Alabama, Texas A&M set up for marquee clash after Midseason Power Rankings

Alabama has solidified its status as the nation's No. 1 team at midseason while West Virginia is climbing fast at No. 12.

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