B/R's 2026 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 7

The No. 1 (Georgia), No. 2 (Notre Dame), No. 4 (Indiana), No. 5 (Alabama) and No. 8 (Texas) teams in last week's B/R Top 25 all lost on Saturday, and three other ranked teams outside the top 10 fell, paving the way for a complete top-to-bottom shuffling of this week's Top 25.

Suddenly, multiple two-loss SEC teams fit comfortably into the national picture, while multiple Big 12 undefeateds fit prominently into the preliminary College Football Playoff picture now that Week 7 is in the books.

There is still a lot of football to be played, and Saturday proved that the championship conversation is truly wide open heading into the second half of the season.

Ahead is an updated look at how the college football experts here at B/R line up the nation's top 25 teams following Week 7 action.

Note: Rankings will be updated as needed once late games go final.

Week 7 Result: WIN at Georgia (27-24) Next Week: vs. LSU

The Tigers got to two losses faster than some other SEC teams, but following their victory over No. 1 Georgia and zooming out on a resume whose blemishes are losses to Florida and Tennessee by a combined 14 points, their outlook has changed. Dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown had 150 passing yards, 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the Tigers won the turnover battle (3-0) and Alex McPherson drilled the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired.

24. Northwestern (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 7 Result: WIN at Michigan State (24-21) Next Week: vs. Rutgers

The Wildcats trailed 21-13 with 11:48 remaining in the fourth quarter following a Michigan State touchdown, but they responded with a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive of their own and successful two-point conversion to tie things up. They allowed just 20 total yards on the Spartans' next two drives, and Jackson Kleather nailed the game-winning 34-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to continue Northwestern's surprise start.

23. James Madison (7-0, Previous Rank: 24)

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Georgia State (49-22) Next Week: at Appalachian State

After surviving a 27-24 game against Georgia Southern on the road a week ago, the Dukes cruised to victory with 515 total yards and seven touchdowns against a one-loss Georgia State team that was second in the Sun Belt East Division entering play. Camden Coleman (13/19, 185 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), George Pettaway (14 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD) and JC Evans (101 total yards, 3 TD) led the offensive onslaught.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Virginia (23-13) Next Week: vs. California

Kevin Jennings (23/36, 246 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) outplayed Beau Pribula (13/22, 137 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT) in a matchup of high-profile ACC quarterbacks. The Mustangs iced the victory with an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter, punctuated by a touchdown strike from Jennings to Jalen Hale to make it a two-possession game. It was the second straight turnover-free game for SMU as they continue to rebuild their resume following an early loss to Louisville.

21. Boise State (5-1, Previous Rank: 25)

Week 7 Result: BYE Next Week: at Washington State

A 34-27 loss to then-No. 2 Oregon in Week 1 actually helped solidify the Broncos as the team to beat in the Group of Six conversation. They have won five in a row since that opening defeat, including quality wins over Memphis and Fresno State, and they should be favored in all of their remaining games. Running back Dylan Riley (127 carries, 835 yards, 6 TD) has been the focal point of the offense, while veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen (66.3 cmp%, 1,296 yards, 13 TD, 0 INT) has done a terrific job protecting the football.

Week 7 Result: BYE Next Week: vs. Iowa State

Quarterback Noah Fifita entered Week 7 leading the Big 12 in completion percentage (73.3), passing yards (1,756), passing touchdowns (16) and passer rating (174.0), giving the Wildcats one of the most reliable signal callers in college football. The only blemish on their resume is a road loss to BYU, and they still have games against Texas Tech (Oct. 31) and Utah (Nov. 14) to further prove they belong in the national conversation.

Week 7 Result: WIN at Texas (27-24) Next Week: BYE

A roller coaster season for the Gators continues. They vaulted onto the national scene with a 52-28 victory over then-No. 4 Ole Miss during a 4-0 start, but then quickly crashed back to earth with consecutive losses to Missouri and South Carolina by a combined 47 points. Tramell Jones Jr. (22/35, 155 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) played well in his first career start in place of an injured Aaron Philo, leading the offense to 24 straight points while flipping a 17-3 deficit to a 27-17 lead.

18. Wake Forest (5-1, Previous Rank: 21)

Week 7 Result: Winning at California (34-0, halftime) Next Week: BYE

Full details will be added after game is complete.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Mississippi State (31-0) Next Week: at Auburn

Sam Leavitt had his best passing game of the season, completing 31-of-38 pass attempts for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He was forced to shoulder the load offensively with the running game limited to 90 yards and 2.9 yards per carry. On defense, the Tigers had an interception and forced five turnovers on downs and two punts, though the Bulldogs were playing without star quarterback Kamario Taylor and running back Fluff Bothwell. After an up and down start, LSU can still make a statement down the stretch with games against Alabama, Texas and Tennessee still to come.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Oklahoma State (35-32) Next Week: at Utah

Conner Weigman threw an interception on Houston's first drive of the game, but shook it off to put together his best passing performance of the season in a solid resume booster for the Cougars. Despite the early miscue, he finished 24-of-33 passing with 343 yards and five touchdowns, and both Amare Thomas (7 catches, 126 yards, 2 TD) and Trent Walker (7 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD) had big receiving games. The Cowboys made it interesting with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives, but Houston sealed the victory with a 10-play, 53-yard drive that milked the final 4:54 off the clock.

Week 7 Result: BYE Next Week: at Minnesota

With a defense that's allowing 14.5 points per game and a rushing attack piling up 194.0 yards per contest, the Hawkeyes are winning the same way they always win. Their only loss came against Ohio State, and they hung 41 points on Washington in a Week 6 road victory to flash some offensive muscle going into their bye week. They play just one ranked team the rest of the way, and it's No. 25 Northwestern, so there's a path for this team to reach the Big Ten championship game.

Week 7 Result: WIN at Oklahoma (21-13) Next Week: vs. Vanderbilt

The Wildcats trailed 13-7 entering the fourth quarter, but took the lead with an eight-play, 44-yard drive that ended in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Minchey (21/28, 158 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) to Willie Rodriguez (5 catches, 38 yards, 2 TD). A pick-six on John Mateer's second interception of the game extended the lead, and he was picked off one more time on Oklahoma's final drive for good measure as the Wildcats had four takeaways.

Week 7 Result: LOSS at Tennessee (10-26) Next Week: vs. Texas A&M

The Crimson Tide were unable to overcome four turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble by quarterback Keelon Russell. They were held scoreless on four second-half drives with two punts, one turnover on downs and one interception, and finished with just 201 total yards and an ugly 2-of-13 showing on third-down conversions. Now Alabama will need to navigate the final five games of the season without taking a third loss, including a road matchup with LSU on Nov. 7.

Week 7 Result: BYE Next Week: at Wisconsin

The Trojans were 6-1 for the first time since 2023, when Caleb Williams was under center in his final collegiate season, and they went 1-4 the rest of the way that year to land in the Holiday Bowl. With another established signal caller under center in Jayden Maiava (67.9 cmp%, 2,045 yards, 18 TD, 3 INT), they will look to avoid a similar second-half stumble, though matchups with Ohio State (Oct. 31) and Indiana (Nov. 14) are still on the horizon.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Alabama (26-10) Next Week: at South Carolina

A four-takeaway day by the defense and a workhorse performance from running back DeSean Bishop (32 carries, 159 yards, 2 TD) gave Tennessee a huge victory that immediately changes the trajectory of the SEC playoff picture. The Volunteers have a relatively easy path forward with home games against Kentucky and LSU, their toughest remaining matchups, and their defense is good enough to carry them into the College Football Playoff field.

Multiple controversial finishes and more takeaways from CFB Week 7

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Wisconsin (17-7) Next Week: vs. Michigan State

In their first game since it was announced quarterback Nico Iamaleava would be sidelined for the rest of the season, the Bruins stepped up on defense to stay undefeated. Wisconsin's dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph was limited to 66 passing yards, 71 rushing yards and one touchdown, and the UCLA offense ground out more than 37 minutes of time of possession. Ty Diffenbach (22/33, 264 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT) held his own in his first start, while the running game provided just enough with 120 yards and two scores.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Missouri (31-3) Next Week: at Texas

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had four total touchdowns, while running backs Kewan Lacey (16 carries, 122 yards) and Makhi Frazier (15 carries, 101 yards) led a rushing attack that piled up 268 yards and 6.8 yards per carry in a dominant showing by the Rebels. The defense bent, allowing 378 total yards, but ultimately forced seven punts and two turnovers on downs. In their five wins, they have outscored the opposition 197-91, looking like one of the nation's dominant forces outside of their lopsided loss to Florida.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Arizona State (53-25) Next Week: at Cincinnati

Despite fumbling on their opening drive, Texas Tech still built a 43-10 halftime lead, scoring on every subsequent offensive drive of the opening half. A staggering 260-35 advantage in rushing yardage helped the Red Raiders maintain control, and J'Koby Williams had a career-high 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the way. Not to be outdone, Will Hammond also had his best game of the season at quarterback, finishing an efficient 18-of-26 passing for 232 yards and a touchdown and zero turnovers. With no BYU game on the schedule, there's a clear path to an undefeated regular season.

Week 7 Result: LOSS at BYU (24-28) Next Week: BYE

The Fighting Irish went three-and-out following an interception on defense, then surrendered the lead by allowing a 10-play, 55-yard touchdown drive. They had 1:47 remaining to come up with their own late-game heroics, but made it as far as the BYU eight-yard line before time expired on their comeback push. It was a hard-fought loss on the road against a top-10 opponent and by no means knocks Notre Dame out of the College Football Playoff conversation, but this was a chance for them to stake their claim to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll amid a wave of other losses and they came up short.

Week 7 Result: Winning at Colorado (13-0, halftime) Next Week: vs. Houston

5. Indiana Hoosiers (6-1, Previous Rank: 4)

Week 7 Result: LOSS vs. Ohio State (15-19) Next Week: at Michigan

Josh Hoover nearly hit Nick Marsh with what could have been the game-winning touchdown strike, but the standout wide receiver stepped out of bounds on the play and the Hoosiers were dealt their first loss of the season.

It was an ugly game for the Indiana offense, as Hoover completed just 20 of 40 pass attempts, the running game produced 73 yards and 2.5 yards per carry and they lost a pair of fumbles.

Their stout defense was still enough to keep them in it, and this certainly looked like a matchup of two playoff-caliber teams.

4. Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, Previous Rank: 1)

Week 7 Result: LOSS vs. Auburn (24-27) Next Week: BYE

After Gunner Stockton fumbled with 58 seconds remaining, Auburn moved the ball 40 yards for the game-winning field goal, pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 season.

Stockton finished 22-of-34 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions, and his third turnover was the dagger.

It took a 13-play, 94-yard touchdown drive to tie things up earlier in the fourth quarter, and that was the first time they had found the end zone since the first quarter.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, Previous Rank: 6)

Week 7 Result: WIN at Indiana (19-15) Next Week: BYE

The Buckeyes survived a late injury to Julian Sayin and what could have been a game-winning touchdown pass by the Hoosiers in the final two minutes to come away with the biggest win of the season.

A 38-yard touchdown pass from Sayin to Jeremiah Smith with 12:46 remaining in the fourth quarter gave Ohio State a 19-7 lead, and that ultimately held up as the game-winning score. The defense dug in the rest of the way, though Marsh's wide open catch with his foot out of bounds would have been a tough way to lose.

Sayin was limited to 15-of-29 passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns, also throwing two interceptions to double his season total. He left the field in the fourth quarter with an arm injury after taking a sack, and returned later with his arm in a sling. A well-timed bye week will give him an opportunity to get healthy ahead of a tough road matchup with USC.

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Notre Dame (28-24) Next Week: at UCF

With College GameDay on campus, BYU came up with one of the biggest wins in school history on Saturday night, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier did it all for the Cougars.

Along with throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown, he also had 45 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, and he even hauled in a 15-yard touchdown reception. His touchdown pass came at the end of a 10-play, 55-yard drive late in the fourth quarter that ended up being the decisive score.

Defensively, the Cougars did a great job corralling the Notre Dame rushing attack, limiting them to 3.8 yards per carry, and with more on his shoulders CJ Carr finished 27-of-49 passing without finding the end zone through the air.

1. Miami Hurricanes (6-0, Previous Rank: 3)

Week 7 Result: WIN vs. Florida State (43-35, 2 OT) Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh

It took two overtimes, 583 total yards of offense and six touchdowns for the Hurricanes to survive against a three-loss Florida State team, but the Seminoles showed up in a big way for a rivalry game and played their most complete game of the season.

Javian Mallory (13 carries, 108 yards, 2 TD) did a great job stepping in as the lead back with Mark Fletcher Jr. (16 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD) banged up, and he had a 20-yard touchdown run in the first overtime. The second saw Darian Mensah throw his third touchdown pass of the game and Malachi Toney get in on the action by throwing the two-point conversion, and the defense held to close out the win.

It was not a pretty day for the Miami defense, as Ashton Daniels threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, and the Seminoles had 443 total yards. That won't cut it when they face off against Notre Dame in a few weeks in South Bend.