College football rankings from 1 to 134 for Week 7: Sorting out Power 4 one- and two-loss pileups

How many two-loss teams will make the College Football Playoff? 

The rash of upsets in Week 6 – and the loaded schedule in Week 7 – forces that question at midseason. The rules have changed. No two-loss team made the four-team College Football Playoff. LSU won the national championship in 2007 with two losses, and it's entirely possible this year's national champion could do the same.

About those upsets. Alabama lost to Vanderbilt. Tennessee lost to Arkansas. Missouri lost to Texas A&M, and Michigan – last year's national champion – lost to Washington. All of that impacted our latest 1-134 rankings heading into Week 7. 

MORE: Updated College Football Playoff projection after wild Week 6

In the Power 4 conferences, there are a combined total of nine unbeaten teams, 21 one-loss teams and 19-two loss teams. That is 48 teams. Did somebody say Super League?

We will address that at a later date. The point is those losses are going to pile up, and that makes this feel more like the NFL playoff race. Get used to it. Here is a look at how those schools stack up by conference – and how that number compares against the percentage of overall teams in the conference.                                

Given that 50% of the teams in the SEC have one loss now – that is something to watch as October heats up. We aren't going to talk about two-loss teams making the College Football Playoff. We are going to talk about how many three-loss teams are in the playoff. 

MORE: SN Top 25 for Week 7

Here is our 1-134 rankings heading into Week 6: 

College football rankings 2024

Top 25 for Week 5

1. Texas (5-0)

The Longhorns rank 10th in scoring offense (45.0 ppg.) and third in scoring defense (7.0 ppg.). Arch Manning gained experience with Quinn Ewers (abdominal strain) out, and the Longhorns have four players with at least 200 receiving yards. It's an NFL-style balanced attack – and the next test is at Oklahoma. The Sooners have won five of the last six meetings, and Steve Sarkisian is 1-2 in the Red River Rivalry. 

MORE: Picks against the spread for Week 7's Top 25 matchups

2. Ohio State (5-0) 

The Buckeyes have the same blend of scoring offense (46.0 ppg.) and scoring defense (6.8 ppg.) as the Longhorns. Who would be favored if Ohio State played Texas this week? It is an interesting question and speaks to the assortment of talent the Buckeyes have in 2024. Quinshon Judkins (468 yards, 5 TDs) and TreVeyon Henderson (337 yards, 4 TDs) have lived up to the billing as the best running back tandem in the country, and that will be the key in a road trip to Oregon on Saturday. If the Buckeyes win convincingly there, they might be No. 1 heading into Week 8. 

BENDER: Ohio State shows complete performance at Iowa

3. Oregon (5-0)

The Ducks have their opportunity to make a huge Big Ten statement against the Buckeyes. Ohio State has not lost to a Big Ten team not named Michigan under Ryan Day (thought it did lose to Oregon when it was in the Pac-12), and the Ducks are 2-3 against top-10 teams under Dan Lanning. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel must avoid turnovers in the red zone – which popped up in a 31-10 victory against Michigan State. Running back Jordan James averages 6.1 yards per carry in Big Ten play. Will he have success against the Buckeyes?

4. Miami, Fla. (6-0) 

The Hurricanes pulled off an improbable comeback from a 25-point deficit in the second half behind quarterback Cam Ward, who passed for 437 yards, two TDs and an interception. Mario Crisotbal has Miami in position to make an ACC championship run, but back-to-back close calls have put some pressure on the defense that has allowed 382 yards per game in those games against the Golden Bears and Hokies. Miami has a bye week before a matchup against Louisville on Oct. 19. 

5. Georgia (4-1) 

Georgia bounced back with a 31-13 against Auburn in Week 7, but there are areas of concern for Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have averaged 3.6 yards per carry in SEC play – and that running game needs to improve in late-season road tests. Georgia's defense has created just four turnovers. Will Mississippi State be a get-well game before the showdown with Texas on Oct. 19?

6. Penn State (5-0) 

The Big Ten has three teams in the top five. The Nittany Lions are up to No. 4 in the AP Poll, and Drew Allar hit 17 of 24 passes for 234 yards and a TD in a 27-11 victory against UCLA. The running game sputtered against the Bruins, and the Nittany Lions have a test at USC in Week 7. Penn State has not committed a turnover in their last two games – and that will be a key to victory against the Trojans.

7. Clemson (4-1) 

Clemson is closing the gap on Miami in the ACC. The Tigers limited Florida State to 22 rushing yards, and the Tigers have turned up the rushing offense around Phil Mafah. The senior running back had a season-high 154 yards on 6.2 yards per carry. Clemson does not play Miami in the regular season, and the buildup to that potential matchup could be tremendous. The Tigers play at Wake Forest in Week 7. 

8. Ole Miss (5-1) 

Do the Rebels have the most forgivable loss compared to Alabama and Tennessee? That is a legitimate question, but Ole Miss bounced back in a 27-3 victory at South Carolina. Jaxson Dart leads the SEC with 2,100 passing yards, and receiver Tre Harris leads the conference with 885 receiving yards. That combination will be busy in a road trip to LSU – a battle of one-loss teams that puts Lane Kiffin's big-game reputation back into focus. 

9. Alabama (4-1) 

How do you balance the victory against Georgia in Week 5 and the stunning loss at Vanderbilt in Week 6? That is going to be the challenge for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer knowing there are road tests at Tennessee, LSU and Oklahoma on the schedule. Jalen Milroe still leads the SEC in passer efficiency at 201.2 and Ryan Williams has 544 receiving yards on 28.6 yards per catch. The defense, however, is a question mark again. 

MORE: What Kalen DeBoer said after shocking upset

10. Tennessee (4-1) 

The Vols lost 19-14 at Arkansas despite no turnovers and a rushing attack that managed 174 yards on 4.8 yards per carry. Nico Iamaleava (17 of 29, 158 yards) will have to take more chances in the passing game through the meat of the SEC schedule under Josh Heupel, and that showdown with Alabama on Oct. 19 becomes that much more important for both teams. Tennessee still has a solid resume and a bounce-back opportunity against rival Florida in Week 7. The teams have split the last four meetings at Neyland Stadium. 

11. Iowa State (5-0) 

Iowa State continues to grind out victories in the Big 12 after a 43-21 victory against Baylor, and there are signs that Matt Campbell might have a chance to guide the Cyclones to a conference championship. Rocco Becht has taken just two sacks, and the trio of Jaylon Jackson (295 yards, 2 TDs), Abu Sama III (242 yards, 1 TD) and Carson Hansen (211 yards, 2 TDs) all average five yards per carry. The defense is allowing just 10 points per game ahead of a tricky road test at West Virginia. 

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12. LSU (4-1) 

The Tigers have a high-volume passing attack led by Garrett Nussmeier – who enters Week 6 with the most passing attempts and completions in the SEC. The Week 1 loss to USC is a distant memory – especially if LSU can beat Ole Miss in a battle of one-loss teams in Week 6. Edge rusher Bradyn Swinson – who has five sacks – has been a breakout performer to this point. Remember, LSU is 16-1 at home under Brian Kelly.

13. Notre Dame (4-1) 

The Irish had a bye week, and they are right back in the College Football Playoff mix. How will the offense evolve in October? Riley Leonard, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price lead a rushing attack that averages 210 yards per game, and Leonard was 33 of 48 (68.8%) with three TDs and no interceptions in his last two starts. Xavier Watts leads a defense that has seven interceptions. The Irish face rival Stanford in Week 7. 

14. BYU (5-0)

The Cougars are off to a fantastic start in Big 12 play, and quarterback Jake Retlazz leads the team in passing yards (1,208) and rushing yards (156). Seven different BYU players have interceptions for a defense that allows 15.8 points per game. The Week 7 matchup with Arizona is yet another fun conference matchup for the Cougars – who have won the last three meetings in the series. 

15. Texas A&M (5-1)

Is Mike Elko a Coach of the Year candidate again? The Aggies hammered Missouri 41-10 and joined a deep list of SEC playoff contenders as a result. Conner Weigman returned to starting quarterback duties and finished 18 of 22 for 276 yards. Le'Veon Moss added 138 rushing yards and three TDs, and the defense had six sacks. That got lost in the shuffle of the rest of the Week 6 upsets. Texas A&M has a bye week before an Oct. 19 matchup against Mississippi State. 

16. Kansas State (4-1) 

Kansas State will be in the spotlight in Week 6. The Wildcats travel to Colorado – and the Buffaloes are the ones without a conference loss. That puts an extra layer of pressure on Kansas State. How much will a rushing attack that averages 252.2 yards per game go for against the Buffs. DJ Giddens (7.3 ypc.) and Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards (6.9 ypc.) lead that attack around quarterback Avery Johnson (7.3 ypc.), who is great on the keeper. How will the defense hold up against Colorado's passing attack? The contrast in styles is appetizing.

17. Indiana (6-0) 

Who had the Hoosiers – who were picked to finish 17th in the Big Ten Preseason Poll – undefeated at the halfway point under first-year coach Curt Cignetti? Indiana leads the Big Ten in scoring (47.5) and total offense (515.7). Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke has the highest passer rating in the conference at 192.1. The Hoosiers have a bye week before a huge home game against Nebraska on Oct. 19. 

18. Oklahoma (4-1) 

The Sooners had a bye week to prepare for the Red River Rivalry, and that will give freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. more time to prepare for a tough Texas defense. Hawkins – who hasn't thrown an interception – will need to take more chances in the passing attack. Will the Oklahoma offensive line hold up? Linebacker Danny Stutsman – who has 40 tackles – leads a defense that allows 16 points per game. They'll need to be in top form against the Longhorns. 

19. Utah (4-1) 

What does the quarterback situation look like when the Utes return from the break? Isaac Wilson has a 53.6% completion percentage with two TDs and four interceptions in the Utes last two games, which they split against Oklahoma State and Arizona. Will Cam Rising finally return from a hand injury? The Utes cannot fall behind in the Big 12 race, and a three-game stretch against Arizona State, Houston and TCU should help resolve the QB issue. 

20. SMU (5-1) 

The Mustangs have averaged 46.7 points per game since Kevin Jennings took over as the starting quarterback. Jennings had 281 passing yards and 113 rushing yards in a 34-27 victory against Louisville — one where an overturned fumble helped the Mustangs pull out the road victory. Could SMU win the ACC in its first season? The Mustangs have a bye before back-to-back road trips to Stanford and Duke. 

MORE: Controversial replay reversal helps SMU down Louisville

21. Illinois (4-1) 

The Illini had a bye week to recoup after a 21-7 loss to Penn State on Sept. 28. Luke Altmyer is thriving in his second season with Bret Bielema with 11 TDs, one interception and a 70% completion percentage. Illinois also has a plus-5 turnover margin around a solid defense. The Illini play Purdue in Week 7 before a two-game stretch against Michigan and Oregon. 

22. Pitt (5-0) 

Should Pitt be ranked higher? The Panthers is sixth in the FBS with 45.6 points per game, and Alabama transfer quarterback Eli Holstein became the first Pitt QB to win his first five starts since Dan Marino. The Panthers rank second in the ACC with 521.6 yards per game. Pat Narduzzi has a playoff contender here heading into a home game against Cal. 

23. Boise State (4-1) 

The Broncos are the highest-ranked Group of 5 team now, and they lead the FBS in scoring offense (50.6 ppg.) and rank second in rushing offense (301.2 ypg.) Ashton Jeanty added 186 rushing yards and three TDs in a 62-30 victory against Utah State. He now has 1,031 yards and 16 TDs. Boise State travels to Hawaii in Week 6. 

24. Missouri (4-1) 

The Tigers received their reality check in a 41-10 loss at Texas A&M in a disastrous performance where the Aggies out-rushed Missouri 236-68. Missouri was criticized for their soft schedule – but one SEC loss is forgiven. The pressure is on now – and a get-well game at UMass precedes the rest of the SEC schedule. 

MORE: Texas A&M trolls Mizzou QB Brady Cook after win

25. Navy (5-0) 

The Midshipmen won the first leg of the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy with a 34-7 victory against Air Force. Navy is the class of the American Athletic Conference at this point – though Army (5-0) has a perfect record, too. Circle Oct. 26. That is when the Midshipmen play Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. In the meantime, Navy should stay ranked through a Week 7 bye.

College football 1-134 rankings: (1-25) 

A look at the top 25 teams in the FBS heading into Week 7: 

Rest of FBS (26-134) 

Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 7: