Indeed, most teams took care of business against their competition, with all but one winning by multiple scores. The lone exception was top-ranked Alabama, which played arguably its worst game of the season in a 24-20 victory over Texas A&M.
The Crimson Tide got three passing touchdowns out of backup quarterback Jalen Milroe, but also two fumbles. He also threw an interception, while running back Jase McClellan added another fumble. The Aggies scored three times off Bama turnovers, and took the game down to the wire with a heavily criticized last-second go-ahead touchdown attempt.
Alabama’s near miss wasn’t the only notable game on Saturday. No. 18 UCLA beat No. 11 Utah 42-32 behind the play of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who completed 18 of 23 passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns to one interception (he also added a rushing score).
MORE: College Football Playoff picture for Week 7: Changes are on deck
No. 13 Kentucky wasn’t able to beat South Carolina without starting quarterback Will Levis, falling 24-14; Notre Dame won its third straight game, beating No. 16 BYU 28-20 in Las Vegas; No. 17 TCU beat No. 19 Kansas in controversial fashion to remain undefeated; and Arizona State beat No. 21 Washington in perhaps the upset of the week.
And, even though it wasn’t a matchup of top-25 teams, Texas demolished Oklahoma 49-0, the biggest win in this series ever for the Longhorns. They accomplished that with the return of Quinn Ewers, who returned from a clavicle sprain to complete 21 of 31 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns to one interception.
The Sporting News looks at how those games and more will impact the latest college football rankings in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll rankings for Week 7:
College football rankings for Week 7
Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: BYU 82; Illinois 77; James Madison 70; Coastal Carolina 55; Florida 52; Tulane 32; South Carolina 21; Minnesota 14; Notre Dame 13; UCF 10; Maryland 8; Washington State 7; Washington 7; Texas A&M 7; Purdue 7; LSU 5; Liberty 5; Florida State 4; Pitt 2; San Jose State 1.
MORE: Week 6 Overreactions: Tennessee-Alabama hype; Quinn Ewers wows; DTR stays hot
AP Top 25
Others receiving votes: North Carolina 98; Baylor 91; BYU 61; Coastal Carolina 61; Notre Dame 58; Florida 56; Tulane 42; Purdue 34; Florida State 18; South Carolina 12; Washington State 10; Minnesota 5; LSU 4; Maryland 4; San Jose State 1
title: “College Football Polls Updated Ap Top 25 Coaches Poll Rankings After Week 6” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Joan Underwood”
No. 1 Alabama lost a stunner to unranked Texas A&M in College Station, falling 41-38 and knocking the Crimson Tide from the ranks of the unbeaten. That loss alone has massive implications on the updated rankings and College Football Playoff standings, and ends several Crimson Tide streaks that were bordering on absurd in terms of their longevity. But it wasn’t the only big loss on Saturday.
No. 4 Penn State also fell to No. 3 Iowa, 23-20, creating an even bigger vacuum in the top five of the latest polls. Like Alabama, the Nittany Lions control their own destiny insofar as the Playoff is concerned, but can’t lose another game and expect to participate on the sport’s top stage. Elsewhere, independent, 10th-ranked BYU lost its first game of the season to Mountain West foe Boise State, likely ending any hope the Cougars had of making the Playoff.
MORE: College Football Playoff Picture for Week 7: How far will Alabama fall after Texas A&M loss?
Those weren’t the only top-25 losses, however, No. 6 Oklahoma kept its undefeated record intact with a heart-stopping comeback in the Red River Showdown — overcoming a 28-7 first-quarter deficit — to beat No. 21 Texas 55-48. The Sooners accomplished that with the help of Caleb Williams, who came in off the bench to lead the comeback. And No. 17 Ole Miss also beat No. 13 Arkansas 52-51 with both teams fresh off defeats to Alabama and Georgia, respectively.
Naturally, all the losses had a significant impact on the latest AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll. With that, Sporting News presents the latest college football rankings following the Week 6 slate of games:
MORE: College football’s wild Week 6 had everything, from Alabama losing on down
College football rankings for Week 7
Coaches Poll
Others receiving votes: Auburn 98; Baylor 91; Texas 74; Pitt 36; UTSA 30; Mississippi State 18; Iowa State 18; Appalachian State 18; Boston College 11; Air Force 9; Tennessee 8; Liberty 8; Nevada 7; Louisiana 3; Houston 3; Fresno State 3; UCLA 1.
MORE: By the numbers: Alabama’s loss to Texas A&M ends long-running streaks
AP Top 25
Others receiving votes: Auburn 106; Clemson 63; Baylor 62; UTSA 22; Mississippi State 7; Kansas State 3; Air Force 2; Appalachian State 2; Pitt 1.
