College Football Rankings Week 7: Winners and Losers from Latest Polls

The college football season is now at its halfway point, and the AP Top 25 Poll couldn't be tighter. Like any competition, there are winners and losers in the Week 7 poll.

LSU is still No. 1 this week, but the country couldn't be stronger at the top, with Alabama and Oklahoma joining LSU as legitimate choices for the nation's best. 

A few Top-25 teams solidified themselves in the recent poll with big time wins against worthy opponents. On the flip side, the latest AP Poll brought something to college football that hasn't been seen since the early 1980's.

College football is uber-combative this season and teams will have to be flawless from here on out to be considered one of the best. It'll be a blast to watch what unfolds the rest of the season. Fans are in for a treat. 

Winner: Houston, We Have a Competitive Football Team

Led by senior quarterback Case Keenum, the Houston Cougars are 6-0 and ranked No. 25. 

The team is averaging over 45 points/game and Keenum has already thrown for over 2,000 yards. 

With their remaining schedule featuring opponents at a combined 12-20 heading into Week 7, it's not improbable that the Cougars will finish the season undefeated. 

Keep your eye on Houston as they stir the college football pot and make a strong case for a playoff system. 

Loser: Albeit Winners, Losing LaMichael James Hurts Oregon

The Oregon Ducks stayed at No. 9 in the AP Top 25 Poll but may have lost LaMichael James for the season. While it is unclear of how long the star running back will be out, judging by the video, it'll be awhile. 

The last thing viewers saw bend like that was a Stretch Armstrong toy as a child. 

Even without James, the Ducks are still a very good team. They'll have to overcome adversity and keep chugging along the rest of the way. 

Winner: Michigan State Squeaks into the Top 25 on Their Bye Week

The bye was kind to Michigan State this week. The Spartans didn't have to do anything to gain Top 25 status. 

The team is now No. 23 and faces rival Michigan at home in Week 7. If the team is to remain in the Top 25, beating undefeated Michigan is a must.

The Top-25 showdown in East Lansing will be the best game in the Big Ten this week.  

Loser: The Michigan Wolverines Couldn't Crack the Top 10

Michigan fans may feel a bit snubbed by the AP Poll this week. Despite a fantastic come from behind victory against Northwestern on the road, the Wolverines are No. 11. 

With the Top 10 all winning or idle, it's hard to crack the lineup, but it's got to be nice being on the doorstep. It may be that pollsters aren't entirely convinced with Michigan's abilities to this point. 

Michigan can change their minds this week when they head to Michigan State in what is a rivalry game. Michigan hasn't beat Michigan State in three seasons and can earn Top-10 credibility with a win.

This Michigan team is the best its been in years. 

Winner: Nebraska Remains at No. 14

Nebraska didn't move up or down this week in the AP Top 25. This is somewhat surprising considering the Cornhuskers were on the brink of disaster versus The Ohio State Buckeyes. 

Down 27-6 at one point, the Cornhuskers won 34-27. 

While it wasn't pretty, Nebraska got the job done. By not slipping in the AP Poll, the Cornhuskers come out a winner in the Week 7 poll. 

Loser: The Auburn Tigers Were Brought Back Down to Earth

Besides the Auburn faithful, no one expected much from the Tigers this season after winning it all last season.

Auburn had a strong start to the season before dropping to 4-2 with their recent loss to Arkansas. With the loss, the team dropped to No. 24 in the Week 7 AP Poll. 

This team has exceeded expectations to this point and can rebound with a victory over Florida next week at home. Head coach Gene Chizik and his staff deserve credit for preparing their kids this year. Now he and his team have to continue to prove that they're Top-25 material.  

Winner: Georgia Tech Looks Like a National Championship Sleeper

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are suddenly 6-0 and carry the best rushing attack in the nation. The team is averaging 378.2 yards/game on the ground and they climbed to No. 12 in the AP Poll this week. 

Now, there's plenty of football to be played, but the Yellow Jackets may end up in the National Championship game at the end of the season. They still have crucial ACC games against Miami, Virginia Tech and Clemson, but right now, they have an outside shot. 

Keep an eye on Georgia Tech as they shoot up the polls in the next few weeks. 

Loser: Texas Got Shot Down in the Red River Shootout

Texas took the toughest hit in the AP Poll by plummeting from No. 11 to No. 22 in the Week 7 poll.

The Oklahoma Sooners looked like men amongst boys against the Longhorns. 

Texas still has a very good football team, but they got put in their place last week. This team is of Top 25 caliber but they don't belong anywhere near the Top 10 for now. 

It will be interesting if the Longhorns can bounce back from their bruised ego the rest of the way. Their next three games are against Kansas, Texas Tech and at Missouri before ending the season with three tough games against Kansas State, at Texas A&M and at Baylor. 

Winner: The Arkansas Razorbacks Have an Edge

The Arkansas Razorbacks proved to be worthy of their No. 10 ranking in the AP Poll. They defeated their second straight Top-25 team by beating then No. 15 Auburn last week. 

This team has showed toughness after getting whipped by No. 2 Alabama in Week 4. Truth is, they can flat out score, putting up nearly 40 points/game.

It'll be interesting to see in the Razorbacks can keep up the good work and not slip the before the final game of the season against No. 1 LSU. 

Loser: The Entire State of Florida

A small bit of history was made in the Week 7 polls this week. For the first time since 1982, there isn't a ranked team in the state of Florida.

Florida and Florida State both dropped from the ranks with losses. This is something many thought they would never see in their lives. Miami, Florida and Florida State not ranked, is the world going to end?

No, the world will not end and college football will carry on. With the Florida schools having a down year, will this cause a paradigm shift in where college recruits choose to attend? Given, Florida has some of the best weather in the country, but nobody likes to lose. 

Right now, this is the most interesting story in college football. Will the Florida teams recover by the end of the season and return to respectability?