College Football Rankings 2016: Bleacher Report's Week 7 Top 25
The unbeaten teams keep falling by the wayside, with five more schools dropping out of that shrinking club that now has only 11 members after six weeks of the 2016 college football season.
Several matchups of ranked teams led to another notable shake-up in the Bleacher Report Top 25—not so much in the top tier but throughout the rankings overall.
Our poll is voted on by 17 members of our college football staff: writers Greg Couch, Tyler Donohue, Ed Feng, David Kenyon, Sanjay Kirpalani, Adam Kramer, Kerry Miller, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Damon Sayles, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh; video staff member Hunter Mandel; and editors Eric Bowman and Eric Yates.
First-place votes are worth 25 points, with each subsequent vote worth one fewer point all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 teams with the most poll points make our list, with the rest falling into the “others receiving votes” category.
Check out where everyone stands after Week 6, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Navy handed Houston its first loss of the season, beating the Cougars 46-40 for its first win over a Top 10 team since 1984. That wasn't enough to move the Midshipmen (4-1) into our rankings, but they might get there if they keep winning.
Here's a look of all the teams that received votes in our balloting but failed to crack the Top 25:
- North Dakota State (32)
- Stanford (21)
- TCU (16)
- North Carolina (15)
- Navy (10)
- South Florida (10)
- UCLA (7)
- USC (6)
- Colorado (6)
- Oklahoma State (6)
- Iowa (4)
- Washington State (4)
- Georgia (3)
- North Carolina State (2)
- Memphis (1)
No. 25 LSU Tigers
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Poll points: 39
Last week's ranking: 25th
Week 6 result: Game at Florida cancelled
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Southern Mississippi
LSU (3-2, 2-1 SEC) won't play outside of Baton Rouge again until mid-November after Hurricane Matthew washed out its game at Florida. The Tigers play their next three at home, including key West Division matchups against Ole Miss and Alabama.
The Tigers' season has been chaotic, starting with a loss to Wisconsin that ended their long nonconference win streak—one that stretch back to 2002—and continuing with coach Les Miles' firing following an 18-13 loss at Auburn. Interim coach Ed Orgeron won his debut last week, 42-7 over Missouri, behind a 634 yards of offense—a school record in a conference game.
LSU is averaging 237 rushing yards per game despite just three outings from Leonard Fournette. He's run for 386 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 24 Arkansas Razorbacks
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Poll points: 44
Last week's ranking: 16th
Week 6 result: Lost 49-30 vs. Alabama
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Ole Miss
Arkansas (4-2, 0-2 SEC) lost its 10th consecutive game to Alabama, hurting its chances for an upset by committing five turnovers.
The backbreaker was a 100-yard interception return TD that came with the Razorbacks trailing 42-24 early in the fourth quarter. That was Austin Allen's third pick, all in the second half, to offset his 400 passing yards and three TDs.
Arkansas' run game gained just 73 yards on 36 carries, its fewest since last November.
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No. 23 Utah Utes
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Poll points: 48
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 36-23 vs. Arizona
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Oregon State
Utah (5-1, 2-1 Pac-12) rallied from a 14-3 deficit to beat Arizona for the first time since 2011. Defense paced the comeback, as a safety in the second quarter sparked 26 unanswered points.
Troy Williams had 318 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns, throwing for 245 yards and a TD and rushing for 73 with two scores.
Armand Shyne added 101 rushing yards and a TD for the Utes.
No. 22 Auburn Tigers
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Poll points: 50
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 38-14 at Mississippi State
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Auburn (4-2, 2-1 SEC) won its third straight game behind a monster rushing performance from Kamryn Pettway along with plenty of help from the defense.
Pettway, who did not play last week, ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries. That, coupled with Sean White's 14-of-18 performance for 204 yards and a TD allowed the Tigers to control the clock and keep Mississippi State from coming back from a 35-0 first-half deficit.
Auburn's defense held MSU to 289 yards and forced three turnovers, getting a 13-yard fumble return TD from Montravius Adams.
No. 21 Western Michigan Broncos
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Poll points: 66
Last week's ranking: 24th
Week 6 result: Won 45-30 vs. Northern Illinois
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Akron
Western Michigan (6-0, 2-0 Mid-American) is off to its best start in 75 years after ending a seven-game losing streak to Northern Illinois.
The Broncos—who last month earned wins at Illinois and Northwestern—got 327 passing yards and three touchdowns from Zach Terrell, who also ran for a score. Corey Davis had six catches for 122 yards and two TDs to give him 4,367 yards for his career, moving to eighth in FBS history.
Jarvion Franklin added 169 rushing yards with a TD on 31 carries for Western Michigan, which gained 573 total yards.
No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers
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Poll points: 110
Last week's ranking: 19th (tie)
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Texas Tech
West Virginia (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) is sitting out for a second time this season but will play eight consecutive weeks after this. The Mountaineers hope they can keep their momentum going after the break and get to 5-0 for the first time since 2012.
The Mountaineers' last two wins have been by a combined four points, including 17-16 over Kansas State. Last year they were 2-2 in one-score games.
No. 19 Florida Gators
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Poll points: 117
Last week's ranking: 19th (tie)
Week 6 result: Game vs. LSU cancelled
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Missouri
Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC) hasn't played at home since Sept. 17 and will have to wait a little longer to do so after its contest against LSU was canceled due to Hurricane Matthew. No makeup date has been announced, something that could impact the East Division race if the Gators win out.
Finishing at 6-1 in league play, minus the LSU game, would give Florida the division title if all other teams ended up with two or more losses, as win percentage determines the league champion.
The unplanned bye should help Florida deal with injury issues. Quarterback Luke Del Rio has missed the last two games with a knee injury, with Austin Appleby throwing for 440 yards and three touchdowns in his absence.
No. 18 Virginia Tech Hokies
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Poll points: 117
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 6 result: Won 34-3 at North Carolina
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Syracuse
Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0 ACC) used terrible weather conditions to its advantage in romping to a huge road win, one in which its defense paced the way.
The Hokies forced four turnovers and converted those into 20 points. Quarterback Jerod Evans accounted for three scores, throwing two TD passes despite only going 7-of-17 for 75 yards and rushing for one.
Virginia Tech ran for 189 yards and two scores while holding North Carolina to 131 total yards. It's the third time this season it's limited an opponent to 160 or fewer yards.
No. 17 Oklahoma Sooners
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Poll points: 166
Last week's ranking: 21st
Week 6 result: Won 45-40 vs. Texas (in Dallas)
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Kansas State
Oklahoma (3-2, 2-0 Big 12) won its ninth consecutive conference game and avenged last year's Red River Showdown loss to the Longhorns behind monster days from running back Samaje Perine and receiver Dede Westbrook.
Perine ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries, while Westbrook caught 10 passes for 232 yards and three scores. That was part of a season-high 672-yard output for the Sooners, including 390 passing yards from Baker Mayfield.
But Mayfield also threw two interceptions, accounting for half of the Sooners' turnovers. Joe Mixon lost two fumbles, though Texas only managed three points on those takeaways, while Oklahoma converted both of the Longhorns' turnovers into TDs.
No. 16 Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
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Poll points: 168
Last week's ranking: 10th
Week 6 result: Lost 20-19 vs. Florida State
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. North Carolina
Miami (4-1, 1-1 ACC) has been on the winning side of many games against Florida State because of missed kicks. Now it knows how the other half feels.
Michael Badgley's blocked extra point with 1:38 remaining was the difference in the Hurricanes' seventh consecutive loss in the rivalry. Badgley had made 72 consecutive PATs before that miss.
Miami led 13-0 before giving up 20 unanswered points. But Stacy Coley caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brad Kaaya on fourth down to set up the tying kick. Kaaya threw for 214 yards and two TDs but got no help from the run game, which gained 62 yards on 28 carries after averaging 232.5 yards per contest coming in.
No. 15 Boise State Broncos
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Poll points: 169
Last week's ranking: 23rd
Week 6 result: Won 49-21 at New Mexico
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Colorado State
Boise State (5-0, 2-0 Mountain West) avenged a 2015 loss for the second consecutive week, following up a home win over Utah State by blowing out New Mexico on the road.
The Broncos, who lost 31-24 to the Lobos last season, led 42-7 at halftime thanks to five first-half touchdown passes by Brett Rypien. Rypien finished with 391 yards on 21-of-28 passing, connecting for three scores with Cedrick Wilson (nine catches, 167 yards) and two with Thomas Sperbeck (nine catches, 198 yards).
Jeremy McNichols added two rushing touchdowns, giving him 12 TDs this season and 40 for his career.
No. 14 Florida State Seminoles
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Poll points: 189
Last week's ranking: 22nd
Week 6 result: Won 20-19 at Miami (Florida)
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Wake Forest
Florida State (4-2, 1-2 ACC) won its seventh straight game against the Hurricanes by rallying from a 13-0 deficit and then getting a blocked extra point in the final minutes.
DeMarcus Walker got a hand on the PAT after Miami scored a touchdown with 1:38 left, enabling the Seminoles to avoid starting 0-3 in conference play for the first time since 2009. That was also the last time they lost to Miami, winning the last three meetings by a combined 10 points.
FSU trailed 13-0 late in the first quarter but then scored 20 unanswered points, going ahead 17-13 on Kermit Whitfield's 20-yard touchdown catch from Deondre Francois. Francois threw for 234 yards and two TDs. His other scoring pass going to Dalvin Cook was part of the running back's 209 yards from scrimmage, which included 150 rushing yards.
No. 13 Houston Cougars
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Poll points: 197
Last week's ranking: 5th
Week 6 result: Lost 46-40 at Navy
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Tulsa
Houston (5-1, 2-1 American) saw its hopes of making the College Football Playoff—not to mention its shot at another New Year's Six bowl game—take a major hit in a shootout with Navy.
The Cougars defense, which had been so strong in its first five games—particularly against the run—allowed 306 rushing yards to Navy's option attack. That let the Midshipmen control the clock and forced Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. into three turnovers, including an interception that Navy's Josiah Powell returned for a touchdown.
Ward had 453 yards of total offense and accounted for four TDs, throwing for 359 yards, three scores and two picks. He also had 94 rushing yards and a score. His 17-yard TD pass to Chance Allen with 1:57 left helped pull the Cougars within six, but they couldn't recover the onside kick. And after getting the ball back with nine seconds to go, Houston couldn't execute a last-ditch lateral play.
No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels
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Poll points: 233
Last week's ranking: 14th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Arkansas
Ole Miss (3-2, 1-1 SEC) just wrapped up a four-game homestand in which it scored 40 or more points in the final three, rebounding from a loss to Alabama to blow out Georgia and Memphis. The Rebels will spend a lot of time on the road after they return to action, playing the next two at West Division foes Arkansas and LSU.
The Rebels average 7.01 yards per play on offense thanks to 95 plays of 10 or more yards, much of that coming via quarterback Chad Kelly. He's thrown for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Kelly made headlines during the bye, but not in a good way. He had to be restrained after running onto the field during a brawl at his brother's high school football game in New York.
No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers
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Poll points: 244
Last week's ranking: 9th
Week 6 result: Lost 45-38 (in 2 OT) at Texas A&M
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Alabama
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) summoned its second-half comeback magic once again, rallying from 21 points down to force overtime thanks to numerous big plays. That good fortune ran out in the second overtime, though, when Joshua Dobbs was intercepted one play after Texas A&M had scored what proved to be the game-winning TD.
It was the seventh turnover of the contest for the Volunteers, who lost five fumbles in a reversal of the turnover luck they'd had in managing to stay unbeaten despite trailing by 10 or more points in four previous games. Three of those lost fumbles led to A&M TDs as the Vols fell behind 28-7 early in the third quarter.
But Tennessee tied it at 35 with 41 seconds left on an 18-yard TD pass from Dobbs to Alvin Kamara, and after A&M missed a field goal with four seconds left, the teams traded field goals in the first OT.
Tennessee had 684 yards of total offense, its most since November 2012, with Dobbs accounting for 455 yards of total offense. Kamara had 312 all-purpose yards and three TDs, including eight catches for 161 yards as well as 127 rushing yards.
No. 10 Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Poll points: 260
Last week's ranking: 13th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Indiana
Nebraska (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) has matched its regular-season win total from 2015, and second-year coach Mike Riley has put his stamp on the program with balanced offense and a much-improved defense.
The Cornhuskers average 234.2 rushing yards and 238.4 passing yards per game, with three players— including quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr.—combining for 938 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Armstrong has added nine passing TDs and 1,151 passing yards to become the school's all-time passing leader.
Nebraska has allowed 17.6 points per game, more than 10 points better than last season.
No. 9 Baylor Bears
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Poll points: 262
Last week's ranking: 12th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Kansas
Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) is in the middle of an easy stretch on the schedule. This the first of two off weeks in October with a lone home game in between. Barring a massive upset, the Bears should end up being 6-0 for the fourth consecutive season.
Interim coach Jim Grobe's team is still explosive when it has the ball, ranking fifth nationally in total offense and scoring 42.6 points per game. Quarterback Seth Russell has thrown 14 touchdown passes, while rushers Shock Linwood and Terence Williams have both gained more than 400 yards.
Linwood became the Bears' career rushing leader this season and is sitting at 3,916 yards with 35 TDs.
No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers
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Poll points: 272
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. Ohio State
Wisconsin (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) gets a brief break from its daunting start to conference play, which began with consecutive road games against the Michigan schools and continues with ranked opponents in two of the next three contests. The Badgers split those first matches, winning at Michigan State before falling by seven at Michigan.
The Badgers allow 12.2 points per game, which was fifth-best in FBS entering the weekend. They've held opponents to 3.12 yards per carry and 90.4 yards per game on the ground, having allowed just two rushing touchdowns.
Wisconsin's offense hasn't kept pace, though, gaining only 360.2 yards per game with 10 turnovers in five games.
No. 7 Louisville Cardinals
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Poll points: 329
Last week's ranking: 7th
Week 6 result: Bye
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 14 vs. Duke
Louisville (4-1, 2-1 ACC) and its second-ranked scoring attack had the week off to stew about what might have been in its last game, a 42-36 loss at Clemson. It rallied from an 18-point deficit but lost when receiver James Quick was knocked out of bounds one yard short of a first down in the final minute.
Even in defeat, though, the Cardinals impressed with their offense, particularly through quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Heisman Trophy favorite, per OddsShark, is accounting for 462.6 yards of total offense per game and has been responsible for 28 touchdowns, including 14 on the ground.
With Jackson and Brandon Radcliff running well, Louisville is averaging 309.2 rushing yards per game.
No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies
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Poll points: 333
Last week's ranking: 8th
Week 6 result: Beat Tennessee, 45-38 (2OT)
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Texas A&M (6-0, 4-0 SEC) pulled out a game it tried to give away on multiple occasions down the stretch, blowing a 21-point second-half lead and missing a field goal with four seconds to go before coming through in extra time.
Trevor Knight's one-yard touchdown run in the second overtime was the game-winning score, set up by Christian Kirk's diving 24-yard catch on the prior play. Then Armani Watts sealed the Aggies' first 6-0 start since 1994 with an interception on Tennessee's next snap.
"Texas A&M again proved it is a complete team and a threat in the SEC West," Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote.
The Aggies forced seven turnovers, recovering five fumbles. They built a 28-7 lead before Tennessee mounted its comeback. A&M led by 14 with 3:22 to go after a 62-yard TD run by Knight, who had 349 yards of total offense and five total TDs, but Tennessee scored twice in the final 2:07 to force OT.
A&M had its chances to seal the win in regulation, but Trayveon Williams—who ran for 215 yards and a TD—had the ball punched away for a touchback after a 71-yard run with 1:49 left. And after Tennessee tied it, Daniel LaCamera missed a 38-yard kick with four seconds left.
No. 5 Washington Huskies
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Poll points: 355
Last week's ranking: 6th
Week 6 result: Won 70-21 at Oregon
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Washington (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) took out more than a dozen years' worth of frustration on Oregon, putting up its most points ever in the history of the series.
The Huskies hadn't beat the Ducks since 2003 and hadn't won in Eugene since 2002 but made quick work of their opponent with 21 first-quarter points while gaining 682 total yards. That's their most yards since November 2013.
Jake Browning threw for 304 yards and six touchdowns on 22-of-28 passing and added two rushing scores, while Myles Gaskin ran for 197 yards and a TD on 16 carries. Dante Pettis had two TDs among his eight catches for 134 yards, and John Ross caught three TDs.
Washington has scored 35 or more points in nine consecutive games.
No. 4 Michigan Wolverines
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Poll points: 370
Last week's ranking: 4th
Week 6 result: Won 78-0 at Rutgers
Week 7 matchup: Bye
Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) felt right at home in its first road game of the 2016 season, gaining its largest margin of victory since 1939 and nearly holding Rutgers without a first down.
The Wolverines held the Scarlet Knights to 39 yards and two first downs, only allowing two completed passes and 0.9 yards per carry. Michigan gained 600 yards of its own, 481 coming on the ground with nine rushing touchdowns to tie a school record.
Chris Evans ran for 153 yards on 11 carries, while Karan Higdon, Khalid Hill, Ty Isaac and Jabrill Peppers each had two rushing TDs. Wilton Speight and John O'Korn added passing TDs, as Michigan led 43-0 at halftime.
No. 3 Clemson Tigers
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Poll points: 393 (one first-place vote)
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Week 6 result: Won 56-10 at Boston College
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 vs. North Carolina State
Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) showed no hangover from its thrilling comeback win over Louisville last week, jumping on Boston College with 21 first-quarter points.
The Tigers put up 503 yards of offense with Deshaun Watson accounting for 294. He threw for 266 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing and added 28 rushing yards.
Wayne Gallman ran for 109 yards and a TD on nine carries as Clemson ran for 229 yards, only 22 fewer than Boston College had in total yardage.
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
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Poll points: 407 (one first-place vote)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Week 6 result: Won 38-17 vs. Indiana
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Wisconsin
Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) had its worst performance of the season by a considerable margin and still won its seventh straight game by double digits.
The Buckeyes turned it over twice and got only 93 passing yards from J.T. Barrett, though he threw a touchdown pass and added 137 rushing yards and a score. OSU managed 290 yards on the ground, with Curtis Samuel going for 82 yards and a TD on nine carries and Mike Weber rushing for 71 yards and two TDs.
OSU held Indiana to 281 total yards but only led 24-17 in the third quarter before Weber scored his second TD. Then Barrett connected with Dontre Wilson on a 37-yard TD pass with 3:51 left in the fourth.
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Poll points: 423 (15 first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Week 6 result: Won 49-30 at Arkansas
Week 7 matchup: Oct. 15 at Tennessee
Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) jumped out to a 35-10 lead in winning its 18th consecutive game, getting two more defensive touchdowns in the process.
The Crimson Tide have scored a non-offensive TD in eight straight contests, according to ESPN's Chris Low, with nine such scores this season. Tim Williams' 23-yard fumble return gave the Tide a 21-7 lead early in the second quarter, then Minkah Fitzpatrick added a 100-yard interception return score in the fourth quarter when Arkansas was close to pulling within 11.
Alabama forced five turnovers but allowed 400 passing yards to the Razorbacks, only outgaining them 517-473. Jalen Hurts was 13-of-17 passing for 253 yards and two TDs. He also put up two rushing scores. Damien Harris ran for 122 yards.
All slides written by Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
