And now, there is just one undefeated team left in either the Big Ten or SEC, and it\u2019s Bob Chesney\u2019s UCLA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is the world we live in, and it\u2019s glorious.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We’re about halfway through the regular season, and the College Football Playoff selection committee has to rank teams in just two weeks’ time. But here\u2019s how I ranked my top-25 teams in the sport after a wild Week 7.<\/p>\n
Record: 4-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 4<\/p>\n Florida defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud gets his hand on a pass attempt from Texas quarterback Arch Manning in the Longhorns’ second straight loss. (Photo by David Buono\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a027-24 loss vs. Florida Steve Sarkisian\u2019s Longhorns became the first Texas team to lose back-to-back games to unranked opponents as an AP top-10 team \u2014 since Darrel K Royal\u2019s 1965 team clinched that dubious honor. This loss was also Texas\u2019 first at home with Arch Manning starting at quarterback. Sarkisian has claimed he will make some changes, especially offensively, regarding personnel and play-calling. I\u2019ll believe it when I see it, and even if I do, the Longhorns look a long way from competing for the national title.<\/p>\n Texas looks like the team that is most likely to beat itself among top-25 opponents. It\u2019s not that I think James Madison might beat Texas so much as I\u00a0know Texas will beat itself.<\/p>\n Stat to know: The last time an AP top-10 Texas team lost back-to-back games to unranked opponents was in 1965. Saturday also turned out to be the Longhorns\u2019 largest blown lead at home against an unranked opponent since 1965.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+110 (10th-best) Record: 7-0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 25<\/p>\n Running back George Pettaway is having a standout season for undefeated James Madison. (Photo by Roger Wimmer\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a049-22 win vs. Georgia State There is a good argument for the Panthers being the second-best team in the Sun Belt. And that should show you just how far ahead JMU is of its conference opponents. Running back George Pettaway rushed for 119 yards with a touchdown on just 14 attempts. The Dukes rushed for 250 yards (6.1 yards per carry) in a win they\u2019ll hope the CFP selection committee watched.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Running back George Pettaway is one of six FBS players this season to have rushed for 765 or more yards along with seven rushing touchdowns. He’s joined by Missouri’s Jamal Roberts, Tennessee’s DeSean Bishop, West Virginia’s Cam Cook, Duke’s Nate Sheppard and Memphis’ Jaylin Carter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+185 (16th-best) Record: 5-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 24<\/p>\n Running back Caleb Komolafe finds a gap against Michigan State in the Wildcats’ Week 7 win. (Photo by Adam Ruff\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a024-21 win vs. Michigan State In the program\u2019s first game against Pat Fitzgerald, current Northwestern head coach David Braun’s predecessor and the man who first hired Braun at Northwestern as defensive coordinator, the Wildcats managed to win on a field goal with two seconds left. Yes, the Wildcats got the win, and quarterback Aidan Chiles kept his streak of not throwing an interception this season. But this is the first time Northwestern has played down to its competition all year.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Aidan Chiles is one of five FBS quarterbacks this season to have thrown nine or more passing touchdowns with no interceptions, joining Indiana’s Josh Hoover, Boise State’s Maddux Madsen, Cincinnati’s JC French IV and Oregon’s Dante Moore.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+950 (tied for 28th-best) Record: 5-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 22<\/p>\n Quarterback Kevin Jennings scrambles against Virginia in the Mustangs’ Week 7 win. (Photo by Stacy Revere\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a023-13 win vs. Virginia The Mustangs are doing enough to keep themselves in the conversation for the CFP with an eye on the ACC championship game. The program\u2019s loss to 3-3 Louisville is its only blemish, and it will have a chance to move up these rankings with a bullet in November when quarterback Kevin Jennings and SMU host Wake Forest and travel to South Bend, Indiana, to play Notre Dame.<\/p>\n Stat to know: With his two passing touchdowns against Virginia, quarterback Kevin Jennings is now up to 71 career passing scores at SMU \u2014 tied for the second-most in school history. With two more, he’ll pass Tanner Mordecai for the most all time.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+700 (tied for 25th-best) Record: 5-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: NR<\/p>\n Quarterback Sam Leavitt celebrates after a touchdown against Mississippi State in LSU’s shutout win in Week 7. (Photo by Derick Hingle\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a031-0 win vs. Mississippi State Without star quarterback Kamario Taylor and star running back Fluff Bothwell behind center for Mississippi State, LSU\u2019s defense loaded the box and roughed up an undermanned Bulldogs offense. Mississippi State traveled back to Starkville, left their side of the scoreboard unbothered and with the day off.<\/p>\n Beating the Bulldogs is an expected outcome for a head coach making more annually than every other head coach except two. It was nice to see quarterback Sam Leavitt play his best game since the season-opener against Clemson, too, completing 31-of-38 passes for 289 passing yards with four touchdowns.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Saturday’s win was just the second time quarterback Sam Leavitt threw four touchdowns in 31 career games. He led LSU to its first shutout win against an SEC opponent since 2007, which also came against the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+175 (15th-best) Record: 4-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 21<\/p>\n Quarterback Dylan Raiola runs the ball against Nebraska during Oregon’s nail-biting Week 7 win. (Photo by Brian Murphy\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a017-13 win vs. Nebraska Quarterback Dylan Raiola managed to get his revenge win against the Nebraska Huskers<\/a> after being perhaps the most obvious reason for the Ducks\u2019 Week 6 loss. Not bad for a quarterback who not only got benched against UCLA last week but began the game on the bench against the Huskers.\u00a0<\/p>\n More importantly, the Ducks kept themselves in the College Football Playoff hunt. This game was an crucial reminder of just how good coach Dan Lanning is at getting into the win column, as evidenced by his 37-1 record against ranked opponents.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Brock Thomas started the game and was eventually benched in the fourth quarter after going 9-of-20 for 54 yards and an interception. Dylan Raiola entered and went 11-of-18 for 59 yards, including hitting the game-winning touchdown pass with 28 seconds left.\u00a0<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+450 (tied for 23rd-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 20<\/p>\n Quarterback Jayden Maiava led USC into a hostile Beaver Stadium and left with a 31-23 victory against Penn State last week.(Photo by Isaiah Vazquez\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a0Bye Stat to know: Quarterback Jayden Maiava is one of two power conference quarterbacks to throw for more than 2,000 yards this season so far, and he’s one of three FBS players to eclipse that mark (Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson).\u00a0<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+430 (22nd-best) Record: 4-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 18<\/p>\n Quarterback Drew Mestemaker throws against Houston during Oklahoma State’s second loss of the season. (Photo by Austin McAfee\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a035-32 loss vs. Houston Quarterback Drew Mestemaker played mostly outstanding football with another 350-plus-yard passing performance, which has become habitual for him since the loss to Tulsa. But it wasn\u2019t enough against a Houston defense that bent but didn\u2019t break while the Cowboys defense struggled to keep pace with the Cougars.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oklahoma State gave up 505 yards, including 343 passing and 162 rushing, making the job of winning a shootout too difficult for its offense to overcome.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Drew Mestemaker has thrown for at least 300 yards and two passing touchdowns in five straight games, the second-longest such active streak in FBS (Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson has done it in six).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+1300 (tied for 33rd-best) Record: 5-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 9<\/p>\n Running back Jamal Roberts rushes up the middle against Ole Miss in a Week 7 lopsided loss. (Photo by Jason Homan\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a031-3 loss vs. Ole Miss Missouri continues to do its Robert Louis Stevenson thing, and by that, I mean the Tigers must\u2019ve read\u00a0Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and took the whole damn novel literally. This is particularly true when you know running back Jamal Roberts rushed for at least 200 yards in each of Mizzou\u2019s two previous games but was held to just 39 yards on 20 rushes.<\/p>\n Stat to know: After starting the season with 13 passing touchdowns and no interceptions, quarterback Austin Simmons has now thrown an interception in back-to-back games along with just one passing score. What’s more, running back Jamal Roberts finished with just 39 rushing yards against Ole Miss, after running for more than 200 yards and multiple scores in the previous two weeks.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+700 (tied for 25th-best) Record: 5-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 16<\/p>\n Running back Kamari Moulton cuts outside in Iowa’s win against Washington in Week 6. (Photo by Jesse Beals\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a0Bye Stat to know: Running back Kamari Moulton is one of eight power conference players and only Big Ten player averaging at least 100 rushing yards per game.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+400 (21st-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 19<\/p>\n Quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns against Oklahoma State. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a035-32 win vs. Oklahoma State Quarterback Connor Weigman is making a play for Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year with performances like the one he enjoyed against Oklahoma State. His complete control of the offense as a passer \u2014 with dashes of daring runs \u2014 was the stuff of the former five-star quarterback he was out of high school. He completed 24-of-33 passes for 343 yards with five passing touchdowns and just one interception.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Saturday was the second time quarterback Conner Weigman threw five passing touchdowns in his career (the first came in 2023). His 20 passing scores on the year are the second-most in FBS, trailing only Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson (24).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+390 (20th-best) Record: 5-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: NR<\/p>\n Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. throws against Texas in Florida’s road win over the Longhorns. (Photo by Tim Warner\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a027-24 win vs. Texas The Gators now have two top-10 wins: One was against Ole Miss and the other against Texas on the road. Those are strong wins, and despite a confounding loss to South Carolina, Jon Sumrall might have something here. And then to have quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. start in place of an injured Aaron Philo \u2014 IN AUSTIN \u2014 and lead this team to a win, Florida deserves its spot.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. made his first career start Saturday, completing 22-of-35 passes for 155 yards, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions, along with 41 rushing yards. Since 2018, he is the sixth quarterback to play an AP top-10 team in his first career start and win \u2014 joining Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Georgia Southern’s Max Johnson, Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy and LSU’s Joe Burrow.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+300 (18th-best) Record: 6-0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 14<\/p>\n Quarterback Devon Dampier throws against Colorado during Utah’s narrow win in Week 7. (Photo by Andrew Wevers\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a027-24 win vs. Colorado Like Texas Tech weeks ago, Utah simply had to survive whatever late-night magic Colorado seems to conjure at Folsom. And that was enough. But this game was the first of the year when I saw a Utah team which could not put away a struggling Colorado after showing itself to be not just talented but also closer to earning a College Football Playoff invitation than any other iteration before.<\/p>\n Quarterback Devon Dampier completed 24-of-41 passes for 278 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in a game where his ability to throw the ball was paramount against a Buffs defense determined to stop Utah\u2019s rushing attack.<\/p>\n If Utah played either Alabama or LSU on a neutral site, the game very much feels like a pick \u2018em, and that\u2019s great news for Utah as it continues to try to climb up the rankings.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Devon Dampier is the only power conference quarterback to have more than 1,000 rushing yards over the last two seasons. He is also one of just four FBS players to have 3,500 or more passing yards and 1,000 or more rushing yards in the last two seasons (Byrum Brown, Colton Joseph, Brad Jackson).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+115 (11th-best) Record: 5-2<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 6<\/p>\n Quarterback Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide couldn\u2019t stifle Tennessee and ultimately lost in Week 7. (Photo by Roger Wimmer\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a026-10 loss vs. Tennessee The Crimson Tide took their explosive-oriented offense into Neyland and watched it refuse to get lit. Against a defense that was forcing quarterback Keelon Russell and Alabama to drive the length of the field rather than get chunk yardage for quick touchdowns. And their troubles were compounded by four turnovers \u2014 two through the air from Russell \u2014 and a rush attack that didn\u2019t attack much at all, with just 54 rushing yards for the game.<\/p>\n Alabama’s rush defense also got bullied from the first play from scrimmage through the last and gave up 150 rushing yards.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Keelon Russell finished with 147 passing yards, no passing touchdowns, two interceptions and a 94.3 passer rating \u2014 all career-lows.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-220 (sixth-best) Record: 6-0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 11<\/p>\n Running back Wayne Knight against Wisconsin during UCLA’s Week 7 win on the road. (Photo by Keith Birmingham\/MediaNews Group\/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a017-7 win vs. Wisconsin Bob Chesney\u2019s Bruins are the only undefeated team left in the Big Ten or the SEC. They just don\u2019t know how to lose.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their wins aren\u2019t pretty, their offense isn\u2019t sexy, and the only household name you simply have to know on this team is running back Wayne Knight. But even he wasn\u2019t much of a factor in a game the Bruins won to extend their undefeated start to the season through seven wins.\u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday, backup quarterback Ty Dieffenbach took the opportunity to run the offense and played spectacularly, completing 22 of 33 passes for 264 yards with an interception.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Running back Wayne Knight has scored a touchdown in every game this season \u2014 he has 11 rushing scores on the year, which is tied for the fourth-most among all FBS players. He is also one of seven players in FBS to have 12 or more scrimmage touchdowns on the season.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+145 (13th-best) Record: 6-0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 10<\/p>\n Running back J’Koby Williams scores a touchdown against Arizona State in a Texas Tech Week 7 win. (Photo by John E. Moore III\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a053-25 win vs. Arizona State Quarterback Will Hammond and the Red Raiders led the Sun Devils, 43-10, at halftime. Frankly, Hammond didn\u2019t have to do too much because running back J\u2019Koby Williams rushed for 165 yards with two touchdowns on just 11 rushes against an Arizona State team forced to play backup quarterback Mikey Keene for most of the game.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Running back J\u2019Koby Williams became the fifth Texas Tech player since 2000 to rush for more than 165 yards in a game, joining Cameron Dickey, DeAndre Washington, Tahj Brooks and Taurean Henderson.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-125 (eighth-best) Record: 5-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 17<\/p>\n Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss runs for a touchdown against Missouri during Ole Miss’ Week 7 win. (Photo by Jason Homan\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a031-3 win vs. Missouri Honestly, I just want to know where the hell all of this was against Florida in the Swamp? Particularly this defense that didn\u2019t allow a single touchdown and stopped the hottest running back in the sport (Jamal Roberts). And stopped him cold.\u00a0<\/p>\n Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has enjoyed more 300-yard passing performances than not at Ole Miss. But this game wasn\u2019t one of them, in large part because running backs Kewan Lacy and Makhi Frazier each rushed for more than 100 yards in the win.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss finished with three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown against Missouri. He’s now tied with Alabama’s Keelon Russell and Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer for the most games this season with at least three passing touchdowns and at least one rushing touchdown.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-115 (ninth-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 8<\/p>\n Quarterback Kenny Minchey passes against Oklahoma in the Wildcats’ win in Week 7. (Photo by Chad Hamilton\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a021-13 win vs. Oklahoma The Wildcats moved to 3-0 on the road in SEC games with a gutsy win in Norman for the first time since 2009, and they have their defense to thank for that. Willie Stein\u2019s squad forced four turnovers out of the Oklahoma offense, including three interceptions against Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. Quarterback Kenny Minchey and the Kentucky offense did just enough to win \u2014 not commit any turnovers \u2014 and are beginning to look like a team that will find its way into the CFP selection conversation in late November.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Since throwing an interception against in a Week 2 loss to Alabama, quarterback Kenny Minchey has thrown nine touchdown passes and also rushed for one, leading Kentucky to five straight victories.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+230 (17th-best) Record: 5-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 15<\/p>\n Running back DeSean Bishop celebrates with fans on the field after Tennessee beat Alabama in Week 7. (Photo by Bryan Lynn\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a026-10 win vs. Alabama Running back DeSean Bishop rushed for at least 130 yards for the third consecutive game. This time, he carried the rock 32 times for 159, and the yards he picked up were mostly violent and reminiscent of 2024 Tennessee with former running back Dylan Sampson in the backfield. You\u2019ll remember that\u2019s the last year the Vols made the CFP. If Josh Heupel can get this team to the playoff after benching his five-star, true freshman starter (Faizon Brandon) for George MacIntyre, it might be his best coaching job to date.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Since Week 5, no FBS player has more rushing yards than DeSean Bishop, who racked up 517 in his last three games. He also has six rushing touchdowns, which is the third-most in FBS in that span.\u00a0<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0+135 (12th-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 7<\/p>\n Receiver Nick Marsh catches what would have been a game-winning touchdown but stepped out of bounds on fourth down against Ohio State. (Photo by James Black\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a019-15 loss vs. Ohio State The Hoosiers saw their 22-game winning streak end, but not before giving themselves an opportunity to win the game late. Had quarterback Josh Hoover and wide receiver Nick Marsh connected in-bounds, Indiana likely would have defeated the Buckeyes.\u00a0<\/p>\n But they did not.\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, Hoover played admirably, even after the offense gave up back-to-back turnovers to start the second half. This program still looks like a top-10 one \u2014 particularly on the defensive line \u2014 and is capable of playing championship football, as evidenced by its performance against a Buckeyes program, which, like Indiana, is seeking the national title.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Wide receiver Charlie Becker finished with nine receptions for 165 yards, both career-highs. He is seventh in FBS in receiving yards (694) and tied for fifth in receiving touchdowns (eight).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-650 (fifth-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 2<\/p>\n Running back Nolan James Jr. dives into the end zone for a touchdown against BYU in Notre Dame’s first loss of the season. (Photo by Aaron Baker\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a028-24 loss vs. BYU The Fighting Irish lost this game on the road against a BYU opponent that did not have the services of its 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, LJ Martin, and squandered the chance to win the game late. The ejection of star defender Boubacar Traore early in the game negatively affected Notre Dame’s ability to pass rush.<\/p>\n It can still win the national title, but it\u2019s safer now to say it needs to win out to assure entry into the CFP. And the Fighting Irish will probably need to beat Miami to prove their mettle to the CFP committee.<\/p>\n Quarterback CJ Carr had a chance to win this game late with the final possession. That was his chance to make a Heisman moment. But in Winning Time, he came up short.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Notre Dame\u2019s 16-game win streak ended with the loss to BYU. Each of those 16 wins came by 10 or more points, which ends as the third-longest winning streak of at least 10 points in the AP poll era (Army won 21 straight games by 10-plus points between 1944 and 1946, and Miami won 17 straight games by double digits between 2000 and 2001).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-1500 (second-best) Record: 6-0<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 13<\/p>\n Quarterback Bear Bachmeier passes against Notre Dame during BYU’s home win over the Fighting Irish. (Photo by Boyd Ivey\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a028-24 win vs. Notre Dame Quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw a touchdown, caught a touchdown and rushed for two more in the biggest win of his career at BYU \u2014 and the biggest win of coach Kalani Sitake\u2019s too. The Cougars joined Miami, Texas Tech, Utah and UCLA as the only remaining undefeated teams left among the Power Four, and they have one of the best wins in the sport. \u00a0<\/p>\n BYU did it all without star tailback LJ Martin on the field, meaning the Cougars can conceivably be a stronger team in November than they are after defeating Notre Dame on Saturday night. This is BYU\u2019s first ranked win \u2014 albeit a big one.<\/p>\n Stat to know: BYU is 6-0 for the third consecutive season \u2014 a first for the program. The Cougars have eight 6-0 starts in school history, with four of them coming under Sitake (2024-26, 2020). Saturday’s win over No. 2 Notre Dame is also BYU’s first win against an AP top-2 team since 1990, when the Cougars defeated No. 1 Miami, and second overall.\u00a0<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-155 (seventh-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 1<\/p>\n Quarterback Gunner Stockton is tackled while running against Auburn in Georgia’s Week 7 loss. (Photo by Steve Limentani\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a027-24 loss vs. Auburn Sanford Stadium had been a fortress. From 2019 to 2024, no visiting team walked into the stadium the Dawgs called home and left with a win. But since 2025, Alabama and Auburn have each beaten teams quarterbacked by Gunner Stockton between the hedges. It\u2019s like as soon as I ranked Georgia as the top college football team<\/a>, it then decided to play down to its unranked competition. And the Bulldogs lost the game in large part because of that.<\/p>\n Georgia played its worst against Auburn and still only lost that game on a walk-off field goal. The Dawgs are good. They\u2019ve just been humbled too.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Before Georgia\u2019s loss to Auburn, the AP No. 1 team had won 93 consecutive home games against unranked opponents.<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-900 (third-best) Record: 6-1<\/p>\n Previous ranking: 5<\/p>\n Jeremiah Smith hauls in a fourth-quarter touchdown as Ohio State outlasted Indiana in a Week 7 top-5 showdown. (Photo by Justin Casterline\/Getty Images) <\/p>\n Week 7 game:\u00a019-15 win vs. Indiana The Buckeyes gutted out their victory against a top-5 opponent on the road, but it appears to be closer to a pyrrhic victory rather than an absolute win. Ohio State does not appear to be a top-5 team without starting quarterback Julian Sayin<\/a> behind center. Perhaps backup quarterback Luke Fahey will prove me wrong.<\/p>\n Worst yet, the Buckeye offensive line is the reason Sayin is out for several weeks<\/a> after leaving Saturday\u2019s game with his throwing arm in a sling. The five men up front tasked with protecting Sayin failed terribly, allowing their quarterback to get hit often enough to not just affect his play but also lead to his injury.<\/p>\n Stat to know: Receiver Jeremiah Smith recorded his 39th career receiving touchdown, tying Braylon Edwards for the most in Big Ten history. His 52 receptions on the season are tied for most in FBS, and he ranks second in receiving yards (984) and receiving scores (12).<\/p>\n Odds to make CFP:\u00a0-750 (fourth-best)![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Texas.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
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Week 8 game: vs. Ole Miss<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +1400 (seventh-best)<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/JamesMadison.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Appalachian State<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +75000 (tied for 34th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Northwestern](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Northwestern.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: vs. Rutgers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +35000 (29th-best)<\/p>\n![\"SMU](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/SMU.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: vs. Cal<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +30000 (tied for 27th-best)<\/p>\n![\"LSU](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/LSU.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Auburn<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +2200 (ninth-best)<\/p>\n![\"Oregon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Oregon.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Illinois<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +5500 (tied for 14th-best)<\/p>\n![\"USC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/USC.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Wisconsin<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +8000 (tied for 16th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Oklahoma](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/OklahomaState.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: vs. Colorado<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +75000 (tied for 34th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Missouri](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Missouri.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: Bye<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +10000 (tied for 18th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Iowa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Iowa.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Minnesota<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +10000 (tied for 18th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Houston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Houston.vresize.200.200.medium.2.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Utah<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +12500 (tied for 22nd-best)<\/p>\n![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Florida.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: Bye<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +6000 (16th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Utah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Utah.vresize.200.200.medium.3.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: vs. Houston<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +5000 (13th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Alabama](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Alabama.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: vs. Texas A&M<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +1100 (sixth-best)<\/p>\n![\"UCLA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/UCLA.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: vs. Michigan State<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +10000 (tied for 18th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Texas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TexasTech.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: at Cincinnati\u00a0<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +4000 (tied for 10th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Ole](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/OleMiss.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: at Texas<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +1600 (eighth-best)<\/p>\n![\"Kentucky](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Kentucky.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: vs. Vanderbilt<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +8000 (tied for 16th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Tennessee](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Tennessee.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: at South Carolina<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +4000 (tied for 10th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Indiana](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Indiana.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
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Week 8 game: at Michigan<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +850 (fifth-best)<\/p>\n![\"Notre](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/NotreDame.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: Bye<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +480 (second-best)<\/p>\n![\"BYU](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BYU.vresize.200.200.medium.2.png\")
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Week 8 game: at UCF<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +4000 (tied for 10th-best)<\/p>\n![\"Georgia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Georgia.vresize.200.200.medium.0.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: Bye<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +470 (first)<\/p>\n![\"Ohio](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792334201_473_OhioState.vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Week 8 game: Bye<\/p>\n
Odds to win national title: +490 (third-best)<\/p>\n
![\"Miami](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Miami(FL).vresize.200.200.medium.1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n