No. 6 Oklahoma (7-0, 4-0) breathed a sigh of reduction because it escaped catastrophe and defeated UCF (3-4, 0-4) 31-29 Saturday in Norman, preserving its College Football Playoff hopes alive.

The Sooners reduction turned to pleasure as they witnessed former OU head coach Lincoln Riley and No. 24 USC endure its second defeat of the season to No. 13 Utah 34-32, possible eliminating the Trojans from playoff competition.

Here’s a take a look at how different College Football Playoff contenders carried out in Week 8:

No. 1 Georgia: Bye week

No. 2 Michigan 49, Michigan State 0

The No. 2 Wolverines (8-0, 5-0 Big 10) simply took care of enterprise in opposition to Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) to stay excellent on the season.

Michigan is looking for its third consecutive playoff look after struggling a 51-45 loss to TCU within the Fiesta Bowl, the semifinals of the playoff, final season. The Wolverines have 4 video games remaining together with a visit to face No. 7 Penn State and a season-finale in opposition to No. 3 Ohio State.

No. 3 Ohio State 20, No. 10 Penn State 12

The solely Top-10 matchup of the week featured the No. 3 Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big 10) defeating No. 7 Penn State (6-1, 3-1) in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio State narrowly escaped then-No. 9 Notre Dame 17-14 on a game-winning landing with lower than 10 seconds left earlier within the season, and now finds themselves with 4 consecutive matchups in opposition to unranked opponents.

The Buckeyes largest check will probably be touring to face No. 2 Michigan, which, if each groups are undefeated heading into the matchup, will determine who makes the Big 10 Championship sport out of the Big 10 East.

As for the Nittany Lions, their path to the Big 10 Championship and seemingly the playoff includes not solely profitable out, defeating Michigan within the course of, however hoping the Wolverines take down the Buckeyes, making for a three-way tie on the prime of the East standings.

No. 4 Florida State 38, No. 20 Duke 20

Florida State captured a 38-20 victory in opposition to No. 20 Duke on Saturday to stay 7-0 and fourth within the AP Poll. FSU’s resume is boosted by a ranked-win in opposition to then-No. 5 LSU in its season-opener. Florida State has 5 video games remaining, all of that are in opposition to unranked opponents. Its largest check will come on the highway in opposition to Florida (5-2, 3-1 SEC) in its season finale.

No. 5 Washington 15, Arizona State 7

The Huskies escaped with a win in opposition to Arizona State (1-6, 0-4 Pac-12) at residence regardless of not taking their first lead of the sport till the 8:11 mark of the fourth quarter. Washington took down then-No. 8 Oregon 36-33 the earlier week and presently sits in first place in a hotly-contested convention.

The Huskies nonetheless should face No. 24 USC and No. 11 Oregon State on the highway and No. 13 Utah at residence. All three of these matchups will come on consecutive weeks.

No. 7 Texas 31, Houston 24

After taking an early 21-0 lead, Texas fought off a comeback effort by Houston to safe an important victory. Despite their loss to the Sooners within the Red River Rivalry, the Longhorns nonetheless seem to have a path to the College Football Playoff with a win over then-No. 3 Alabama boosting their resume. Texas has 5 video games remaining, all of that are in opposition to unranked foes, earlier than they hope to look within the Big 12 Championship and seemingly get an opportunity at redemption in opposition to OU.

No. 8 Oregon 38, Washington State 24

The Ducks dealt with enterprise in opposition to Washington State to stay a one-loss staff heading into Week 9. Oregon will now journey to face No. 13 Utah in a sport which ought to get rid of one Pac-12 staff from playoff competition.

No. 9 Alabama 34, No. 21 Tennessee

The Crimson Tide bought revenge from final season’s upset loss to Tennessee. Despite trailing 20-7 at halftime, Alabama held the Volunteers scoreless en path to placing up 27 unanswered second-half factors. Aside from their early-season loss to Texas, the Crimson Tide are nonetheless clinging to playoff hopes and have an opportunity to spice up their resume of their subsequent contest in opposition to No. 15 LSU.