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 2026 season was headlined by chaos all across the sport. Georgia was stunned by Auburn in Athens, Florida upset Texas, Tennessee scored a massive home victory against Alabama, Ohio State knocked off Indiana and BYU defeated Notre Dame in Provo. Also, Miami held off Florida State’s upset bid in double overtime and Ole Miss picked up a big-time SEC win over Missouri.
Ohio State takes the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 7 top 25 rankings, followed by Miami, BYU, Georgia and Notre Dame. Here are Athlon Sports’ top 25 college football teams after Week 7:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 7)
1. Ohio State (6-1)
Last Week: 6
Week 7 Result: Defeated Indiana
The Buckeyes escaped Bloomington with a hard-fought 19-15 victory over Indiana. Receiver Jeremiah Smith and a couple of timely takeaways on defense helped to earn the win. However, the victory came at a cost. Quarterback Julian Sayin is out indefinitely after suffering an injury on Saturday.
2. Miami (6-0)
Last Week: 4
Week 7 Result: Defeated Florida State
Quarterback Darian Mensah (326 passing yards) and receiver Malachi Toney (11 catches for 154 yards and two scores) led the way in a wild 43-35 double overtime win over Florida State.
3. BYU (6-0)
Last Week: 9
Week 7 Result: Defeated Notre Dame
The Cougars knocked off Notre Dame in an epic 28-24 showdown in Provo. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier scored four overall times to lead the way, and BYU’s defense came up with a couple of timely stops – including one on the goal line as time expired.
4. Georgia (6-1)
Last Week: 1
Week 7 Result: Lost to Auburn
A week after a massive win over Alabama, Georgia suffered its first defeat of the season in stunning fashion, as Auburn won 27-24 on a last-second field goal. The Bulldogs simply made too many mistakes (three turnovers) and struggled to run the ball (113 yards).
5. Notre Dame (6-1)
Last Week: 2
Week 7 Result: Lost to BYU
The Fighting Irish suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a 28-24 thriller at BYU. Quarterback CJ Carr threw for 261 yards but missed a couple of throws and had a costly fumble at the end of the first half. The Nov. 7 showdown against Miami looms large for Notre Dame’s playoff chances.
6. Indiana (6-1)
Last Week: 3
Week 7 Result: Lost to Ohio State
The Hoosiers made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes and turnovers in a 19-15 loss to Ohio State. Receiver Nick Marsh’s close call in the end zone in the final minute also added to the frustrating performance for coach Curt Cignetti’s team.
7.Ole Miss (5-1)
Last Week: 8
Week 7 Result: Defeated Missouri
The Rebels picked up a massive SEC win on Saturday, defeating Missouri 31-3. The combination of an improved defense and the play of running back Kewan Lacy, to go with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, was simply too much for the Tigers to overcome.
8. Texas Tech (6-0)
Last Week: 10
Week 7 Result: Defeated Arizona State
Coach Joey McGuire’s team turned in a sharp performance coming off the bye week, crushing Arizona State 53-25 to move to 6-0. The Red Raiders defense recorded six sacks and nine tackles for a loss, while running back J’Koby Williams gashed the Sun Devils for 165 rushing yards and two scores on 11 carries.
9. UCLA (6-0)
Last Week: 11
Week 7 Result: Defeated Wisconsin
UCLA’s ground game was held in check by Wisconsin, but quarterback Ty Dieffenbach completed 22 of 33 throws for 264 yards and a stingy defense was enough for a 17-7 win.
10. Tennessee (6-1)
Last Week: 15
Week 7 Result: Defeated Alabama
The Volunteers earned their third win in a row over Alabama in Knoxville and moved firmly into the College Football Playoff mix with a 26-10 victory. Tennessee’s defense dominated on Saturday afternoon by limiting the Crimson Tide to just 201 yards, and running back DeSean Bishop (159 yards) led a timely offense.
11. Utah (6-0)
Last Week: 12
Week 7 Result: Defeated Colorado
The Utes narrowly avoided more chaos in Week 7, but coach Morgan Scalley’s team held on for a 27-24 victory over Colorado.
12. Alabama (5-2)
Last Week: 7
Week 7 Result: Lost to Tennessee
The Crimson Tide’s 26-10 defeat at Tennessee marked the first time since 2013 that Alabama lost back-to-back games in a season. Coach Kalen DeBoer’s offense struggled to piece together drives against the Volunteers defense and made too many mistakes with four turnovers.
13. Kentucky (6-1)
Last Week: 14
Week 7 Result: Defeated Oklahoma
Kentucky’s offense managed only 230 yards, but the defense forced four turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown, to lift the Wildcats to a 21-13 road win at Oklahoma.
14. Houston (6-1)
Last Week: 19
Week 7 Result: Defeated Oklahoma State
The Cougars scored a massive victory in Big 12 play with a 35-32 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Quarterback Conner Weigman was the driving force for Houston’s performance, throwing for 343 yards and five touchdowns and adding 52 yards on the ground. Two takeaways by the Cougars defense were also instrumental in a close game.
15. USC (6-1)
Last Week: 16
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Trojans were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday at Wisconsin.
16. Iowa (5-1)
Last Week: 17
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Hawkeyes were off in Week 7 and are set to return to action next Saturday at Minnesota.
17. Missouri (5-2)
Last Week: 13
Week 7 Result: Lost to Ole Miss
An off week next Saturday comes at a good time for Missouri following the Week 7 31-3 loss at Ole Miss. The Tigers sputtered on offense in Oxford, and the defense gave up 498 yards and 31 points in the defeat.
18. Florida (5-2)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 7 Result: Defeated Texas
The Gators return to the top 25 after Saturday’s 27-24 upset of Texas. After back-to-back poor performances on defense, Florida’s defense stepped up on Saturday. This unit held the Longhorns to 272 yards, forced a turnover and recorded five sacks. Also, quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. (22 of 35 for 155 yards and two scores) made a handful of clutch plays in his first start.
19. Texas (4-2)
Last Week: 5
Week 7 Result: Lost to Florida
The Longhorns dropped their second game in a row, losing a 27-24 stunner to Florida. Despite a struggling Gators defense in Austin, coach Steve Sarkisian’s offense managed only 272 yards and converted just two of 10 third-down attempts. Quarterback Arch Manning has to play better, but Texas is also struggling to run the ball (just 99 yards against the Gators) and gave up too much pressure (five sacks allowed).
20. LSU (5-2)
Last Week: 20
Week 7 Result: Defeated Mississippi State
LSU rebounded from last week’s overtime loss to Kentucky with a 31-0 victory over Mississippi State. Quarterback Sam Leavitt (31 of 38 for 289 yards and four scores) was outstanding in the win.
21. Wake Forest (6-1)
Last Week: 23
Week 7 Result: Defeated California
A long trip to the West Coast didn’t slow Wake Forest’s offense in a dominant 41-7 victory over California. The Demon Deacons averaged 8.2 yards per play behind quarterback Gio Lopez’s four touchdown passes.
22. Oklahoma State (4-2)
Last Week: 18
Week 7 Result: Lost to Houston
The Cowboys scored touchdowns on four of their final five drives but came up just short in a 35-32 defeat at Houston. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 365 yards and three scores in the loss.
23. Boise State (5-1)
Last Week: 22
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Broncos were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday at Washington State.
24. Northwestern (5-1)
Last Week: 24
Week 7 Result: Defeated Michigan State
The Wildcats won the Pat Fitzgerald Bowl 24-21 over Michigan State. After a questionable fake punt gave the Spartans good field position late in the fourth quarter, Northwestern blocked a field goal and then drove 64 yards in eight plays to get the game-winning kick.
25. Arizona (5-1)
Last Week: 25
Week 7 Result: Off Week
The Wildcats were off in Week 7 and will return to action next Saturday at home against Iowa State.
Up Next: Oregon, SMU, James Madison, Mississippi State
