College Football Rankings: Joel Klatt's Top 10 After Week 7
Joel Klatt had to shake up his college football rankings after a shocking Week 7. On Monday, the FOX Sports analyst unveiled his updated top 10, revealing a surprising twist. Seven teams in the AP Top 25 were defeated, with five of those losses coming against unranked opponents. With the regular season halfway done, every game is crucial for teams aiming to make the College Football Playoff. While Klatt can't predict the national championship winner, he believes these teams are on the right track. Let's dive into his revised rankings and explore the intriguing storylines.
- Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes remained at the top after a dominant 34-16 win over Illinois. Their defense shone, holding the Illini to 294 total yards and forcing three turnovers. Despite a less-than-spectacular offense, Ohio State's 34 points were impressive. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had a quiet day, but the team's overall performance was strong.
- Indiana Hoosiers (+4)
Indiana climbed four spots after an upset victory over Oregon. The Hoosiers' defense was smothering, sacking Oregon's Dante Moore six times and intercepting him twice. They held Oregon to just 267 yards, while Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, shone with 246 yards of offense. This win snapped Oregon's impressive home streak.
- Miami Hurricanes
Miami enjoyed a bye week after a 28-22 win over Florida State. They secured the 'state championship' with wins over USF, Florida, and FSU. Additionally, they kicked off the 2025 season with a victory over Notre Dame, the previous year's runner-up. With no ranked opponents left, Miami is on track for an undefeated postseason run.
- Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M is a consistent force in the SEC. They defeated Florida 34-17, improving to 6-0 and 3-0 in conference play. The Aggies' ground game was key, with 183 rushing yards. Quarterback Marcel Reed was solid, completing passes and scoring a touchdown.
- Alabama Crimson Tide (+2)
Alabama narrowly escaped with a win against Missouri, showcasing resilience. Since losing to Florida State, they are 5-0. Quarterback Ty Simpson looked like a Heisman contender, completing passes and scoring touchdowns without interceptions.
- Texas Tech Red Raiders (+2)
Texas Tech dominated Kansas 42-17, impressing Klatt. Running back Cameron Dickey had an outstanding performance with 263 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Despite an injury to QB Behren Morton, the team's performance was encouraging.
- Oregon Ducks (-5)
Oregon's loss to Indiana was a wake-up call. They struggled offensively, managing just 267 yards and converting only 3 of 14 third-down attempts. Discipline issues, including penalties and interceptions, were a concern.
- Georgia Bulldogs (+1)
Georgia's loss to Alabama seems less damaging each week. Since the setback, they've won two games, including a road victory over Auburn. The Bulldogs held Auburn to 278 yards and secured the win with a goal-line fumble.
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (NR)
Despite two losses, Klatt believes Notre Dame will turn it around. They dominated NC State 36-7, showcasing a powerful offense. QB CJ Carr had an impressive performance, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
- Ole Miss (-5)
Ole Miss is still a top 10 team, but its position is precarious. They narrowly beat Washington State 24-21, with a late TD from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels face challenging opponents, including Georgia and Oklahoma, which could impact their ranking.
