College Football Rankings: Athlon Sports Top 25 (After Week 7)

1. Ohio State (6-0)
Last Week: 1
Week 7 Result: Defeated Illinois

Thanks to a standout defensive effort (295 yards allowed), coach Ryan Day’s team defeated Illinois 34-16. The Buckeyes forced three turnovers, generated four sacks, and limited the Fighting Illini to just 4.2 yards a play to cruise to another easy win in Big Ten play.

2. Miami (5-0)
Last Week: 2
Week 7 Result: Off Week

Miami was off on Saturday and will return to action in Week 8 on Friday night against Louisville. The Hurricanes play four of their next five games at home. 

3. Indiana (6-0)
Last Week: 8
Week 7 Result: Defeated Oregon

The Hoosiers jump to No. 3 in the rankings following Saturday’s 30-20 road win at Oregon. A complete team effort led the way for coach Curt Cignetti’s squad in the upset. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza overcame a costly interception to throw for 215 yards, with receiver Elijah Sarratt catching eight passes for 121 yards. Indiana’s defense dominated the line of scrimmage by limiting the Ducks to 81 rushing yards and generating six sacks.

4. Texas A&M (6-0)
Last Week: 6
Week 7 Result: Defeated Florida

After a sluggish start in the first quarter, Texas A&M’s defense stepped up to lead coach Mike Elko’s team for a 34-17 win over Florida. The Aggies allowed only 129 yards in the second half and surrendered just one third-down conversion over 11 attempts. Quarterback Marcel Reed (16 of 26 for 234 yards and a touchdown) was solid once again on Saturday night.

5. Alabama (5-1)
Last Week: 7
Week 7 Result: Defeated Missouri

Quarterback Ty Simpson delivered once again in the clutch, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-24 victory at Missouri. The Crimson Tide’s defense also stepped up in a tough spot by limiting Missouri’s prolific rushing attack to 163 yards, with just 52 going to running back Ahmad Hardy (146 yards a game).

6. Ole Miss (6-0)
Last Week: 4
Week 7 Result: Defeated Washington State

With Georgia up next, Ole Miss may have overlooked Washington State in a closer-than-expected 24-21 victory. The Rebels had two missed scoring opportunities early, but coach Lane Kiffin’s team still found a way to hold on for the win. 

7. Oregon (5-1)
Last Week: 3
Week 7 Result: Lost to Indiana

Oregon drops a bit in the rankings following Saturday’s 30-20 loss to Indiana. The Ducks managed only 267 total yards (4.2 yards a play), with the team’s prolific ground game getting just 81 yards on 30 carries. Indiana’s offense recorded only 4.8 yards per play, but this group consistently put together more drives than Oregon in a close battle. 

8. Georgia (5-1)
Last Week: 9
Week 7 Result: Defeated Auburn

A controversial goal-line fumble by Auburn at the end of the first half provided a spark, which led to a dominant second half and a 20-10 victory for the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Coach Kirby Smart’s team only managed 296 yards, but quarterback Gunner Stockton made a handful of clutch plays late to keep drives alive. Also, after allowing 237 yards in the first half, Georgia’s defense gave up only 40 yards in the final two quarters. 

9. Texas Tech (6-0)
Last Week: 10
Week 7 Result: Defeated Kansas

Another week, another dominant win for Texas Tech. Running back Cameron Dickey ran for 263 yards and two touchdowns, and the defense controlled the line of scrimmage with nine sacks and 14 tackles for a loss to guide the Red Raiders to a 42-17 victory over Kansas. Coach Joey McGuire’s team has won all six of its games by at least 24 points.

10. LSU (5-1)
Last Week: 11
Week 7 Result: Defeated South Carolina

LSU didn’t play its cleanest game of the season, but coach Brian Kelly’s squad got a much-needed 20-10 victory over South Carolina. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier still doesn’t appear to be 100 percent while nursing an injury. However, he threw for 254 yards against the Gamecocks and guided an offense that averaged 6.7 yards a snap. Outside of a 72-yard run, LSU’s defense held South Carolina’s offense largely in check.

11. Tennessee (5-1)
Last Week: 15
Week 7 Result: Defeated Arkansas

Tennessee’s defense had its hands full against Arkansas’ high-powered offense, but coach Josh Heupel’s team made just enough stops in the second half and forced three critical turnovers to hold on for a 34-31 victory. The Volunteers also pounded the Razorbacks for 264 yards on the ground. 

12. Georgia Tech (6-0)
Last Week: 14
Week 7 Result: Defeated Virginia Tech

The Yellow Jackets used 268 rushing yards to defeat Virginia Tech 35-20. Coach Brent Key’s team is now 6-0 for the first time since 2011. 

13. Oklahoma (5-1)
Last Week: 5
Week 7 Result: Lost to Texas

Quarterback John Mateer’s fast recovery from thumb surgery wasn’t enough to help the Sooners in a 23-6 loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry. Mateer showed some rust (20 of 38 for 202 yards) and also tossed three costly picks. Also, Oklahoma’s special teams gave up a punt return for a score, while the defense allowed 20 points in the second half. The Sooners are still in the playoff mix, but the remaining schedule is one of the hardest in the nation.  

14. Notre Dame (4-2)
Last Week: 16
Week 7 Result: Defeated NC State

After struggling in back-to-back losses to Miami and Texas A&M to start ‘25, Notre Dame’s defense continued its in-season progression with a strong performance in the team’s 36-7 win over NC State. The Fighting Irish limited the Wolfpack to 233 yards (3.9 yards a snap), forced four sacks, and generated two takeaways. Coach Marcus Freeman’s defense has allowed just 27 points over the last three games.

15. Virginia (5-1)
Last Week: 18
Week 7 Result: Off Week

The Cavaliers were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday at home against Washington State.

16. Vanderbilt (5-1)
Last Week: 19
Week 7 Result: Off Week

The Commodores were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday against LSU. 

17. BYU (6-0)
Last Week: 21
Week 7 Result: Defeated Arizona

BYU overcame two turnovers and needed a last-second score to force overtime, but coach Kalani Sitake’s team found a way to win 33-27 against Arizona. The victory moved the Cougars to 6-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.

18. Missouri (5-1)
Last Week: 15
Week 7 Result: Lost to Alabama

The Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season with a 27-24 loss to Alabama. The Crimson Tide delivered every time in the clutch when the game was on the line, including forcing two interceptions over Missouri’s final four possessions. Also, coach Eli Drinkwitz’s team was unable to get its ground game on track and converted just one of 10 third-down attempts.  

19. Texas (4-2)
Last Week: 25
Week 7 Result: Defeated Oklahoma

Texas rebounded from last week’s loss to Florida with a 23-6 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Quarterback Arch Manning was solid (166 passing yards and 34 on the ground), and running back Tre Wisner ran for 94 yards over 22 carries to help the Longhorns churn out 20 points in the second half against a standout Oklahoma defense. Texas limited the Sooners to 3.7 yards a play, forced three turnovers, and generated five sacks in a dominant effort up front. 

20. South Florida (5-1)
Last Week: 22
Week 7 Result: Defeated North Texas

The Bulls overcame a sloppy start to pull away for a 63-36 victory over North Texas in a huge American Conference showdown. Quarterback Byrum Brown accounted for 327 total yards and five touchdowns. South Florida’s defense also came away with five turnovers in a key win over the Mean Green.

21. Illinois (5-2)
Last Week: 17
Week 7 Result: Lost to Ohio State

The Fighting Illini outgained Ohio State 295 to 272, but coach Bret Bielema’s team couldn’t overcome three turnovers and nearly a 20-yard difference in average field position in a 34-16 defeat. Illinois needs to win out to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. 

22. USC (5-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Defeated Michigan

The Trojans answered the bell in a big way in Saturday night’s 31-13 victory over Michigan. After plenty of question marks and concerns about how this team would match up in the trenches, USC simply ran for 224 yards and held a potent Wolverines’ ground game to 109. Quarterback Jayden Maiava (25 of 32 for 265 yards) made several clutch plays through the air.

23. Michigan (4-2)
Last Week: 13
Week 7 Result: Lost to USC

Michigan’s standout rushing attack was held in check (109), and coach Sherrone Moore’s defense was torched for 489 yards in Saturday night’s 31-13 loss at USC. 

24. Memphis (6-0)
Last Week: 23
Week 7 Result: Off Week

The Tigers were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday at UAB.

25. Utah (5-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Defeated Arizona State

Utah’s defense held Arizona State’s shorthanded offense to 259 yards in an easy 42-10 win on Saturday night. Quarterback Devon Dampier led a ground attack that accumulated 276 yards for the Utes.

Up Next: Nebraska, Cincinnati, Washington, and Louisville