The college football season always manages to throw in a few curveballs, and Week 7? No exception there.
With upsets and some genuinely game-changing wins, the College Football Playoff (CFP) landscape looks a whole lot different now. Indiana’s surprise win over Oregon and Texas pulling away from Oklahoma are making everyone rethink their playoff predictions.
Let’s dig into what happened and what it means for the road ahead.
Week 7 Highlights: Major Upsets and Key Victories
Week 7 brought some of the most jaw-dropping results this season. Indiana’s win over Oregon stands out—a game that’s suddenly put the Hoosiers in the playoff spotlight.
Texas also made waves by beating Oklahoma, a result that shakes up both teams’ postseason hopes.
Indiana’s Rise to Prominence
Indiana’s 30-20 win over Oregon was huge for the program. The Hoosiers, who are usually underdogs, showed real grit by taking down a top-ranked team on the road.
After a strong 2024 season with an 11-2 record and a playoff appearance, this win against Oregon just cements their status as one of the top squads in the country.
Texas’ Rivalry Win Over Oklahoma
Texas grabbed a 23-6 win over Oklahoma, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. They needed this one to bounce back from an earlier loss to Florida and keep their playoff hopes alive.
For Oklahoma, the loss stings, dropping them out of the main playoff race and giving other teams a shot at the bracket.
Current College Football Playoff Projections
The latest rankings and scores have shaken up the playoff projections. Some teams are locking in their spots, while others are falling behind.
Top Teams and Automatic Bids
Here are the current top teams in the CFP projections:
- Ohio State (No. 1, Big Ten)
- Indiana (No. 2)
- Miami (No. 3, ACC)
- Texas A&M (No. 4, SEC)
- Texas Tech (No. 5, Big 12)
- South Florida (No. 20, American)
These teams have earned their places with tough wins and consistent play. Ohio State’s still undefeated, thanks in part to a big win over Illinois, and Miami’s defense has been keeping them near the top.
At-Large Bids
Beyond the automatic bids, the next seven highest-ranked teams get at-large spots. Here’s who makes the cut right now:
- Alabama (No. 6)
- Ole Miss (No. 7)
- Oregon (No. 8)
- Georgia (No. 9)
- Tennessee (No. 10)
- Georgia Tech (No. 11)
These teams have been steady all season. Alabama’s narrow win over Missouri and Ole Miss keeping their SEC record spotless really stand out.
Upcoming Games to Watch
Looking ahead to Week 8, a handful of games are set to shape the playoff picture even more. Teams are either trying to lock in their spots or make a last-minute push.
ACC Showdowns
Miami’s up against Louisville in a matchup that could turn into a shootout—these two just have that kind of history. There’s also Georgia Tech facing Duke, with both teams still unbeaten in ACC play.
These games are going to matter a lot for the conference standings.
Big 12 Rivalry
In the Big 12, Utah and BYU face off in a rivalry that always brings fireworks. BYU hasn’t lost yet, and Utah’s only stumble was against Texas Tech.
This one could decide who gets the conference’s playoff spot.
Nonconference Battle: USC vs. Notre Dame
USC and Notre Dame renew their classic rivalry, and both are desperate for a statement win. USC can’t really afford another loss, while Notre Dame’s looking for a signature moment.
It’s a must-watch if you’re following the playoff chase.
SEC Clashes
The SEC’s got a few big ones coming up: LSU at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss at Georgia, and Tennessee at Alabama. Ole Miss and Alabama are both perfect in SEC play so far, so their games are especially high-stakes.
Whatever happens, the SEC standings—and the playoff picture—are about to get a serious shakeup.
Conclusion
Week 7 really threw a wrench into the College Football Playoff picture. Indiana and Texas—who saw that coming? Both are suddenly right in the mix, making things a lot more interesting than most folks expected.
Week 8 is coming up fast, and it’s pretty much make-or-break time for a few of these teams. Who’s actually going to hang on, and who’s about to get knocked out of the race?
If you’re hungry for a deeper dive or want the latest projections, the full article on Bleacher Report has you covered.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
