Here are Smeltz’s top 25 rankings after Week 7’s college football slate.
*Note: These will feature brief explanations for the top four teams and any Big Ten school that appears in the rankings.
No. 1. Tennessee- Yes, sir. Tennessee is 6-0 and just had the most impressive win of this college football season, beating Alabama for the first time since 2006.
I don’t think any team in the country is playing better football than Tennessee right now. Remember, the Vols also pounded LSU.
No. 2. Ohio State- The Buckeyes had a bye this week, but they’ve killed everybody aside from Notre Dame thus far.
No. 3 Michigan- Michigan pounded Penn State this week. Georgia pounded Vanderbilt.
Which win is more impressive to you?
No. 4 Georgia— Georgia is still one of the best teams in the nation and still controls its quest to repeat as national champs. If it beats Tennessee on the fifth of November, it will be back in the SEC title game for another showdown with Bama.
No. 5. Clemson
No. 6 Alabama
No. 7 TCU
No. 8 UCLA
No. 9 Ole Miss
No. 10 Oklahoma State
No. 11 Syracuse
No. 12 Kansas State
No. 13 Oregon
No. 14 USC
No. 15 NC State
No. 16 Wake Forest
No. 17 Texas
No. 18 Kentucky
No. 19 Utah
No. 20 Cincinnati
No. 21 North Carolina
22. Penn State- Penn State deserves to fall out of the top 20 after Saturday’s abomination at Michigan.
23. Illinois— Illinois has had a solid turnaround this year, already surpassing last season’s win total
But I can’t have a team that beat Iowa 9-6 too high in my top 25.
24. Purdue— After starting 1-2, Purdue has strung together four straight.
With road wins over Minnesota and Maryland, the 5-2 Boilers have done enough to earn a place in Smeltz’a top 25.
No. 25 Tulane
