If College Football has not grabbed the attention of sports fans across the country before Week 7, it definitely has now. In a year of miraculous upsets, exhilarating finishes and dramatic storylines, Week 7 stood out and delivered to all fans who had been waiting since the release of the CFB schedule for the 2024-25 season. 

Red River runs dry

To start off, the highly touted and now Southeastern Conference showdown between heated rivals No.1 Texas and No. 19 Oklahoma fell short of the mark of what most fans were expecting. 

In Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers’ first game back after missing the last two games due to an oblique strain, the Longhorns easily dispatched of the Sooners 34-3. Although the score may suggest to someone that didn’t catch the game that Ewers and the Longhorns offense dominated, Ewers said ,“I don’t think I played as well as I need to play for the standard.” 

Ewers finished with two total touchdowns against OU, but he was not the Quinn Ewers we saw at Michigan in September, only scrounging up 199 passing yards and an interception. Keep an eye on Ewers and any potential struggles as he recovers from this oblique injury in a tough SEC matchup with Georgia Oct.19. 

As for the Sooners, it seems the program is still trying to find footing in the post-Lincoln Riley era, going 1-2 against their new conference opponents. Things won’t be getting any easier for quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and the Oklahoma offense that only averages about 24 points per game, as they take on the ever dangerous South Carolina Gamecocks. 

Alabama almost upset again in Tuscaloosa 

Speaking of Cocky and all his friends, the Gamecocks gave Alabama fans their second heart attack in as many weeks. Coming off the heels of a historic loss to Vanderbilt last week, the Crimson Tide looked to settle into Bryant-Denny Stadium and take care of an unranked opponent. 

After trailing 14-12 at halftime, South Carolina pounced on Alabama in the third quarter, going on an 85-yard drive that ended with a Raheim Sanders rushing touchdown. Alabama would answer with two touchdown drives of its own before the Gamecocks would score late and ultimately fall 27-25. 

It would do well for Coach Kalen DeBoer and Alabama to kick it into overdrive with a date with No. 11 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium this Saturday. The CFP committee is sure to look favorably upon the winner of “The Third Saturday in October.” 

Illinois survives upset bid from Purdue 

One of the most surprising storylines this fall has been the resurgence of the Illinois Fighting Illini. After finishing 5-7 in 2023, Ole Miss transfer QB Luke Altmyer and the Illini are already one win away from matching their win total from a year ago heading into week seven. 

Opposite them was the Purdue Boilermakers, a team historically known for upsetting teams looking to take hold of the Big Ten. The Boilermakers have seriously struggled this year, with their only win coming against in-state FCS opponent Indiana State. 

In shades of the 2007 and 2018 seasons, the “Spoilermakers” roared back to the tune of 40 points in the second half and forced No. 23 Illinois into overtime. After the Illini struck first blood and led 50-43, the Boilermakers would score a touchdown on an Arhmad Brown rushing touchdown  but would lose the game on a failed two point conversion, ultimately falling short 50-49. 

LSU claims matchup between southern staples 

After LSU dropped its season opener to USC in Vegas, many pundits pointed toward coach Brian Kelly and wondered if the Tigers were serious contenders in a loaded SEC this year. Those same pundits also gave the Ole Miss Rebels flack for dropping a game to an unranked Kentucky team Sep. 28. 

In a matchup between two heavily scrutinized teams, the Tigers would follow a staunch pass rush that tallied six sacks and veteran quarterback Grant Nussmeier who picked up 337 yards through the air. LSU has won five in a row and sits at eighth in the new AP poll. 

As for “Hotty Toddy,” their backs are now officially against the wall. Mississippi would presumably have to win out in order to make the playoffs, including a game against Georgia Nov. 9, as well as the SEC championship. 

Oregon capitalizes on the moment we’ve all been waiting for 

One thing most people agree on is that matchups between Big Ten and former Pac-12 “blue bloods” that now have effect on only one conference are a fan’s absolute dream (or nightmare). 

The Ohio State Buckeyes seemed almost sure of themselves walking into Autzen Stadium – and for good reason. Senior quarterback Will Howard led an extremely high-powered offense against the Ducks, boasting weapons such as wideout Jeremiah Smith and running back Quinshon Judkins. 

The Ducks appeared to be the only ones believing in themselves, with most media and bettors favoring OSU. 

In a game that went back and forth all night, Oregon captured the lead late off of a chip shot field goal. With the game and all the drama on the line for the Buckeyes, Howard led the Buckeyes deep into Duck territory. But after an offensive pass interference call on Smith, the Buckeyes would stall after Howard slipped and fell as No. 3 beat No. 2 , 32-31. 

Deep cuts and what’s next 

For the first time since 1960, service academies Army and Navy are both ranked in the AP Poll, as both teams are undefeated. The teams will look to keep the momentum rolling this weekend against East Carolina and Charlotte respectively. 

Week 8 of the college football season should bring just as much joy and heartache as week seven did, with three “ranked vs. ranked” games over the weekend. Out of the three games, No.1 Texas hosting the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs seems to hold the most stake in the playoff landscape. 

If this week taught fans anything, it’s stay on high alert. No one is safe, no matter who you may be. 

Gage Wellman is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] or @GageWellmanKSTV on X.