2014 College Football Week 8 Power Rankings: Top 5 National Title Contenders

2014 College Football Week 8 Power Rankings: Top 5 National Title Contenders: It was another big week in college football, and while plenty of teams are still alive as far as the college football playoff is concerned, the number of legitimate contenders continues to be trimmed. Auburn, Arizona, Missouri, Texas A&M, UCLA and TCU were among the ranked teams to fall, and with the exception of Auburn, those teams are all going to have trouble working their way into the playoff conversation. Of course while some teams fall, others rise, and here is a closer look at how I see the top national title contenders stacking up heading into Week 8 of the 2014 college football season.

1. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Their win over No. 2 Auburn was the Bulldogs’ third straight over a top-10 opponent, and no team in the country can match that resume. Quarterback Dak Prescott has put himself firmly in Heisman Trophy conversation, and he leads an offense that ranks 11th in scoring and 14th in rushing. As impressive as Prescott has been with his dual-threat ability, the physical play of the Bulldogs in the trenches it that has really stood out, especially on offense. Plain and simple, Mississippi State can line up and take it to any defense out there. However, road games against Alabama and Ole Miss still await.

2. Ole Miss Rebels

If their win over Alabama two weeks didn’t legitimize the Rebels’ defense, shutting down the high-powered Texas A&M offense this past weekend should leave no doubts about how good the unit is. The Rebels are allowing the second-fewest points in the country, and they are fast and physical both up front and in the secondary. Meanwhile, quarterback Bo Wallace appears to have finally put his mistake-prone nature behind him, and the senior is making sure the offense provides more than enough support for the team’s elite defense. Big games remain, but Ole Miss will host Auburn and Mississippi State down the stretch.

3. Florida State Seminoles

Defending Heisman winner Jameis Winston continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, but the defending champs just keep winning games. No, the Seminoles have not been as dominant on either side of the ball, but they do rank in the top 15 nationally in passing and in the top 25 in scoring. Granted, the ground game has been surprisingly mediocre, but Winston is still one of the biggest game-changers in college football. Plus, wins over Oklahoma State and Clemson aren’t terrible. A showdown with Notre Dame this weekend could ultimately decide whether Florida State runs the table and earns a shot at defending its title.

4. Baylor Bears

The Bears were absolutely dead in the water against TCU last weekend, but a furious fourth-quarter comeback turned a season-altering loss into a 61-58 win. Quarterback Bryce Petty was brilliant in the victory, and for the season, Baylor leads in the country in scoring at 52.7 points per game and is averaging well over 600 yards of offense. The Bears control their own destiny in the Big 12, and while three of their five remaining opponents are currently ranked in the top 15, they draw Oklahoma State and Kansas State in Waco. In all likelihood, the Bears are heading to a perfect season and a spot in the college football playoff if they can beat Oklahoma in Norman in a few weeks.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame’s defense was surprisingly sloppy against North Carolina, but the quarterback Everett Golson continued to show why the Fighting Irish are just a different team when he is under center. He can beat teams with his arm and his legs, and most weeks, he provides all the offense this team needs to support a top-10 scoring defense. Notre Dame has been perfect so far, knocking off Stanford along the way. However, the Fighting Irish will define their season and their playoff hopes in the coming weeks, starting with a trip to Tallahassee to play Florida State this weekend. The showdown versus the Seminoles is one of three road games against ranked opponents that Notre Dame has left on its schedule.