No. 25-21
1 out of 10
25. Auburn (4-2, previous rank: NR)
Week 7 result: WIN in Georgia (27-24)
Next week: vs. LSU
The Tigers have suffered two losses faster than some other SEC teams, but after their victory over No. 1 Georgia and their resume blemished by losses to Florida and Tennessee by a combined 14 points, their outlook has changed. Dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown totaled 150 passing yards, 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the Tigers won the turnover battle (3-0) and Alex McPherson kicked the game-winning 34-yard field goal as time expired.
24. North West (5-1, previous rank: NR)
Week 7 result: WIN at Michigan State (24-21)
Next week: vs. Rutgers
The Wildcats trailed 21-13 with 11:48 left in the fourth quarter after a Michigan State touchdown, but they responded with a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive and a successful two-point conversion to tie things up. They allowed just 20 total yards on the Spartans’ next two drives, and Jackson Kleather made the game-winning 34-yard field goal with two seconds remaining to continue Northwestern’s surprise start.
23. James Madison (7-0, previous rank: 24)
Week 7 result: WIN against Georgia State (49-22)
Next week: in Appalachian State
After surviving a 27-24 game against Georgia Southern on the road a week ago, the Dukes cruised to victory with 515 total yards and seven touchdowns against a one-loss Georgia State team that was second in the Sun Belt East division heading into the game. Camden Coleman (13/19, 185 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT), George Pettaway (14 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD) and JC Evans (101 total yards, 3 TD) led the offensive assault.
22. SMU (5-1, previous rank: NR)
Week 7 result: WIN against Virginia (23-13)
Next week: against California
Kevin Jennings (23/36, 246 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT) dominated Beau Pribula (13/22, 137 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT) in a matchup of top ACC quarterbacks. The Mustangs iced the victory with an eight-play, 75-yard drive in the fourth quarter, punctuated by a Jennings touchdown to Jalen Hale to make it a two-possession game. It was the second straight game without a turnover for SMU as they continue to rebuild their resume after an early loss to Louisville.
21. Boise State (5-1, previous rank: 25)
Week 7 result: BYE
Next week: in Washington State
A 34-27 loss to then-No. 2 Oregon in Week 1 actually helped solidify the Broncos as the team to beat in the Group of Six conversation. They’ve won five in a row since that first loss, including quality wins over Memphis and Fresno State, and they should be favored in all of their remaining games. Running back Dylan Riley (127 carries, 835 yards, 6 TD) was the focal point of the offense, while veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen (66.3 cmp%, 1,296 yards, 13 TD, 0 INT) did a tremendous job protecting the football.
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