College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 7
You saw what last weekend's college football craziness did to the polls. That's nothing compared to how much upheaval befell the Bleacher Report power rankings.
Teams jumped and fell all over the place after a Week 6 schedule that saw seven unbeaten teams and 11 ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 suffer a loss. The shake-up in the polls, as well as in computer rankings, led to major movement from last week to now.
Our power rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ledger and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams are ranked heading into Week 7 and then give us your take in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
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The bottom rung of FBS is where you'll find most of the non-power conference teams, but a few schools from the bigger leagues have dropped into here because of their play this season. Leading that list, if you want to call it that, is Kansas, which a week after firing coach Charlie Weis managed only 176 yards in a 33-14 loss at West Virginia. It was the Jayhawks' 26th straight road defeat.
Other power-conference teams hunkered down in the bottom quadrant include Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Illinois, the last of which fell to 1-17 in Big Ten games under coach Tim Beckman after losing 38-27 at home to Purdue.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (1-4)
- 127. Idaho (0-5)
- 126. Troy (0-5)
- 125. Georgia State (1-4)
- 124. Massachusetts (0-6)
- 123. UNLV (1-5)
- 122. New Mexico State (2-4)
- 121. Kent State (0-5)
- 120. Appalachian State (1-4)
- 119. SMU (0-5)
- 117. (tie) Tulsa (1-4)
- 117. (tie) Miami, Ohio (1-5). The RedHawks ended a 21-game losing streak, the longest active skid in FBS, with a thrilling 42-41 win over Massachusetts. Miami trailed 41-14 late in the second quarter but won on a one-yard Andrew Hendrix touchdown run with 2:58 left. Hendrix, a Notre Dame transfer, also threw for 389 yards and four TDs.
- 116. Southern Mississippi (2-4)
- 115. Connecticut (1-4)
- 114. Tulane (1-4)
- 113. Old Dominion (3-3)
- 112. UTEP (2-3)
- 111. Florida Atlantic (2-4)
- 110. Ohio (3-3)
- 109. Kansas (2-3)
- 105. (tie) Wake Forest (2-4)
- 105. (tie) New Mexico (2-3). The Lobos entered their game at UTSA among the worst in the nation in total and rushing defense, but then held the Roadrunners to 112 rushing yards and 341 total in a 21-9 road win.
- 105. (tie) Buffalo (3-3)
- 105. (tie) Army (2-3)
- 104. Louisiana-Monroe (3-2)
- 103. Ball State (1-4)
- 101. (tie) Louisiana-Lafayette (2-3)
- 101. (tie) Hawaii (1-4)
- 100. Texas State (3-2)
- 99. Western Michigan 92-3)
- 98. Florida International (3-3). The Golden Panthers tripled their win total from a year ago with a 38-10 win over rival Florida Atlantic. FIU scored the game's final 24 points, with Richard Leonard's 100-yard fumble return touchdown late in the third quarter sparking the victory.
- 96. (tie) Vanderbilt (1-5)
- 96. (tie) Central Michigan (3-3)
- 95. South Florida (2-3)
- 94. UTSA (1-4)
- 91. (tie) South Alabama (3-2)
- 91. (tie) San Jose State (2-3)
- 91. (tie) Illinois (3-3)
Nos. 90-61
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The BYU-Utah State rivalry is a heated one, but when the games have been played in Provo it's been notably one-sided. That all changed on Friday when the Aggies won 35-20 at BYU to claim their first road victory in the series since 1978.
Utah State did it without its star quarterback, Chuckie Keeton, who was ruled out for the season after re-injuring his surgically repaired knee in mid-September. Backup Darell Garretson threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns in his place.
- 90. UAB (3-2)
- 89. Colorado (2-4)
- 88. Bowling Green (4-2)
- 87. Wyoming (3-2)
- 84. (tie) San Diego State (2-3)
- 84. (tie) North Texas (2-3)
- 84. (tie) Navy (2-4)
- 82. (tie) Rice (2-3)
- 82. (tie) Purdue (3-3)
- 81. Western Kentucky (2-3)
- 80. Michigan (2-4)
- 79. Air Force (4-1). The Falcons beat rival Navy for the first time since 2011 with a 30-21 home victory. Air Force had to scrap its option run game and turn to the pass, with quarterback Kale Pearson completing 11 of 16 passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns.
- 78. Texas Tech (2-3)
- 77. Middle Tennessee (4-2)
- 76. Houston (2-3)
- 75. Fresno State (3-3)
- 73. (tie) North Carolina (2-3)
- 73. (tie) Iowa State (1-4)
- 72. Akron (3-2)
- 71. Louisiana Tech (3-3)
- 70. Nevada (3-2)
- 69. Georgia Southern (4-2)
- 68. Washington State (2-4). Big things happen even in losses, as Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday found late Saturday night. Despite throwing for an FBS-record 734 yards, Halliday could only sit back and watch as his team lost 60-59 at home to California after missing a 19-yard field goal in the final minute of play.
- 67. Toledo (4-2)
- 66. Arkansas State (3-2)
- 63. (tie) Syracuse (2-3)
- 63. (tie) Pittsburgh (3-3)
- 63. (tie) Boston College (3-2)
- 62. Utah State (3-2)
- 61. Northern Illinois (4-1)
Nos. 60-51
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A week after suffering a mistake-filled 28-14 loss at Air Force, Boise State reasserted itself as a team to watch in the Mountain West with a 51-46 victory at Nevada.
The Broncos got 346 passing yards from Grant Hedrick and 152 on the ground from Jay Ajayi, while their defense intercepted Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo four times and returned one pick for a touchdown.
- 58. (tie) North Carolina State (4-2)
- 58. (tie) Indiana (3-2)
- 58. (tie) Cincinnati (2-2)
- 57. Colorado State (4-1). The Rams won their third straight game thanks to a huge day from wide receiver Rashard Higgins in a 42-17 victory over visiting Tulsa. Higgins caught four passes for 178 yards with four touchdowns, all of them going for at least 28 yards.
- 56. UCF (2-2)
- 55. Boise State (4-2)
- 53. (tie) Texas (2-3)
- 53. (tie) Miami, Florida (3-3)
- 52. Oregon State (4-1)
- 51. Temple (3-1)
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50. Tennessee Volunteers
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Average rating: 46.0
Week 6 result: Lost 10-9 vs. Florida
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Chattanooga
Tennessee (2-3, 0-2 SEC) squandered another chance to get a signature victory in conference play, losing to Florida for the 10th straight time after entering the fourth quarter up 9-0.
The Volunteers managed only 233 yards of offense, including only 28 on the ground. Justin Worley threw for 205 yards but was intercepted twice, and Tennessee was unable to slow down Florida when it switched quarterbacks.
49. Maryland Terrapins
5 of 53
Average rating: 44.5
Week 6 result: Lost 52-24 vs. Ohio State
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Maryland (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) had by far its worst performance of the season. With quarterback C.J. Brown struggling as he comes back from a wrist injury the possibility of the year spiraling downward is there.
Brown was pulled after going 11 of 18 for 71 yards and a touchdown and not being able to handle Ohio State's pressure. Backup Caleb Rowe threw for 173 yards and a TD in his place, but Rowe was also intercepted three times.
The Terrapins gave up 533 yards, including 269 on the ground.
48. Penn State Nittany Lions
6 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Michigan
Penn State (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) was off last week, during which the team no doubt tried to address a porous offensive line that has allowed only 14 sacks but has caused quarterback Christian Hackenberg to be under constant pressure. It's also prevented the Nittany Lions from being able to develop a run game, as they are 115th in rushing at 101 yards per game.
Hackenberg has thrown for 1,477 yards but only four touchdowns.
47. California Golden Bears
7 of 53
Average rating: 41.5
Week 6 result: Won 60-59 at Washington State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Washington
California (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12) survived a shootout in Pullman and a record-setting passing effort by Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday, taking the lead with 3:18 left and then watching the Cougars miss a 19-yard field goal in the final minute of play.
Jared Goff threw for 527 yards and five touchdowns, but that was nothing compared to the FBS-record 734 yards that Halliday put up. Goff's final TD pass to Trevor Davis went for 51 yards and gave the Golden Bears the lead for good.
Cal was aided by a pair of kickoff return TDs by Davis, who brought back a kick 100 yards and then three minutes later returned one 98 yards during a third quarter in which the teams combined for 56 points.
45. (tie) Northwestern Wildcats
8 of 53
Average rating: 40.5
Week 6 result: Won 20-14 vs. Wisconsin
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Minnesota
Northwestern (3-2, 2-0 Big Ten) won its third straight and jumped out to a lead in the Big Ten's West Division after forcing four turnovers and stifling Wisconsin's passing game.
The Wildcats managed to avoid letting Melvin Gordon's 259 rushing yards take them down, as they got their own great rushing performance from freshman Justin Jackson (33 carries, 162 yards). Northwestern ran for 203 yards, while Trevor Siemian threw for 182 yards on 15-of-29 passing.
Northwestern is 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2011.
45. (tie) Minnesota Golden Gophers
9 of 53
Average rating: 40.5
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Northwestern
Minnesota (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) has a 23-point loss at unbeaten TCU to go with four victories by double digits. The Golden Gophers have gotten to that point behind a run game led by David Cobb (722 yards) and mobile quarterbacks.
Its defense has been solid, too, allowing 121.8 rushing yards and 341.2 total yards per game.
44. South Carolina Gamecocks
10 of 53
Average rating: 40.17
Week 6 result: Lost 45-38 at Kentucky
Week 7 matchup: Bye
South Carolina (3-3, 2-3 SEC) blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead, then saw a tipped ball at the line get returned for an interception as the Gamecocks surpassed their loss total from each of the previous three seasons.
Dylan Thompson had his worst game of the season, throwing for 218 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. That negated the effort of Mike Davis, who ran for 183 yards and three TDs on 23 carries.
The Gamecocks allowed 239 rushing yards, most of that coming when Kentucky went to the Wildcat formation, and for the year are ranked 85th at 176.8 yards per game allowed on the ground.
43. Virginia Cavaliers
11 of 53
Average rating: 40.13
Week 6 result: Won 24-19 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Virginia (4-2, 2-0 ACC) is off to its best start in ACC play since 2009 after shutting down Pittsburgh's run game while getting a career-best rushing performance from Kevin Parks.
Parks ran for 169 yards and a touchdown, helping the Cavaliers build a 24-3 lead before Pittsburgh tried to rally late. The Cavs were aided by a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Max Valles just before halftime.
42. Kentucky Wildcats
12 of 53
Average rating: 39.88
Week 6 result: Won 45-38 vs. South Carolina
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 SEC) rallied from a two-touchdown deficit with 21 points in the final eight minutes, taking the lead on Alvin Dupree's tipped interception return score with 2:29 left. The comeback gave the Wildcats just their second victory over South Carolina since 1999 and doubled the win total from a year ago.
Struggling to move the ball consistently, Kentucky went to the Wildcat formation and thrived with Jojo Kemp running for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth to bring the Wildcats back from down 38-24.
The Wildcats gave up 500 yards, including 282 yards on the ground, but also took advantage of three turnovers.
41. Iowa Hawkeyes
13 of 53
Average rating: 39.83
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Indiana
Iowa (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) is averaging only 20.3 points per game against FBS opponents, but it's only allowing 15.8 per contest. The Hawkeyes are playing some of the most old-school football in the country, grinding it out on the ground and slowing down opponents.
The Hawkeyes have won their last two games on the road after going 2-1 at home to open the season. In those past two games, they have yielded just 30 points and sit 15th in the nation in total defense at 310.4 yards per game.
40. Duke Blue Devils
14 of 53
Average rating: 39.17
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Georgia Tech
Duke (4-1, 0-1 ACC) comes off a bye that followed its worst offensive performance of the season in a 22-10 loss at Miami. Before that the Blue Devils had averaged 43.5 points per game, but against the Hurricanes were limited to 264 yards while committing three turnovers.
Anthony Boone has thrown for 1,055 yards and seven touchdowns, while Duke has gotten 435 rushing yards and four touchdowns from freshman Shaun Wilson. Its defense is 18th in the country in defending the pass, allowing 181.2 yards per game.
39. Memphis Tigers
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Average rating: 39.0
Week 6 result: Won 41-14 at Cincinnati
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Houston
Memphis (3-2, 1-0 American) opened up conference play with its best offensive performance of the season, while also using its strong defense to shut down one of the country's hottest quarterbacks.
Paxton Lynch threw for 311 yards and accounted for four Tigers touchdowns, two through the air and two on the ground, while Sam Craft ran for 170 yards and a TD.
Memphis' defense gave up an 80-yard touchdown pass just 17 seconds into the game, but after that held Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel to 136 yards and an interception on 10-of-26 passing.
38. Virginia Tech Hokies
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Average rating: 38.5
Week 6 result: Won 34-17 at North Carolina
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Virginia Tech (4-2, 1-1 ACC) scored 10 points in the final two minutes of the first half to take a 21-point halftime lead, cruising to a road victory over struggling North Carolina.
Kendall Fuller returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown with 1:01 left in the first half, 42 seconds after the Hokies took a 17-3 lead on a Joey Slye field goal. It was one of three turnovers committed by the Tar Heels.
Michael Brewer threw for 186 yards and a TD, while J.C. Coleman and Marshawn Williams scored on short runs for the Hokies.
37. Washington Huskies
17 of 53
Average rating: 37.25
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at California
Washington (4-1, 0-1 Pac-12) heads into its first road game since the season opener at Hawaii with an offense that is struggling for consistency, but with a defense that's loaded with playmakers.
The Huskies are 112th in passing offense, at 162.6 yards per game, despite their two quarterbacks not throwing an interception this season. While the offense has suffered, the defense has gotten huge performances from Hau'oli Kikaha and Danny Shelton, who each have seven sacks, while Shaq Thompson has three defensive touchdowns.
36. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Average rating: 36.5
Week 6 result: Won 26-24 vs. Michigan
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Rutgers (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) got 404 passing yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Gary Nova, but it was a late stop on special teams that earned the Scarlet Knights their first win in Big Ten Conference play.
Kemoko Turay blocked a potential game-winning field goal for Michigan with 3:01 left, Rutgers' 40th blocked kick in the past five years, according to the Associated Press.
Nova, a senior, is ranked ninth in the country in passing efficiency at 170.9.
35. West Virginia Mountaineers
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Average rating: 35.5
Week 6 result: Won 33-14 vs. Kansas
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Texas Tech
West Virginia (3-2, 1-1 Big 12) dominated Kansas in all facets of the game, getting contributions from its passing and run games as well as defense and special teams for its first Big 12 win of the season.
Clint Trickett threw for 302 yards and a touchdown, while Kevin White had six catches for 132 yards and a touchdown and Rushel Shell's 113 rushing yards paced a 255-yard team effort on the ground. The Mountaineers held Kansas to 176 yards of total offense, and their special teams chipped in four field goals from Josh Lambert and a 94-yard kickoff return TD by Mario Alford.
Alford is second in the country in return average, at 37.3 yards per kickoff, with two TDs.
34. Arkansas Razorbacks
20 of 53
Average rating: 32.63
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Alabama
Arkansas (3-2, 0-2 SEC) is still looking to end a long conference losing streak, and with a week to regroup following the overtime loss to Texas A&M the Razorbacks have an opportunity for a huge SEC win against one of the league's dominant powers.
The Razorbacks are ranked seventh in the country in rushing, at 316.6 yards per game, and that's mostly from the two-headed monster of Alex Collins (621 yards, six touchdowns) and Jonathan Williams (486 yards, eight TDs).
Arkansas has lost 14 straight SEC games.
33. BYU Cougars
21 of 53
Average rating: 31.7
Week 6 result: Lost 35-20 vs. Utah State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 9 at UCF
BYU (4-1) saw both its hopes of getting into the College Football Playoff and its star player go down during a loss to rival Utah State.
Taysom Hill broke his leg just before halftime, and after surgery on Sunday is done for the year. It's the second time in three years Hill suffered a season-ending injury against Utah State, also getting hurt in 2012 against the Aggies.
Even before Hill went down, the Cougars were struggling mightily and trailed 28-10 at home before ultimately falling in Provo to Utah State for the first time since 1978. Backup quarterback Christian Stewart was intercepted three times and completed just 10 of 29 passes.
32. Florida Gators
22 of 53
Average rating: 31.0
Week 6 result: Won 10-9 at Tennessee
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. LSU
Florida (3-1, 2-1 SEC) used a change at quarterback to spark its offense and get a much-needed win, but the spirited play of Treon Harris might have been a one-shot deal after the freshman was suspended from team activities on Monday.
Harris is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault that occurred on Florida's campus on Sunday morning, according to the school.
Harris replaced a struggling Jeff Driskel—who was 11 of 23 for 59 yards and three interceptions before getting benched—and led the Gators on both of their scoring drives after entering the fourth quarter down 9-0. Florida took the lead on a 49-yard field goal by Austin Hardin with 6:20 left, then its defense held Tennessee down the stretch.
The Gators allowed only 233 yards and three field goals.
31. Wisconsin Badgers
23 of 53
Average rating: 30.5
Week 6 result: Lost 20-14 at Northwestern
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Illinois
Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten) got a career-best rushing performance from its star running back, but still managed to trail the entire game and drop its conference opener.
Melvin Gordon ran for 259 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, but the Badgers couldn't balance that out with a passing game. Tanner McEvoy was pulled after completing four of 10 passes for 24 yards and an interception, and Joel Stave didn't do much better by throwing for 114 yards and a TD with three interceptions on 8-of-19 passing.
Wisconsin committed four turnovers and allowed 203 rushing yards to a Northwestern team that began the season 0-2.
30. Utah Utes
24 of 53
Average rating: 28.8
Week 6 result: Won 30-28 at UCLA
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Utah (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead, but then Andy Phillips hit a 29-yard field goal with 34 seconds left to give the Utes the upset victory to cap a night of wild results in college football.
The Utes swarmed UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley all night, sacking him 10 times and forcing him into an interception that Tevin Carter returned 27 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. They threw for only 100 yards, as quarterback Travis Wilson was replaced early by run-first Kendal Thompson, but Thompson (83 yards) and Devontae Booker (33 carries, 156 yards, one TD) controlled the tempo on the ground.
Utah has won both of its road games this season, also knocking off Michigan, while in between it blew a 17-point lead at home to lose to Washington State.
29. Marshall Thundering Herd
25 of 53
Average rating: 28.0
Week 6 result: Won 56-14 at Old Dominion
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Middle Tennessee
Marshall (5-0, 1-0 Conference USA) rolled to another comfortable victory, again getting solid passing from quarterback Rakeem Cato and rushing from back Devon Johnson.
Cato threw two interceptions but completed 18 of 23 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson ran for 198 yards and three TDs. Remi Watson added 102 yards and two TDs on the ground, as the Thundering Herd topped 40 for the fifth time in as many games this season.
Marshall also held Old Dominion passer Taylor Heinicke in check, limiting him to 85 yards on 10-of-25 passing.
28. Louisville Cardinals
26 of 53
Average rating: 27.5
Week 6 result: Won 28-6 at Syracuse
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Clemson
Louisville (5-1, 3-1 ACC) rode its defense and run game to another impressive victory, lowering its scoring defense to 12.7 points per game.
The Cardinals held Syracuse to 260 yards, including only 59 rushing yards, as opponents are gaining just 58.3 yards per game on the ground. That's tops in FBS.
Louisville's rushing attack produced 178 yards, with Brandon Radcliff going for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon added 174 passing yards and a TD.
27. USC Trojans
27 of 53
Average rating: 27.0
Week 6 result: Lost 38-34 vs. Arizona State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Arizona
USC (3-2, 2-1 Pac-12) blew a pair of nine-point leads in the fourth quarter after being in a back-and-forth game for the first three periods, giving up a Hail Mary pass at the end in which its defenders seemed not to know how or who to guard.
The late collapse negated another strong outing from quarterback Cody Kessler, who still hasn't thrown an interception in 177 pass attempts this season, and Javorius Allen, who ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns and added 86 receiving yards.
The Trojans were torn apart by Mike Bercovici's passing, as the backup quarterback for ASU threw for 510 yards and five touchdowns.
26. LSU Tigers
28 of 53
Average rating: 26.2
Week 6 result: Lost 41-7 at Auburn
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Florida
LSU (4-2, 0-2 SEC) suffered its worst loss in 14 years and now heads to Florida facing the prospect of its first 0-3 start in the conference since 1999.
The switch to freshman Brandon Harris at quarterback made no different for the Tigers, as he completed only three of 14 passes for 58 yards. With 280 yards of offense, LSU dropped to 54th in the nation and still has to face several top-level defenses this season.
LSU is allowing 184.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 90th nationally.
25. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
29 of 53
Average rating: 25.8
Week 6 result: Won 28-17 vs. Miami (Florida)
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Duke
Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0 ACC) grounded out 318 rushing yards and outscored Miami 21-3 over the final three quarters to move into a tie with Virginia atop the Coastal Division.
The Yellow Jackets ran the ball 65 times and had four different players score rushing touchdowns, including quarterback Justin Thomas. Thomas also threw for 53 yards on just 4-of-7 passing, while Zach Laskey was the rushing workhorse with 133 yards on 29 attempts.
By controlling the clock, Georgia Tech held Miami to just 44 offensive plays and it intercepted Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya twice.
Tech is off to its second 5-0 start in the past four seasons.
24. Missouri Tigers
30 of 53
Average rating: 25.2
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Georgia
Missouri (4-1, 1-0 SEC) had a week off between its two biggest games of the season, having won the first one at South Carolina on a late comeback. Now the Tigers have a chance to take firm control of the East Division when Georgia comes to Columbia.
Mizzou has done it with one of the most aggressive front sevens in the country, led by Shane Ray. Ray is second in the country in tackles for loss, with 11.5, while Missouri as a team has 17 sacks.
Quarterback Maty Mauk is completing only 56 percent of his passes, but he's thrown 14 touchdowns in 159 attempts.
23. Nebraska Cornhuskers
31 of 53
Average rating: 23.0
Week 6 result: Lost 27-22 at Michigan State
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Nebraska (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) deserves credit for its furious comeback, scoring 19 points in the final 13 minutes to have a chance to win in the end at Michigan State. But the fact the Cornhuskers were down 27-3 entering the fourth quarter is the more pressing issue.
Ameer Abdullah was stifled, held to just 45 yards on 24 carries. He scored two touchdowns during the fourth quarter, but also fumbled in the red zone.
And after solid play to this point, quarterback Tommy Armstrong had his poorest outing with two interceptions and only 20-of-43 passing. He threw for 273 yards, however, with Jordan Westerkamp helping him out to the tune of nine receptions for 158 yards.
Armstrong was sacked five times after being taken down behind the line twice in Nebraska's first five games.
22. Arizona State Sun Devils
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.6
Week 6 result: Won 38-34 at USC
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Arizona State (4-1, 2-1 Pac-12) pulled off a Hail Mary pass as time expired to notch a huge road win at USC, 10 days after getting blown out at home by UCLA.
The Sun Devils got 510 passing yards from quarterback Mike Bercovici, including the 46-yard TD pass to Jaelen Strong at the buzzer, in his second start in place of the injured Taylor Kelly. He completed 27 of 45 passes for five touchdowns, making up for a run game that for the second straight week was almost nonexistent.
ASU trailed by nine twice in the fourth quarter, but Bercovici kept it in the game with his passing. A 72-yard TD pass to Cameron Smith with 2:43 left pulled it within 34-32, then on the final throw he found a wide-open Strong at the goal line.
Strong, who had 10 catches for 202 yards and three TDs, has 22 receptions for 348 yards in the past two games.
20. (tie) East Carolina Pirates
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.4
Week 6 result: Won 45-24 vs. SMU
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at South Florida
East Carolina (4-1, 1-0 American) once again put up big numbers on offense, led by quarterback Shane Carden's 410 passing yards and four touchdowns, to win its first game in the American Athletic Conference.
Allowing 24 points to an SMU team that had scored only 12 points in its first four games, though, wasn't as pleasing for the Pirates to see. Their offense has made it so that defense hasn't had to be a priority, but allowing 339 passing yards and two TDs will be something for them to work on as the season progresses.
Carden completed 31 of 41 passes, with Justin Hardy hauling in three of his touchdown throws and Isaiah Jones catching nine passes for 130 yards.
20. (tie) Clemson Tigers
34 of 53
Average rating: 22.4
Week 6 result: Won 41-0 vs. North Carolina State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Louisville
Clemson (3-2, 2-1 ACC) has looked like a completely different team since freshman Deshaun Watson took over as quarterback. And in those past two games, the Tigers resemble a club that could end up being one of the best in the country when the season is finished.
Watson followed up his school-record six touchdown passes the week before with 329 yards of total offense and four total touchdowns, all in the first half of Clemson's rout. He hit Mike Williams for a pair of touchdown passes in the game's first 5:18, and then scored on runs of five and three yards.
The Tigers' defense was at its best, holding North Carolina State to 154 yards and completely shutting down Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett. Brissett completed just four of 18 passes for 35 yards, and on a fourth-quarter sack he fumbled and saw Clemson's Vic Beasley return the loose ball for a TD.
Clemson has scored 91 points in two games since Watson replaced Cole Stoudt as the starting quarterback.
19. Stanford Cardinal
35 of 53
Average rating: 21.4
Week 6 result: Lost 17-14 at Notre Dame
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Washington State
Stanford (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) saw its offense sputter once again, managing just 205 yards and only 47 on the ground to negate another solid defensive performance.
The Cardinal rank tied for 117th in the country in red-zone offense, scoring only 66.7 percent of the time. They scored touchdowns on both such possessions against Notre Dame, on TD runs by quarterback Kevin Hogan and running back Remound Wright, but often stalled before getting into the red zone as Hogan was intercepted twice.
Stanford couldn't take advantage of three Notre Dame turnovers, and then when it needed that defense to step up the most (after taking a 14-10 lead with 3:01 left) it couldn't prevent the Irish from marching 65 yards in two minutes for the game-winning score.
18. Oklahoma State Cowboys
36 of 53
Average rating: 20.0
Week 6 result: Won 37-20 vs. Iowa State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Kansas
Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) looked sluggish early, but after scoring on the final play of the first half and the opening kickoff of the second half it cruised past the Cyclones for its fourth straight victory.
Desmond Roland scored as time expired in the second quarter, shortly after the Cowboys fell on a kickoff that was never picked up by Iowa State. Then Tyreek Hill scored on a 97-yard kickoff return to start the second half, and what had been a 6-6 game quickly turned into the start of a rout.
Quarterback Daxx Garman struggled early, throwing two interceptions in the game, but rebounded to finish with 271 passing yards and a 40-yard TD pass to Jhajuan Seales in the second half.
17. Kansas State Wildcats
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Average rating: 18.8
Week 6 result: Won 45-13 vs. Texas Tech
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Kansas State (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) rode the arm and legs of Jake Waters to win its second straight since the narrow loss to Auburn.
Waters threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns while adding 105 rushing yards with a score, and for the season he's averaging 305.2 yards of total offense per game. All told the Wildcats ran for 245 yards, moving to 46th in the nation in rushing offense at 189 yards per game.
K-State came into the year with a big-play receiver in Tyler Lockett, but now seems to have two of them with Curry Sexton's emergence. Both wideouts caught two touchdown passes against Tech, with Sexton hauling in nine passes for 128 yards.
The Wildcats' performance was also aided by four interceptions of Tech quarterback Davis Webb.
16. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 16.4
Week 6 result: Lost 30-28 vs. Utah
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Oregon
UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) gave back all of the momentum gained from a blowout win at Arizona State the week before, falling behind 14-0 and then losing a late lead after making a major comeback.
The Bruins flat-out could not protect quarterback Brett Hundley, who was sacked an astounding 10 times by the Utes. Somehow, Hundley still managed to complete 16 of 21 passes for 269 yards and fourth-quarter touchdowns of 93 yards to Devin Fuller and 40 yards to Eldridge Massington, while Paul Perkins was able to run for 99 yards and a TD on 17 carries.
UCLA led 28-27 before allowing Utah to easily drive down the field and kick a game-winning field goal, then it had two chances of its own to win in the final seconds. But Ka'imi Fairbairn missed two field goals, the first of which included a running-into-the-kicker penalty.
The Bruins have little time to regroup, though, as it now hosts an Oregon team that's also coming off a shocking home loss.
15. Arizona Wildcats
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Average rating: 16.0
Week 6 result: Won 31-24 at Oregon
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. USC
Arizona (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) got the crazy week of upsets off to an early start by sneaking out of Autzen Stadium with a victory despite being three-touchdown underdogs. The Wildcats did it with efficient offense and a swarming defense that forced Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota into his worst performance of the season.
Trailing 7-3 at the half, the Wildcats erupted in the third quarter with touchdowns on all three of their drives to take a 24-14 lead. Quarterback Anu Solomon was 13 of 18 and had 206 of his 276 passing yards in the second half, while running backs Terris Jones-Grigsby and Nick Wilson combined for 336 yards of total offense and all four Arizona TDs.
The defense prevented Oregon from running its big-play, uptempo attack smoothly. It forced Mariota into two fumbles, the last of which came when Scooby Wright ripped the ball from Mariota's hands with less than two minutes left.
"I don't even think I realized I had the ball until I was running to our bench," Wright told Daniel Berk of the Arizona Daily Star. "I couldn't believe it."
Now Arizona sits as the only unbeaten team in the Pac-12, and at 5-0 is off to its best start since 1998.
14. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 15.0
Week 6 result: Won 52-24 at Maryland
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Ohio State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) seems to have shored up some of its issues on the offensive line, and that's enabled redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett to become very comfortable in the pocket. As a result, Barrett has thrown for 14 touchdowns with just one interception in his last three games.
Despite getting sacked four times by Maryland, Barrett was 18 of 23 for 267 yards and four touchdowns. He added 71 rushing yards and a score, but isn't the Buckeyes' main rushing threat anymore now that Ezekiel Elliott (24 carries, 139 yards) has stepped up.
OSU's defense is starting to settle down as well, as it held Maryland to 310 total yards and 66 on the ground. The Buckeyes came in allowing 152 rushing yards per game but now have moved up to tied for 17th overall in total defense.
13. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 11.8
Week 6 result: Lost 48-31 at Mississippi State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Ole Miss
Texas A&M (5-1, 2-1 SEC) has no time to dwell on its loss at Mississippi, not with the SEC West gauntlet offering up unbeaten Ole Miss at home right after. The Aggies do have to figure out how to address growing defensive breakdowns, though, if they want to avoid having their great start be for naught.
After getting fat on lesser competition outside of the league, A&M has been run over by its last two opponents. It was lucky to get past Arkansas in overtime the week before, but now it has allowed 565 rushing yards in its last two outings.
"We have to really correct some stuff that we've been letting slide so far," linebacker Justin Bass told ESPN.com's Sam Khan.
A&M continues to generate offense, but Kenny Hill is starting to look human after his amazing start. He was intercepted three times by Mississippi State—all by the same player, linebacker Richie Brown—and now has been picked off five times in his last three games after opening the season with 128 straight passes without a giveaway.
11. (tie) TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 11.2
Week 6 result: Won 37-33 vs. Oklahoma
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Baylor
TCU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) earned its biggest win since joining the Big 12 two years ago, and now with a trip to unbeaten Baylor has a chance to establish itself as the conference's newest powerhouse.
After playing Oklahoma close the previous two seasons, the Horned Frogs got over the hump this time by combining their big-play defense with an uptempo offense that managed to move the ball all afternoon. Much of that was due to the vastly improved Trevone Boykin, who had 395 yards of total offense and threw two touchdowns.
"He was different from any time we've played him before," Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops told Bill Nichols of The Dallas Morning News. "He was much more controlled, calculated. I thought he was great."
With Boykin's ability to move the offense, TCU's defense didn't need to be lockdown, which it wasn't. But it did come up with huge plays at key moments, such as Cliff Murphy's fumble recovery in the end zone in the first quarter and Paul Dawson's go-ahead interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
TCU also stuffed the Sooners on fourth down as they were driving for a potential game-winning TD in the final minutes.
11. (tie) Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 11.2
Week 6 result: Won 44-17 vs. Vanderbilt
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Missouri
Georgia (4-1, 2-1 SEC) breezed to an easy win over the Commodores behind another big day from Heisman contender Todd Gurley, who added another wrinkle to his skill set by showing off his passing ability.
Gurley threw for a 50-yard pass, Georgia's longest pass play of the season, while also rushing for 163 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs led 21-0 and never let Vanderbilt get closer than 14 points after then, holding the Commodores to 320 yards.
The Bulldogs also got big plays on defense, with Devin Bowman returning an interception 63 yards for a TD in the second half. Now Georgia gets to avenge last year's loss to Missouri in a game that could decide the SEC East.
10. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 10.8
Week 6 result: Lost 31-24 vs. Arizona
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at UCLA
Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) was the first of the unbeaten and ranked teams to fall this past week, getting shocked at home by Arizona in a game that saw the Ducks unable to mount a comeback or hold on to the ball.
Marcus Mariota uncharacteristically had two lost fumbles, the last coming with less than two minutes left as he was trying to mount a game-tying drive. The junior quarterback threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns (and also caught a 26-yard TD pass from Royce Freeman on a trick play) but he was sacked five times and seemed under constant pressure.
With Mariota struggling, more pressure was put on an Oregon defense that's become porous of late. It allowed Arizona to gain 208 yards on the ground while also failing to cover running backs out of the backfield. Arizona rushers Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby accounted for 129 receiving yards on five catches.
Since starting last season 9-0, Oregon has lost three of its last six Pac-12 games.
9. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 8.4
Week 6 result: Won 27-22 vs. Nebraska
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Purdue
Michigan State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) nearly blew another second-half lead to an unbeaten opponent, watching its 27-3 advantage become a one-score game with Nebraska driving in the final minute. Trae Waynes' interception sealed the victory, but the Spartans' trouble with closing out games doesn't bode well for the future.
The Spartans gained 422 yards and had plenty of big plays—Connor Cook completed only 11 of 29 passes yet threw for 234 yards—though in the second half they couldn't get first downs to eat up the clock and preserve the lead.
"I think we need to re-evaluate what we're doing short-yardage-wise in light of this past week,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio told Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press.
Jeremy Langford ran for 111 yards on 29 carries, but take away a 31-yard run and he averaged less than 2.9 yards per rush. MSU didn't have any trouble stopping the run, however, as it held Nebraska star Ameer Abdullah to just 45 yards on 24 carries.
8. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 7.8
Week 6 result: Lost 37-33 at TCU
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Texas (in Dallas)
Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) had to open conference play with back-to-back road games, and that opening road swing proved far tougher than expected due to the improved play of both opponents. While the Sooners were able to outlast West Virginia two weeks ago, it had no answer for TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.
Boykin had 395 of the Horned Frogs' 469 yards, and the Sooners rarely had him flustered. Combine that with a mistake-filled offense that gave TCU two defensive touchdowns, and it was a recipe for disaster.
Oklahoma saw TCU recover a fumble in the end zone for the game's first score, then took the lead in the fourth quarter on an interception return for a touchdown. Trevor Knight threw for 309 yards and ran for 61, but he was picked off twice and completed only 14 of 35 passes.
Samaje Perine had three rushing touchdowns, but needed 25 carries to gain 87 yards after gaining 242 yards with four TDs last time out against West Virginia.
After allowing 33 points in its first three games, Oklahoma has given up 70 in the last two contests.
7. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 7.0
Week 6 result: Lost 23-17 at Ole Miss
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Arkansas
Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC) finds itself in the rarest of situations since Nick Saban took over as coach in 2007. Besides sitting with a loss this early in the year since that first Saban-led campaign, the Crimson Tide face the possibility to losing back-to-back SEC games for the first time in seven years with a tough trip to Arkansas on the horizon.
After seeing its offense dominate during the first four games of the season, using balance and efficiency, against Ole Miss it was a relatively lackluster performance despite outgaining the Rebels 396-323.
The Tide led 14-3 at halftime, getting that lead because of a big defensive play by Cyrus Jones. But after halftime Alabama couldn't finish drives, and with kicker Adam Griffith missing a pair of field goals there was no way for it to hold off Ole Miss.
"We never did anything to take the momentum of the game back in the second half," Alabama coach Nick Saban told Andrew Gribble of AL.com.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 6.4
Week 6 result: Won 17-14 vs. Stanford
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. North Carolina
Notre Dame (5-0) won a defense- and weather-driven slugfest against Stanford to remain unbeaten, but the Fighting Irish have to be concerned with the recent mistakes quarterback Everett Golson has made.
Golson did throw the game-winning 23-yard touchdown pass to Ben Koyack with 1:01 left, but he also had an interception and a fumble a game after giving the ball away three times. He finished with 241 yards and two touchdowns on just 20-of-43 passing, a week after completing a school-record 25 straight passes against Syracuse.
The mistakes also leaked over to special teams, as a pair of bad holds on field-goal attempts led to misses. Notre Dame's defense ensured most of those miscues wouldn't prove costly, as it held Stanford to 205 yards and intercepted Kevin Hogan twice.
5. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 5.1
Week 6 result: Won 48-31 vs. Texas A&M
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. Auburn
Mississippi State (5-0, 2-0 SEC) has moved itself firmly into the national championship discussion after its second straight dominant performance over a ranked conference opponent. And if the Bulldogs can make it three for three after this weekend, they could stay there for a long time.
It also has a legitimate Heisman candidate in quarterback Dak Prescott, who once again showed his ability to pass and run with great effectiveness. He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, completing 20 of 26 passes, and added three rushing TDs. Prescott is ninth in the country in total offense, at 335.6 yards per game, and he's accounted for 19 TDs.
"There's still plenty of season left, but if the Bulldogs keep this up, their quarterback will be hoisting a very heavy trophy in New York this December," wrote Ethan Levine of Saturday Down South.
But MSU isn't where it's gotten to just because of Prescott. Running back Josh Robinson has emerged as a true No. 1 back, going for 107 yards and two TDs against Texas A&M and 592 yards for the season. The Bulldogs' defense has been big, too, with linebacker Richie Brown tying a school record by intercepting A&M quarterback Kenny Hill three times on Saturday.
Amazingly, the Bulldogs head into an even bigger game this weekend when they host another unbeaten opponent, Auburn. If they win that one as well they'll be the only perfect team in the ultra-tough SEC West and have a leg up on the competition heading into the stretch run.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 4.5
Week 6 result: Won 23-17 vs. Alabama
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Texas A&M
The biggest game in school history lived up to the hype for Ole Miss (5-0, 2-0 SEC), and the way the Rebels knocked off Alabama for the first time in a decade made it all the more memorable.
Ole Miss scored twice in the final 5:29 of play, using a fumble recovery in between those touchdowns to spark the comeback, then Senquez Golson outjumped a 6'6" tight end for a game-clinching interception in the end zone with 37 seconds left.
"Ole Miss beat Alabama because the defensive line dominated, the linebackers were sure-handed, and the secondary came through when it counted most," wrote ESPN.com's Alex Scarborough.
The Rebels held Alabama to only 10 points on offense, after the Crimson Tide had come in averaging 42 points per game. By slowing down the Tide's attack, that gave quarterback Bo Wallace enough opportunities to come through late with the TD passes to Vince Sanders and Jaylen Walton.
It hasn't been the smoothest of 5-0 starts for Ole Miss, and it has a lot to work on still in order to win at Texas A&M this weekend. But for now the Rebels are relishing their best start since 1962.
3. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 6 result: Won 43-3 vs. Wake Forest
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Syracuse
Florida State (5-0, 3-0 ACC) was held scoreless in the first quarter and didn't manage a touchdown until just before halftime, but five field goals from Roberto Aguayo and a lockdown defense prevented Wake Forest from having any hope of pulling off a major upset on a day of shockers.
Four of Aguayo's kicks were from outside of 40 yards, including a 52-yarder for a 16-3 lead early in the third quarter.
Jameis Winston threw for 297 yards with a touchdown and also ran for a score, but it was the defense that carried the Seminoles. A week after giving up 41 points at North Carolina State they held the Demon Deacons to 126 yards and forced three turnovers, with Reggie Northrup returning a fumble 31 yards for a TD.
2. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 3.6
Week 6 result: Won 28-7 at Texas
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 vs. TCU
Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) overcame a rough offensive outing, at least by the Bears' standards, by dominating on defense to pick up a solid road win ahead of a big showdown for the conference lead this weekend.
The Bears gained 389 yards, far below their average of 641 per game, as Bryce Petty threw for only 111 yards and two touchdowns on 7-of-22 passing. He was helped out by great run production, with Shock Linwood rushing for 148 yards and a TD.
Baylor led 7-0 at halftime, its only TD coming on a blocked field goal return by Terrell Burt, and it needed a fake punt in the third quarter to lead to the second score.
Little scoring was needed thanks to a defense that held Texas to 334 yards and forced three turnovers.
1. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 1.4
Week 6 result: Won 41-7 vs. LSU
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 11 at Mississippi State
Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC) was one of the few powers to avoid a stress-filled game in Week 6, as it demolished LSU behind Nick Marshall's best outing of the season. Combined with the losses of others, the Tigers have moved into the top spot in our rankings ahead of a huge game at Mississippi State.
Marshall threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns and added 119 rushing yards and two scores. Cameron Artis-Payne added 126 yards on the ground, as Auburn finished with 566 yards against an LSU defense that shut it down last season en route to the Tigers' only regular-season loss.
Even more impressive was how Auburn managed to stifle LSU's young quarterback, Brandon Harris, who had been masterful in two relief appearances but was held to 58 yards on 3-of-14 passing in his first career start. Auburn has moved up to 14th in total defense, allowing 306.6 yards per game.
If the Tigers are able to do more of the same at Mississippi State, it will have a stranglehold on No. 1 in the power rankings.
All statistical information courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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