College Football Rankings 2015: Week 7 Polls, Schedule and Standings Predictions
Teams in the Top 10 were relatively safe throughout the weekend, but that's certain to change in Week 7 with a plethora of mouth-watering Top 25 matchups across the board.
Fast-forwarding six weeks from what the preseason expectations were, it's hard to know where to begin in terms of surprising programs that have ascended into the College Football Playoff conversation. From the shocking starts of Florida and Michigan to unexpected descents by others, the outlook on college football has shifted considerably since the opening weekend.
The Top 25 has been shaken up over the last several weeks, but it promises to change considerably again after this weekend's bevy of critical showdowns that will further paint the CFP picture. Let's take a look at the latest rankings and top showdowns in Week 7.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Top 25 Schedule for Week 7
| Thu., Oct. 15 | - | - | - |
| 10:30 p.m. | No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Stanford | ESPN | Stanford |
| Fri., Oct. 16 | - | - | - |
| 9 p.m. | No. 24 Houston at Tulane | ESPNU | Houston |
| 9 p.m. | No. 21 Boise State at Utah State | CBSSN | Boise State |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | - | - | - |
| Noon | Eastern Michigan at No. 22 Toledo | ESPN3 | Toledo |
| Noon | No. 17 Iowa at No. 20 Northwestern | ABC/ESPN2 | Northwestern |
| Noon | West Virginia at No. 2 Baylor | FOX | Baylor |
| Noon | No. 13 Ole Miss at Memphis | ABC/ESPN2 | Ole Miss |
| Noon | Louisville at No. 11 Florida State | ESPN | FSU |
| 3:30 p.m. | No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M | CBS | Alabama |
| 3:30 p.m. | No. 19 Oklahoma at Kansas State | ABC | Oklahoma |
| 3:30 p.m. | No. 7 Michigan State at No. 12 Michigan | ESPN | Michigan |
| 7 p.m. | Boston College at No. 5 Clemson | ESPNU | Clemson |
| 7 p.m. | No. 8 Florida at No. 6 LSU | ESPN | LSU |
| 7 p.m. | No. 3 TCU at Iowa State | ESPN2 | TCU |
| 7:30 p.m. | USC at No. 14 Notre Dame | NBC | Notre Dame |
| 8 p.m. | Penn State at No. 1 Ohio State | ABC | Ohio State |
| 10 p.m. | Arizona State at No. 4 Utah | ESPN | Arizona State |
Game to Watch: No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M
The win three years ago by Johnny Manziel in Tuscaloosa will forever have its place in Texas A&M lore, but that didn't come in a season when the Aggies contended for a national title. The program has perhaps its best chance to prove itself in the SEC on Saturday.
That comes in a Top 10 showdown between Texas A&M and Alabama at Kyle Field, which is sure to be rocking as it welcomes the Crimson Tide into town. With fellow SEC West unbeaten LSU facing a tough test against Florida, A&M could move into firm command of college football's toughest division.
The Aggies have started 5-0 for the first time in a number of decades, as ESPN Stats & Info observed:
The passing attack of quarterback Kyle Allen has been the difference for A&M this season, as he's thrown for 13 touchdowns and 1,274 yards already. But while he's put up good numbers against Mississippi State and Arkansas, he's never faced a test quite like Alabama's defense.
Fresh off limiting the Arkansas rushing attack in a dominating defensive performance, Alabama stuffed the Razorbacks running back in a way the Aggies couldn't, as Matt Zenitz of AL.com noted:
That bodes well for more than just Alabama's defense. It will also benefit Tide running back Derrick Henry, who has scored in 11 straight games and should truly prove that John Chavis and his Texas A&M defense aren't quite there yet.
Texas A&M may be coming off a bye week, but Alabama has all the momentum after two convincing victories in a tough two-game stretch that could have sealed its fate in a bad way for 2015.
The Aggies have improved considerably since their 59-0 drubbing to Alabama last year but not enough to turn that score 59 points in their favor. The Tide are peaking in the midseason just as they did last year and will steamroll A&M on the road.
Prediction: Alabama 41, Texas A&M 20
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
