College football's most important people in Week 8

After a dramatic Week 7, college football Week 8 brings us more matchups between ranked teams, headlined by No. 5 Georgia at No. 1 Texas. 

Here are Yardbarker's most important people to watch:.

Curt Cignetti | Indiana head coach

So far, Cignetti's "I win, Google me" comments have held up, as his No. 16 Hoosiers (6-0) are in prime position to challenge for the Big Ten title and sneak into the College Football Playoff. But he's not focused that far ahead.

"We're only halfway through the race, bro. No congratulations right now," Cignetti told the crew of "The Pat McAfee Show" on Wednesday.

Saturday's game at home against Nebraska (5-1) could solidify Indiana's quest to play for the Big Ten title in Indianapolis. Cignetti should be in the running for Big Ten Coach of the Year regardless of the result.

Kalen DeBoer | Alabama head coach

After a tumultuous two weeks in which No. 7 Alabama (5-1) almost lost two straight games for the first time since 2013-14, the Crimson Tide desperately need a win for the confidence of their players and fans. Head coach Kalen DeBoer has had tough shoes to fill after Nick Saban's retirement, but perhaps the expectations were too high for his first season at the helm.

Saturday's matchup at No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) could be a referendum for some on DeBoer's leadership in Tuscaloosa, with a loss likely sounding early alarm bells for the program.

Jalen Milroe | Alabama quarterback

On top of the immense pressure on his head coach, Milroe must overcome his recent poor play. He has four interceptions in his past three games — subpar for a player once viewed as a Heisman favorite.

"I feel pretty confident," Milroe told reporters Wednesday. "It's just all about preparation."

Tennessee's defense ranks No. 2 in the nation, allowing just 170.2 yards per game. Milroe has averaged 247.2 passing yards per game this season, so something must give Saturday.

Josh Heupel | Tennessee head coach

The Volunteers have only won once in the past 17 meetings against the Crimson Tide, a 52-49 win in 2022. 

"This is a really good football team that we’re playing," Heupel said Wednesday, perhaps overlooking Alabama's loss to Vanderbilt and narrow win over South Carolina. 

Tennessee is averaging 42 points but hasn't hit anywhere near that mark in its past three games. Alabama's defense doesn't rank in the top 50 and this could be an opportunity for the Volunteers to unleash their early-season explosiveness at home against a top-10 opponent.

Everyone in the No. 5 Georgia v. No. 1 Texas game

OK, we're cheating with this one, but it's a historic matchup that hasn't happened in the regular season since Sept. 20, 1958, when Dwight Eisenhower was president, Elvis Presley rocked on the radio and gas cost 30 cents a gallon.

Everyone involved has a major part to play and just one mistake could cost either team dearly in the College Football Playoff race. Texas is 6-0, but for head coach Steve Sarkisian and quarterback Quinn Ewers, this will be their toughest defense faced to date. Georgia (5-1) ranks 27th in the FBS on defense. Expect head coach Kirby Smart to dial up the pressure on Ewers.

Brent Venables | Oklahoma head coach

After getting embarrassed 34-3 by No. 1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry, Oklahoma (4-2) faces a tough South Carolina team (3-3) that nearly topped Alabama in Week 7. Head coach Brent Venables needs this win to show there's still fight in his program and to avoid feeling his seat getting warm in Norman.

In response to the team's recent offensive woes, Venables revealed to ESPN on Tuesday that he considered redshirting his sophomore quarterback Jackson Arnold, who was benched for freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. against Texas.

"I feel that it's only right to give Mike the opportunity to be the quarterback and to have a body of work that says he either is or isn't the right guy," Venables said.

A quarterback controversy is the last thing the Sooners need in a season that is quickly slipping away from them.

Jeff Monken | Army head coach

Sitting at 6-0, No. 23 Army is ranked for the first time since 2020, but Monken must navigate his team through a potential trap game at East Carolina (3-3).

"It’s a source of pride for our academy, the United States Army, for our fans and our players and their families,” Monken told the AP on Thursday of the ranking. “I’m proud of the guys for what they have done to this point."

However, that didn't stop Monken from taking a shot at No. 25 Navy (5-0). He acknowledged the historic rivals could play twice this season — perhaps in the American Athletic Conference title game.

Blake Horvath | Navy quarterback

Speaking of the Midshipmen, Navy joins its rival in the Top 25 for the first time since 1960 and has been submarining under the radar for the most part this season. Quarterback Blake Horvath is a dual-threat — leading the team in passing and rushing — and could launch a dark-horse candidacy for the Heisman Trophy (10 rushing touchdowns and seven passing on 1,336 total yards).

A win over Charlotte (3-3) on Saturday would put Navy on a potential collision course with Army in the AAC championship game. But its annual bout with Notre Dame looms in Week 9, making a win this weekend all the more important.

Sherrone Moore | Michigan head coach

Replacing Jim Harbaugh after winning a national championship was never going to be easy for Michigan, but the poor play of the No. 24 Wolverines (4-2) is surprising. A non-competitive loss to Texas at home and an upset by Big Ten newcomer Washington (4-2) on the road have derailed Michigan's hopes of defending its title.

"It’s not time to panic, but we have to evaluate what we need to do and how we need to operate," Moore said in a news conference Monday.

Two quarterback changes and a reshuffled offensive line after a bye smacks of a bit of a panic in Ann Arbor.

Travis Hunter | Colorado wide receiver/cornerback

The two-way star suffered a shoulder injury in Colorado's 31-28 loss to No. 17 Kansas State (5-1) and may have been passed in the Heisman race by Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Saturday's game at Arizona (3-3) will be a closely watched bounce-back opportunity for Hunter and Colorado (4-2). 

The two-way star is expected to play despite his injury.

"I know I can win [the Heisman]," Hunter told the "Outta Pocket Podcast with RGIII" on Wednesday. "We haven’t seen a player that plays both ways and I’m gonna keep saying that."

In six games, Hunter has 322 snaps on offense and 341 on defense. He leads the Big 12 with 49 receptions and his team with 587 yards receiving and six touchdowns.