Week 7 thoughts
Week 7 reminded us why you can never get too comfortable in college football. It provided chaos but also clarity into conference standings and the playoff picture. Here's a look at the games that flipped the script and what they mean moving forward.
Team of the Week: Indiana. Indiana walked into Autzen Stadium and handed Oregon its first loss of the season and first regular season loss since joining the Big Ten last year. From start to finish, the Hoosiers looked dominant on both sides of the ball, thriving in an intimidating road environment. The defense was the story. Indiana sacked Oregon quarterback Dante Moore six times and forced two interceptions. On offense, quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered a solid performance, completing 20 of 31 passes for 1 touchdown and 1 interception which, notably, was returned for a pick-six. This win is monumental for the Hoosiers. It catapulted them to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 and firmly into the playoff conversation. With momentum on their side, Indiana is now in prime position to contend for a Big Ten title and make a serious playoff push.
Rebuild Mode: Penn State. Penn State is struggling. After a promising start, the Nittany Lions have now dropped three straight:first to Oregon during their White Out game, then to UCLA on the road, and finally to Northwestern at home.Things got worse with the announcement that quarterback Drew Allar is out for the season due to injury. A day later, head coach James Franklin was fired, signaling a potential reset for the program. Looking ahead, it doesn't get any easier. Ranked matchups against Ohio State, Indiana, and Nebraska remain on the schedule. Realistically, Penn State is now out of playoff contention, and this season could mark the beginning of a full rebuild. That said, the future could still hold promise. A new head coach will bring a fresh voice to the locker room, and several high-profile names within the conference are already being floated. The most unfortunate part is the situation with Allar. Though he’s faced criticism and hasn’t delivered in big moments, his loyalty to the program and leadership through adversity deserve recognition.Wherever he goes next, it'll be worth watching.
Still in the hunt: Oregon. Two weeks ago, Ducks fans everywhere felt on top of the world after a huge road win over Penn State. With Oregon having home field advantage, they seemed to be in a position of control. Despite the setback, this isn't the end of the road. The Ducks weren’t blown out and the game stayed within reach until the fourth quarter. Losses, especially at the right time, can be valuable learning opportunities. And with head coach Dan Lanning at the helm, Oregon is in good hands. Critics will say the Penn State win doesn’t look as good now, but Oregon went into a hostile environment and handled business. That showed mental toughness, something that bodes well for a postseason run. With a favorable schedule ahead, the Ducks are far from out of the playoff race.
Wild Card Conference: ACC. For years, the ACC has been dominated by Clemson and Florida State. Occasionally, another team would shake things up, but the Tigers and Seminoles have long ruled the conference. Not this year. Both teams are now 3–3, opening the door for fresh contenders to rise. Miami appears to be in the driver’s seat and, barring any major missteps, could punch its ticket to the ACC title game. But the real question is: Who will they face? With traditional powerhouses struggling, this season could mark a turning point in the ACC, a wildcard year where we can see an unexpected team like Virginia or Georgia Tech emerge.
