Penn State’s swoon, Alabama’s boom among the 10 things we learned in Week 8 of the college football season

Here are 10 things we learned from Week 8:

Humiliating loss to Illinois ends Penn State’s playoff run

Even with a Football Bowl Subdivision-record nine overtimes, Penn State couldn’t find a way to get past Illinois. The Nittany Lions only managed 10 points in regulation as quarterback Sean Clifford looked a shell of his former self. The loss effectively ends PSU’s chance of a Big Ten title and a shot at the College Football Playoffs.

Oregon still very much in playoff mix

Oregon rallied from a 14-0 deficit and then needed to hang on for dear life to outlast an upset-minded UCLA. The Ducks remain the top team in the Pac-12 and, with Penn State and Oklahoma State losing and Ohio State and Michigan yet to face off, find themselves sitting on the outside of the top four heading into the final week of October.

Iowa State heating up at right time

After another rough September, Iowa State finds itself right back in the Big 12 picture after winning three straight games including a win over No. 8 Oklahoma State. The Cyclones, who are 16-6 in October under coach Matt Campbell including a 6-2 mark against ranked teams, still have a meeting with Oklahoma looming in November.

Oklahoma’s issues go far deeper than quarterback

So much has been made about the quarterback controversy between Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams but the Sooners have bigger issues after the defense surrendered 23 points and 412 yards to a poor offensive team in Kansas. It was the fourth straight game in which OU has allowed 400-plus yards.

Alabama makes statement

Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M two weeks ago knocked the Crimson Tide out of the top spot and left many doubting whether Nick Saban’s team could contend for a playoff spot. But after back-and-forth first half against Tennessee, Bryce Young scored two touchdowns as Alabama had 28 points in the fourth quarter to put away the Volunteers and move one step closer to an SEC West title.

Big Ten supremacy comes down to next week

Penn State’s loss to Illinois might have taken some of the lusters out of next week’s meeting with Ohio State but it doesn’t change the fact next week’s game along with Michigan State’s visit to Michigan would go far in clearing a muddled picture in the Big Ten race.

Pitt’s Kenny Pickett strengthens case for Heisman

The Pittsburgh quarterback added to his already impressive resume by passing for 302 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Panthers past Clemson. Pickett has thrown 23 touchdowns with one interception and could find himself in the mix for the Heisman Trophy with a strong finish in a weak ACC.

Clemson’s season takes another disappointing turn

While it’s too soon to write off Clemson’s football dynasty, it was another tough turn for the Tigers, who suffered their third loss to Pittsburgh. Dabo Swinney benched QB D.J. Uiagalelei in hopes of finding a spark but it never happened as the Tigers find themselves going from national-title contender to biggest disappointment in 2021.

Lane Kiffin should be among LSU coaching options

As LSU moves past Ed Orgeron, the Tigers needed to look no further than across the field Saturday for their next possible coach. Lane Kiffin guided Ole Miss to a double-digit win over LSU, moving the Rebels into a top-10 ranking with losses by Penn State and Oklahoma State. Kiffin’s offensive IQ coupled with LSU’s resources would be enough to return the Tigers to national prominence.

Purdue couldn’t handle spotlight

A week after upsetting No. 2 Iowa and finding itself ranked for the first time since 2007, Purdue lost 30-13 at home to Wisconsin. The Badgers forced 5 turnovers and had 6 sacks while limiting the Boilermakers to 206 yards. It was the 15th straight loss in the series and sent Jeff Brohm’s team out of the top 25.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com

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