College Football Week 7 Recap: Biggest Games, Rankings, and Betting Tips

Week 7 was a major bounce-back for several programs that had fallen out of the rankings in recent weeks, with one glaring exception: Penn State. James Franklin has been fired, Drew Allar is out for the season, and the Nittany Lions’ playoff dreams are officially over.

Texas and USC both kept their seasons alive with big, unexpected wins over Top 15 opponents in Oklahoma and Michigan. Meanwhile, Indiana continues to shock the country, climbing into the Top 3 in the AP Poll.

Top Games of the Week

Alabama at Missouri (27–24)

In a marquee matchup between two Top 15 teams, Alabama escaped with a narrow win on the road. Ty Simpson threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Crimson Tide, while Beau Pribula kept Missouri close with three total touchdowns of his own, two through the air and one on the ground. The Tigers pulled within three late, but Alabama held on for the victory.

Indiana at Oregon (30–20)

In the biggest ranked matchup of the week, Indiana pulled off a stunning road upset to take down Oregon and vault into the Top 3. Fernando Mendoza continued his rise as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, but it was the Hoosier defense that sealed the win, totaling six sacks and an interception in a dominant performance.

Arkansas at Tennessee (31–34)

Tennessee survived a near upset in Knoxville, edging Arkansas by three to avoid a damaging loss. The Volunteers move up slightly in the rankings, while Arkansas continues to prove it can go toe-to-toe with almost anyone despite its record.

AP Top 25 Risers and Fallers

Risers

No. 20 USC (enters rankings): The Trojans are back after a statement win over No. 15 Michigan and now sit at 5–1.

No. 21 Texas (enters rankings): The Longhorns stunned sixth-ranked Oklahoma and rejoined the Top 25 at No. 21.

No. 3 Indiana (up four spots): The Hoosiers continue their incredible run, climbing into the Top 3 after a 10-point win at Autzen.

Fallers

Illinois (unranked): The Fighting Illini drop out following a decisive loss to top-ranked Ohio State. With multiple defeats, their playoff hopes are officially gone.

Michigan (unranked): The Wolverines tumble out after a lopsided loss to USC, a defeat that raised serious concerns about their competitiveness.

No. 14 Oklahoma (down eight spots): Just when it looked like everything was lining up for the Sooners, they fell to Texas. The loss raises questions about their ability to perform against elite defenses.

Betting Strategy: Adjusting After Week 5

Offenses are slowing down, adjust your totals accordingly

As the season progresses and opponents accumulate more film, scoring is beginning to drop across the country. That is not unusual in college football, where most offenses feature new starters each year. Take time to evaluate which teams are cooling off before placing your over-under bets.

Iowa could be a hidden value

At 3–2, Iowa is quietly playing the kind of hard-nosed football that pays off later in the year as other teams wear down. Their 37–0 rout at Wisconsin showed their potential, and they could be a smart matchup-based play or upset pick in the coming weeks.

It is time to revisit your Heisman bets

We have reached the point in the season where the Heisman race is starting to take shape. Carson Beck remains the current favorite, while Dante Moore took a major hit after the loss to Indiana. This is the time to reassess your favorites and dark horses and lock in your bets while value remains.

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