College football fans, brace yourselves for a wild ride! Week 7 just shook up the rankings in ways you won't believe. From nail-biting SEC showdowns to unexpected upsets, this weekend had it all. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Alabama's narrow escape against Missouri a sign of weakness or a testament to their resilience? And this is the part most people miss—South Florida's explosive offense is quietly making a case for a top-25 spot, while Florida State's once-promising season is spiraling out of control.
This week's marquee matchups across the nation didn't disappoint, with playoff dreams and conference standings hanging in the balance. The AP Top 25 poll is in for a major reshuffle after Friday and Saturday's games delivered drama in spades. Alabama clinched a heart-stopping 27-24 win over Missouri, thanks to a game-saving interception by Dijon Lee Jr. with just 37 seconds left. Meanwhile, Florida State's woes deepened with a 34-31 loss to unranked Pitt, their third straight defeat. On the flip side, South Florida continued its offensive fireworks, dropping 63 points on North Texas to improve to 5-1.
Teams Poised to Climb the Ranks
South Florida (No. 24) is on fire, securing a 63-36 victory over North Texas, which handed the Mean Green their first loss. The Bulls have now scored 50 or more points in three consecutive games, a feat that's hard to ignore. Their return to the rankings last week after a 54-26 win over Charlotte was no fluke—this team is for real.
Alabama (No. 8) may have squeaked by Missouri, but their third straight SEC win solidifies their position as a legitimate contender. Despite the close call, the Crimson Tide's ability to grind out wins in high-pressure situations speaks volumes about their championship mettle.
Teams Likely to Tumble
Florida State (No. 25) is in freefall. After a 3-0 start and a top-10 ranking, the Seminoles have lost three straight, including this week's defeat to Pitt. With losses to Virginia, Miami, and now Pitt, their poll prospects look grim. Could this be the end of their top-25 era—at least for now?
Mississippi (No. 4) escaped with a 24-21 win over Washington State, but it wasn’t pretty. A sluggish start, marked by turnovers and missed opportunities, raised questions about their top-five status. While they rallied for the win, their performance fell short of elite expectations. Is Ole Miss overrated, or are they just having a mid-season slump?
Wild Card Contenders
Missouri, despite their loss to Alabama, proved they’re a force to be reckoned with. The Tigers battled toe-to-toe for four quarters, and a close loss to a top-10 team shouldn’t derail their ranking too much. But here’s the controversial take: Did Missouri expose cracks in Alabama’s armor, or did they simply fall victim to a powerhouse program?
Knocking on the Door
Cincinnati is making a strong case for a top-25 spot. Their 20-11 win over UCF improved them to 5-1, and they were just 18 points shy of No. 25 Florida State in last week’s voting. With Florida State’s continued struggles, the Bearcats could finally break into the rankings this week.
As the season heats up, the AP Top 25 poll promises more twists and turns. What’s your take? Is Alabama still a title favorite, or are they vulnerable? Should South Florida crack the top 25? And is Florida State’s season officially in crisis mode? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your bold predictions and hot takes!
