Week 7 Power Rankings

It pains me to see how quickly the fall months move, but here we are looking upon week 7 of the college football season. Before we know it, Brady Cook will have graduated and will be starting his first day at Carl’s Jr (I like my hamburgers cooked medium in case you’re reading this). What a week though. 7 ranked teams fell and that shockingly doesn’t include Miami after some 4th quarter heroics in the nightcap. As fans, we love the chaos, but speaking from a power rankings perspective, it makes it challenging to decide who should be placed where. Let us know what you agree and disagree with.

1.Texas Longhorns - Each of us here at Saturday Morning Shotgun have our moments, but I would like to toot my own horn and say that I personally kept UT at the top spot, even after last week. Did the collective masses jump the gun on putting Bama ahead of them? It appears so. That said, Red River is here but don’t expect the Sooners to pull off the heroics that they did a year ago. I am so confident that if Texas loses I will do a beer mile but up the ante: 2 drinks between each lap instead of the traditional 1. Consider this signed and sealed. 

2.Ohio State Buckeyes - The Buckeyes have yet to be challenged and it cracks me up that Marshall is the only team to hang more than 7 on them. Similar to Texas, the level of competition has not been top tier to this point, but this upcoming Saturday will give us everything we need to know. Ohio State goes on the road and opens as favorites against Oregon in the highest ranked matchup to date this season. My key for the Buckeyes? Can their receivers continue to win in 1-on-1? All year the hype has been about Jeremiah Smith, and respectfully so. Meanwhile, Emeka Egbuka just lit up Iowa’s secondary for 9 catches and 3 touchdowns. If this duo can make plays, there will be too many options for this offense and Oregon will struggle to keep up. 

3.Oregon Ducks - Nike University had two opportunities to take down Washington in 2023 but failed to do so, ending their national championship hopes. Faced with a similar situation this year, Ohio State appears to be that team in the Ducks way in 2024. Although easier to make the playoff field, pressure is on to get over the hump in these big time games and Lanning has called for the student section to be rowdier than ever. My biggest key for Oregon will be if their offensive line can hold up against the veteran defensive line of the Buckeyes. Having already made shifts along the line this year, if they can match Ohio State’s punch, all bets are off and the Ducks have a shot here.

4.Penn State Nittany Lions - If we ranked teams according to neutral field favorability, PSU would not be ranked 4th, but these rankings are not based on predictability or a “woulda, coulda, shoulda” mindset. Penn State continues to win the games they are supposed to and you can’t penalize them for their perfect record. If there is a conference I would say I have been most accurate on up to this point, it would be the Big 10. I say this not to be cocky, but because I encourage you to tune into CBS at some point for the 2:30CT game. The Nittany Lions go to the Coliseum in what I predict to be a nail-biter, pick-em type of game. 

5.Alabama Crimson Tide - Seeing the fan response after the embarrassment in Nashville has made me understand why many others hate y’all. Similar to the tantrum of a toddler, we have been bombarded by a good number of cavity-ridden Alabama fans about our live reaction to the game last Saturday. If you have not seen this video, go check out our TikTok at Saturday Morning Shotgun; very good stuff by our Peyton Football Sepaugh. Yes you’re still a very good team, but man it was funny seeing each of you curl up and die on the inside.

6.Georgia Bulldogs - Beck and company took care of business and although it was tight for a while, they still won by 3 possessions. Auburn finally played turnover free football and still found other ways to look bad. I am flipping this segment to a ‘dump on Auburn’ ordeal. Go look at their schedule and confidently find me a win. “They’ll beat ULM!” someone just yelled aloud. Alright, don’t forget what New Mexico State did to you last year. If I can point out my correct predictions, I will own up to the ones I got wrong: I expected a lot more from Auburn before the season.

7.Miami Hurricanes - I was busy somewhat watching UFC 307, but missed this game largely in part due to the fact that I saw Cal had a 25 point lead. Coke vs Woke ended up being a crazy finish and I was shocked to see The U came back. The number of clips I’ve seen of Michael Irvin doing his best doggystyle impression on the sidelines is slightly troubling. I mean seriously, the guy was throwing it back, left, and right every time Cam Ward did something exceptional. My #88 would never be caught acting this way (Ceedee please stop being a diva, I love you baby).

8.Tennessee Volunteers - Story time. Most of you don’t know this, but the boys here at SMS were all on a mediocre flag football team. Were we handicapped by quarterback play? Yes. Was it a blast? Usually. There was one particular play where I ran an outside post route and made the catch. I had the touchdown but instead of cutting up field to score, I continued running diagonally out of bounds. Maybe I was distracted by every girl there obsessing over my route running being better than Devante Adams, but I was reminded of that moment the other night when Nico ran out of bounds with an expired clock. Props to Arkansas: they would have my vote over a couple teams to be in the current AP poll, but that’s the one time I’ll be nice to this program. I’m sure you’ll lose a couple more soon enough.

9.Clemson Tigers - In the preseason there was a legitimate chance that the Gameday crew would be in Tallahassee for last Saturday’s matchup between Clemson and Florida State, and oh how things have shaken up since then. Auburn called and said they needed a friend so this section is about the Seminoles. You guys had 22 yards on 23 carries last week. Truly a pitiful performance, yet one I’m sure you’ll pull off again this year. Mike Norvell, your team has scored more than 16 points once this season. 12-0 or not last year, it is getting impossible to defend you. Surely Brian Ferentz has you held at gunpoint and is the one running the ship.

10.Ole Miss Rebels - Way to recover and keep the season alive. It was a popular pick to take the Cocks to cover, but Mrs. Anonymous Aggie sniffed right through that and correctly took the Rebs in her guest selection. Making it to the Great Value Death Valley with only 1 loss gives this team life, and their matchup with LSU this Saturday is sure to be a thriller like last year. The winner of this game is sure to be nuzzled into our rankings next week and sets themself up for a strong push toward the SEC championship game. Oh what I would do to watch our very own Peyton’s reaction to this game - unfortunately the wedding curse took hold of me again. 

Others Receiving Votes:

Indiana Hoosiers - Curt Cignetti wins, Google him. The guy is actually a stud with a career coaching record of 125-35 and 4 conference “Coach of the Year” awards. The last time Indiana started the year 6-0? Abbey Road hadn’t been released yet. If you don’t get that reference, godspeed. 

Army & Navy - Neither received any votes, but respect to the troops. Who knew Week 16’s lone matchup would be such a heavyweight fight? As always though, get ready to bet the under.

• Zac Bryan, proud believer in Wyatt Johnston