There are eight unbeaten teams remaining in college football.
That number is two fewer than last week, as North Carolina and Penn State both dropped their first games of the season.
PODCAST: Do we have any more clarity after some major week eight decisions?
The lone 8-0 team is No. 2 Michigan, and the Wolverines have held their spot in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll each week this season. Michigan is No. 1 in scoring defense in the NCAA holding opponents to 5.88 points per game.
Here are some noteworthy quotes as focus turns from Week 8 to Week 9.
Tony Elliott, Virginia
The Cavaliers added a notch under their belt with a 31-27 defeat of the then-No. 10 Tar Heels.
It served as a milestone victory under second-year head coach Tony Elliott, who previously served as the offensive coordinator at Clemson. He’s no stranger to a big game.
So after receiver Malik Washington hauled in the go-ahead touchdown and James Jackson intercepted North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, Elliott and Virginia enjoyed plenty of celebration after the game.
“It’s awesome,” Elliott said. “For me, it’s really just the sounds, the smiles, the smell, just everything about it being present in the moment, and that’s what you coach for is an opportunity to see your guys celebrate victory and more so just a confirmation of all the work that they put in. The belief that they that they had for 60 minutes, just the hard days that they’ve been through to all culminate to experience that joy in the locker room. So it’s an experience that’s hard to describe but that’s why you coach to see these young men experience joy like that.”
Greg Schiano, Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights are going bowling.
Head coach Greg Schiano and Rutgers clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2014 after beating Indiana on the road 31-14. The Scarlet Knights were a COVID replacement team in the Gator Bowl in 2020.
Schiano was seen in the locker room postgame delivering a long-awaited message to the Scarlet Knights team.
“Nothing matters to us. We just stay on that spot, right? This is a big, big step for the program. There’s no doubt about it guys, right? It’s been a while this program’s been bowl eligible. What did I say?” Schiano said. “So that feels good. I can’t tell you how proud I am of the way you guys fought through eight straight weeks, the eighth week being on the road after an emotional win. All the things that coaches lose sleep over. You son of a guns. You battled together. Let’s have a little celebration on this plate ride home.”
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Utah has had USC’s number over the past two seasons.
The Utes earned another victory over the Trojans on Saturday, their fourth-consecutive dating back to the 2020 season.
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The Trojans had their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams under center for them this time around, and Utah was without starting quarterback Cam Rising who has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to injury.
Utah backup Bryson Barnes did his best to outduel Williams, throwing for 235 yards, three touchdowns and an interception to Williams’ 256 yards and 70.6% completion.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham affirmed belief in Barnes after the game.
“They got a Heisman Trophy-winner at quarterback and so they’re going to make some things and that’s just the way it is, but we got ourselves a pig farmer at quarterback so we’re proud of that guy too and they love him,” Whittingham said.
