D Poll: Week 7
Texas and Penn State drop out, Miami holds firm, and the Big 12 makes waves.
The best way to describe this week’s D Poll is that it’s groundbreaking. For the first time in the history of this ranking, both of the top two teams in the preseason—Texas and Penn State, respectively—have dropped out. And it’s not even Halloween yet!
Trust me, I’m as shocked as you are. To see those two schools fall from grace so hard, so quickly, has shaken me to my core. And don’t even remind me about Clemson. Trust me, I’m well aware of how badly I bungled that prediction.
Six teams ranked in last week’s D Poll lost this week, but somehow, some way, only three of them find themselves on the outside looking in following those defeats. As a result, three new teams have found their way into the poll, with all but one of them being schools that have been members of this hallowed ranking over the past six weeks.
For the three schools that lost but remain ranked—Vanderbilt, Iowa State, and Florida State—their body of work still speaks for itself. Vanderbilt’s handled its business with dominance, even if the competition hasn’t been stellar. Iowa State had been one of the most consistent teams in the country up until this weekend. And Florida State, two losses aside, owns a win over Alabama, the SEC favorite. That all counts for something. But make no mistake: these teams are on life support. One more loss, or even a bad look, and they’re out.
As always, this poll is first and foremost about vibes and feelings, with winning coming right behind. I’ve made sure to mention every week that this is a fluid entity, but with the season now hitting its stride, there’s a little less wiggle room with results than there was earlier in the year. Still, don’t be surprised if a big win shoots your favorite team into the top 10, or if a catastrophic loss plummets them into the depths.
Two more quick reminders before we get started:
Everybody ranks college football teams differently. There are 62 people who vote in the AP Poll, and each of them has a different method and process for how they go about it. Some value preseason projections and ratings more than others, while some completely throw away their preconceived notions the second the games start being played. Others seemingly don’t have a method at all and just rank 25 random teams for the fun of it. Those people shouldn’t have a vote, but that’s a discussion for another time.
The D Poll is a subjective ranking. Vibes and feelings are some of the most subjective criteria ever. What I categorize as “bad vibes” might be different from what you do, and that’s OK. This is just a silly poll—the stakes aren’t that serious. Also, and this is important, just because I have your favorite team ranked below your rival doesn’t mean I hate your favorite team. Well, maybe I do. That’s up to interpretation depending on the circumstance.
Here’s the D Poll for Week 7. Goodbye, Texas and Penn State. It’s going to take a lot for y’all to return.
Note: Only teams in the top 10 are going to get a little blurb. As a result, this iteration of the D Poll will see the top teams talked about first. I know, it’s different, but that’s just the way life goes sometimes. For any of the teams I don’t write about, just dwell on the vibes and feelings surrounding their season so far.
1. Miami (NM)
Week 6 result: 28-22 win at Florida State
Once again, Miami reigns supreme. There’s no team in the country right now with a résumé like the Hurricanes’. Wins over Notre Dame, South Florida, Florida, and now Florida State form a better foursome than anyone else can claim. Plus, they’re loaded at almost every position group, especially up front, but I’ve rambled on before about just how dominant I believe Miami’s depth in the trenches to be.
Another aspect that gives Miami the edge over Ohio State and Oregon is the energy surrounding the program. For my entire lifetime, the Hurricanes’ fanbase has been fickle at best—the definition of fair-weather. And while that’s still somewhat true, the team actually winning has brought those fans out of the woodwork. I’m happy to see it; it’s nice to see that stadium packed again.
Miami’s path to the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte is clearer than glass after the win in Tallahassee. There isn’t much resistance left on the schedule, though I’d caution anyone against locking them into the CFP just yet. This program has a habit of crapping the bed. It’s happened before, and it could happen again. But if Mario Cristobal has learned anything from his time at Miami, it’s that staying the course no matter the opponent is the No. 1 goal. For the sake of Miami fans, let’s hope those lessons have been taken to heart.
2. Ohio State (+1)
Week 6 result: 42-3 win vs. Minnesota
Nonchalant dominance is the phrase that comes to mind when I think about Ohio State. No matter the opponent, the Buckeyes come out, take care of business, and go about their day. They’re a wrecking machine that doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon.
Ryan Day guided the program to its first national title since 2014 and was then tasked with reloading a roster that saw 14 players drafted into the NFL. If early returns are any indication, they’ve done an exceptional job, especially on defense. Through five games, Ohio State has held opponents to just 6.3 points per game, which ranks first nationally. In fact, the Buckeyes rank in the top three in nearly every major defensive category, except opponent fourth-down conversion rate, where they’re 15th (33.3%). Long story short: nobody is moving the ball against Matt Patricia’s defense.
Everyone outside of Columbus will be rooting for this team’s demise, because let’s face it, we’re all desperate for the end of the dynasty era in college football. If Ohio State wins another national title, it’ll feel like all the progress toward parity was for nothing. But if Day and his team have anything to say, most of America will be mad, and it looks like they’ll have a great chance to do just that.
3. Oregon (-1)
Week 6 result: BYE
No game for the Ducks this week, which means their drop to No. 3 isn’t an indictment—it’s just that Ohio State, the team moving above them, proved more by playing. Also, that double-overtime win over Penn State isn’t as impressive now that the Nittany Lions just lost to UCLA.
Fear not, Oregon fans; I hear your argument for No. 1. Where else are the vibes and feelings better than Eugene? Of all the head coaches in college football, Dan Lanning is most certainly one of the biggest “vibes guys.” He just exudes confidence and aura (is that what the kids are saying nowadays?) that nobody else can match. For that alone, the Ducks are worthy of a top-10 ranking. It just helps that the football team is awesome, too.
4. Texas A&M (+1)
Week 6 result: 31-9 win vs. Mississippi State
The Aggies just keep climbing.
I thought Mississippi State could give Texas A&M some trouble this past weekend, but as always, I was wrong. (It feels like I’ve been saying that a lot lately.) A&M ran Mississippi State through a buzzsaw, holding them to just 219 total yards and nine points. And while it took a while for the Aggies’ offense to truly break out—17 of their 31 points came in the fourth quarter—it was clear from the start that this was their game to lose.
That’s what’s most impressive about this iteration of Texas A&M compared to previous versions: expectations don’t seem to weigh them down. That’s not something you could say about A&M squads of old. If that mindset persists through the SEC grind, there’s really no ceiling for what this roster can accomplish.
Oh, and I love Mario Craver and KC Concepcion. I’ve been saying that a lot lately too.
5. Oklahoma (-1)
Week 6 result: 44-0 win vs. Kent State
John Mateer, please come back soon. The Sooners really need you.
That’s no slight to Michael Hawkins Jr., by the way. It’s just that if Oklahoma wants to compete for the top spot in the SEC, it needs Mateer healthy as soon as possible. Heck, if he could return by Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl, that’d be fantastic! Oklahoma would sure like to have his services when it faces off against Texas in the Red River Shootout—my favorite college football game on the calendar each season.
I know of zero people who watched Oklahoma’s win over Kent State, but seeing it confirmed that without Mateer, this offense just isn’t the same. Sure, it’s better than last year when everyone was injured, but it’s not operating at full capacity without him. Hawkins Jr. went 14-of-24 for 162 yards and three touchdowns, which wouldn’t be terrible against a Power Four team, but this is Kent State, one of the worst teams in the FBS. The offense only mustering 355 total yards is somewhat concerning, even if they were holding back in the lead-up to Texas.
The good news is that Brent Venables’ defense is so dominant it might not even matter. That unit can get after the passer like no other in the country. So, watch out, Arch Manning. The Sooners are coming for you.
6. Ole Miss (NM)
Week 6 result: BYE
As far as I’m aware, Landry Kiffin is still dating Whit Weeks, which is good enough for me to keep Ole Miss right where it is despite not playing this past weekend.
I jest. The Rebels have some voodoo magic going on right now. You’re not supposed to lose your starting quarterback to injury, replace him with a random Division II transfer, and still win games—that’s supposed to be impossible. Yet, it’s not for Lane Kiffin. He’s a wizard, I’m convinced.
So, as long as the Kiffins are happy and Trinidad Chambliss is still the quarterback, Ole Miss will be high up in the D Poll. They need to keep winning, but I have no worries about that as long as everything stays on course.
7. Indiana (NM)
Week 6 result: BYE
I’m going to throw out an ultimatum, which I’ve been warned to never do: If Indiana beats Oregon in Eugene this weekend, I’ll rank them No. 1.
Whoa.
“Did he just say that?”
“That’s crazy!”
“He’s an insane person.”
I know, I know. Can we talk about this like adults for a second? Indiana is by no means a college football blue blood and therefore hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt that some of the other programs higher on this list have. But if Ole Miss, Oklahoma, or Texas A&M went on the road and beat Oregon, would you be that surprised to see them catapult up to No. 1? Not really. So with Indiana already boasting an impressive 53-point (!) victory over Illinois—a team ranked in this very D Poll—as well as other solid wins, why not put them right where they deserve if they can get it done?
Of course, the Hoosiers actually have to win, and that’s far from a foregone conclusion—they’re 7.5-point underdogs, after all. Still, I can’t shake the feeling that something crazy is going to happen in Eugene on Saturday afternoon. I guess we’ll just have to see.
8. Texas Tech (NM)
Week 6 result: 35-11 win at Houston
It’s safe to say that through five games, Texas Tech’s money-whipping experiment is paying off. The Red Raiders just look different on the lines of scrimmage than their Big 12 counterparts, and that’s helped them easily run through previously undefeated Utah and Houston.
Even better, the school announced yesterday that it’s making the retro “Double T” the permanent logo for all athletic programs. I love it. It reminds me of the good old days when the Southwest Conference was still alive and kicking. If this rebrand brings us one step closer to reviving the SWC, I’m all for it.
Seriously, though, Texas Tech is the best team in the Big 12. It’ll take a Herculean effort from anyone else to stop them right now, which, while not impossible, seems unlikely.
Texas Tech is probably going to lose now that I’ve said that. Sorry.
9. Missouri (+1)
Week 6 result: BYE
The AP’s inability to understand that Missouri is a top-10 team is beyond me. The voters clearly haven’t watched them much, because one glance would tell you everything you need to know.
First, the best running back in the country resides in Columbia. Ahmad Hardy, a transfer from UL Monroe, already has 730 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Even better, he’s averaging 7.1 yards per carry, which ranks first among rushers with at least 100 attempts this season.
Second, Eliah Drinkwitz is one of the most underrated coaches in the nation. Since 2023, the Tigers are a combined 26-5. They look well on their way toward another successful season, and with a schedule that’s fairly light compared to the rest of the SEC, it’s possible Missouri could be in the College Football Playoff conversation by season’s end.
Third, the coaching staff hit on the quarterback position. Beau Pribula transferred from Penn State in the middle of the Nittany Lions’ CFP run and has hit the ground running (literally) in Columbia. Through five games, he’s been methodical—throwing for 1,203 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 75.9% of his passes, which ranks fourth nationally. He’s also a competent runner, with at least six carries in all of Missouri’s games for 121 total rushing yards.
All three of those components lead me to believe this team is for real. Even without the “easier” schedule, Missouri could go a long way.
10. Alabama (+4)
Week 6 result: 30-14 win vs. Vanderbilt
Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in the country right now, and I don’t think it’s even all that close. Since the loss to Florida State, everything’s looked easy for him. It’s become even more impressive over the past two weeks in the Crimson Tide’s wins over Georgia and Vanderbilt, where Simpson put up a combined 616 yards on 47-of-69 passing. With Simpson performing at this level, Alabama’s going to be hard to stop.
Patience was the message emanating out of Tuscaloosa after the loss to the Seminoles, and that’s exactly what was needed. Once the Tide composed themselves, everything else fell into place. As a result, they find themselves as the favorites to win the SEC—at least in the eyes of the public.
Saturday’s victory over Vanderbilt showed me that this team can win in a variety of ways. Last season, the Commodores held the football for a whopping 42 minutes. This time, Alabama flipped the script on Diego Pavia and company, winning the time of possession battle 37:23 to 22:37. The second Alabama decided that game was over, it was.
That’s what makes the 2025 Crimson Tide different from 2024—when they face an opponent capable of dragging the game into the mud, Alabama just does it themselves and wins anyway. That’s a scary proposition for the rest of the conference.
11. Georgia Tech (+1)
Week 6 result: BYE
12. Georgia (+3)
Week 6 result: 35-14 win vs. Kentucky
13. Tennessee (+3)
Week 6 result: BYE
14. Vanderbilt (-5)
Week 6 result: 30-14 loss at Alabama
15. Virginia (+3)
Week 6 result: 30-27 win at Louisville
16. Michigan (+5)
Week 6 result: 24-10 win vs. Wisconsin
17. Illinois (+3)
Week 6 result: 43-27 win at Purdue
18. BYU (NR)
Week 6 result: 38-24 win vs. West Virginia
19. Cincinnati (NR)
Week 6 result: 38-30 win vs. Iowa State
20. Arizona State (+3)
Week 6 result: BYE
21. Memphis (+4)
Week 6 result: 45-7 win vs. Tulsa
22. South Florida (NR)
Week 6 result: 54-26 win vs. Charlotte
23. Iowa State (-12)
Week 6 result: 38-30 loss at Cincinnati
24. LSU (NM)
Week 6 result: BYE
25. Florida State (-12)
Week 6 result: 28-22 loss vs. Miami
Teams dropped from last week’s D Poll: Mississippi State, Texas, Penn State