Kirk Herbstreit ranks top 7 teams of college football Week 8

Week 8 of the college football season was filled with multiple big-time wins across the country. Some established programs made a stamp on Saturday while a few other underdog stories continue to emerge — mainly in the Big Ten.

To celebrate, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit decided to recognize a few programs for their displays over the weekend. He named seven top-performing teams from Week 8 of the 2024 season, five of which come from power conferences.

You can check out the full list of seven from Herbstreit down below, beginning with the reemergence of the former back-to-back national champions.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

For the first time in a long time, Georgia was viewed as an underdog heading into a game. Most of the talk leading into the week was about Texas, the No. 1 ranked team in the country pretty early into the tenure as members of the SEC.

Kirby Smart saw his team start fast and eventually get a resounding victory in Austin, with Herbstreit calling the game. No doubt the best win of the weekend in college football.

2. Tennessee Volunteers

For the second time in three years, cigars were smoked by folks in Orange. Tennessee has now won two consecutive games against Alabama in Neyland Stadium as Josh Heupel gets his first head-to-head win over Kalen DeBoer.

Offensive production was hard to come back early on while the Tennessee defense showed out. Eventually, Nico Iamaleava found success and did enough to get the Vols over the finish line.

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Considered the first real test of the season for Indiana, they passed with flying colors. Big Noon Kickoff came to Bloomington for their matchup against Nebraska as the FOX crew saw a big-time blowout unfold.

Curt Cignetti might be coaching the hottest program in college football at the moment. A lot of firsts are being set for the Hoosiers as they are one of three undefeated teams remaining in the Big Ten.

4. Illinois Fighting Illini

Prior to Saturday, the last win Illinois had in a ranked matchup was November 2001 against Ohio State. A long, long drought ended with Michigan in Champagne, with the Fighting Illini winning by two scores.

Herbstreit places Illinois at No. 4 for the week in what is now an even bigger matchup heading into Week 9. A trip out West to face No. 1 Oregon is next on the docket, being a massive opportunity.

5. NC State Wolfpack

Not much has gone well for teams traveling across multiple time zones this season due to conference realignment. NC State made the long trek for the first time, facing Cal in a 12:30 p.m. PT kickoff.

A fourth-quarter comeback was needed but the Wolfpack experienced a happy plane ride back to Raleigh, leaving with a one-point victory. Getting back to .500 certainly helps too after dropping two straight games.

6. Georgia Southern Eagles

Clay Helton has done a great job in Statesboro and has now maybe taken pole position in the Sun Belt after Saturday. Georgia Southern took down James Madison to remain undefeated in conference play through three games.

The two losses on the season for Georgia Southern are against Boise State and Ole Miss, two teams who have College Football Playoff aspirations. Maybe Helton does for his team as well after Saturday’s big win.

7. North Dakota State Bison

Herbstreit gave some love to the FCS level as the Dakota Marker will be heading back to Fargo for the first time since 2019. North Dakota State broke a five-game losing streak to South Dakota State, beating them in the Fargo Dome.

The Bison are now up to No. 1 in the FCS top 25 with their lone loss of the year coming at the hands of Colorado. Seven straight have been rattled off by NDSU as the program looks for national championship No. 18.