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ManiacalBlazer Ballot for 2026 Week 8

Ballot Type: Computer

Submitted: Oct. 18, 2026, 4:13 a.m.

Overall Rationale: See Week 7 for a rundown on this poll.

Chaos! Controversy! What a great week of football. The wave of upsets and blowouts in the SEC continues. The Big XII gets a big win, or did they? Shades of Week One's biggest debate returns.

Dropped: #16 Missouri, #18 Pittsburgh, #20 Mississippi State
First ten out: North Dakota State, Missouri, New Mexico, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Boise State, Kansas State, Baylor, Wisconsin

Conference Rankings (average team rating) [rank, school, rating, rankΔ, ratingΔ]:
1. SEC 70.726, –, -0.563
2. Big XII 67.476, +1, +0.323
3. Big Ten 66.955, -1, -0.737
4. ACC 60.740, –, +0.877
5. Pac-12 50.513, –, +0.899
6. American 50.142, –, +1.426
7. SBC 47.689, –, +1.399
8. MWC 45.919, –, +1.066
9. CUSA 42.381, –, +1.328
10. MAC 39.082, –, +1.124

Points Added Per Game (against average opponent):
1. Miami +18.9, +1, +1.4
2. Alabama +14.7, -1, -3.8
3. Notre Dame +14.6, +1, -1.0
4. Georgia +14.2, -1, -1.6
5. James Madison +14.2, +9, +2.3

Points Erased Per Game (from average opponent):
1. Indiana -16.1, –, +0.9
2. Texas -14.3, –, +1.2
3. TCU -13.4, +6, -1.5
4. BYU -13.2, -1, +0.5
5. Ohio State -12.9, +2, -0.7

For the Sickos Committee's Consideration (points erased from both teams per game):
1. FIU -17.0, –, +3.9
2. TCU -15.0, +3, -1.1
3. Utah State -14.3, +2, -0.5
4. Tulane -13.9, -2, +1.6
5. Boston College -12.6, -1, +1.8

For WACBall Consideration (points added to both teams per game):
1. Colorado State +22.4, –, -0.4
2. South Alabama +18.6, –, +2.1
3. West Virginia +16.1, +1, +1.5
4. North Texas +15.6, -1, -0.4
5. Texas State +12.4, +2, +2.1

Rank Team Reason
1 Miami Hurricanes 88.703 (6-0) +4, +0.780, Double overtime victory over an unranked opponent spoiled an even more chaotic week.
2 Ohio State Buckeyes 86.465 (6-1) +4, +1.683, Dethroned Indiana for #2
3 Indiana Hoosiers 86.074 (6-1) -1, -4.245, First loss since the end of 2024.
4 Georgia Bulldogs 84.271 (6-1) -3, -6.066, Lost to an unranked opponent, yet still leads the SEC.
5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 83.875 (6-1) -1, -4.742, Controversial loss doesn't derail their season.
6 BYU Cougars 83.666 (6-0) +4, +2.503, Came away with a win over previously unbeaten Notre Dame, but needs stronger performances against other opponents.
7 UCLA Bruins 82.890 (6-0) +2, +1.068, And the last unbeaten team in the Big Ten or the SEC is... the Bruins?
8 Houston Cougars 82.378 (6-1) +3, +1.958, Handed Oklahoma State their second loss.
9 LSU Tigers 82.317 (5-2) +8, +6.375, Blew out previously ranked Mississippi State to continue their yo-yo season.
10 James Madison Dukes 82.274 (7-0) +4, +3.550, Finds itself leading all FBS teams in wins after three other teams with the same opportunity this week fell short.
11 Alabama Crimson Tide 82.052 (5-2) -8, -7.662, The Tide's vaunted offense has been stifled the last two weeks.
12 Texas Tech Red Raiders 81.813 (6-0) +1, +2.911, Might have the best chance to finish the regular season unbeaten among the remaining P4 schools.
13 Utah Utes 81.674 (6-0) -6, -0.874, Close win against an unranked opponent hasn't been helped by their weak schedule so far.
14 Tennessee Volunteers 79.218 (6-1) +5, +3.930, Another victory over rival, Alabama, in Knoxville.
15 USC Trojans 78.122 (6-1) –, -0.400, Bye week.
16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 78.114 (6-1) +6, +3.902, Traveled to the opposite coast for a blow out win.
17 Texas Longhorns 77.503 (4-2) -9, -4.664, Free fall continues. Identical score to last week.
18 Ole Miss Rebels 77.483 (5-1) +13, +6.489, Knocked out Missouri in decisive fashion.
19 Oregon Ducks 75.927 (4-2) +4, +1.736, Ducks offense is practically non-existent without Dante Moore, but their defense has been solid lately.
20 Nebraska Cornhuskers 74.890 (5-2) -8, -4.346, Did I suggest a late-season collapse might be incoming a week ago?
21 Iowa Hawkeyes 74.745 (5-1) –, -0.171, Bye week.
22 Kentucky Wildcats 74.491 (6-1) +3, +1.846, Pair of interceptions late put away the Sooners.
23 Florida Gators 72.360 (5-2) +9, +1.492, Gators finally showed up to drop Texas.
24 Northwestern Wildcats 72.099 (5-1) –, -0.557, Squeaked by an opponent that hasn't won since Week 2.
25 Arizona Wildcats 71.826 (5-1) +3, -0.461, Bye week. Benefited from losses by Mizzou, Pitt, and Mississippi State to sneak into the rankings without playing a game.

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