Tennessee (4-4, 2-3 SEC) lost at No. 4 Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC), 52-24, Saturday.
The Vols have victories against Bowling Green and Tennessee Tech, at Missouri and against South Carolina under first-year head coach Josh Heupel. Tennessee lost to Pittsburgh, at Florida, Ole Miss and at Alabama.
Tennessee has an open date in Week 9.
Below is the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll following Week 8.
Full USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll:
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | Georgia | 7-0 | 1,600 (64) | – |
| 2 | Cincinnati | 7-0 | 1,469 | +1 |
| 3 | Alabama | 7-1 | 1,439 | +1 |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 8-0 | 1,430 | -2 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 6-1 | 1,338 | – |
| 6 | Michigan | 7-0 | 1,313 | – |
| 7 | Michigan State | 7-0 | 1,208 | – |
| 8 | Oregon | 6-1 | 1,139 | +2 |
| 9 | Ole Miss | 6-1 | 1,019 | +3 |
| 10 | Iowa | 6-1 | 1,008 | +1 |
| 11 | Notre Dame | 6-1 | 950 | +2 |
| 12 | Kentucky | 6-1 | 857 | +1 |
| 13 | Wake Forest | 7-0 | 838 | +2 |
| 14 | Texas A&M | 6-2 | 736 | +3 |
| 15 | Oklahoma State | 6-1 | 684 | -6 |
| 16 | SMU | 7-0 | 535 | +3 |
| 17 | Penn State | 5-2 | 517 | -9 |
| 18 | Baylor | 6-1 | 509 | +2 |
| 19 | Pittsburgh | 6-1 | 487 | +4 |
| 20 | San Diego State | 7-0 | 431 | +1 |
| 21 | Auburn | 5-2 | 418 | +1 |
| 22 | UT-San Antonio | 8-0 | 219 | +3 |
| 23 | Iowa State | 5-2 | 190 | +3 |
| 24 | Coastal Carolina | 6-1 | 134 | -8 |
| 25 | North Carolina State | 5-2 | 73 | -7 |
Dropped from the rankings:
No. 24 Clemson
Others receiving votes:
UL Lafayette 42; Brigham Young 42; Arkansas 41; Houston 27; Arizona State 27; Virginia 23; Oregon State 13; Florida 13; Fresno State 10; Air Force 9; Appalachian State 5; Texas 3; Liberty 3; Utah 1