Watch out for West Virginia in the Week 7 Power Rankings
— -- Things have started to even out halfway through the regular season, with the top seven or so teams holding true for a few weeks now. After that, opinions vary a bit. But one thing is certain: We are ready to believe that West Virginia is for real. Check out where the Mountaineers land and how the rest of the top 25 looks at the midpoint.?
Power Rankings voters: Edward Aschoff, Butch Davis, Heather Dinich, Brad Edwards, Chris Fallica, Rod Gilmore, Danny Kanell, Chris Low, Ivan Maisel, Ryan McGee, Adam Rittenberg, Mark Schlabach | How they voted
Previous rankings: Week 1?|? Week 2 |? Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (7-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 1
Week 7 result: defeated Tennessee 49-10
Debate the rest of the rankings if you'd like, but there's no doubt about No. 1. Alabama recorded its most dominant performance of the season against Tennessee, recording two more nonoffensive touchdowns and three rushing scores from Jalen Hurts. The freshman quarterback is unstoppable running the zone read in the red zone. Alabama enters its showdown against Texas A&M oozing with confidence.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 2
Week 7 result: defeated Wisconsin 30-23
There would be no double-digit win this time. The Buckeyes worked for every point at Camp Randall Stadium, and post-halftime heroics from J.T. Barrett propelled them to an overtime win. Barrett accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) and showed incredible poise. Ohio State's defense struggled for stretches but made key plays late. The Buckeyes face another prime-time road test this week at Penn State.
3. Clemson Tigers?(7-0)
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Week 6 ranking:?3
Week 7 result: defeated NC State 24-17 (OT)
It takes luck to have a special season, and Clemson might have used up all its good fortune Saturday against NC State. The Tigers were very sloppy on offense, committing four turnovers. If not for NC State's kicking game, Clemson would have suffered its first regular-season loss since 2014. The defense continues to excel, but Clemson has a lot to correct in its open week before visiting Florida State.
4.? Michigan Wolverines?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 5
Week 7 result: bye
Jim Harbaugh hit the scheduling jackpot: eight home games and an open week right at the midpoint of the slate. The Wolverines are rested for a second half featuring more challenges, perhaps not this week against Illinois but the following week at Spartan Stadium, where they haven't won since 2007. Jabrill Peppers remains very much in the thick of the Heisman race.
5.? Washington Huskies?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking:?4
Week 7 result: bye
The Huskies are nationally relevant again. How will they handle that success? Coach Chris Petersen continues to shield his team from the national spotlight as much as possible, but quarterback Jake Browning is an emerging Heisman Trophy candidate, and others are generating attention. Washington gets back to action this week against Oregon State before a potentially tricky stretch (at Utah, at Cal, USC).
6.? Texas A&M Aggies?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 7
Week 7 result: bye
Kevin Sumlin and his players got a chance to catch their breath after last week's wild and exhausting win over Tennessee. The Aggies now get a chance to validate themselves as national title contenders as they visit Alabama. Trevor Knight might be the anti-Johnny Football off the field, but Texas A&M wouldn't mind if he replicated Manziel's heroics against an opportunistic Tide defense.
7.? Louisville Cardinals?(5-1)
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Week 6 ranking:?6
Week 7 result: defeated Duke 24-14
Whether Louisville fell victim to an open-week hangover or Duke's pressuring defense, it didn't show its typical dominance Friday. If not for a roughing-the-kicker penalty, the Cardinals would have been sweating it out in the closing minutes with a 3-point lead. Lamar Jackson showed he's human (13-of-26 passing) but still posted his fifth 100-yard rushing-performance in six games.
8.? Nebraska Cornhuskers?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking:?10
Week 7 result: defeated Indiana 27-22
Anyone who has watched Indiana knew Saturday's trip wouldn't be easy. The Huskers saw a 17-0 lead dwindle, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong (10-of-26 passing) made some of those uh-oh throws that have plagued him in the past. But Nebraska made enough plays to prevail in an evenly played game. After finding every way to lose last fall, the Huskers are 6-0 for the first time since 2001.
9.? Wisconsin Badgers?(4-2)
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Week 6 ranking:?8
Week 7 result: lost to Ohio State 30-23
Few teams have looked better in defeat than the Badgers, who pushed a more talented team to the brink for the second consecutive game. Wisconsin's offense showed great balance (236 rush yards, 214 pass yards) as running back? Corey Clement sizzled and quarterback Alex Hornibrook continued to show moxie. A second-half lull ultimately doomed Wisconsin, which might need to win out to claim the Big Ten West Division crown.
10.? Baylor Bears?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking:?12
Week 7 result: defeated Kansas 49-7
The preseason is over for Baylor. To the Bears' credit, they have continued their success on the field despite all the offseason turmoil. After an easy win over Kansas, Baylor enters an open week before visiting Texas, which, despite being down, has beaten the Bears twice in the past four seasons. Baylor then hosts TCU and visits Oklahoma, so it'll get real.
11.? Florida State Seminoles?(5-2)
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Week 6 ranking:?13
Week 7 result: defeated Wake Forest 17-6
The Seminoles are starting to win with ... defense? Coordinator Charles Kelly's much-maligned unit sparked for the second straight week as Florida State kept Wake Forest out of the end zone Saturday. Florida State committed three turnovers but got a huge performance from wideout Travis Rudolph (13 receptions, 238 yards). The Noles get a week off before Clemson visits Tallahassee.
12.? Houston Cougars?(6-1)
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Week 6 ranking:?14
Week 7 result: defeated Tulsa 38-31
A second loss likely would have eliminated Houston from New Year's Six contention and perhaps the American Athletic Conference race. Instead, Tulsa's clock mismanagement and an incredible goal-line stop by safeties Austin Robinson and Khalil Williams preserved a 38-31 win. Houston is banged up and reeling a bit but still alive for big things. The Cougars visit SMU this week.
13.? West Virginia Mountaineers?(5-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 21
Week 7 result: defeated Texas Tech 48-17
Impressed yet? At some point, it's OK to admit that West Virginia might be good. The Mountaineers certainly looked the part in a dominant performance at Texas Tech, holding Pat Mahomes and the Red Raiders 38 points and 279 yards below their season averages. West Virginia still has trips to Oklahoma State and Texas but plays arguably its toughest games at home, beginning this week with TCU.
14.? Oklahoma Sooners?(4-2)
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Week 6 ranking: 18
Week 7 result: defeated Kansas State 38-17
There would be no Kansas State stunner in Norman this season, as Oklahoma took control early and led by double digits for the final 40:39. The Baker Mayfield- Dede Westbrook connection (184 yards, three touchdowns) continues to shatter records as the Sooners are clearly comfortable in Big 12 play. Mayfield will be spotlighted this week as he returns to Texas Tech, where he started his college career.
15. Boise State Broncos?(6-0)
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Week 6 ranking:?15?
Week 7 result: defeated Colorado State 28-23
After taking nearly a half to score, the Broncos pulled away from Colorado State before having to hold on late. Jeremy McNichols (217 rush yards, 40 carries, two touchdowns) sparkled on a rainy night as the Broncos moved closer to overtaking Houston in the race for the Group of 5's New Year's Six spot. Boise State puts its perfect mark on the line Thursday against a surging BYU on the blue turf.
16.? Utah Utes?(6-1)
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Week 6 ranking:?20
Week 7 result: defeated Oregon State 19-14
Injuries have depleted Utah's offensive line and running back positions, so not surprisingly, the Utes slogged through a 19-14 win at Oregon State. Joe Williams came out of retirement to rush for 179 yards and a touchdown. The Utes will continue to ride arguably the Pac-12's best defensive line and their special teams, but they need to get healthier soon, as Washington looms in two weeks.
17.? Florida Gators?(5-1)
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Week 6 ranking:?19
Week 7 result: defeated Missouri 40-14
Tennessee's second league loss puts Florida in control of its own fate in the SEC East. The Gators have a much tougher schedule ahead, but they took a nice step with an easy win over Missouri. Pick-sixes by cornerbacks Jalen Tabor and Quincy Wilson propelled Florida, which found its offensive flow in the second half. Florida gets a week off before facing Georgia in Jacksonville.
18.? Tennessee Volunteers?(5-2)
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Week 6 ranking:?9
Week 7 result: lost to Alabama 49-10
A grueling stretch and an unstoppable opponent wore down Tennessee on Saturday. The Vols couldn't generate anything offensively, producing only 32 rush yards and 11 first downs against the Tide. Derek Barnett is a force at defensive end, but Tennessee's depth just isn't there. The Vols get a much-needed open week before a soft second-half schedule. They now need Florida to stumble once in league play.
19.? Arkansas Razorbacks?(5-1)
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Week 6 ranking:?23
Week 7 result: defeated Ole Miss 34-30
Facing an 0-3 start in SEC play, Arkansas needed no fourth-and-25 miracle to outlast Ole Miss on Saturday night. Coach Bret Bielema continued his mastery against Hugh Freeze's best teams, as Arkansas won its third straight in the series. The Hogs were extremely balanced offensively (229 pass yards, 200 rush yards) and received a huge lift from Rawleigh Williams III (180 rush yards). They next visit Auburn.
20.? Auburn Tigers?(4-2)
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Week 6 ranking: ?24
Week 7 result: bye
The Tigers took momentum into their open week, as an emerging run game is complementing a significantly improved defense. The defense will be tested the next two weeks against Arkansas (home) and Ole Miss (road), two games that could help secure coach Gus Malzahn's job or put it back in doubt. QB? Sean White and the Auburn offense get another chance to build against Arkansas' struggling D.
21.? Western Michigan Broncos?(7-0)
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Week 6 ranking: 22
Week 7 result: defeated Akron 41-0
"Row The Boat" to the New Year's Six? It's not out of the question with Houston struggling lately. Western Michigan, with two Big Ten road wins, is dominating its MAC opponents, blanking Akron 41-0 on the road Saturday. The Broncos finally committed a turnover, but Jarvion Franklin set the single-game team rushing record with 281 yards.
22.? Ole Miss Rebels?(3-3)
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Week 6 ranking:?11
Week 7 result: lost to Arkansas 34-30
The Rebels are still among the nation's most exciting offenses, but they're not among the nation's best teams. They continue to struggle against Arkansas, which delivered a balanced offensive performance and held the ball for more than 40 minutes Saturday. QB? Chad Kelly did damage with his legs (89 rush yards, two touchdowns) but couldn't stretch the field in the passing game (6.5 yards per completion). The schedule gets no easier as Ole Miss visits LSU, which is finally scoring points.
23.? Washington State Cougars?(4-2)
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Week 6 ranking:?NR
Week 7 result: defeated UCLA 27-21
After an 0-2 start, Washington State coach Mike Leach said of his team, "We just aren't tough enough." Message delivered, message received. The Cougars since have won four straight, including three in Pac-12 play, and suddenly look like the primary challenger to Washington in the Pac-12 North. Washington State didn't record a passing touchdown against UCLA, ending its FBS-leading streak of 41 games, but still won behind its defense and its rushing attack.
24.? North Carolina Tar Heels?(5-2)
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Week 6 ranking: NR
Week 7 result: defeated Miami 20-13
The Tar Heels are, if nothing else, unpredictable. After being washed out in a 34-3 home loss to Virginia Tech, North Carolina responded at Miami and rode its defense to a 20-13 win. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky executed UNC's short-passing plan well (299 yards on 33 completions with two touchdowns), and the Tar Heels got a lot of players involved. UNC still needs Virginia Tech to lose again, but FPI gives the Heels a 65 percent chance to win the ACC Coastal division.
25.? Colorado Buffaloes?(5-2)
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Week 6 ranking: NR
Week 7 result: defeated Arizona State 40-16
One of the best stories of the season keeps getting better. Coach Mike MacIntyre entered the fall on the hot seat. He now has Colorado one win from bowl eligibility. Whether it's Sefo Liufau or Steven Montez at quarterback, Colorado is racking up points and big plays on offense. Phillip Lindsay (219 rush yards, three touchdowns) sparked the run game in Colorado's easy win over Arizona State.
Fell out of the rankings:?Miami, Virginia Tech, Arizona State
Others receiving votes: LSU, NC State, Navy, Miami, USC, Virginia Tech, South Florida, Stanford?