We still have a number of undefeated teams vying for top-four spots in the BCS rankings--meaning, one loss effectively ends a team's chances of lifting the only trophy that matters at the end.
So, bye-bye Texas A&M, this week's biggest loser--even though there's no shame in losing at Tuscaloosa. And so long Ohio State (well, almost).
Here are our CFB rankings after Week 8, from our usual fantasy perspective (won-loss records in parentheses).
NCAA College Football (CBB) Rankings
1. Alabama, 8-0
The Tide continues to look unbeatable. They made light work of a very good Texas A&M team on Saturday. Tight end O.J. Howard (eight catches for 70 yards and a TD the Aggies) is tops at his position in the country, at least among draft-eligible players.
2. Clemson, 7-0
Clemson took a much-needed break this week, and remains perfect on the season heading into a showdown against Florida State this Saturday. QB Deshaun Watson is a likely a top-three pick in next spring's NFL draft, but receiver Mike Williams (39 catches for 578 yards) should be on your radar in deeper fantasy leagues.
3. Michigan, 7-0
The Wolverines' running-back-by-committee approach may be hurting the draft stock of senior De'Veon Smith, but it's not hurting the team on the field. Sophomore Karan Higden (106 yards on eight carries, with a TD) starred in the rout of Illinois on Saturday. But the maize and blue will face a bigger test against in-state rivals Michigan State this week.
4. Washington, 7-0
The Huskies manhandled Oregon State, as expected. Senior John Ross (four catches, 115 yards against the Beavers) is the fourth best draft-eligible wide receiver in the 2017 class.
5. Baylor, 6-0
If the Bears aren't playing a "cupcake" they schedule a bye week. They remain undefeated and in the picture in the Big 12--at least until they play the teams they're competing with. CBS Sports lists redshirt senior QB Seth Russell as the 144th prospect in the 2017 NFL draft--projecting him to go in the fourth or fifth round. It's unlikely he'll be a factor in your draft next year, but keep an eye on him. By the time he's done at Baylor, he'll have thrown for more than 5,000 yards, with 4:1 TD:INT ratio--when his team actually plays.
6. West Virginia, 6-0
Meanwhile, Baylor's biggest threat in conference, the Mountaineers made light work of TCU, a bonafide Big 12 opponent. WVU is known for its offense, but we really like senior defensive end Noble Nwachukwu, a projected fifth-round pick, who had a sack against the Frogs on Saturday.
7. Boise State, 7-0
The "experts" tell us the Broncos are still in pole position among other "Group of Five" conference programs for breaking into the BCS playoffs. We don't pretend to know how the BCS Selection Committee thinks, but we do know that good teams find ways to win when they aren't playing well, as Boise did against a solid BYU team on Thursday. They should have no problem this weekend, when they visit an improved Wyoming team.
8. Nebraska, 7-0
We were tempted to drop the Cornhuskers from our rankings after they struggled, at home no less, against Purdue. But they won, and benefit from the Aggies' loss at 'Bama. Senior QB Tommy Armstrong Jr. (252 passing yards against the Boilermakers) is not on the NFL radar (at 6'1" he's viewed as too short), but he's an athlete who could make the league as a project at another position.
9. Louisville, 6-1
Louisville, we just can't quit you. QB Lamar Jackson passed for 355 yards and ran for another 76 in the Cardinals' 54-13 win over NC State, accounting for four TDs. He should be on your NFL fantasy radar in 2018, when some predict he could be the No. 1 pick overall.
10. Ohio State, 6-1
The Buckeyes are lucky to still be in our rankings, after losing to a mediocre Penn State team, albeit on the road, in OT. Frankly, it was a toss-up between them and the Aggies, and they won out, given their higher ranking before the weekend. Worse, OSU's big players came up small against the Nittany Lions, a bad sign heading into the (relatively easy) stretch run that ends with the showdown against Michigan, which won't be easy.