AP Top 25 College Football Power Rankings: Week 7 Review and Analysis (2025)

College football rankings are never short on controversy, and Week 7 is no exception! Did your favorite team make the cut? More importantly, where did they land? One thing's for sure: Brett McMurphy's AP Top 25 ballot is bound to spark some debate. Let's dive into his tentative rankings and see who's sitting pretty and who might feel a little slighted.

Important Note: These are tentative rankings, subject to change after Saturday's late games conclude. McMurphy's top 10 are unlikely to shift, but the rest of the ballot could see some movement. Keep an eye out for the finalized version early Sunday morning.

Here's a sneak peek at McMurphy's Week 7 AP Top 25 ballot:

Miami (5-0)
The Hurricanes enjoyed a week off and are gearing up for a busy stretch. They'll host Louisville this Friday, followed by Stanford on October 25th. For the first time this season, Miami will venture outside of Florida when they visit SMU on November 2nd. Being undefeated and having a relatively easy schedule so far, the Hurricanes are sitting pretty at the top. But can they maintain their dominance as the competition heats up?
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Ohio State (6-0)
The Buckeyes secured a 34-16 victory over Illinois, though the Illini actually outgained them in total yardage (295-272). Ohio State's defense proved to be the difference-maker, forcing three crucial turnovers. And here's a surprising stat: Illinois was the first team to score more than nine points against the Buckeyes all season! Ohio State now faces a tough road test against Wisconsin on Saturday. Can the Buckeyes continue their winning streak against a traditionally strong Big Ten opponent?
Indiana (6-0)
Indiana makes a HUGE leap to No. 3 after a dominant 30-20 victory over Oregon, snapping the Ducks' impressive 18-game home winning streak. The Hoosiers' defense was stifling, holding Oregon to season lows in both points (20) and yards (267). Quarterback Fernando Mendoza had a solid performance, throwing for 215 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Up next for Indiana is a home game against Michigan State. Is Indiana for real? This ranking is sure to raise eyebrows. But here's where it gets controversial... is it too high?
Ole Miss (6-0)
The Rebels had a less-than-convincing 24-21 non-conference win against Washington State. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Kewan Lacy added 142 yards on 24 carries. Ole Miss now returns to SEC play with a challenging road game against Georgia. While a win is a win, some might argue that this performance doesn't warrant a top-five ranking. Do you think Ole Miss deserves to be this high?
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Texas A&M (6-0)
The Aggies cruised to a 34-17 victory over Florida, racking up over 400 yards of total offense. Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 234 yards and added 37 yards rushing. The Aggies now hit the road to face Arkansas on Saturday. Texas A&M has looked impressive, but their schedule hasn't been the toughest. And this is the part most people miss... how much does strength of schedule really factor into these rankings?
LSU (5-1)
The Tigers eked out a 20-10 victory over South Carolina. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 254 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Trey'Dez Green led the Tigers with 119 yards on eight receptions, including a 6-yard touchdown. Notably, LSU hasn't scored more than 20 points against any of their four Power 4 opponents this season. They'll visit Vanderbilt on Saturday. LSU's offense has been inconsistent. Can they find their rhythm against Vanderbilt?
Texas Tech (6-0)
The Red Raiders defeated Kansas 42-17, despite losing starting quarterback Behren Morton to injury in the first half. Running back Cameron Dickey stepped up in a big way, rushing for 263 yards on 21 carries, including a 71-yard touchdown. Texas Tech, along with Miami, is one of only two teams that hasn't trailed in a game this year. Tech visits Arizona State on Saturday. That's an impressive stat about never trailing. But is that enough to justify their ranking?
Alabama (5-1)
The Crimson Tide held off Missouri 27-24 for their fifth consecutive victory since their season-opening loss to Florida State. Quarterback Ty Simpson had a solid day with 200 yards, three touchdown passes, and no interceptions. Running back Jam Miller added 85 yards on 20 carries. Alabama seems to be finding its stride after a shaky start. Are they back to being a national championship contender?
Georgia (5-1)
The Bulldogs rallied from a 10-0 deficit to win at Auburn 20-10. Quarterback Gunner Stockton had 217 yards passing and 26 yards rushing, including the game-clinching 10-yard TD run with 1:53 remaining. Georgia struggled early against Auburn. Is this a sign of weakness, or a testament to their resilience?
Oregon (5-1)
The Ducks' 18-game home winning streak came to an end with a 30-20 loss to Indiana. Oregon was held below 30 points for the first time this season. Quarterback Dante Moore was limited to 186 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Oregon visits Rutgers on Saturday. Dropping out of the top ten, Oregon needs to bounce back quickly to prove they're still a threat.

Rounding out McMurphy's Tentative Top 25:

Tennessee (5-1) - Result: Win 34-31 vs. Arkansas
Notre Dame (4-2) - Result: Win 36-7 vs. NC State
Georgia Tech (6-0) - Result: Win 35-20 vs. Virginia Tech
Oklahoma (5-1) - Result: Lost 23-6 to Texas in Dallas
Virginia (5-1) - Result: Did not play
Vanderbilt (5-1) - Result: Did not play
Arizona State (4-1) - Result: Pending result of game at Utah
BYU (5-0) - Result: Pending result of game vs. Arizona
Nebraska (5-1) - Result: Win 34-31 at Maryland
Cincinnati (5-1) - Result: Win 20-11 vs. UCF
Memphis (6-0) - Result: Did not play
Missouri (5-1) - Result: Lost 27-24 to Alabama
Texas (4-2) - Result: Win 23-6 vs. Oklahoma in Dallas
USC (5-1) - Result: Win 31-13 vs. Michigan
USF (5-1) - Result: Win 63-36 at North Texas

So, what do you think of McMurphy's tentative rankings? Are there any teams that are significantly overrated or underrated? Which teams are poised to climb the rankings, and which ones are likely to fall? Sound off in the comments below!