College Football has delivered every week, and that’s good news on the entertainment front. When it comes to CFB Power Rankings, however, let’s just say things are “fluid."
Down goes No. 2. Again.
Iowa’s loss at home to Purdue as a double-digit favorite sent a shockwave through the top 10 of the rankings this week. Meanwhile, Oklahoma seems to be finding itself with new QB Caleb Williams, and Alabama looked a lot like Alabama after suffering a loss in Week 6.
With meaningful games on the horizon, more movement is coming. But amid the madness - and a new No. 2 team in the rankings below - is one undeniable constant: There’s Georgia, and then there’s everyone else.
For someone holding multiple Bulldogs futures tickets, I am not at all unhappy by this.
New rankings, ahoy. All CFB championship odds and lines are current as of 7 PM EST on Monday, October 18.
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50. Appalachian State (Last Week No. 36, Down 14)
I don’t know what happened last week, but it wasn’t good. App State was destroyed by Louisiana, which is not a result I saw coming. It was so bad, the Mountaineers barely stayed in the top 50.
They can redeem themselves with a win over Coastal Carolina this week, which won’t be easy.
49. UTEP (Last Week Unranked)
48. Tennessee (Last Week No. 44, Down 4)
47. Virginia Tech (Last Week No. 33, Down 14)
46. Western Michigan (Last Week Unranked)
45. Washington State (Last Week Unranked)
Don’t look now, but Wazzu has won three games in a row. Week 7’s 34-31 comeback win over Stanford is perhaps the most meaningful to date. It doesn’t get any easier with BYU coming up, however.
44. Texas Tech (Last Week Unranked)
43. Louisiana (Last Week Unranked)
42. Fresno State (Last Week No. 42, Unchanged)
41. Air Force (Last Week No. 48, Up 7)
40. Maryland (Last Week No. 39, Down 1)
The Terps had a bye last week, which was needed after back-to-back blowout losses to Iowa and Ohio State. Maryland heads to Minnesota next, another team with some momentum. That could spell trouble.
39. Virginia (Last Week No. 41, Up 2)
38. LSU (Last Week No. 45, Up 8)
37. Utah (Last Week No. 49, Up 12)
36. BYU (Last Week No. 25, Down 11)
35. Oregon State (Last Week No. 34, Down 1)
After a bye week, Oregon State welcomes Utah in Week 8. Given recent results, this is a huge matchup in the Pac-12. I’m curious to see what kind of effort we get from the Beavers following their loss to Washington State.
34. Nevada (Last Week No. 40, Up 6)
33. Texas (Last Week No. 26, Down 7)
32. Iowa State (Last Week No. 35, Up 3)
31. Purdue (Last Week Unranked)
30. Clemson (Last Week No. 29, Down 1)
I don’t know what to do with this team. The Tigers are walking a tightrope, and they nearly lost to Syracuse last week. Last year, Clemson was favored by 40+ points in that game.
I’m very curious to see how this offense responds against Pitt.
29. Florida (Last Week No. 18, Down 11)
28. Houston (Last Week No. 38, Up 10)
27. Arkansas (Last Week No. 19, Down 8)
26. UCLA (Last Week No. 31, Up 5)
25. Arizona State (Last Week No. 17, Down 8)
The Sun Devils lost at Utah, which explains the significant drop (although Utah might not actually be bad). It puts a halt to some quality momentum, although Arizona State remains in the Top 25 (barely).
24. Texas A&M (Last Week No. 28, Up 4)
I thought there was huge letdown potential against Missouri last week, but the Aggies had other ideas. Beating Alabama appears to have been a jolt for this team, and that’s bad news for South Carolina this week.
23. Pittsburgh (Last Week No. 32, Up 9)
Kenny Pickett for Heisman? Kenny Pickett for Heisman. Pitt’s starting QB is turning into a star before our eyes, and he certainly took care of Virginia Tech on the road last week. Massive game against Clemson on tap.
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett has vaulted himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation with his stellar play over the last several weeks. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
22. Auburn (Last Week No. 27, Up 5)
Bo Nix was excellent and Auburn delivered a convincing, critical win over Arkansas on Saturday. After a bye, the Tigers play Ole Miss in another massive SEC showdown.
21. North Carolina State (Last Week No. 24, Up 3)
The Wolfpack have quietly become a threat in the ACC, and a 33-7 win over Boston College was a step in the right direction in Week 7. Next up is a struggling (but still capable) Miami team.
20. UTSA (Last Week No. 22, Up 2)
Meep meep. The Roadrunners clobbered Rice to move to 7-0, and they will now play Louisiana Tech in one of the sneaky-good games for Week 8.
19. Baylor (Last Week No. 23, Up 4)
This is a team we should be talking about more. Dave Aranda has Baylor cooking, and a double-digit win over BYU is a nice resume-builder. After a bye, Baylor plays Texas in a massive Big 12 tussle.
18. SMU (Last Week No. 20, Up 2)
The Mustangs are unbeaten and enjoyed a week off. Next stop is an intriguing game against a Tulane offense that can score some points. As the schedule beefs up, this ranking is poised to be jostled one way or another in the next few weeks.
17. San Diego State (Last Week No. 21, Up 4)
Brady Hoke is unbeaten and a win over San Jose State — even if it took double-overtime to get there — is worth celebrating. Air Force is next, and the Aztecs will need to play better to remain undefeated.
16. Wake Forest (Last Week No. 16, Unchanged)
Coming off a bye, Wake Forest plays Army with a chance to improve to 7-0. It’s hard to know when the test might come with the schedule given the up-and-down nature of the ACC, so Wake Forest just needs to keep rolling.
15. Oregon (Last Week No. 11, Down 4)
The win over Ohio State feels like it happened a season ago. After losing to Stanford, Oregon snuck past Cal in Week 7. The optics aren’t great, although the Ducks still only have one loss.
Next up is a fun game against former head coach Chip Kelly in Week 8.
14. Notre Dame (Last Week No. 12, Down 2)
Notre Dame was off last week, so they slid a bit with so much going on. I’m very curious to see how Brian Kelly‘s team handles USC in Week 8, which it should dominate.
13. Coastal Carolina (Last Week No. 13, Unchanged)
Do you like Wednesday night football? Of course, you do! This week, Coastal Carolina plays Appalachian State in a meaningful matchup. If Coastal wants to stay unbeaten, this is a big test along the way.
12. Kentucky (Last Week No. 9, Down 3)
So the Wildcats lost to Georgia. It happens. I’m not dropping Kentucky far because a) I thought the game was largely competitive and b) I believe Georgia is that good. After a bye this week, Kentucky will get Mississippi State.
11. Ole Miss (Last Week No. 10, Down 1)
National Championship Odds: (+10000) at Caesars
Well, Ole Miss beat Tennessee. The Rebels were hit with trash, golf balls, and bottles, but they won nevertheless. It wasn’t the cleanest effort on offense, but the defense stepped up.
Outside of the loss to Alabama, Lane Kiffin has been running well the last few weeks.
10. Michigan State (Last Week No. 14, Up 3)
National Championship Odds: (+8000) at Caesars
It hasn’t been pretty or easy, but it’s been successful. Michigan State beat Indiana despite struggling on offense, which might be a good thing. Kenneth Walker III was held in check, and the team still won.
After a bye, Sparty gets Michigan. Massive game.
9. Iowa (Last Week No. 2, Down 7)
Iowa’s loss to Purdue at home was a doozy, hence the drop. The Hawkeyes still have a ton to play for, but this is a major stumble. They need to find a way to generate offense without turnovers.
8. Penn State (Last Week No. 6, Down 2)
National Championship Odds: (+8000) at Caesars
A bye week was well-timed. While we don’t know much about the status of QB Sean Clifford, we do know this team can still play. Iowa’s loss isn’t a great thing for the Nittany Lions, although I still like this team. Illinois is up next.
7. Oklahoma State (Last Week No. 15, Up 8)
National Championship Odds: (+8000) at Caesars
I questioned the schedule, although beating Texas on the road is an enormous boost to the resume. This is the strangest unbeaten team in college football, and I am perfectly fine with it. Mike Gundy is dancing, and this team is winning.
6. Ohio State (Last Week No. 8, Up 2)
National Championship Odds: (+800) at Caesars
Ohio State was idle in Week 7, although the momentum has been building. C.J. Stroud‘s confidence seems to grow every week, and Iowa’s loss appears to have re-calibrated the perception of the conference. The Buckeyes play Indiana in Week 8, a program that has given it fits before.
5. Michigan (Last Week No. 7, Up 2)
National Championship Odds: (+4000) at Caesars
The Wolverines were off last week, although it feels like we (and I’m pointing at myself) are still underrating this team. It’s not always pretty, but it has been effective. Michigan plays Northwestern in Week 8, and the score will likely not be kind.
4. Oklahoma (Last Week No. 5, Up 1)
National Championship Odds: (+1400) at Caesars
We need to talk about Caleb Williams. The QB who replaced Spencer Rattler last week dazzled in his first start against TCU, and there’s no going back from here. Oklahoma plays Kansas next week. Cover your eyes.
3. Alabama (Last Week No. 4, Up 1)
National Championship Odds: (+225) at Caesars
That’s how you get back on track. While winning at Mississippi State doesn’t heal all wounds, it’s certainly a start. Bryce Young was superb on offense and the defense was much improved.
The Crimson Tide get Tennessee at home next week. Hug a Vol if you know one.
2. Cincinnati (Last Week No. 3, Up 1)
National Championship Odds: (+2500) at Caesars
Let’s not simply glaze over the fact that a Group of Five Team is ranked No. 2. This is a big deal, and Cincinnati is deserving. After clobbering UCF, the Bearcats are a massive favorite against Navy. Get used to hearing that.
1. Georgia (Last Week No. 1, Unchanged)
National Championship Odds: (+125) at Caesars
This team is special, and it’s proving that every week. In fact, the gap between Georgia and the rest of college football is getting wider. The Bulldogs get a bye next week, and then they play the Gators.
Good luck, Florida. You’re gonna need it.
