College Football Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 7 Top 25
Another week, another handful of unbeaten teams getting knocked off while others remained perfect but had to fight tooth and nail to remain that way.
The Week 6 slate began with Texas' upset win over rival Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout and ended with Utah's narrow home win over fellow unbeaten California, and in between we had the usual array of wild finishes and dominant performances. Those who had the most notable results all come together in the latest Bleacher Report Top 25.
Twenty of our college football staff voted in this week's Top 25: writers Ben Axelrod, Greg Couch, Ed Feng, Justin Ferguson, Bryan Fischer, David Kenyon, Ben Kercheval, Adam Kramer, Brian Leigh, Mike Monaco, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh; video experts Michael Felder and Sean McManus; and editors Eric Bowman and Eric Yates.
First-place votes were worth 25 points, with each subsequent rank worth one fewer point, all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 highest vote-getters made our list, with the rest falling into the "others receiving votes" category.
See where everyone falls after Week 6, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Memphis will take a 12-game win streak into one of its biggest matchups in program history, getting set to face Ole Miss next Saturday. If the Tigers can win that game, they'll no doubt make our Top 25, but for now they're just on the outside.
Here's a look at everyone else who gained votes this week but not enough to earn a ranking.
- Memphis (33)
- Georgia (26)
- Temple (16)
- USC (11)
- Oregon (7)
- Mississippi State (6)
- West Virginia (5)
- Arizona State (4)
- Kansas State (4)
- Kentucky (3)
- Auburn (1)
- Pittsburgh (1)
- Washington (1)
No. 25 California Golden Bears
2 of 26
Vote points: 57
Last week's ranking: 21st
Week 6 result: Lost 30-24 at Utah
Week 7 matchup: Bye
California (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) was unable to overcome six turnovers, including five interceptions from quarterback Jared Goff, in falling for the first time in 2015.
Goff threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-47 passing, but several of his picks were on forced throws as Utah (5-0, 2-0) kept heavy pressure on him and knocked him down on multiple occasions. The Golden Bears also didn't have much of a run game, other than when Tre Watson scored on a four-yard run with 2:03 left in the third quarter that pulled them within 27-24.
Cal had several fourth-quarter drives with a chance to tie or take the lead but couldn't get anything going. The Bears also struggled to slow down Utah's Devontae Booker, who ran for 222 yards and two TDs.
No. 24 Houston Cougars
3 of 26
Vote points: 63
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 49-28 vs. SMU
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 16 at Tulane
Houston (5-0, 2-0 American) scored five touchdowns in less than 35 minutes of clock time to turn a seven-point deficit into a runaway victory, the Cougars' sixth straight win.
Quarterback Greg Ward ran for four TDs and 82 yards to go with 243 passing yards, while Kenneth Farrow ran for three scores. The Cougars defense locked down after allowing 21 first-half points, forcing three turnovers to give them 14 takeaways this season.
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No. 23 Duke Blue Devils
4 of 26
Vote points: 68
Last week's ranking: 25th
Week 6 result: Won 44-3 at Army
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Duke (5-1) won its third straight game by holding an opponent to single digits for the fourth time this season, including in both road games.
The Blue Devils limited the Army (1-5) option run game to 113 yards on 49 carries, while also forcing three turnovers.
Duke's offense, which failed to score a touchdown the week before, gained 458 yards, including 215 rushing yards with four scores.
No. 22 Toledo Rockets
5 of 26
Vote points: 73
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 38-7 vs. Kent State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Eastern Michigan
Toledo (5-0, 2-0 Mid-American) cruised to its eighth straight victory behind two passing touchdowns from Phillip Ely and 288 rushing yards from the ground game.
Terry Swanson ran for 161 yards on 14 carries, including a 23-yard TD run, while Kareem Hunt scored twice and ran for 85 yards.
The Rockets held Kent State (2-4, 1-1) to 257 yards and scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Ryan Seibert.
No. 21 Boise State Broncos
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Vote points: 81
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 41-10 at Colorado State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 16 at Utah State
Boise State (5-1, 2-0 Mountain West) jumped out to a 17-0 lead and topped the 40-point mark for the fourth straight game.
Jeremy McNichols ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns, giving him an FBS-leading 14 TDs this season, while Thomas Sperbeck had five catches for 178 yards with TD passes from both quarterback Brett Rypien and receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes.
Rypien threw for 339 yards on 22-of-35 passing, and Boise held Colorado State (2-4, 0-2) to 256 yards of total offense while forcing three turnovers.
No. 20 Northwestern Wildcats
7 of 26
Vote points: 88
Last week's ranking: 15th
Week 6 result: Lost 38-0 at Michigan
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Iowa
Northwestern (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) allowed a kickoff return touchdown on the opening play of the game and was never any closer than that in getting blown out on the road.
The Wildcats managed only 168 yards, had an interception returned for a TD and were shut out for the first time since 2003. Their defense, which came in ranked No. 1 in the country in allowing seven points per game, gave up 380 yards, including 201 on the ground with three rushing TDs.
No. 19 Oklahoma Sooners
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Vote points: 125
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 6 result: Lost 24-17 vs. Texas (in Dallas)
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Kansas State
Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) was unable to rally from a 14-0 deficit, falling in the Red River Shootout played in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The Sooners were held to 278 yards, their lowest output since getting blown out by Clemson in last year's Russell Athletic Bowl. They had only 67 rushing yards on 37 attempts, with Samaje Perine rushing just 10 times for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Baker Mayfield threw for 211 yards and a TD on 20-of-28 passing, but he was sacked six times by Texas (2-4, 1-2).
Oklahoma's defense allowed 313 rushing yards, most since November 2012.
No. 18 UCLA Bruins
9 of 26
Vote points: 161
Last week's ranking: 19th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Stanford
UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) is coming off of a 15-point home loss to Arizona State, the fourth time it's fallen in the Rose Bowl in the past seven conference games. The Bruins haven't lost outside of Pasadena since October 2013, winning 12 straight road or neutral-site games.
Freshman quarterback Josh Rosen has thrown nine touchdown passes but has also been intercepted five times, while defending Pac-12 rushing champ Paul Perkins has 577 yards with seven scores. Injuries have depleted UCLA's defense, which ranks 103rd in the country against the run.
No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes
10 of 26
Vote points: 169
Last week's ranking: 23rd
Week 6 result: Won 29-20 vs. Illinois
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Northwestern
Iowa (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) rode the running of Jordan Canzeri to the tune of 256 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries in continuing its best start since 2009.
Canzeri had a 75-yard TD run in the third quarter after catching a 17-yard TD pass from C.J. Beathard that gave the Hawkeyes a 13-7 lead in the second quarter. His 256 rushing yards were third-most in school history, while his 43 carries tops Iowa's all-time list.
Beathard threw for 200 yards and two TDs, and Marshall Koehn kicked three field goals, including two in the fourth quarter to ice the victory.
It wasn't all good news for Iowa, though, as after the game Marc Morehouse of the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported senior defensive lineman Drew Ott had suffered a torn ACL.
No. 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Vote points: 180
Last week's ranking: 22nd
Week 6 result: Won 33-26 (in OT) at West Virginia
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Oklahoma State (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) claimed its third straight last-second victory, this one needing extra time after the Cowboys blew a 14-point second-half lead.
J.W. Walsh scored on a two-yard run on fourth down in overtime, then the Cowboys defense kept West Virginia (3-2, 0-2) from scoring on its possession to give them their eighth consecutive win.
Walsh also had a TD pass that gave Oklahoma State a 23-9 edge midway through the third quarter, but after that the team only had a 22-yard Ben Grogan field goal in regulation as the host Mountaineers rallied to force OT.
Mason Rudolph threw three interceptions, but the Cowboys defense also forced four takeaways.
No. 15 Stanford Cardinal
12 of 26
Vote points: 211
Last week's ranking: 18th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. UCLA
Stanford (4-1, 3-0 Pac-12) is riding a four-game win streak since falling at Northwestern to open the season, and after scoring six points in that opener, the Cardinal have had at least 31 points in every contest. They scored 55 last week against Arizona, their most points since November 2013.
Christian McCaffrey leads the nation in all-purpose offense, gaining 229.8 yards per game, while running back Remound Wright has seven touchdowns on 38 carries.
No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels
13 of 26
Vote points: 271
Last week's ranking: 14th
Week 6 result: Won 52-3 vs. New Mexico State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Memphis
Ole Miss (5-1) rebounded from its loss at Florida with a return to explosive offense and shutdown defense in handing New Mexico State (0-5) its 15th straight loss.
Chad Kelly threw for 384 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score, with Laquon Treadwell catching eight passes for 136 yards and two TDs. The Rebels gained 665 yards, rushing for 265 a week after gaining only 69 in a 38-10 loss at Florida.
Ole Miss held New Mexico State to 239 yards and forced two turnovers.
No. 13 Florida State Seminoles
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Vote points: 285
Last week's ranking: 12th
Week 6 result: Won 29-24 vs. Miami (Florida)
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Louisville
Florida State (5-0, 3-0 ACC) won its 27th consecutive game against a conference opponent, taking the lead for good with 6:44 left.
Dalvin Cook, who injured his hamstring early in last week's win at Wake Forest, scored on a 23-yard run for the game-winning score. Cook ran for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, including a 72-yard scoring run early in the first quarter.
Everett Golson threw for 291 yards and a TD on 25-of-33 passing, part of the Seminoles' 539 yards of offense. FSU won despite allowing 405 passing yards to Miami's Brad Kaaya, but it held the Hurricanes (3-2, 0-1) to 20 rushing yards on 19 carries.
No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
15 of 26
Vote points: 294
Last week's ranking: 13th
Week 6 result: Won 41-24 vs. Navy
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. USC
Notre Dame (5-1) bounced back from last week's narrow loss at Clemson with an impressive all-around performance from its offensive stars. The Fighting Irish's run game wasn't as successful as in past games, though.
DeShone Kizer threw for 281 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-30 passing along with a rushing score, while C.J. Prosise ran for three TDs and 129 yards along with 56 receiving yards. Will Fuller had five catches for 80 yards and a score, his seventh in 29 receptions this season.
Notre Dame yielded 318 yards and three TDs to Navy (4-1) on the ground, giving up 110 yards to quarterback Keenan Reynolds but keeping him from adding to his 73 career rushing scores.
No. 11 Michigan Wolverines
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Vote points: 312
Last week's ranking: 20th
Week 6 result: Won 38-0 vs. Northwestern
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Michigan State
In a battle of the two best defenses in the country, Michigan (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) proved its was far more stingy.
"If you had any doubt that Michigan is a legitimate contender in the Big Ten, the Wolverines answered emphatically on Saturday afternoon," Sam Cooper of Yahoo Sports wrote.
The Wolverines posted their third consecutive shutout, something they last did in 1980, according to Bleacher Report's Adam Biggers. After shutout wins over BYU (31-0) and Maryland (28-0), Michigan followed that up by holding Northwestern (5-1, 1-1) to 168 yards of total offense and getting a 37-yard interception return touchdown.
Michigan also put up its highest point total of the season against a Northwestern team that came in allowing seven points per game with two shutouts. Jake Rudock threw for 179 yards and ran for a TD, while Derrick Green and Drake Johnson added rushing scores.
Before its offense or defense could do anything, though, Jehu Chesson returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD.
No. 10 Michigan State Spartans
17 of 26
Vote points: 328
Last week's ranking: 5th
Week 6 result: Won 31-24 at Rutgers
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Michigan
Michigan State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) continues to just squeak by opponents it is heavily favored over, needing to come from behind in the first half and then score a game-winning touchdown in the final minute after blowing a 10-point lead.
LJ Scott scored on a three-yard run with 43 seconds remaining, his second rushing TD of the game. The Spartans averaged only 3.5 yards per carry but got the best game of the year from quarterback Connor Cook, who threw for 357 yards and two TDs on 23-of-38 passing.
The Spartans have won 10 consecutive games, but their six wins this season have been by an average of 10 points.
No. 9 Florida Gators
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Vote points: 341
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 6 result: Won 21-3 at Missouri
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at LSU
Florida (6-0, 4-0 SEC) continues to pull out wins in ways not expected from a team with a first-year coach, but somehow Jim McElwain and the Gators are getting it done. The latest came without as much offensive punch as in recent weeks, but with another strong defensive effort to pace the victory.
The Gators held Missouri (4-2, 1-2) to 257 yards while forcing two turnovers, interceptions by freshman quarterback Drew Lock. The second pick resulted in Florida's last score, a 40-yard pick-six by Jalen Tabor.
Offensively, Kelvin Taylor scored twice on the ground as part of his 99 yards, while Will Grier threw for 208 yards on 20-of-33 passing.
No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Vote points: 343
Last week's ranking: 7th
Week 6 result: Won 27-14 vs. Arkansas
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Texas A&M
For the second game in a row, Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) played stifling defense and overcame a sloppy, mistake-filled start to win.
The Crimson Tide managed only three first-half points, turning it over on three of four possessions at one point, and didn't score their first touchdown until late in the third quarter. That's when Jake Coker hit Calvin Ridley for an 81-yard TD and a 10-7 lead, the first of 24 straight points for the Tide.
Coker finished with 262 yards and two TDs on 24-of-33 passing with two interceptions, while Derrick Henry ran for 95 yards and a score.
'Bama held Arkansas (2-4, 1-2) to 220 yards of total offense, rushing for only 44 yards.
No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies
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Vote points: 359
Last week's ranking: 10th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Alabama
Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0 SEC) hasn't left its home state and won't for a couple more weeks. The Aggies hope that home cooking will translate into their first 6-0 start since 1994.
The Aggies' last two wins have come in league play, rallying to beat Arkansas in overtime in Arlington, Texas, and then knocking off Mississippi State at home. Quarterback Kyle Allen topped 300 passing yards in both of those games, and for the year he has 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.
A&M is tied for third nationally in sacks with 19, getting 7.5 from sophomore Myles Garrett.
No. 6 LSU Tigers
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Vote points: 368
Last week's ranking: 8th
Week 6 result: Won 45-24 vs. South Carolina
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Florida
LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC) was technically the visiting team on its own field, but the Tigers still used some home cooking (as well as more Leonard Fournette magic) to jump-start their offense after a sluggish start.
Fournette broke off an 87-yard touchdown run on the second play of the second half, giving LSU a 24-10 lead.
"Ho hum, just another typical effort from LSU star running back Leonard Fournette," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. "And by 'typical,' I mean another huge game, a terrifying display of skills and another stamp on the race to win the Heisman Trophy."
Fournette became the first player in FBS to top 1,000 rushing yards this season, finishing with 158 yards on 20 carries, but he wasn't LSU's leading rusher.
That was Derrius Guice, who had 161 yards and a TD on 16 carries. Darrel Williams added two rushing scores as the Tigers ran for 396 yards.
Brandon Harris threw for 228 yards and two TDs, one of which went for 62 yards to Travin Dural.
The game was played in Baton Rouge after the Gamecocks opted not to host the game because of flooding in South Carolina.
No. 5 Utah Utes
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Vote points: 422 (one first-place vote)
Last week's ranking: 6th
Week 6 result: Win 30-24 vs. California
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Arizona State
Utah (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) forced six turnovers, including five interceptions of California star Jared Goff, but still needed to make a late stand to hold off the Golden Bears (5-1, 2-1) for its seventh straight win.
Devontae Booker was the Utes' workhorse, carrying it 34 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard scoring run late in the first quarter. Travis Wilson threw for 170 yards and a touchdown, but he was also picked off twice, as Utah was outgained 467-435.
Utah only managed two second-half field goals, but it also shut down Goff by sacking him several times and hitting him on nearly every dropback.
No. 4 Clemson Tigers
23 of 26
Vote points: 429 (two first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 4th
Week 6 result: Won 43-24 vs. Georgia Tech
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Boston College
Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC) didn't show any sort of hangover from its big win over Notre Dame last week, again using a rainy field to its advantage in crushing visiting Georgia Tech.
The Tigers built a 33-10 halftime lead behind two rushing touchdowns from Wayne Gallman, including one on a 66-yard score, and two passing TDs from Deshaun Watson. They also notched a safety when Georgia Tech (2-4, 0-3) muffed a punt in the end zone.
Watson completed 21 of 30 passes for 265 yards, while Gallman ran for 115 yards on 13 carries.
Clemson outgained Tech 537-230 and held the Yellow Jackets to 71 rushing yards.
No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs
24 of 26
Vote points: 440 (two first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Week 6 result: Won 52-45 at Kansas State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 at Iowa State
TCU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) never ceases to amaze and entertain. And, so far this season, it always finds a way to win.
"TCU is essentially required weekly viewing," Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer tweeted. "Wildly entertaining. Hanging tough, too."
The Horned Frogs trailed by 18 points at halftime, but behind Trevone Boykin and his myriad assortment of weapons, they rallied to score 35 second-half points and win it on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Boykin to Josh Doctson with 1:10 left.
Doctson's two-point conversion catch with 6:07 left gave TCU a 45-42 lead after Boykin scored on a 69-yard run. K-State then tied the game on a field goal with 1:47 left, but the Frogs quickly retook the lead for their 14th consecutive win.
Boykin threw for 301 yards and two TDs and ran for 124 yards with two scores. Aaron Green ran for 121 yards and two TDs, and Doctson had eight catches for 155 yards and two TDs.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
25 of 26
Vote points: 446 (seven first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Week 6 result: Won 49-28 vs. Maryland
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. Penn State
Ohio State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) shook off another slow start with a dominant final 22 minutes, putting up a season high in points in what might be Maryland coach Randy Edsall's final game.
The Buckeyes trailed 7-0 early, and the game was tied at 21 midway through the third quarter when they scored four touchdowns in just over 16 minutes to win their 19th straight game. Two of those scores came from backup quarterback J.T. Barrett, who ran for three TDs and gained 62 yards.
Ezekiel Elliott ran for 106 yards and two TDs, while Cardale Jones threw for 291 yards on 21-of-28 passing with long TD passes to Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall.
No. 1 Baylor Bears
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Vote points: 476 (eight first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Week 6 result: Won 66-7 at Kansas
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 17 vs. West Virginia
Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) had no problem living up to its billing as the largest road favorite in conference history, scoring 52 first-half points and then sitting its starters for the final two quarters.
The Bears gained 644 yards and scored on their first seven possessions, getting three passing touchdowns and a rushing score from quarterback Seth Russell and two more passing TDs from backup Jarrett Stidham. Shock Linwood had 135 rushing yards and a TD on 13 carries, and Corey Coleman caught two more TD passes to give him 13 in five games.
Even 410-pound tight end LaQuan McGowan got into the act, catching an 18-yard TD pass from Russell.
Baylor held Kansas (0-5, 0-2) to 227 yards and forced three turnovers, including a fumble that Xavien Howard returned 30 yards for a TD.
All slides written by Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
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