The state of college sports in the United States stirs deep emotions among fans, whether joy or frustration. It’s undeniable that few other sports inspire such passionate reactions.

This past college football weekend highlighted these intense feelings, with scenes ranging from ecstatic players celebrating on the field to frustrated fans throwing items in anger. Such fervor inevitably leads to overreactions. We’re here to sift through some of the biggest reactions surrounding prominent teams, aiming to offer a broader perspective.

Here are the five most significant overreactions from Week 8.

Are Alabama’s Playoff Hopes Gone?

While it’s true that Alabama’s SEC championship ambitions might have slipped away following their second conference loss, they may still have a shot at the newly expanded 12-team playoff.

The Crimson Tide’s final three games in November look favorable. They have an easy matchup against Mercer from the Championship Subdivision, followed by key SEC games against Oklahoma and Auburn, both of which are currently struggling.

The next three weekends will be telling for Alabama, starting with a home game against Missouri and then an away game at LSU on November 9. Winning both would set them on a promising path to a 10-2 record, especially with a previous win against Georgia boosting their playoff resume. If they manage to win just one and finish at 9-3, their playoff eligibility becomes much less certain.

Whether Alabama could actually contend for the title if they make the playoffs remains a topic for another discussion. For now, we need to see how things unfold in the coming weeks. We understand that many fanbases aren’t known for their patience, but it might be premature to write off the Tide just yet.

Is Texas Returning to Mediocrity?

The perception of the Longhorns quickly shifted from favorites for the championship to doubts about their readiness for the new conference. The reality likely falls somewhere in between these extremes.

It’s been noted that the foundation that led to Texas’s No. 1 ranking was not as solid as once thought, especially in light of Oklahoma and Michigan having their own difficulties. However, it’s important to recognize that many teams have struggled against a driven Georgia squad. Recall the dramatic narratives surrounding Clemson after Week 1?

In summary, we should monitor how Texas handles this period of adversity, starting with a crucial game next week against a surprisingly competitive Vanderbilt.

Could Indiana Actually Win the Big Ten?

When head coach Curt Cignetti claimed that Indiana could win the Big Ten, many were skeptical. Yet, the Hoosiers have impressively rolled through their opponents, boasting a 7-0 record that has caught everyone’s attention.

However, a potential hurdle looms in their schedule. In the penultimate week of the season, they face Ohio State. While a win there isn’t out of the question, coming up short would mean losing a tie-breaker against the Buckeyes for a spot in the conference title game, assuming both teams win their remaining matches. Indiana’s schedule lacks heavyweights like Penn State and Oregon, presenting an opportunity to win most games, but devoid of chances to compensate for a loss to Ohio State.

That said, an 11-1 finish could provide Indiana with a compelling argument for an at-large playoff spot. Although this might seem overly optimistic for a program with limited historical success, it wouldn’t be surprising if they manage to achieve it.

Will Michigan Miss Out on a Bowl Game?

Meanwhile, the Wolverines, last year’s national champions in name only, are struggling to establish any offensive consistency.

November presents a tough challenge for Michigan, with their schedule featuring high-ranking opponents. Aside from a game against Northwestern, they face heavily favored matchups against Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State, even though the latter two games will be held at home in Ann Arbor. This makes next week’s rivalry game against Michigan State crucial if they hope to secure six wins for bowl eligibility. Unfortunately for them, the Spartans will not be an easy opponent, as they too have been improving under coach Jonathan Smith. Having recently demonstrated their ability to conquer tough defenses like Iowa, the Spartans will enter the Big House with confidence. While this matchup may not top the must-see list for the week, it is certainly one to watch, especially for bowl organizers associated with the Big Ten.

The Cougar Dilemma

30 for 30 voice: Imagine there’s a team without a connection to an FBS conference that stands a solid chance of finishing with an 11-1 record – and it’s not Notre Dame. While the Fighting Irish might also reach that mark, there’s another independent team that could present a unique challenge in the CFP.

Washington State, a former member of the Pac-12, has climbed to a 6-1 record, with its only loss being to Boise State. This is the same Boise State team that recently came very close to defeating the current top-ranked team. Alongside a hard-fought victory in the Apple Cup against former conference rival Washington, the Cougars also secured another win against Texas Tech from a Power Five conference.

However, there is some unfortunate news for the Cougars. Their victory over Texas Tech diminished in significance over the weekend when the Red Raiders suffered their first Big 12 loss at the hands of Baylor. The remaining teams on Washington State’s schedule don’t significantly boost their strength of schedule. It could benefit the Cougars if Boise State earned a playoff spot, but that might depend on Notre Dame defeating both Navy and Army to ensure they remain winless. Such outcomes would enhance Notre Dame’s chances as an at-large candidate, which could come at the expense of Washington State and other teams.

At this point, Washington State will need quite a number of favorable outcomes to be considered for the playoffs. Nevertheless, the unpredictability of this sport often brings surprises, so fans in the Palouse should keep an eye on developments.