Alabama, Texas A&M set up for marquee clash after Midseason Power Rankings
After a slight dip in excitement in Week 6, Week 7 captivated the college football world with a number of close calls and a pair of top-10 clashes. Six of last week’s top-25 teams lost, with three falling out of the rankings altogether. While the top half-dozen or so remain crowded, teams like Baylor, West Virginia and Western Michigan continue their fascinating ascents. Other programs like Tennessee and Ole Miss could be on their last legs as top-25 units, a product of unfortunate injuries and remarkably difficult schedules.
With half of the college football season concluded, here’s how the top 25 shakes out:
• STAPLES: When will each undefeated team suffer its first loss?
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
PREVIOUS: 1
RECORD: 7-0
Last week: Beat Tennessee 49-10Next week: Saturday vs. Texas A&M
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
PREVIOUS: 2
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: Beat Wisconsin 30-23 in OTNext week: Saturday at Penn State
3. Clemson Tigers
PREVIOUS: 3
RECORD: 7-0
Last week: Beat NC State 24-17 in OTNext week: Off
4. Washington Huskies
PREVIOUS: 4
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: OffNext week: Saturday vs. Oregon State
5. Michigan Wolverines
PREVIOUS: 5
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: OffNext week: Saturday vs. Illinois
6. TEXAS A&M AGGIES
PREVIOUS: 7
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: OffNext week: Saturday at Alabama
7. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
PREVIOUS: 6
RECORD: 5-1
Last week: Beat Duke 24-14Next week: Saturday vs. NC State
8. NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
PREVIOUS: 10
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: Beat Indiana 27-22Next week: Saturday vs. Purdue
9. BAYLOR BEARS
PREVIOUS: 12
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: Beat Kansas 49-7Next week: Off
10. WISCONSIN BADGERS
PREVIOUS: 9
RECORD: 4-2
Last week: Lost to Ohio State 30-23 in OTNext week: Saturday at Iowa
11. HOUSTON COUGARS
PREVIOUS: 13
RECORD: 6-1
Last week: Beat Tulsa 38-31Next week: Saturday at SMU
12. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
PREVIOUS: 19
RECORD: 5-0
Last week: Beat Texas Tech 48-17Next week: Saturday vs. TCU
13. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
PREVIOUS: 14
RECORD: 5-2
Last week: Beat Wake Forest 17-6Next week: Off
14. BOISE STATE BRONCOS
PREVIOUS: 14
RECORD: 6-0
Last week: Beat Colorado State 28-23Next week: Thursday vs. BYU
15. OKLAHOMA SOONERS
PREVIOUS: 17
RECORD: 4-2
Last week: Beat Kansas State 38-17Next week: Saturday at Texas Tech
16. FLORIDA GATORS
PREVIOUS: 20
RECORD: 5-1
Last week: Beat Missouri 40-14Next week: Off
17. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
PREVIOUS: 21
RECORD: 5-2
Last week: Beat Ole Miss 34-30Next week: Saturday at Auburn
18. UTAH UTES
PREVIOUS: 23
RECORD: 6-1
Last week: Beat Oregon State 19-14Next week: Saturday at UCLA
19. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
PREVIOUS: 8
RECORD: 5-2
20. WESTERN MICHIGAN BRONCOS
PREVIOUS: 22
RECORD: 7-0
Last week: Beat Akron 41-0Next week: Saturday vs. Eastern Michigan
21. OLE MISS REBELS
PREVIOUS: 11
RECORD: 3-3
Last week: Lost to Arkansas 34-30Next week: Saturday at LSU
22. AUBURN TIGERS
PREVIOUS: 24
RECORD: 4-2
Last week: OffNext week: Saturday vs. Arkansas
23. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
RECORD: 5-2
Last week: Beat Miami 20-13Next week: Saturday at Virginia
24. COLORADO BUFFALOES
RECORD: 5-2
Last week: Beat Arizona State 40-16Next week: Saturday at Stanford
25. LSU TIGERS
RECORD: 4-2
Last week: Beat Southern Miss 45-10Next week: Saturday vs. Ole Miss
Dropped out: Miami, Virginia Tech, Arizona State
Next five: Navy, NC State, Washington State, Miami, South Florida
