College Football Power Index Week 8: Ohio State Returns to No. 1

Ohio State Reclaims the No. 1 Spot in ESPN College Football Power Index

Ohio State University has recaptured the No. 1 ranking in ESPN’s Football Power Index following a Week 8 bye, leading a shifting national championship picture that also features prominent moves by Notre Dame, Miami, Georgia, and Alabama, DAZN reported. The Football Power Index, which measures a team’s true strength on a net point scale projecting expected point margins against an average opponent on a neutral field, places the Buckeyes at the top with a rating of 28.2 and a projected record of 10.8-2.0.

Buckeyes Lose Starting Quarterback Julian Sayin Indefinitely to Arm Injury

The return to the top of the index comes with a significant roster complication for Ohio State. DAZN reported that quarterback Julian Sayin suffered an injury to his throwing arm that will sideline him for an indefinite period. Coach Ryan Day expects the starting quarterback to miss several weeks, according to TFE Times. The absence of Sayin alters the immediate outlook for the Buckeyes as they prepare to face the University of Maryland on Saturday, marking the first time the team will start a game without him since 2024. Ohio State enters the matchup following a narrow 19-15 road victory over Indiana that snapped the Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak, a contest punctuated by a key 38-yard touchdown reception from Jeremiah Smith, as noted by TFE Times.

Fighting Irish and Hurricanes Hold Steady in Top Three

Notre Dame Fighting Irish occupy the No. 2 spot in the power index with a rating of 27.7, also coming off a bye week. DAZN reported that the Fighting Irish currently hold a 25.2% chance of reaching the National Championship and a 14.8% probability of winning it, following a hard-fought loss to BYU in Provo two weeks prior. Notre Dame now prepares for a historic rivalry game against Navy in Foxborough on Saturday, reviving a series that dates back to 1927. Meanwhile, the Miami Hurricanes sit at No. 3 with a 27.5 FPI rating after defeating Pittsburgh 52-23 to preserve their undefeated record. Miami is yet to face a ranked opponent before an upcoming clash with Notre Dame, the Hurricanes boast a 32.5% chance of making the National Championship according to ESPN projections.

Georgia and Alabama Navigate Recovery After Recent Setbacks

The Georgia Bulldogs hold the No. 4 position in the index with a 26.4 rating following a bye week that succeeded a 27-24 loss to Auburn in Athens. Quarterback Gunner Stockton turned the ball over twice in that defeat, though the Bulldogs still retain a 79.7% chance of making the playoffs and a 12.7% chance of winning the national title. Georgia faces the University of Florida in Atlanta on Saturday for only their second matchup against a ranked opponent this season. Further down the rankings at No. 5 with a 24.5 rating, the Alabama Crimson Tide hold a 6-2 record after defeating Texas A&M 31-20 behind three touchdowns from Keelon Russell. Despite a less-than-ideal record, DAZN reported that Alabama holds a 62.8% probability of reaching the playoffs ahead of their weekend bye and a subsequent road game against LSU in Baton Rouge.

Unresolved Questions Facing Top Contenders Ahead of Saturday Matchups

As the college football season advances past Week 8, critical uncertainties remain across the top tier of the rankings. Ohio State must test its depth under center against Maryland while managing the indefinite recovery timeline for Julian Sayin's throwing arm. At the same time, Miami seeks to validate its unbeaten status against North Carolina without having yet tested its roster against a currently ranked opponent. With the college football season underway, teams like Georgia and Alabama face pressure to maintain their positioning according to the FPI.