Phil Steele's Top 12 College Football Teams That Will Surprise Going Into Week 8

As the 2026 college football season approaches, USA TODAY Sports assembled a 10-voter panel to power rank the top 25 head coaches in the country. Following a chaotic expanded playoff season and a wild coaching carousel, the master list features major shifts across every power conference. From established heavyweights holding down the top tier to rising program builders like Rhett Lashlee, Jon Sumrall, Clark Lea, Josh Heupel, and Sonny Dykes cracking the rankings, we break down every coach's career record, key achievements, and 2026 outlook. Check out our full 25-coach power rankings to see where your team's leader sits.

USA TODAY's Top 25 College Football Coaches Going Into Week 8

Following dramatic Week 7 upsets across the 2026 college football season, we audit scoring efficiency, yardage metrics, top-25 poll movements, and marquee results to predict the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Highlighted by Ohio State claiming the #1 overall seed, Miami, Georgia, and Notre Dame holding top-four 1st-round byes, BYU surging after upsetting the Irish, and UCLA crashing the bracket at 6-0, we break down every projected matchup. Check out our full Week 8 projections.

Predicting the 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 8

ESPN Ranks College Football's 6 Undefeated Teams by Strength of Schedule Right Now

Predicting the 1st Loss for All 9 Undefeated College Football Teams Heading Into Week 7

UMass, a noted underdog, secured its first significant win in years, outplaying Big 10&#039;s Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights&#039; season feels over before it begins.

UMass Triumphs Over Rutgers: A Historic Underdog Victory

UMass, previously ranked as the worst team, achieved their first win since 2024 by defeating Rutgers 37-21, showcasing a major upset in college football.

UMass Stuns Rutgers in a Shocking 37-21 Football Victory

Georgia Tech and Colorado are poised for a shootout with their strong offenses and weaker defenses. Matt Perrault gives his picks and betting predictions.

Georgia Tech vs. Colorado: Expect a High-Scoring Game

LATEST Zachary Anderson NEWS

Miami tops the AP rankings for the first time since 2002, but defensive concerns, BYU&#039;s rise and a heated Notre Dame showdown could reshape the rankings.

Miami Hurricanes Rise to No. 1 as Notre Dame Looms

A 24-team playoff could make college football&#039;s regular season less meaningful, reward three-loss teams, weaken conference titles and prioritize profit.

How a 24-Team Playoff Could Dilute College Football

Florida&#039;s defense and backup quarterback powered a road upset of Texas, raising fresh doubts about Arch Manning&#039;s performance, development and NFL future.

Florida Stuns Texas as Arch Manning Struggles Again

John Browner passionately discusses Texas football&#039;s struggles, Arch Manning&#039;s performance, and the joy of seeing Texas lose as their struggles continue.

Texas Football's Downfall: Why Arch Manning Isn't the Answer

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View the profile of UMass Minutemen OL Zachary Anderson on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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#55 · UMASS · OL