Alabama took down South Carolina 27-25 in Week 7, narrowly avoiding its second straight conference loss.
The Crimson Tide once again looked shaky on Saturday, struggling to be consistent on offense or defense. Alabama jumped out to a 14-0 lead before allowing South Carolina to score a touchdown, safety and field goal within the final two minutes of the first half.
The Gamecocks didn’t let up in the second half, taking a 19-14 lead into the fourth quarter. However, the Crimson Tide managed to recapture the offensive success it had in the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns to escape with the 2-point win.
“Another game down to the wire,” head coach Kalen Deboer said. “We’re kind of getting accustomed to those. There’s some things we can do to make sure it doesn’t get to that point. But we always talk about finding a way to win. As many times as we looked like we weren’t, we did.”
Alabama’s ranking did not change in any of the major polls, with the Crimson Tide staying at No. 7 in both the AP poll and the Coaches Poll.
Ahead is the CW Poll, a composite ranking put together with the top-10 rankings of Crimson White sports desk writers.
- LSU (5-1)
Last week: No. 10
LSU secured by far its biggest win of the season thus far on Saturday, taking down then-No. 9 Ole Miss at home 29-26 in overtime. The Tigers played from behind the entire game, gaining their first lead on the game-winning touchdown pass from Garrett Nussmeier to receiver Kyren Lacy.
Nussmeier went 22-for-51 for 337 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, one of his most impressive games this season. The Tigers hit the road in Week 8, traveling to Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks.
- Clemson (5-1)
Last week: unranked
Clemson continued its winning streak on Saturday, extending it to five with a blowout win on the road at Wake Forest 49-14. The Tigers’ offense looked phenomenal, with quarterback Cade Klubnik going 31-for-49 for 309 yards and three touchdowns and running back Phil Mafah rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Clemson returns home in Week 8, looking to stay undefeated in conference play against Virginia.
- Tennessee (5-1)
Last week: No. 8
Similarly to Alabama, Tennessee struggled to rebound from their Week 6 upset loss, needing overtime to take down Florida 23-17. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava again played poorly, throwing 16-for-26 for only 169 yards and an interception.
Luckily, running back Dylan Sampson stepped up for the Volunteers, rushing for 112 yards and three touchdowns. In Week 8, Tennessee looks to fix its issues in its biggest game this year, facing No. 7 Alabama at home.
- Alabama (5-1)
Last week: No. 7
Alabama remains at No. 7 after a close win at home against South Carolina 27-25. The Crimson Tide struggled to put the Gamecocks away, relying on an interception from cornerback Domani Jackson during the game’s final play to seal the win.
Alabama goes on the road in Week 8, facing No. 8 Tennessee in an important game for conference standings and playoff implications.
- Miami (6-0)
Last week: No. 6
Miami had a bye in Week 7 but is back in action in Week 8 on the road at Louisville.
- Georgia (5-1)
Last week: No. 4
Georgia looked relatively unimpressive in Week 7, beating Mississippi State by only 10 points 41-31. Those 31 points were the most Georgia has allowed in a game to an SEC opponent other than Alabama since November 2020.
The Bulldogs travel to take on No. 1 Texas and look to right their defensive woes in one of the most anticipated college football games of the year.
- Ohio State (5-1)
Last week: No. 2
Falling to No. 4 is Ohio State after its narrow loss to Oregon in Week 7. The game was one of the year’s best yet, with head coach Ryan Day’s squad falling short by only a single point, 32-31.
However, the Buckeyes go into a bye week with all of their season goals still in front of them. They have opportunities to prove themselves against AP No. 3 Penn State, No. 16 Indiana and No. 24 Michigan left on the schedule.
- Penn State (6-0)
Last week: No. 5
One of the last undefeated teams remaining in the country, Penn State took down USC in Week 7, winning 33-30 in overtime. The Nittany Lions started slow, with the Trojans carrying a 20-6 lead into halftime.
However, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren took the game over, tying the FBS-record for receptions in a game by a tight end with 17. Warren’s receptions gained 224 yards and a touchdown, earning him AP Player of the Week.
The Nittany Lions have a bye in Week 8.
- Oregon (6-0)
Last week: No. 3
Few teams have fluctuated more in the CW Poll than Oregon. After a disappointing start to the season, the Ducks fell to No. 10 but climbed all the way back near the top after remaining undefeated with a win against then-No. 2 Ohio State.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel may have kicked off a Heisman campaign against the Buckeyes, going 23-for-34 for 341 yards and two touchdowns through the air and rushing for 32 yards and another touchdown. The Ducks cautiously carry their No. 2 ranking into Week 8 against Purdue, a team that has beaten the No. 2 team in two of its last three tries.
1.Texas (6-0)
Last week: No. 1
Only one team in the country has yet to show any vulnerability this season, remaining undefeated and playing no close games — Texas. The Longhorns stormed into the Cotton Bowl for the Red River Rivalry in Week 7, blowing out then-No. 18 Oklahoma 34-3.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers returned from an injury against the Sooners, throwing for under 200 yards with a touchdown and an interception. However, even with Ewers continuing to round back into form, Texas looks like the best team in college football. The Longhorns face their biggest test of the season in Week 8, taking on No. 5 Georgia at home.
