College football scores: Takeaways for every Top 25 team after Week 8

16. NC State (L 41-7 vs. Clemson) – After close games in recent years, NC State wasn’t even close in this game as Clemson put the Wolfpack away early with a 24-0 lead at halftime. Ryan Finley threw a pair of interceptions as the team turned it over three times in total and were 2-12 on third down and 0-2 on fourth down in a game they had no chance. This ends their slim chances of winning the ACC or sneaking in the Playoff.

17. Texas A&M – Idle. Next: At Mississippi State on Oct. 27.

18. Penn State (W 33-28 vs. Indiana) – The Hoosiers aren’t but, but I don’t think the Nittany Lions are that great. This is a win that kinda feels a little bit like a loss. Sure, Trace McSorley had a solid game, running for a team-high 107 yards and two touchdowns while adding 220 yards passing, but there’s just something missing with this team. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Penn State drop a few spots in the AP Top 25 despite the win.

19. Iowa (W 23-0 vs. Iowa) – We already know Iowa is one of the most underrated and underappreciated teams in the country this year. I don’t expect their 23-0 win over Maryland to change that perception all that much despite holding the Terps to a paltry 115 yards on offense, including only 46 through the air.

20. Cincinnati (L 24-17 OT vs. Temple) – Another undefeated team has fallen. Cincinnati was shutout in the fourth quarter and overtime and committed three turnovers in the overtime loss to Temple. They will most assuredly fall out of the Top 25 and their conference title hopes took a significant blow.

21. South Florida (W 38-30 vs. UConn) – Another case of when a win feels like a loss. USF has talent, but they shouldn’t be sweating out games against UConn, arguably the worst team in the nation. Don’t be surprised if the Bulls drop a few spots despite the win to remain undefeated.

22. Mississippi State (L 19-3 vs. LSU) – The Bulldogs will fall back out of the AP Top 25 after a really bad showing at LSU. Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is one of the best running quarterbacks, but he can’t throw the ball with any sort of effectiveness or efficiency. Fitzgerald had four interceptions to only eight completions in the loss.

23. Wisconsin (W 49-20 vs. Illinois) – Badgers got back on track after pulling away from Illinois in the second half. It was a classic Wisconsin win as Jonathan Taylor and Taiwan Deal topped the century mark rushing as the Badgers ran for 357 and four touchdowns as a team. Plus, Alex Hornibrook shook off a pair of interceptions to toss three touchdowns.

24. Michigan State (L 21-7 vs. Michigan) – Spartans couldn’t get anything going offensively vs. the Wolverines. Spartans had 94 yards of offense and only 15 rushing despite the return of L.J. Scott to the lineup. If not for a fumble recovery inside the Michigan 10, Michigan State gets shutout.

25. Washington State (W 34-20 vs. Oregon) – The crowd was ready for this game at 6 a.m. and the energy didn’t wane late into the night. Gardner Minshew might be playing his way into the Heisman conversation after the nation’s leading passer threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns in the win. They might be the only hope the Pac-12 has of a Playoff spot.