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College football rankings: ESPN updates top 25 poll for Week 7

The updated ESPN top 25 college football rankings heading into Week 7

We saw seven ranked teams lose on Saturday as the month of October started, having a direct impact on some division and conference races, and potentially the playoff selection process. Most importantly, Oklahoma made a statement against Texas behind a goal line stand and late touchdown drive, handing the Longhorns their first loss and giving the Sooners a quality win. Where does that leave things in the updated ESPN college football rankings this week?

  • The Football Power Index (FPI) college football rankings and computer prediction model are a measure of team strength that predicts a team's future performance
  • Rankings and predictions are based on 20,000 simulations of a team's season, using a combination of analytics, including scores to date, quality of opponents, and a team's schedule
  • Teams are ranked not strictly in order of talent, but by a projected point margin against an average team on a neutral field

25. Duke

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard drops back for a pass during a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: Down 2

Win projection: 8.2 games

Where Duke is right now: Idle this past weekend, the Blue Devils are coming off a loss at home to Notre Dame two Saturdays ago, and then watched quarterback Riley Leonard get injured in the final seconds. We'll see if he's ready to go against NC state.

24. Maryland

Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa drops back for a pass in a college football game in the Big Ten.

Rankings change: Up 1

Win projection: 8.5 games

Where Maryland is right now: Taulia Tagovailoa and the Terps offense tested the Buckeyes early on the road and took a lead, but couldn't hold OSU in the second half when Marvin Harrison, Jr. went wild. This is still a viable offensive attack that can make some noise.

23. Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen on a rushing attempt during a college football game in the Big Ten.

Rankings change: Up 1

Win projection: 8.9 games

Where Wisconsin is right now: The Badgers improved to 4-1 on the year after taking down Rutgers in a conference victory, and their only loss is to a good Washington State team.

22. Kansas State

Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard attempts a pass during a college football game in the Big 12.

Rankings change: Down 3

Win projection: 7.4 games

Where Kansas State is right now: Will Howard was held to one touchdown pass and three interceptions in an 8-point loss to Oklahoma State on the road, falling to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Big 12 play.

21. Louisville

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer attempts a pass during a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: Up 6

Win projection: 10.4 games

Where Louisville is right now: Sitting on top of the ACC football standings after a landmark statement win at home over Notre Dame, thanks to an electric offense that can run and throw the ball with equal production. This is a team to watch.

20. Oregon State

Oregon State Beavers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei attempts a pass.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 8.7 games

Where Oregon State is right now: The Beavers improved to 5-1 on the season and are still in the Pac-12 title race as DJ Uiagalelei accounted for five total touchdowns in a big win on the road against Cal.

19. Miami

Miami Hurricanes running back Henry Parrish, Jr. on a rushing attempt during a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: Down 4

Win projection: 8.4 games

Where Miami is right now: Reeling after a completely avoidable loss at home. Rather than take the knee with a lead late in the game, the Canes ran it, fumbled it, and then watched Georgia Tech sneak past its secondary on the game-winning score, giving Miami its first loss.

18. Clemson

Clemson Tigers running back Will Shipley on a rushing attempt during a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: Down 1

Win projection: 7.8 games

Where Clemson is right now: Slowly pulling itself out of the early season muck and at 4-2 on the year after a strong defensive performance in a win over Wake. It wasn't pretty, but it's good enough to get to 2-2 ACC play.

17. Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small on a carry during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: Up 1

Win projection: 8.3 games

Where Tennessee is right now: Off this past weekend, the Vols sit third from the bottom in the SEC East standings and face a tough three weeks ahead, hosting Texas A&M, and going to Alabama and then Kentucky.

16. North Carolina

North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye drops back for a pass in a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: Up 5

Win projection: 10.4 games

Where North Carolina is right now: Sitting at No. 3 in the ACC standings at 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play coming off a big 40-7 win over a then-one-loss Syracuse and sitting at 11th nationally in passing protection at 326 yards per game.

15. Texas A&M

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Evan Stewart catches a pass during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: Up 1

Win projection: 7.9 games

Where Texas A&M is right now: That formidable Aggie line helped contain Alabama in the first half but couldn't contain it after intermission, combined with some conservative decisions by Jimbo Fisher, dropping A&M to 4-2 on the year and knocked down in the SEC West title race.

14. LSU

LSU Tigers running back Logan Diggs on a carry during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 8.4 games

Where LSU is right now: The pass coverage is still a major problem after failing to properly slow Missouri's receivers in space, but Jayden Daniels came through with a late touchdown run and Major Burns notched a game-clinching pick-six in the final seconds to move to 4-2.

13. USC

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner as the best player in college football.

Rankings change: Down 1

Win projection: 9.7 games

Where USC is right now: Very lucky it has Caleb Williams, whose late heroics helped the Trojans finally put away Arizona in a triple-overtime win over unranked Arizona, but the defense is still just not there, which could prove a liability yet again come postseason time.

12. Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Audric Estime on a carry during a college football game.

Rankings change: Down 1

Win projection: 8.9 games

Where Notre Dame is right now: Sam Hartman threw three interceptions and the Irish run game ground to a halt at Louisville, falling to 5-2 and likely out of the College Football Playoff race. But they have a shot to ruin USC's hopes next week if they can pick apart the Trojans' coverage.

11. Ole Miss

Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins on a rushing attempt during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: Up 2

Win projection: 9.4 games

Where Ole Miss is right now: The offense slowed down a little from last week -- how could it not? -- but the Rebels' defense got two takeaways and scored 10 fourth quarter points to pull away from Arkansas, who had a 3 point lead late.

10. Florida State

Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson on a carry during a college football game in the ACC.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 11.3 games

Where Florida State is right now: The Seminoles returned to action last week with a big win over Virginia Tech after Trey Benson ran for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, but there's some concern about wide receiver Jimmy Wilson, who left the game with an injury.

9. Washington

Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze on a pass during a college football game.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 10.4 games

Where Washington is right now: Playing some of college football's best offense and needing every bit of that production coming into a major Pac-12 tilt against rival Oregon this weekend for a shot at the No. 2 position in the conference.

8. Michigan

Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson catches a pass during a college football game in the Big Ten.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 10.7 games

Where Michigan is right now: Still perfect after taking down Minnesota on the road in a big win and looking ahead to three very winnable games that should keep the Wolverines the favorite to three-peat as Big Ten champions behind college football's No. 1 scoring defense.

7. Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen on a carry during a college football game in the Big Ten.

Rankings change: Down 2

Win projection: 10.7 games

Where Penn State is right now: Off last weekend, the Nittany Lions return in a winnable game against UMass, and looking ahead to a major date at Ohio State the week after that.

6. Texas

Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers attempts a pass during a college football game.

Rankings change: Down 2

Win projection: 10.6 games

Where Texas is right now: Coming off the first loss of the season after Quinn Ewers suffered three turnovers against Oklahoma, but the Longhorns were still in that game late and still very much in the Big 12 title and College Football Playoff race, albeit with almost no margin for error going forward.

5. Oregon

Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix attempts a pass during a college football game.

Rankings change: Up 1

Win projection: 11.2 games

Where Oregon is right now: Still perfect through five games and coming into a landmark date against Washington in a battle of uber-productive offenses, but can the Ducks' D get pressure on Michael Penix and his receivers? A ton is on the line.

4. Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck attempts a pass during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: Up 4

Win projection: 11.6 games

Where Georgia is right now: Needing a fast start and a big win against a division rival, the Bulldogs got both after pounding a then-undefeated Kentucky team at home. Brock Bowers went over 100 yards receiving and Georgia is still the favorite in the SEC title race, at 47.5 percent to win the conference.

3. Alabama

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver JaCorey Brooks catches a pass during a college football game in the SEC.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 10.6 games

Where Alabama is right now: Taking important steps forward after a slow start to the season, moving to 3-0 in SEC play after an important road win over Texas A&M in which Jalen Milroe connected on some deep plays and Jermaine Burton scored twice and had almost 200 yards receiving.

2. Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners defender Dasan McCullough before a play during a college football game.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 12.2 games

Where Oklahoma is right now: Riding high off a statement win over Texas in the Red River Shootout thanks to a landmark goal line stand and a late TD drive from Dillon Gabriel, keeping the Sooners perfect and in the playoff race in Brent Venables' second year.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord attempts a pass during a college football game in the Big Ten.

Rankings change: None

Win projection: 11.2 games

Where Ohio State is right now: Trending somewhat in the right direction offensively, despite a very slow start that reminded everyone the quarterback position is a work in progress after Maryland took an early lead in the Horseshoe. Marvin Harrison, Jr. put the team on his back, catching a touchdown and hitting 163 yards receiving to keep the Bucks undefeated.

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