These college football teams losing in Week 8 could benefit Ole Miss

Ole Miss is 5-2 at the halfway point of the season, entering their first bye week. The new 12-team playoff means the Rebels season is not dead, but they must win their final five games to secure a spot. They may not have a game in Week 8, but teams around them do. Here are several teams that, if they lose, could benefit Ole Miss.

Big SEC Conference games that impact Ole Miss

There are several all-ranked SEC games today, with a gigantic one in the night slot. No. 1 Texas faces No. 5 Georgia, a game that plenty of the media tipped as the 2024 SEC Championship game. The Longhorns are unbeaten, but Georgia has one loss at the hands of Alabama. As Texas is unbeaten, a win for them would move the Bulldogs to 5-2, the same record as Ole Miss. The Rebels face Kirby Smart's team in Week 11, which would be significant if both teams are at two-losses.

The other big game is No. 7 Alabama against No. 11 Tennessee, both 5-1 teams. Despite Alabama beating Georgia, they were shocked by Vanderbilt in Week 6 and nearly made it back-to-back losses against South Carolina last weekend. Tennessee lost to Arkansas in Week 6 and sneaked past their opponents, Florida, in Week 7. Both teams have challenging games to come, but Tennessee may be the more significant threat to a later playoff spot, so possibly an Alabama win would be more beneficial.

Fresh off their win over Ole Miss, No. 8 LSU heads to Fayetteville to face Arkansas, who have already beaten a top 10 team. A win for Arkansas would move LSU to 2-1 in conference play. Texas A&M, who have sneakingly gone about their business since losing in Week 1 against Notre Dame, are 3-0 in conference play. They travel to Mississippi State, which pushed Georgia last week. Playing on the road is never easy in the SEC, so LSU and Texas A&M may not have it their way.

Which teams outside the SEC are a threat?

No. 13-ranked BYU stayed unbeaten last night, beating Oklahoma State. Iowa State is the other unbeaten team in the Big 12 Conference, and they are likely to stay that way, facing UCF at home today. In the ACC, Miami and Pittsburgh are still unbeaten, with Clemson ranked higher than Pitt. Pitt is 5-1, with a loss to Georgia. Clemson is 4-0 in the ACC and is heavy favourites against Virginia today.

As it stands, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State look to be securing three of those playoff spots unless we see a complete meltdown during the remaining games. The question is, can Indiana make it four? They face Nebraska at home today with a win essential. The Hoosiers have Ohio State and Michigan to come, so no slip-ups before then will give them a big chance. A Cornhuskers win today may help Ole Miss.

Of course, Ole Miss needs to handle its business from now until the end of the season. Less than five wins will not cut it for Lane Kiffin's team. If the above teams can slip to two losses or more and the Rebels finish 10-2, it could make life easier.