College Football Rankings 2011: Top 25 Predictions Heading into Week 7

Rolling into another weekend of college football, there are some great matchups that will certainly shake things up before Week 7 begins.

With only one bye and plenty of solid matchups within the Top 25, there will surely be some changes in the landscape from this week to the next.

With five teams that could realistically compete for the No. 1 ranking, it's always a tough distinction about who will come out on top.

Lets take a look at how the rankings will change after this weekend's games.

25. Baylor

Previously: No. 25

The Baylor Bears come into this matchup with the same record as opponent Iowa State. Both teams are 3-1 and have both dropped their first Big 12 conference matchup.

After a big loss to Texas, the Cyclones will have a tough time bouncing back against this strong Baylor squad.

Unfortunately for the Bears, a Victory over Iowa State won't be enough to improve their ranking.

24. Texas Tech

Previously: Unranked

Undefeated Texas Tech will hop up into the rankings with an upset over #24 Texas A&M.

The 4-0 Red Raiders, who will be playing at home, will top the 2-2 Aggies who have dropped their last two games against Oklahoma State and Arkansas. Texas Tech will come into this game with momentum, and the home crowd on their side.

23. Florida State

Previously: No. 23

The 2-2 Florida State Seminoles will be ecstatic to get starting QB EJ Manuel back.

Coming off a much-needed bye week, Florida State will look to bounce back from two straight losses at the hands of Clemson and Oklahoma and take out their frustrations on ACC conference opponent Wake Forrest.

Despite being 2-0 in ACC matchups, Wake Forrest has not played very strong opponents to reinforce their record. Their 3-1 record will fall to 3-2 as the Seminoles improve to 3-2. This won't be enough, however, for FSU to improve their ranking—especially after two huge losses in the past three weeks.

22. Arizona State

Previously: No. 22

As the Sun Devils travel to Utah, they will have an opportunity to improve their record to 5-1. Arizona State has won some impressive games so far this season, but this game will not be one of them.

The Utes have a 2-2 record and are 0-2 in Pac-12 play. After the Sun Devils come into town and stomp them at home, the Utes won't have much of a shot at reaching the Top 25 this season.

Because Utah is a relatively weak opponent, a win won't propel the Sun Devils any higher than their current #22 ranking.

21. Oregon

Previously: No. 9

This is my upset pick of the week. Cal will top the Ducks in Eugene to earn their first conference win while they give the Ducks a second loss on the season which will knock them out of the top 10.

The reason they fall so far in these predictions is because Cal is unranked and hasn't been all that impressive this season.

20. Virginia Tech

Previously: No. 21

Virginia Tech has a tough matchup against Miami this week at home. The 2-2 Hurricanes will be difficult to down in this conference matchup, but Virginia Tech's run game will win them this game.

The 2-2 Hurricanes have proved that they can beat weak teams, but with losses to Kansas State and Maryland, I'm not convinced they can beat the Hokies.

19. Kansas State

Previously: No. 20

Kansas State will move up one spot in the rankings this week with a win over Missouri.

Topping the 2-2 Tigers will put Kansas State at a 5-0 record with two wins in the Big 12. Despite not being considered a top program per say, the Wildcats will hop up one spot to a No. 19 rank.

18. Florida

Previously: No. 17

The Florida Gators have a tough game at home against the top ranked LSU Tigers.

LSU's defense has been outstanding so far this season, too much for the Gators to handle. They'll fall one spot in the rankings after a tough loss to LSU.

17. Auburn

Previously: No. 15

Auburn is another squad with a tough matchup against a higher ranked team. The Razorbacks of Arkansas will improve to a 1-1 SEC record with a victory over the defending champion Tigers.

Despite sharing the same record, Arkansas is clearly the better team after knocking Texas A&M towards the bottom of the Top 25.

16. South Carolina

Previously: No. 18

South Carolina will hop up two spots in the rankings with a win over Kentucky.

The 4-1 Gamecocks could still be one of the top teams in the country, but with a 2-1 record in the SEC, chances at getting into the top five seem pretty slim at this point.

Nonetheless, a win over the conference whipping boy will be enough to jump up two spots for this strong SEC team.

15. Illinois

Previously: No. 19

Illinois heads to Indiana to face the Hoosiers in a Big Ten conference matchup.

The Undefeated Illini will improve to a 6-0 record with a win at Indiana, giving them a nice jump in the rankings.

14. West Virginia

Previously: No. 16

The Mountaineers of West Virginia take on the UConn Huskies at home.

A win over the 2-3 Huskies will help West Virginia to earn their first Big East conference victory. It will also improve their record to 5-1.

13. Texas

Previously: No. 11

Texas is in a tough spot this week. The Longhorns play Oklahoma at a neutral location to take on the undefeated Sooners.

Though the two teams have the same record (and the same conference record), the Sooners' defense will just be too much for Texas and the Sooners will improve to a 5-0 record.

12. Georgia Tech

Previously: No. 13

Undefeated Georgia Tech plays the Maryland Terrapins at home this week.

Maryland is in for a wake-up call against the Yellow Jackets after the Terps smashed a very weak Towson team. The Yellow Jackets will continue to improve their already perfect record and remain undefeated in their conference as well.

11. Michigan

Previously: No. 12

The Michigan Wolverines will travel to Northwestern to face a weak Wildcats team.

After squashing Minnesota, Michigan will make short work of Northwestern and remain undefeated at 6-0 with two wins in the Big Ten conference.

10. Nebraska

Previously: No. 14

Nebraska dropped a tough one against the Wisconsin Badgers last week at Camp Randall, but will bounce back against Ohio State in their first home Big Ten matchup.

Ohio State has struggled this season, and Nebraska's run game will get them the "W" this week.

Bouncing back from the loss to Wisconsin will be pivotal for the Huskers to compete in the Big Ten and it will also allow them to bounce back into the top 10.

9. Arkansas

Previously: No. 10

Like I said, the Razorbacks will take down the Auburn Tigers at home, helping them to jump up one spot in the rankings with a record of 5-1.

8. Clemson

Previously: No. 8

With three straight wins over ranked opponents, the Clemson Tigers have proven that they belong in the top 10.

Unfortunately, a win over 1-4 Boston College won't help them advance further this week, even though they will improve to a 6-0 record—topping the ACC.

7. Stanford

Previously: No. 7

The Stanford Cardinal will continue their undefeated streak with a win over a weak Colorado team.

A victory over the 1-4 Bison won't be all that impressive, however, and will keep Stanford at their current No. 7 ranking.

6. Oklahoma State

Previously: No. 6

The Oklahoma State Cowboys matchup at home against a 2-2 Kansas team who likely won't put up much of a fight.

A victory in this game is vital for OSU to maintain their ranking, however, it won't help them to improve at all.

5. Boise State

Previously: No. 5

Boise State will go undefeated this season. They won't however, rank in the top two unless LSU, Oklahoma, or Wisconsin go down in an epic fashion. No matter how good the Broncos may be, their conference is just too weak for them to be considered a top team.

Even with a win over Fresno State, the would-be 5-0 Broncos will remain at No. 5.

4. Wisconsin

Previously: No. 4

Being the only team with a bye in the Top 25 this week, the Wisconsin Badgers will hold onto their ranking at No. 4.

3. Alabama

Previously: No. 2

Alabama will take on Vanderbilt at home and improve to a 3-0 record in the SEC.

Though Alabama will improve to a 6-0 record with a win over Vanderbilt, they will ultimately lose a spot in their rankings because Oklahoma and LSU both face much more intimidating opponents.

2. Oklahoma

Previously: No. 3

The Oklahoma Sooners will take on Texas on a neutral field in the biggest of Big 12 matchups.

Like I stated on the Texas slide, Oklahoma will ultimately come out on top and improve to a 5-0 record, reclaiming their No. 2 spot in the rankings.

1. LSU

Previously: No. 1

The LSU Tigers will maintain their No. 1 spot in the rankings with a win over a tough Florida team.

Like I said, LSU will just be too strong for the Gators, and will help the Tigers to continue their undefeated streak on the way to a yet another SEC National Championship victory.