Coaches Poll Prediction Week 8: Will BYU, Miami, or Ohio State Be the New No. 1?

· Yahoo Sports

After a crazy day of college football, with three of the Coaches Poll top four and five of the top seven losing, who will be the new No. 1? Last week’s top-ranked Georgia team lost to Auburn, No. 2 Notre Dame lost to BYU, and No. 4 Indiana just missed.

Will it be Ohio State? Last week’s No. 5 team beat No. 4 IU in Bloomington, but that goes the other way if Nick Marsh gets his foot in bounds.

Will it be BYU? It was physical and tough in the thrilling 28-24 win over No. 2 Notre Dame. The unbeaten Cougars have a claim.

Will it be Miami? It took everything in the bag to get out alive in a 43-35 double-overtime thriller over Florida State. It was No. 3, and the top two lost.

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2026 Coaches Poll Prediction: Week 8 Quick Hits

  • The coaches tend to make fewer giant moves, but they’ll keep it clean and easy with Miami up top – at least that’s our guess. We’re also guessing that most coaches don’t know what to do with all the SEC teams.
  • This week’s Coaches Poll Big Winners Will Be: BYU, UCLA, LSU
  • This week’s Coaches Poll Big Losers Will Be: Texas, Missouri, Mississippi State
    Week 8 AP Top 25 Prediction
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) celebrates with offensive line Bruce Mitchell (63) after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

25. Florida

Last Week Ranking: NR 
Record: 5-2 
Last Week: Florida 27, Texas 24

24. Northwestern

Last Week Ranking: NR 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: Northwestern 24, Michigan State 21

23. Oregon

Last Week Ranking: 25 
Record: 4-2 
Last Week: Oregon 17, Nebraska 14

22. Boise State

Last Week Ranking: 24 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: No Game This Week

21. Missouri

Last Week Ranking: 13 
Record: 5-2 
Last Week: Ole Miss 31, Missouri 3

20. Texas

Last Week Ranking: 6 
Record: 4-2 
Last Week: Florida 27, Texas 24

19. SMU

Last Week Ranking: 22 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: SMU 23, Virginia 13

18. Wake Forest

Last Week Ranking: 23 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Wake Forest 41, Cal 7

17. LSU

Last Week Ranking: 21 
Record: 5-2 
Last Week: LSU 31, Mississippi State 0

16. Iowa

Last Week Ranking: 16 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: No Game This Week

15. Houston

Last Week Ranking: 18 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Houston 35, Oklahoma State 32

14. Kentucky

Last Week Ranking: 17 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Oklahoma 21, Kentucky 13

13. USC

Last Week Ranking: 15 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: No Game This Week

12. Alabama

Last Week Ranking: 7 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: Tennessee 26, Alabama 10

11. Tennessee

Last Week Ranking: 14 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Tennessee 26, Alabama 10

10. Ole Miss

Last Week Ranking: 10 
Record: 5-1 
Last Week: Ole Miss 31, Missouri 3

9. UCLA

Last Week Ranking: 12 
Record: 6-0 
Last Week: UCLA 17, Wisconsin 7

8. Utah

Last Week Ranking: 11 
Record: 6-0 
Last Week: Utah 27, Colorado 24

7. Indiana

Last Week Ranking: 4 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Ohio State 19, Indiana 15

6. Notre Dame

Last Week Ranking: 2 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: BYU 28, Notre Dame 24

5. Georgia

Last Week Ranking: 1 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Auburn 27, Georgia 24

4. Texas Tech

Last Week Ranking: 9 
Record: 6-0 
Last Week: Texas Tech 53, Arizona State 25

3. BYU

Last Week Ranking: 8 
Record: 5-0 
Last Week: BYU 28, Notre Dame 24

2. Ohio State

Last Week Ranking: 5 
Record: 6-1 
Last Week: Ohio State 19, Indiana 15

1. Miami

Last Week Ranking: 3 
Record: 6-0 
Last Week: Miami 43, Florida State 35 2OT

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