Week 7 AP Top 25 Poll features a complete shuffle after chaotic weekend, with Miami taking over the top spot
Chaos in Week 7: Five Top‑10 Teams Lose, Miami Claims No. 1, and the Playoff Field Looks Uncertain
The college football landscape has turned upside down in week 7 of the 2026 season, as the Associated Press Top 25 Poll underwent a complete shuffle. Every team in the ranking moved, and five of the nation’s ten best programs were knocked out of the top‑10 after losses on the field.
Miami rises to the top, but debate remains
Miami has been crowned the new No. 1 in the AP poll, with BYU sliding in second and Ohio State settling for third. The Hurricanes earned their number‑one spot by edging out Florida State in a 43‑35 double‑overtime thriller at the Gator Bowl. Miami’s coach noted that the team had never faced a ranked opponent all season, a fact that makes the win all the more impressive. BYU, meanwhile, claimed a 28‑24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame to complete a perfect 6‑0 record, earning 20 first‑place votes compared with Miami’s 40.
Florida’s surge and Texas’s tumble
The Florida Gators climbed 12 places to finish No. 20 in the poll after defeating Texas on the road. Texas, who fell from No. 7 to No. 19 after a second straight defeat, now sits at the bottom of the top‑25. The Gators’ win marks their second victory over the Longhorns, a key factor in their rapid climb.
Kentucky’s unexpected rise
Kentucky improved to 6‑1 with a 27‑10 win at Oklahoma, marking the Wildcats’ third road victory in the SEC. The team is now ranked No. 12 nationally and is coached by first‑year head coach Will Stein, who is already being touted as a candidate for a top‑10 spot.
SEC depth and Big 12 presence
All five teams in the poll with two losses are SEC members, underscoring the conference’s depth. The Big 12 has four teams inside the top 15: Texas Tech (8), Utah (10), Houston (14), and BYU (2). The upcoming matchup between Houston and Utah on Saturday will carry significant playoff implications, as both teams vie for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
A season of surprises
This week’s results have sparked debate over who truly deserves the No. 1 ranking. With Miami’s first‑time double‑overtime win over a ranked opponent, BYU’s upset of Notre Dame, and Florida’s surprising rise, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
As the season moves forward, analysts will continue to weigh the impact of these upsets on the playoff picture, while teams scramble to regain momentum in a landscape where the top‑25 is a moving target.