Five ranked CFB teams feeling most pressure to win in Week 8

Week 8 of college football features five encounters between nearly all top-25 teams. It will be another Saturday chock full of enticing matchups, as the 2025 campaign moves into its second half.

Pressure is mounting on ranked squads to continue winning, as they set their sights on the 12-team College Football Playoff or top-tier bowl games.

Below are five teams that will face the most pressure to emerge victorious over their opponents. They are listed in inverse order.

All games in Eastern Standard Time.

5. No. 10 LSU (5-1 overall, 2-1 in SEC)

vs. No. 17 Vanderbilt, noon

The Tigers head to Nashville to battle Vanderbilt in an SEC showdown. Winning on the road is hardly easy, but LSU wants to avoid a second conference loss. If the Commodores prevail, it wouldn't necessarily knock the Tigers entirely out of the CFP picture, but a win against Vanderbilt would be huge for LSU's chances.

4. No. 12 Georgia Tech (6-0 overall, 3-0 in ACC)

vs. Duke, noon

The Yellow Jackets head to Duke in a crucial ACC clash. Both Georgia Tech and the Blue Devils are 3-0 in conference competition, and each team wants to avoid a setback. Georgia Tech has had some close games this season, and the Yellow Jackets are trying to keep pace with No. 2 Miami, which hosts Louisville on Friday.

3. No. 15 BYU (6-0 overall, 3-0 in Big 12)

vs. No. 23 Utah, 8 p.m. 

The Cougars will host Utah in a key Big 12 contest. BYU, No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 24 Cincinnati are all 3-0 in conference play, while Utah is 2-1. The Cougars want to stay on top, and beating a ranked foe is great for their resume. BYU will feel even more pressure on its home turf.

2. No. 9 Georgia (5-1 overall, 3-1 in SEC)

vs. No. 5 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs will host Ole Miss in a huge SEC affair. Heading into Week 8, Ole Miss, No. 6 Alabama and No. 4 Texas A&M are undefeated in league games. A loss to Ole Miss doesn't mean Georgia is completely out of the CFP picture; however, the Bulldogs would find themselves two games back in the loss column if that were to occur. At home on Saturday, Georgia must upset the Rebels.

1. No. 13 Notre Dame (4-2 overall)

vs. No. 20 Southern California, 7:30 p.m.

It's simple. Should Notre Dame lose to Southern California on Saturday, the Fighting Irish are almost guaranteed to be eliminated from CFP consideration after reaching the championship game last season. Notre Dame suffered consecutive defeats to Miami and Texas A&M to start the year. Since then, the Fighting Irish have rattled off four straight wins. The team's upcoming schedule doesn't contain any heavyweight foes, and Notre Dame must take care of business against the Trojans at home.