ESPN updates College Football Power Rankings Top 25 after Week 7

ESPN has updated their College Football Power Rankings Top 25 following a ferocious weekend of clashes throughout the sport.

The game of the week lived up to expectations and then some, as Washington took care of Oregon at home, and kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Ducks are far from finished this season, but fellow Pac-12 power USC might be, as the Trojans were dismantled by Notre Dame in South Bend.

Elsewhere, there were plenty of exhilarating games that affected the ESPN Top 25, but here’s the latest rankings from the World Wide Leader, as we put Week 7 in the rearview mirror.

1) Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs took care of business against Vanderbilt on Saturday, catapulting to a 37-20 victory over the Commodores. However, the win wasn’t without cost, as tight end Brock Bowers suffered an ankle injury that’ll keep him out for an extended period of time.

That’s about as big of a blow as you could deal the reigning back-to-back champions. Nevertheless, a well-timed bye week is on the horizon in Week 8, before the Bulldogs will look to continue their winning ways against Florida in Week 9.

2) Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines started slow on Saturday against Indiana, finding themselves down 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, 52 unanswered points followed for Michigan, and they were able to send the Hoosiers home with their tail between their legs.

Next up for Michigan is a rivalry showdown with Michigan State. While the game won’t have the same juice as usual due to the Spartans’ numerous issues, it’ll still be a showdown the Wolverines are looking to win convincingly.

3) Washington Huskies

With the entire country watching with a keen eye on the Huskies, Washington showed why they’re a top team in 2023. ESPN went as far to put them in their top three, and perhaps they could climb even higher if they win out this season.

The star of the show against Oregon was Michael Penix Jr., as he had his Heisman moment, fighting through pain to throw four touchdown passes. Next up for the Huskies in Arizona State, as they’ll get a slight reprieve after a hard-fought battle.

4) Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles took care of Syracuse over the weekend, to the tune of a 41-3 victory. Florida State remained undefeated in the process, and continues to be the best the ACC has to offer week-in and week-out.

A tough matchup with Duke follows for Florida State, as there’s no rest for the weary. Nevertheless, the Seminoles are in fantastic shape moving forward, and look to be a real College Football Playoff contender.

5) Oklahoma Sooners

Following their emotional win over Texas in Week 6, Oklahoma was blessed with a bye week in Week 7, to get healthy and refocused. Now, a personal showdown for Dillon Gabriel in on the docket, as the UCF Knights will come to town.

The Sooners will look to start their second-half run with a victory over their quarterback’s former squad. They’re now the favorite in the Big 12, but they’ll have to run the table to get to where they want to end up in 2023.

6) Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes are feeling good, their offense finally looks ready to face the Nittany Lions. Ohio State dominated Purdue on the road, defeating the Boilermakers by a score of 41-7.

It wasn’t the same vaunted Purdue team we’ve seen in the past, but it’s still an impressive win for the Buckeyes. It’s been an uneven start to the season, but they’re right where they want to be as they welcome Penn State to town.

7) Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions didn’t miss a beat following their bye week. Penn State took care of business and then some against Massachusetts, winning by a score of 63-0 over the Minutemen.

Next up for Penn State is their biggest game in a long, long time, as the Nittany Lions will travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State. If they can get a win, they may finally be able to break through their glass ceiling.

8) North Carolina Tar Heels

North Carolina seems to finally be realizing their full potential. In what’s to likely be Drake Maye’s final season with the Tar Heels, they’re undefeated and rolling on all cylinders at the moment.

While Florida State is the top team in the ACC at the moment, North Carolina could potentially give them a run for their money, and for their spot in the College Football Playoff, if it comes down to that.

9) Oregon Ducks

Oregon went from one of the top teams in the country to arguably the best one-loss team in the nation over the weekend. Their aggressiveness came back to bite them, and the Ducks fell to the Huskies in Seattle.

The ride is far from over for Oregon, as the Ducks could still win out and have a shot at the College Football Playoff. They’ll need some help, but expect Dan Lanning to have his team ready to take care of business moving forward.

10) Texas Longhorns

Speaking of fantastic one-loss teams, Texas certainly fits the bill. The Longhorns also enjoyed a bye week following their loss to the Sooners, and will look to get back on track against Houston this weekend.

Texas won’t face an opponent who’s currently ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll moving forward, at least not until the Big 12 title game. If the Longhorns can make it there unscathed, all their dreams are still ahead of them.

ESPN CFB Power Rankings Top 25 — 11-25:

11) Alabama Crimson Tide
12) Oregon State Beavers
13) Utah Utes
14) Tennessee Volunteers
15) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
16) Ole Miss Rebels
17) Duke Blue Devils
18) USC Trojans
19) LSU Tigers
20) Missouri Tigers
21) Air Force Falcons
22) Louisville Cardinals
23) Tulane Green Wave
24) James Madison Dukes
25) Iowa Hawkeyes

As you can see, ESPN’s rankings feature the usual suspects atop their list, but there certainly are some squads making a name for themselves as the season progresses. Week 8 will bring us plenty more exciting action, and it’ll be fascinating to see the shakeup afterwards.