College football's Week 7 is already delivering shocking upsets and nail-biting finishes that are poised to dramatically reshuffle the AP Top 25! Playoff dreams are hanging in the balance, and conference championships are becoming clearer with each snap. But here's the big question: Who's rising, who's falling, and who's about to make a statement?
Friday night and Saturday afternoon's games have already set the stage for some major movement in the rankings. Let's dive into the key results that will likely impact the AP Top 25.
Teams Expected to Climb
No. 24 South Florida (5-1): The Bulls absolutely demolished North Texas, 63-36, handing them their first defeat of the season. This dominant performance follows a 54-26 thrashing of Charlotte and marks their third consecutive game scoring over 50 points! South Florida is making a compelling case that they are a force to be reckoned with.
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Teams Expected to Fall
No. 25 Florida State (3-3): Remember when Florida State was undefeated and a top-10 team? Those days are long gone. The Seminoles suffered their third consecutive loss, falling to an unranked Pitt team, 34-31. After disappointing defeats against Virginia, Miami, and now Pitt, Florida State's future in the Top 25 looks grim. It's a stunning collapse for a team that once held so much promise.
No. 4 Mississippi (5-1): While Ole Miss ultimately prevailed over Washington State, 24-21, their performance was far from convincing. The Rebels stumbled out of the gate, with their initial drives ending in a turnover on downs, a missed field goal, and a fumble. They managed to build a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, but the second half was a back-and-forth struggle. And this is the part most people miss... A win is a win, but Mississippi's struggles against an unranked opponent suggest they may be overrated at their current ranking. Should a team that barely squeaks by against an underdog really be considered a top-five program?
Wild Card: Missouri
Even though Missouri (5-1) lost to Alabama, don't expect them to plummet in the rankings. The Tigers battled fiercely for all four quarters, proving they can compete with the nation's elite. A narrow loss to a top-10 team like Alabama might cause a slight dip, but it shouldn't significantly derail their season. The AP voters often reward teams that put up a good fight, even in defeat.
Knocking on the Door: Cincinnati
Cincinnati continues to impress, improving to 5-1 with a 20-11 victory over UCF. The Bearcats were the highest-ranked unranked team last week, trailing No. 25 Florida State by just 18 votes. Given Florida State's recent struggles, Cincinnati is poised to break into the Top 25.
Week 7 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the college football season. What do you think of these potential rankings changes? Which teams are overrated, and which are being overlooked? And most importantly, which team do you think will ultimately claim the national championship? Sound off in the comments below!
