B/R's 2025 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 7
A top-10 showdown in the Big Ten between Oregon and Indiana and the Red River Rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas headlined the Week 7 college football slate, and there was plenty of other great football across the country.
With Oregon, Oklahoma and Missouri each suffering their first loss of the season on Saturday, and both Illinois and Iowa State taking their second losses of the year, the national landscape has once again changed considerably.
Now it's time for Bleacher Report's updated top 25 ranking after all the Week 7 action, with the college football writing staff of David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Joel Reuter and Brad Shepard making up our voting panel.
Let the debate begin!
Nos. 25-21
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25. Nebraska (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 7 Results: Win at Maryland (34-31)
Next Week: at Minnesota
The Cornhuskers trailed 31-24 going into the fourth quarter, but rattled off a 12-play, 83-yard drive that ended in a field goal, forced a punt on defense and then marched 81 yards for a touchdown to take the lead. Dylan Raiola threw three interceptions, but also had four touchdown passes, and Emmett Johnson finished with 176 rushing yards on 21 carries. With Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon not on their schedule this year and Michigan already in the rearview, don't sleep on this Nebraska team as a contender for the Big Ten championship game.
24. Washington (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Rutgers (38-19)
Next Week: at Michigan
Demond Williams Jr. put up video game numbers in a lopsided win over Rutgers on Friday night, racking up 402 passing yards, 136 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. The Huskies actually trailed 10-0 in the first quarter and 13-10 at halftime, but they found the end zone three times in the third quarter to take control. With a 24-6 loss to Ohio State as their only blemish, Washington has a solid resume, and they have a chance to add a signature win at the Big House next Saturday.
23. Notre Dame (4-2, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. NC State (36-7)
Next Week: vs. USC
NC State quarterback CJ Bailey entered Saturday's game leading the ACC in completion percentage (74.6%) and passer rating (168.8), with 1,660 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions through his first six games. However, the Fighting Irish defense proved to be a different animal than the previous teams he had faced, as he was picked off three times and limited to 17-of-30 passing for 186 yards. After leading 10-7 at halftime, Notre Dame tacked on 26 unanswered points in the second half.
22. Memphis (6-0, Previous Rank: 24)
Week 7 Results: BYE
Next Week: at UAB
The Tigers will need to be careful not to start looking ahead next weekend to a huge head-to-head clash with South Florida on Oct. 25 that could ultimately decide who gets the Group of Five bid in the playoff field. Brendon Lewis has taken a nice step forward as a passer after transferring from Nevada during the offseason, but the Memphis offense is built on running the ball and averages 238.7 rushing yards per game on 5.8 yards per carry.
21. Cincinnati (5-1, Previous Rank: 25)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. UCF (20-11)
Next Week: at Oklahoma State
Despite finishing on the short end in total yardage (413 to 306), first downs (26 to 14) and time of possession (39:44 to 20:16), the Bearcats managed to pull out a victory. After building a 17-0 lead with 4:13 remaining in the second quarter behind a pair of touchdown passes from Brendan Sorsby, they scored just three more points the rest of the way, but that was enough to squeeze out a win.
Nos. 20-16
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20. South Florida (5-1, Previous Rank: 23)
Week 7 Results: Win at North Texas (63-36)
Next Week: vs. Florida Atlantic
The Bulls traded touchdowns with a previously undefeated North Texas team during the first half on Friday night and went into halftime with the score knotted up at 21-21, but exploded for 21 unanswered points coming out of the break to seize control of the game. Byrum Brown finished with 245 passing yards, 82 rushing yards and five total touchdowns, and South Florida forced five turnovers to help overcome three giveaways of their own.
19. Vanderbilt (5-1, Previous Rank: 22)
Week 7 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. LSU
After getting humbled by Alabama in a 30-14 loss last week, the Commodores have a week to reset before a grueling three-week run of games against LSU, Missouri and Texas. Despite a lackluster performance against the Crimson Tide, quarterback Diego Pavia still leads the SEC with 14 touchdown passes, and he is also the team's leading rusher with 352 yards on the ground to go along with his 1,409 yards through the air.
18. Utah (5-1, Previous Rank: 21)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Arizona State (42-10)
Next Week: at BYU
The Utes threw the ball just 13 times, racking up 278 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns against the Sun Devils defense. Quarterback Devon Dampier led the charge with 120 yards and three scores on only 10 carries, while NaQuari Rogers added 48 yards and two touchdowns. Is this the biggest competition for Texas Tech in the Big 12 race?
17. USC (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Michigan (31-13)
Next Week: at Notre Dame
A big game from King Miller (18 carries, 158 yards, 1 TD) anchored a Trojans rushing attack that piled up 224 yards on the Michigan defense, and 17 straight points from USC after a 7-7 start proved too big of a gap for the Wolverines to overcome. Jayden Maiava had 265 yards and two touchdown passes, and the Trojans defense sacked Bryce Underwood three times and picked him off once while keeping Michigan from building any momentum much of the game.
16. BYU (6-0, Previous Rank: 20)
Week 7 Results: Win at Arizona (33-27, 2OT)
Next Week: vs. Utah
It took 10 unanswered points in the final four minutes of regulation for the Cougars to force overtime, and two overtime periods for them to stay undefeated. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw two interceptions, but scored the game-tying touchdown with 19 seconds left and the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime. He finished with 172 passing yards, 89 rushing yards and three scores, while LJ Martin added 162 yards on 25 carries in a big game on the ground for BYU.
Nos. 15-11
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15. Virginia (5-1, Previous Rank: 16)
Week 7 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Washington State
Prior to a Week 5 victory over Florida State vaulting them to No. 24 in the AP poll, the Cavaliers had not been ranked since 2019 when head coach Bronco Mendenhall and dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins led them to a 9-5 record and a trip to the Orange Bowl. Veteran quarterback Chandler Morris (1,428 yards, 11 TD, 4 INT) has been an excellent pickup in the transfer portal for his sixth collegiate season after stops at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas.
14. Missouri (5-1, Previous Rank: 13)
Week 7 Results: Loss vs. Alabama (24-27)
Next Week: at Auburn
A Beau Pribula rushing touchdown with 13:18 remaining in the third quarter pulled Missouri into a tie with Alabama, but the Crimson Tide responded with 10 unanswered points to pull away in a tight SEC battle. Pribula finished with 167 passing yards, 61 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, but he was also picked off twice and the Tigers went just 1-of-10 on third down conversions. Road games against Auburn and Vanderbilt are up next for a Missouri team looking to stay in the upper echelon of SEC contenders going into the second half of the year.
13. Oklahoma (5-1, Previous Rank: 5)
Week 7 Results: Loss at Texas (6-23)
Next Week: at South Carolina
Just 15 days after undergoing surgery on his right hand, John Mateer was back under center for the Sooners for the Red River Rivalry, but he might have been better off taking another week to recover after throwing three interceptions and failing to find the end zone. The Sooners actually led 6-3 at halftime, but after the break they logged two punts, two turnovers on downs and Mateer's third pick of the night. Can they rebound to stay in the playoff hunt?
12. LSU (5-1, Previous Rank: 12)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. South Carolina (20-10)
Next Week: at Vanderbilt
Despite a lackluster performance from Garrett Nussmeier (20-of-33, 254 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT), the Tigers improved to 5-1 overall thanks to a stout defense that allowed just 4.6 yards per pass attempt while securing an interception, fumble recovery and two turnovers on downs. LSU took the lead for good when Nussmeier hit Kyle Parker with a 43-yard touchdown strike to make it 17-10 midway through the third quarter.
11. Georgia Tech (6-0, Previous Rank: 14)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Virginia Tech (35-20)
Next Week: at Duke
Haynes King completed 20-of-24 pass attempts for 213 yards and a touchdown, and the Yellow Jackets running game pounded out 268 yards on 42 carries to control the game after building an early 17-0 lead in the first half. A road game against Duke next weekend might be their toughest remaining conference matchup, though the regular-season finale against Georgia still looms as a potential stumbling block in their quest for an undefeated regular season.
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Nos. 10-6
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10. Tennessee (5-1, Previous Rank: 11)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Arkansas (34-31)
Next Week: at Alabama
The Volunteers led 34-17 early in the fourth quarter after Peyton Lewis found the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game, but saw that lead evaporate to just three points when Taylen Green led touchdown drives of 81 yards and 80 yards. The Razorbacks ultimately ran out of time to complete the comeback, with Tennessee picking up a pair of first downs on the final drive to kill the clock.
9. Georgia (5-1, Previous Rank: 9)
Week 7 Results: Win at Auburn (20-10)
Next Week: vs. Ole Miss
The Bulldogs were a different team following an ugly first half where they punted three times and settled for a field goal to cap off a 12-play, 88-yard drive just before the break. A 10-3 deficit turned into a 13-10 lead for Georgia in the third quarter, and they iced the victory with a 16-play drive that lasted more than eight minutes in the fourth quarter, with Gunner Stockton finding the end zone on a 10-yard run to seal the win. A huge matchup with Ole Miss awaits next weekend, with the winner comfortably in the projected playoff picture.
8. Oregon (5-1, Previous Rank: 2)
Week 7 Results: Loss vs. Indiana (20-30)
Next Week: at Rutgers
Two weeks after scoring a huge win over Penn State, the Ducks were on the losing end of another Big Ten heavyweight battle coming off their bye week, with a sloppy fourth quarter costing them in a back-and-forth game. A pick-six from Brandon Finney Jr. early in the fourth quarter made it a 20-20 game and gave Oregon the momentum, but Dante Moore threw interceptions on each of the team's next two possessions and the Hoosiers put the game away with 10 unanswered points.
7. Ole Miss (6-0, Previous Rank: 8)
Week 7 Results: Win vs. Washington State (24-21)
Next Week: at Georgia
The Rebels were 32.5-point favorites, but trailed 14-10 in the third quarter before pulling away late behind a pair of late touchdown drives. Trinidad Chambliss continues to be a pleasant surprise at quarterback for Ole Miss, completing 20-of-29 pass attempts for 253 yards and two touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. Running back Kewan Lacy was also a workhorse on the ground, racking up 24 carries for 142 yards. Will the close win cause Ole Miss to slip in the next AP poll?
6. Alabama (5-1, Previous Rank: 6)
Week 7 Results: Win at Missouri (27-24)
Next Week: vs. Tennessee
The Crimson Tide have now won five straight since their season opening loss to Florida State, and they improved to 3-0 in SEC play with two road wins with their victory over Missouri. Quarterback Ty Simpson continued to build his Heisman Trophy case, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Alabama defense picked off Beau Pribula twice while limiting star running back Ahmad Hardy to 52 yards on 12 carries.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0, Previous Rank: 7)
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Week 7 Results: Win vs. Kansas (42-17)
Next Week: at Arizona State
Running back Cameron Dickey torched the Kansas defense for 263 yards on 21 carries, and the Jayhawks defense let the Red Raiders run wild with 372 total rushing yards and four scores in a lopsided rout.
On the other side of the ball, Texas Tech sacked Jalon Daniels nine times, with David Bailey (three sacks), Romello Height (two sacks) and A.J. Holmes Jr. (two sacks) each getting to him in the backfield multiple times.
This Texas Tech defense is the real deal, and they looks like a playoff-caliber group that could run the table in the Big 12.
4. Texas A&M Aggies (6-0, Previous Rank: 4)
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Week 7 Results: Win vs. Florida (34-17)
Next Week: at Arkansas
After allowing two touchdown drives in the first quarter, the Aggies buckled down and surrendered just three points the rest of the way to stay undefeated and improve to 3-0 in SEC play.
The Gators were limited to 1-of-10 on third down and also had a turnover on downs, and the Texas A&M defense tallied six tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass deflections.
Marcel Reed had 234 passing yards, 37 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
3. Miami Hurricanes (5-0, Previous Rank: 3)
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Week 7 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Louisville
The Hurricanes are 5-0 with three wins over teams that were ranked at the time of their meeting and a convincing victory over in-state rival Florida, and at this point they have already navigated the toughest part of their schedule.
A home game against Louisville next Friday and a road matchup with SMU on Nov. 1 are their biggest remaining hurdles in an undefeated regular season.
Then again, no one expected them to lose to Georgia Tech and Syracuse in a span of three games after a 9-0 start last year, so anything can happen.
2. Indiana Hoosiers (6-0, Previous Rank: 10)
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Week 7 Results: Win at Oregon (30-20)
Next Week: vs. Michigan State
The Hoosiers defense stepped up in the clutch with a pair of fourth quarter interceptions, and seized control of the game with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown pass from Fernando Mendoza to Elijah Sarratt to take a 27-20 lead.
Mendoza and Sarratt connected on eight passes for 121 yards, but the Indiana defense was the story as they limited a potent Oregon offense to 267 total yards, including just 81 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Last year's Hoosiers team didn't face a serious test until a 38-15 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 23, but this year's team is making a strong early case to be a top-tier contender.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0, Previous Rank: 1)
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Week 7 Results: Win at Illinois (34-16)
Next Week: at Wisconsin
The Buckeyes built a 20-0 lead before Illinois finally put points on the board with a field goal just before halftime, and that was simply too big of a lead for the Fighting Illini to overcome against the nation's top team.
Julian Sayin threw two passing touchdowns, CJ Donaldson added two scores on the ground and the Ohio State defense forced three turnovers en route to a comfortable victory, despite just 272 total yards of offense.
They will likely be heavy favorites for next weekend's matchup against Wisconsin, but it's wise not to overlook a game at Camp Randall Stadium.
B/R Top 25 Ranking After Week 7
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B/R Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. Indiana
3. Miami
4. Texas A&M
5. Texas Tech
6. Alabama
7. Ole Miss
8. Oregon
9. Georgia
10. Tennessee
11. Georgia Tech
12. LSU
13. Oklahoma
14. Missouri
15. Virginia
16. BYU
17. USC
18. Utah
19. Vanderbilt
20. South Florida
21. Cincinnati
22. Memphis
23. Notre Dame
24. Washington
25. Nebraska
What's Next
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The Week 8 slate kicks off with a bang on Friday night when Miami comes off a bye week looking to stay undefeated with a tough road matchup against Louisville. That matchup was a 52-45 shootout last year and a case can be made that it is the Hurricanes toughest remaining matchup in their pursuit of an undefeated regular season.
Then it's a sea of heavyweight battles in the SEC on Saturday, with Ole Miss at Georgia, Tennessee at Alabama and LSU at Vanderbilt the headlining clashes. Road games for Oklahoma (at South Carolina), Texas A&M (at Arkansas) and Missouri (at Auburn) also provide the potential for some upsets as the nation's deepest conference continues to jockey for position in the standings.
It's also a big week in the Big 12, with Texas Tech at Arizona State and Utah at BYU. Those four teams and idle Iowa State look like the cream of the crop in a wide-open conference race, and Week 7 will be a step toward further sorting out the hierarchy.
Michigan (vs. Washington), Notre Dame (vs. USC) and Georgia Tech (at Duke) will all have to earn wins against quality opponents that sit just outside the AP poll, and Ohio State travels to Camp Randall to face Wisconsin in what is always a difficult environment.
It's a slate of games ripe with upset potential, and the national landscape could look different once the dust settles on Week 8.
See you all next week!
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