Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.
The seventh weekend of the 2024 season was headlined by several thrilling finishes, including LSU's win over Ole Miss in Baton Rouge, Tennessee's overtime victory versus Florida, Oregon's win against Ohio State, and Penn State's overtime escape over USC. Also, Alabama needed a last-minute interception versus South Carolina to avoid another upset defeat, with Kansas State and BYU also picking up big-time wins in Big 12 play.
Texas owns the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 7 top 25 rankings, followed by Oregon, Ohio State, and Georgia. Here are Athlon Sports' top 25 college football teams after Week 7:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 7)
1. Texas (6-0)
Last Week: 1
Week 7 Result: Defeated Oklahoma
The Longhorns got revenge for the 2023 last-minute loss to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry with a dominant 34-3 victory on Saturday. Defense led the way for coach Steve Sarkisian, as this unit limited the Sooners to 237 yards and recorded five sacks. Quarterback Quinn Ewers returned after missing the last two games due to injury but showed some rust (20 of 29 for 199 yards and a touchdown). Up next for Texas is a massive Saturday night showdown against Georgia.
2. Oregon (6-0)
Last Week: 4
Week 7 Result: Defeated Ohio State
Oregon and Ohio State traded punches for four quarters on Saturday night in a back-and-forth heavyweight showdown in Eugene. The Ducks came out on top in a 32-31 battle, with quarterback Dillon Gabriel (341 passing yards and three overall scores) and a timely defensive stop in the final seconds proving to be the difference. Oregon struggled to find its rhythm early in the year, but the pieces have clearly fallen into place for coach Dan Lanning after Saturday night's massive victory.
3. Ohio State (5-1)
Last Week: 2
Week 7 Result: Lost to Oregon
The Buckeyes came up just short in a 32-31 battle at Oregon on Saturday night. Ohio State's offense had no trouble moving the ball (467 yards), but its top-ranked defense struggled (7.6 yards a play allowed). In addition to the loss, coach Ryan Day's team suffered a major injury with left tackle Josh Simmons suffering an ailment against the Ducks that will sideline him indefinitely.
4. Georgia (5-1)
Last Week: 3
Week 7 Result: Defeated Mississippi State
With a huge showdown at Texas looming next week, Georgia may have been peeking ahead a bit with Mississippi State in Athens on Saturday. Coach Kirby Smart's team was in control most of the way in a 41-31 victory, but Mississippi State gave Georgia more of a battle than most anticipated. Quarterback Carson Beck led the offense to an average of 7.9 yards a snap and threw for 459 yards and three touchdowns.
5. Penn State (6-0)
Last Week: 7
Week 7 Result: Defeated USC
Tight end Tyler Warren's monster day (17 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown) and a stingy second-half effort by the defense helped to fuel Penn State for a 33-30 overtime victory at USC. The Nittany Lions trailed 20-6 at halftime, but the defense stepped up in the final two quarters, with Warren and quarterback Drew Allar (391 yards) delivering clutch plays to lift coach James Franklin's team to a victory after a long road trip to the West Coast.
6. Miami (6-0)
Last Week: 5
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Hurricanes had an off date in Week 7. Miami will return to action next Saturday in a huge ACC showdown at Louisville.
7. Alabama (5-1)
Last Week: 6
Week 7 Result: Defeated South Carolina
A week after losing to Vanderbilt, Alabama certainly didn't have an easy rebound in a 27-25 victory over South Carolina. Quarterback Jalen Milroe accounted for three overall touchdowns, but the offense struggled with the Gamecocks' rush (four sacks allowed). Also, the Crimson Tide's defense was an issue once again. South Carolina converted seven of 15 third-down attempts, and the offense posted nearly 400 yards (374). Coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff have a ton to work on before next week's game at Tennessee.
8. Tennessee (5-1)
Last Week: 8
Week 7 Result: Defeated Florida
Considering Florida has dominated the recent series against Tennessee, it's hard for coach Josh Heupel to complain too much about a 23-17 overtime victory. However, the Volunteers were favored by just over two touchdowns and trailed until the fourth quarter. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava (16 of 26 for 169 yards) was off once again, but running back Dylan Sampson (112 yards) was excellent, and the defense stepped up in the second half to help Tennessee secure the win.
9. LSU (5-1)
Last Week: 11
Week 7 Result: Defeated Ole Miss
The Bayou Bengals struggled early, but coach Brian Kelly's team battled to force overtime and eventually found a way to knock off Ole Miss 29-26. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier made several clutch throws late, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kyren Lacy on the first play of overtime to secure the victory. LSU's offensive line held Ole Miss' standout defensive front to zero sacks and gave Nussmeier plenty of time to make plays downfield when the game was on the line in the fourth quarter.
10. Notre Dame (5-1)
Last Week: 10
Week 7 Result: Defeated Stanford
The Fighting Irish cruised to a 49-7 victory against Stanford on Saturday afternoon. Quarterback Riley Leonard (16 of 22 for 229 yards and three scores) took a step forward with his overall performance, and Notre Dame's defense limited the Cardinal to only 200 total yards.
11. Clemson (5-1)
Last Week: 12
Week 7 Result: Defeated Wake Forest
After a sluggish start, Clemson scored 28 points in the second quarter and eventually pulled away for a 49-14 victory over Wake Forest. Quarterback Cade Klubnik continues to play well, completing 31 throws for 309 yards and three touchdowns. The Demon Deacons managed only 233 yards (4.1 yards a snap) and was held scoreless in the second half.
12. Iowa State (6-0)
Last Week: 13
Week 7 Result: Defeated West Virginia
The Cyclones are 6-0 for the first time since 1938 after an impressive 28-16 victory at West Virginia. Quarterback Rocco Becht threw for 265 yards and a touchdown on 18 completions, and the Iowa State defense limited the Mountaineers' standout ground game to 148 rushing yards.
13. BYU (6-0)
Last Week: 15
Week 7 Result: Defeated Arizona
The Cougars continued their surprise run at the Big 12 title with a 41-19 victory over Arizona. Coach Kalani Sitake's defense forced four turnovers, which the team converted into 24 points. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was efficient (218 yards and two touchdowns), and the ground game pounded the Wildcats for 147 yards over 27 attempts.
14. Texas A&M (5-1)
Last Week: 14
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Aggies had an off date in Week 7. Coach Mike Elko's team returns to action next Saturday at Mississippi State.
15. Kansas State (5-1)
Last Week: 16
Week 7 Result: Defeated Colorado
The Wildcats secured a crucial Big 12 road victory with a 31-28 win at Colorado. Running back DJ Giddens pounded the Buffaloes for 182 yards over 25 carries, and the K-State defense made a couple of timely stops, including one in the fourth quarter with under two minutes to go to secure the victory.
16. Ole Miss (5-2)
Last Week: 9
Week 7 Result: Lost to LSU
Hopes of a CFB Playoff trip for coach Lane Kiffin's squad suffered a massive setback with a 29-26 overtime loss at LSU. The Rebels were in control early but had too many missed opportunities and struggled to contain quarterback Garrett Nussmeier in some clutch situations late in the game. Additionally, the Tigers' standout offensive line did not allow a sack to the talented Ole Miss front.
17. Missouri (5-1)
Last Week: 17
Week 7 Result: Defeated UMass
A trip and easy win (45-3) at UMass was exactly what Missouri needed after last Saturday's blowout defeat to Texas A&M. Receiver Luther Burden scored a 61-yard touchdown on the Tigers' second snap and helped to lift the offense to 24 first-half points in the easy victory. Quarterback Brady Cook (14 of 19 for 219 yards and two scores) was solid on Saturday.
18. Boise State (5-1)
Last Week: 21
Week 7 Result: Defeated Hawaii
Running back Ashton Jeanty's record-setting season continued with 217 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in Boise State's 28-7 victory against Hawaii.
19. Indiana (6-0)
Last Week: 22
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Hoosiers were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday against Nebraska.
20. Pitt (6-0)
Last Week: 24
Week 7 Result: Defeated California
Pitt's high-powered offense was largely held in check by California in the second half, but coach Pat Narduzzi's team leaned on its defense to hold on for 17-15 victory. Narduzzi's defense limited the Golden Bears to 335 total yards and recorded six sacks. The Panthers are 6-0 for the first time since 1982.
21. Illinois (5-1)
Last Week: 23
Week 7 Result: Defeated Purdue
A struggling Purdue team surprisingly gave Illinois all it could handle on Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Illini won 50-49 in overtime, but the game raised plenty of concerns for coach Bret Bielema's team. The defense surrendered 536 total yards to the Boilermakers, and running back Kaden Feagin was ruled out prior to kickoff and could miss a couple of games due to injury.
22. SMU (5-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Mustangs had an off date on Saturday. Coach Rhett Lashlee's team will return to action next week at Stanford.
23. Navy (5-0)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Midshipmen had an off date on Saturday. Coach Brian Newberry's team returns to action in Annapolis next week against Charlotte.
24. Vanderbilt (4-2)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Defeated Kentucky
No letdown here: A week after scoring a huge upset over Alabama, coach Clark Lea's team wasn't focused on that performance, as the Commodores went into Lexington and recorded a 20-13 victory over Kentucky.
25. Michigan (4-2)
Last Week: 20
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Wolverines had an off date in Week 7. Michigan is set to return to action next Saturday at Illinois.
Up Next: Army, Nebraska, Iowa, Syracuse, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Utah
Related: Predicting the AP Top 25 College Football Poll After Week 7
Related: Why Is Missouri Playing at UMass?
Related: College Football Top 134 Team Rankings for 2024
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