Monday Tailgate: Poll history at the season's midpoint

After seven weeks of college football, we've reached the unofficial halfway point of the season with most teams having played six games. By this point, everybody has started conference play and we start to get a feel for where teams actually stand.

Thus, we decided to take a look at the Week 8 Coaches Poll from every year dating back to 2002, and break down the ranked teams by conference.

2013: 7 SEC teams, 4 Big 12, 4 Pac-12, 4 ACC, 3 Big Ten, 1 AAC, 1 MWC, 1 MAC

2012: 7 SEC, 5 Big 12, 5 Pac-12, 3 Big East, 2 ACC, 1 Big Ten, 1 MWC, 1 Independent

2011: 6 Big Ten, 5 SEC, 4 Big 12, 4 Pac-12, 3 ACC, 1 Big East, 1 MWC, 1 C-USA

2010: 6 SEC, 5 Big 12, 4 Big Ten, 3 Pac-10, 3 ACC, 2 MWC, 1 Big East, 1 WAC

2009: 5 SEC, 4 Big 12, 3 ACC, 3 Big East, 3 Big Ten, 3 MWC, 2 Pac-10, 1 WAC, 1 C-USA

2008: 6 Big 12, 5 SEC, 3 ACC, 3 Big Ten, 3 MWC, 2 Pac-10, 1 Big East, 1 WAC, 1 MAC

2007: 7 SEC, 5 Big 12, 4 Pac-10, 3 ACC, 3 Big East, 2 Big Ten, 1 WAC

2006: 6 SEC, 4 Big 12, 4 Big Ten, 3 ACC, 3 Pac-10, 3 Big East, 1 WAC, 1 Independent

2005: 6 SEC, 5 ACC, 5 Big Ten, 4 Pac-10, 2 Big 12, 1 Big East, 1 MWC, 1 Independent

2004: 5 SEC, 5 Big Ten, 4 Big 12, 3 ACC, 3 Pac-10, 2 C-USA, 1 Big East, 1 MWC, 1 WAC

2003: 7 Big Ten, 4 Big 12, 4 SEC, 3 Pac-10, 3 Big East, 2 ACC, 1 C-USA, 1 MAC

2002: 5 SEC, 5 Pac-10, 5 Big Ten, 4 Big 12, 2 ACC, 2 Big East, 1 MWC, 1 Independent

(Keep realignment in mind, notably Miami and Virginia Tech moving from the Big East to the ACC in 2004 and Nebraska moving from the Big 12 to the Big Ten in 2011)

Some interesting findings:

- Out of the 12 years, the SEC had the most ranked teams on nine separate occasions. The conference was tied with the Pac-10 and Big Ten in 2002.

- Every SEC team (including 2012 additions Texas A&M and Missouri since joining) has been ranked in Week 8 at least once dating back to 2002. Yes, even Kentucky.

- From 2008-2010, the Mountain West had more ranked teams than at least one BCS conference.

- Five SEC teams have been the highest-ranked in the conference. Alabama (2013, 2012, 2008), LSU (2011, 2007, 2003), Auburn (2010, 2006, 2004), Florida (2009), Georgia (2005, 2002)

- Five coaches remain from the Week 8 poll back in 2002: Mack Brown (Texas), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Frank Beamer (Virginia Tech), Mark Richt (Georgia) and Kirk Ferentz (Iowa).

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- Is the SEC's streak of seven consecutive national championships in jeopardy? With a clump of closely-matched teams below Alabama, Dan Wolken takes a look at the SEC's disaster scenario.

- Saturday brought the dream of an undefeated season for Oklahoma crashing to the ground, which is why their fanbase ranks No. 1 in this week's Misery Index.

- No. 4 Clemson vs. No. 5 Florida State on Saturday will be without a doubt, the biggest football game in ACC history.

- Drake watched Texas A&M's game on Saturday while wearing a customized Johnny Manziel jersey with Manziel's name on it. "Oh, you fancy, huh?"

Follow Jesse Yomtov on Twitter @JesseYomtov

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