Here is my tentative Week 7 Associated Press ballot. My top 10 below likely won’t change, but my ballot won’t be finalized until all of Saturday’s late games are completed. I will update this once those games are finalized.
For now, Miami and Ohio State remain No. 1 and 2 on my ballot, with Indiana jumping all the way up to No. 3 after winning at Oregon. Rounding out my top five is Ole Miss and Texas A&M.
Check back early Sunday morning for my finalized ballot.
My pending Top 25 ballot after Week 7:
1. Miami (5-0)
The Hurricanes were off last week. Miami hosts Louisville on Friday and then Stanford on October 25. Miami finally leaves the state of Florida for the first time this season when the Hurricanes visit SMU on November 2.
The Buckeyes defeated Illinois 34-16. The Illini actually outgained Ohio State 295-272, but the Buckeyes’ defense forced three Illinois turnovers. Illinois became the first Ohio State opponent to score more than nine points in a game. The Buckeyes visit Wisconsin on Saturday.
The Hoosiers dominated Oregon 30-20, ending what was the nation’s longest current home winning streak (18 games). Indiana’s defense held Oregon to a season low in points (20) and yards (267). Quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 215 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Indiana hosts Michigan State on Saturday.
The Rebels struggled to a lackluster 24-21 non-conference victory against Washington State. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss had 253 yards passing and two touchdowns, while running back Kewan Lacy added 142 yards rushing on 24 carries. Ole Miss returns to SEC play Saturday at Georgia.
The Aggies defeated Florida 34-17, while topping 400 yards total offense. Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 234 yards and added 37 yards rushing. The Aggies visit Arkansas on Saturday.
6. LSU (5-1)
The Tigers edged South Carolina 20-10. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 254 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Trey’Dez Green led the Tigers with 119 yards on eight receptions, including a 6-yard touchdown. The Tigers, who still have not scored more than 20 points against their four Power 4 opponents this season, visit Vanderbilt Saturday.
The Red Raiders defeated Kansas 42-17, despite losing starting quarterback Behren Morton to injury in the first half. Without Morton, the Red Raiders rode running back Cameron Dickey, who rushed for 263 yards on 21 carries, including a 71-yard touchdown. Texas Tech remains one of two teams, along with Miami, that has not trailed in a game this year. Tech visits Arizona State on Saturday
The Crimson Tide held off Missouri 27-24 for their fifth consecutive victory since that season-opening loss at Florida State. Quarterback Ty Simpson had another solid day with 200 yards, three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Workhorse back Jam Miller added 85 yards on 20 carries.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 10-0 deficit to win at Auburn, 20-10. Quarterback Gunner Stockton had 217 yards passing and 26 yards rushing, including the game-clinching 10-yard TD run with 1:53 remaining.
The Ducks’ 18-game home winning streak ended in a 30-20 loss to Indiana. Oregon was held below 30 points for the first time this season. Quarterback Dante Moore was limited to 186 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. Oregon visits Rutgers on Saturday.
11. Tennessee (5-1)
Result: Win 34-31 vs. Arkansas
12. Notre Dame (4-2)
Result: Win 36-7 vs. NC State
13. Georgia Tech (6-0)
Result: Win 35-20 vs. Virginia Tech
14. Oklahoma (5-1)
Result: Lost 23-6 to Texas in Dallas
15. Virginia (5-1)
Result: Did not play
16. Vanderbilt (5-1)
Result: Did not play
17. Arizona State (4-1)
Result: Pending result of game at Utah***
18. BYU (5-0)
Result: Win 33-27 in 2OT vs. Arizona
19. Nebraska (5-1)
Result: Win 34-31 at Maryland
20. Cincinnati (5-1)
Result: Win 20-11 vs. UCF
21. Memphis (6-0)
Result: Did not play
22. Missouri (5-1)
Result: Lost 27-24 to Alabama
23. Texas (4-2)
Result: Win 23-6 vs. Oklahoma in Dallas
24. USC (5-1)
Result: Win 31-13 vs. Michigan
25. USF (5-1)
Result: Win 63-36 at North Texas