Michigan’s 27-20 loss to Illinois reshaped the national picture, clearing the path for Ohio State to reclaim No. 1. With Georgia idle and Texas steady, the Buckeyes’ balanced 6-0 resume leads a crowded field. Texas A&M surged and Oregon and Washington stayed alive. Here’s how the projected AP Top 25 stacks up entering Week 8.

Predicting AP Top 25 after Week 7

The following projected AP Top 25 is based purely on performance, strength of schedule, and overall momentum.

• Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0)

A balanced Buckeye team continues to set the standard. Julian Sayin threw two touchdowns, CJ Donaldson added two more on the ground, and the defense forced three takeaways that turned directly into 21 points. 

A 34-16 win at Illinois keeps Ryan Day’s group undefeated and unflinching heading toward a crucial November stretch.

• Miami Hurricanes (5-0)

The Hurricanes were idle, but their resume of three wins over ranked opponents remains one of the strongest in the country. Mario Cristobal’s team is as complete as any, dominating the line of scrimmage and controlling tempo. They hold firm at No. 2 with the top spot within sight.

• Texas A&M Aggies (6-0)

Mike Elko’s Aggies continue their steady climb with a 34-17 win over Florida. A&M’s defense allowed just three points after the first quarter and forced the Gators into 1-of-10 on third downs. Marcel Reed accounted for 271 total yards and two touchdowns. The SEC West is theirs to lose.

• Ole Miss Rebels (6-0)

Lane Kiffin’s Rebels avoided a scare against Washington State, escaping 24-21. QB Trinidad Chambliss threw for 253 yards and two scores, while Kewan Lacy rushed for 142 yards to seal it late. Not a pretty win, but staying perfect in mid-October is what matters most.

• Indiana Hoosiers (6-0)

Curt Cignetti’s turnaround story gained national traction after the Hoosiers’ 30-20 win at Oregon. Indiana not only handled a top-five opponent but controlled both lines of scrimmage. It’s the program’s first road win over a top-five team ever, a statement that demands playoff consideration.

• Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1)

Kalen DeBoer’s squad held off Missouri 27-24 to earn its third straight win over a ranked SEC opponent. Ty Simpson continues to prove he’s the real deal, while the defense forced key turnovers in crunch time. Alabama’s response since the Florida State loss has been textbook resilience.

• Texas Tech Red Raiders (6-0)

The Red Raiders handled Kansas 42-17 behind 263 rushing yards from Cameron Dickey. They controlled the trenches all afternoon and remain the Big 12’s most balanced unit. Their combination of physicality and tempo has made them a legitimate dark horse in the playoff picture.

• Oregon Ducks (5-1)

The Ducks’ 30-20 loss to Indiana snapped long home and overall win streaks. Dante Moore’s two interceptions stalled drives, and Oregon’s ground game never found rhythm. The resume still includes quality wins, but this loss exposes how narrow the margin is in the Big Ten.

• Georgia Bulldogs (5-1)

Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs erased a 10-0 deficit at Auburn to win 20-10. Gunner Stockton’s late touchdown capped a second-half surge driven by defensive adjustments. It wasn’t dominant but it was efficient. And that sets up a massive SEC clash with undefeated Ole Miss next week.

• LSU Tigers (5-1)

Despite two interceptions, Garrett Nussmeier found enough rhythm to beat South Carolina 20-10. The Tigers’ defense limited the Gamecocks to under five yards per pass attempt. LSU hasn’t played to its potential yet, but a stretch of ranked opponents ahead could define its ceiling.

• Tennessee Volunteers (5-1)

Tennessee held off a late Arkansas rally after leading 34-17 in the fourth quarter. DeSean Bishop rushed for 146 yards, but the defense must tighten against stronger opponents. The Vols’ upcoming road trip to Alabama will reveal if they can contend in the SEC East.

• Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-0)

Haynes King led a 35-20 win over Virginia Tech as the Yellow Jackets started 6-0 for the first time since 2011. With 268 rushing yards and a sharp defensive effort, Brent Key’s group remains one of this year’s quietest undefeated teams, for now.

• Oklahoma Sooners (5-1)

A humbling 23-6 loss to Texas raises questions about John Mateer’s readiness after injury. The Sooners failed to find the end zone and turned the ball over three times. With one of the toughest remaining schedules in the country, Brent Venables’ margin for error has vanished.

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2)

CJ Carr threw for 342 yards and two scores in a 36-7 dismantling of NC State. The Irish defense forced three interceptions and allowed just seven points after halftime. Four straight wins have them back in the mix ahead of a marquee showdown with USC.

• BYU Cougars (6-0)

The Cougars survived a double-overtime thriller to stay unbeaten. Bear Bachmeier accounted for three touchdowns, including the game-winner, while LJ Martin rushed for 162 yards. Their grit and late-game composure keep them in striking distance of the top 10 entering rivalry week.

• Missouri Tigers (5-1)

A three-point loss to Alabama ended Missouri’s 15-game home streak, but the Tigers still look like one of the SEC’s better-balanced squads. Beau Pribula threw for 167 yards and three scores but two costly interceptions sealed their fate. The next two weeks will test their bounce-back ability.

• Virginia Cavaliers (5-1)

Idle this week, Virginia’s win over Florida State continues to carry weight. The Cavaliers’ offense averages over 43 points per game, and they’ve proven capable of executing late in tight contests. They remain well-positioned in the ACC title chase.

• Vanderbilt Commodores (5-1)

Vanderbilt got a week to regroup following a 30-14 road loss to Alabama. QB Diego Pavia leads the SEC with 14 passing touchdowns and also contributes 352 rushing yards, adding balance to the offense despite the setback. 

The Commodores now face a challenging three-week stretch against LSU, Missouri, and Texas that could define their second-half trajectory in the SEC.

• Arizona State Sun Devils (4-2)

Arizona State struggled to contain Utah’s running game, giving up 276 yards on 42 carries, including three touchdowns by QB Devon Dampier. The Sun Devils fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play. Defensive adjustments and offensive cohesion will be critical as they attempt to rebound against Oregon State.

• Memphis Tigers (6-0)

Memphis remains undefeated after a week off, averaging nearly 41 points per game. Brendon Lewis has stepped up in the passing game, but the offense relies heavily on the run, with 238.7 rushing yards per game at 5.8 yards per carry. Key upcoming matchups against USF, Tulane, and Navy will help sort the Group of Five standings and define Memphis’ playoff positioning.

• USF Bulls (5-1)

USF demonstrated offensive firepower with 42 second-half points and over 300 rushing yards against North Texas. Byrum Brown contributed 245 passing yards, 82 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns. The Bulls forced five turnovers to offset three of their own, cementing themselves as a top contender in the American Conference.

• Texas Longhorns (4-2)

Texas bounced back from a loss at Florida with a dominant defensive performance over sixth-ranked Oklahoma. Arch Manning completed 21 of 27 passes with a 12-yard touchdown, exploiting his mobility to extend plays. The Red River Shootout victory gives Texas crucial momentum heading into late-season tests against ranked SEC teams.

• USC Trojans (5-1)

USC returned to AP consideration after a convincing win over No. 15 Michigan. King Miller rushed 158 yards with a touchdown, and Jayden Maiava threw for 265 yards and two scores. The Trojans’ defense forced an interception and three sacks, keeping Michigan from generating momentum. A road test at Notre Dame will further gauge their national standing.

• Michigan Wolverines (4-2)

Michigan’s three-game winning streak ended as USC racked up nearly 500 yards. Jayden Maiava accounted for two passing touchdowns, and the Wolverines’ offense struggled to respond. Their place in the AP Top 25 may slip after the loss, but matchups against unranked teams offer opportunities to stabilize the season.

• Cincinnati Bearcats (5-1)

Cincinnati improved to 5-1 after narrowly defeating UCF despite trailing in total yardage (306-413), first downs (14-26), and possession (20:16-39:44). Brendan Sorsby threw two early touchdowns, establishing a lead that the Bearcats preserved. With a slim loss to Nebraska previously, Cincinnati could move solidly into the AP Top 25 as other teams falter.

Another wild Saturday leaves the sport exactly how fans love it. Unpredictable, balanced, and full of possibilities. The second half of 2025 will decide who separates from the chaos and who gets swallowed by it.