, and it got him into trouble for the second time in three weeks in N.C. State's unexpected loss to East Carolina.

After throwing three picks in the Wolfpack's loss to Virginia Tech and two picks in their win over BC, Wilson threw three interceptions in the 33-27 loss to East Carolina. 

12. Greg McElroy, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide passes upfield against the Ole Miss Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,517 / TD: 11 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 71.6 / Rating: 168.97

After Alabama's loss to South Carolina last week, we weren't sure how the Tide would respond.

While the offense still isn't rolling like it was earlier in the year, the result was a win on Saturday.

McElroy was 17-25 for 219 yards and two touchdowns on the day, solid numbers considering that the running game is really struggling by Alabama standards. 

11. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Hawkeyes 34-27.

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,474 / TD: 13 / INT: 2 / CMP%: 68.3 / Rating: 180.50 

Stanzi was nearly flawless in Iowa's 38-28 victory over Michigan, completing 17 of his 24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. 

He's now thrown for three scores in half of his games this season, and has completed over 70 percent of his passes in four of six games. 

10. Denard Robinson, Michigan

Leon Halip/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 09: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the start of the game against the Michigan State Spartans on October 9, 2010 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,319 / TD: 9 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 67.8 / Rating: 159.09 / Rushing Yards: 1,099 / AVG: 8.0 / TD: 9

As quickly as Robinson rose to the top, he appears to be falling back down to earth.

He was a national sensation in the first month of the season, but defenses have started to adjust to him. And it's showing in the results. 

Michigan has lost two in a row now, and Robinson has struggled in both contests. He's proving limited as a passer and isn't rushing nearly as effectively as he did earlier in the year.

Maybe he'll be the next to adjust, or maybe the rest of the nation will figure him out the way Michigan State and Iowa did. 

9. Jake Locker, Washington

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 18, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,431 / TD: 13 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 56.2 / Rating: 132.56 / Rushing Yards: 278 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 3

Locker got off to bit of a rough start this season, especially against Nebraska in Week 3.

But he's playing better lately, and had one of the best games of his career in Washington's 35-34 overtime win over Oregon State. 

Locker was 21-35 for 286 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes, two of which came in overtime. He also added 60 yards rushing, and for those who've doubted him so far this season, he made quite the case for himself on Saturday. 

8. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,969 / TD: 14 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 66.4 / Rating: 155.00 / Rushing Yards: 376 / AVG: 5.4 / TD: 6

Griffin was nearly flawless in Baylor's 31-25 win over Colorado, completing 22 of his 27 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown, though one of his misses resulted in an interception. 

Griffin also had by far his best rushing performance of the season, with 137 yards off 15 carries. He is looking more and more like a player all the way back from last year's knee injury. 

7. Matt Barkley, USC

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans warms up before the game against the California Golden Bears at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 16, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,869 / TD: 20 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 65.4 / Rating: 167.30

When USC lost to Washington a few weeks back, Barkley took a lot of heat.

But he has rebounded with a couple of outstanding performances in his last two games. 

First, it was 390 yards and three touchdowns in a tough loss to Stanford. Then Barkley had one of the best games of his career in the Trojans' 48-14 win over Cal.

He passed for 352 yards and five touchdowns, and is now second in the country in touchdown passes.  

6. Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rolls out to look for a receiver against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,505 / TD: 15 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 65.2 / Rating: 157.97 / Rushing Yards: 410 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 3

The biggest knock on Pryor was that he hadn't really faced anyone besides Miami this season.

While Ohio State's matchup with Wisconsin presented the chance to prove his doubters wrong, Pryor didn't come through.

He really struggled in the 31-18 upset, competing just 50 percent of his passes for 156 yards and an interception, with another 56 yards rushing off 18 carries. 

5. Kellen Moore, Boise State

Geoff Burke/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 06: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos prepares to pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies at FedExField on September 6, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,567 / TD: 16 / INT: 1 / CMP%: 69.5 / Rating: 190.35 

Moore has been great this season, completing over 60 percent of his passes and throwing for at least two touchdowns in every game this season.

He wasn't needed for much in Boise State's 48-0 win over San Jose State, but was unstoppable while he was in there. Moore was 14-16 for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

The only knock on him at this point is the level of competition he has faced. 

4. Cameron Newton, Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,278 / TD: 13 / INT: 5 / CMP%: 65.6 / Rating: 180.53 / Rushing Yards: 860 / AVG: 6.7 / TD: 12

Fans haven't been happy about where we've placed Cameron Newton in the power rankings this season, considering he has scored 25 touchdowns on the year and Auburn is undefeated.

He played well yet again in the Tigers 65-43 win over Arkansas, with over 300 total yards and four scores. But there is still the belief that he's a product of the system.

Love it or hate it, we'll take any of the quarterbacks ahead of him. 

3. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Texas Longhorns in the fourth quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,791 / TD: 14 / INT: 3 / CMP%: 67.4 / Rating: 146.13 

Jones performed like a surgeon in Oklahoma's 52-0 shutout against Iowa State and proved yet again that he belongs in the discussion as the nation's top passer. 

He was 30 of 34 for 334 yards and three touchdowns, absolutely the most efficient performance of any quarterback in the nation on Saturday. Now let's see him do it again against Missouri. 

2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drops back to throw a pass during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,844 / TD: 14 / INT: 6 / CMP%: 69.1 / Rating: 168.11 

Who knows how the Auburn-Arkansas game would have gone had Mallett not been knocked out of the game with a concussion in the second quarter.

Before leaving the game, Mallett was 10-15 for 96 yards and a touchdown. Without him, the Razorbacks weren't able to keep up with Auburn's high-powered offense. 

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

PALO ALTO, CA - OCTOBER 09: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal drops back to pass the ball against the USC Trojans at Stanford Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Yards: 1,538 / TD: 16 / INT: 4 / CMP%: 65.7 / Rating: 166.86 / Rushing Yards: 242 / AVG: 7.8 / TD: 2

Stanford was off this week, but we still haven't forgotten how well Luck played against USC a couple of weeks back in Stanford's 37-35 victory. 

Luck was 20-of-24 for 285 yards and three touchdowns in the win, and not having an opponent to play in Week 7 isn't going to cost him the top spot.