RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

College football fans across the country had Oct. 12 circled on the calendar as a day filled with must-see games. It lived up to the hype, as the day featured outstanding games at the top of the sport’s hierarchy and, for me, a new No. 1-ranked team.

The Ohio State–Oregon game featured six lead changes throughout, while four more games featuring top 25 teams needed overtime to decide a winner. 

And while there are still nine undefeated teams left in the sport at the halfway mark of the season, no one team feels unbeatable and no one team has separated itself with a resounding performance that has indicated success will be found in November, let alone the second half of October.

All that’s certain is the uncertainty that makes this sport the best in the world, and the second college football axiom holds true: Anything that can happen will happen. Just add water — or 2024 Vanderbilt.

With that, here is a look at my top 25 rankings following Week 7 of the college football season:

1. Oregon (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated Ohio State, 32-31

The Ducks outlasted the Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium, marking their first win against a top-five opponent as a Big Ten member. The Ducks have won 35 of their last 36 games at Autzen and put up 32 points on a defense that had surrendered just 6.8 points per game prior to their first loss of the season.

2. Texas (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated Oklahoma, 34-3

Oklahoma briefly looked like it might be poised for a fight with an early takeaway, but the Longhorns began overwhelming the Sooners with 21 points in the second quarter and 34 unanswered by game’s end. Quinn Ewers returned from injury, throwing for 199 yards and a touchdown, while adding another score on the ground.

3. Ohio State (5-1)

Week 6 result: Lost to Oregon, 32-31

The Buckeyes failed to do what most have when they visit Eugene … win. But Ohio State still looks like one of the best four teams in the sport and like a team that could still challenge for the Big Ten title.

4. Penn State (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated USC, 33-30

The Nittany Lions fought back from a 14-point deficit to get their first road victory since August 31st and supplant themselves as one of just three unbeaten teams left in the Big Ten. 

Tight end Tyler Warren enjoyed what might be a Mackey Award-winning performance with 17 catches for 224 yards with a touchdown in the win.

5. Georgia (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Mississippi State, 41-31

The Dawgs didn’t cover the spread, which was 33.5 points, but they got the win to set up for a monster top-five showdown in the SEC next week. They’ll travel to Austin, Texas, to play the undefeated Longhorns. Carson Beck threw for 459 yards in the win, but the Dawgs gave up 306 passing yards to Michael Van Buren Jr., which is worrisome as they prepare to play against a top-10 Texas offense.

6. Miami (Fla.) (6-0)

Week 6 result: Idle

7. Clemson (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Wake Forest, 49-14

Since scoring just three points against Georgia back in Week 1, Clemson has put up 40 or more in four of its five wins, and at least 29 points in all five. The Tigers have looked like the best team in the ACC since Week 2.

8. Iowa State (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated West Virginia, 28-16

Matt Campbell’s team just keeps winning. Rocco Becht completed 18 of 26 passes for 265 yards and a touchdown, while Carson Hansen carried it 20 times for 96 yards and three scores. 

No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Highlights

9. BYU (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated Arizona, 41-19

The Cougars forced four turnovers against the Wildcats to improve to 6-0 for the first time since 2020. With the victory, BYU stays atop the Big 12 standings in a tight race for first place. Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff threw for 218 yards with two touchdowns in the win.

Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 14 BYU Cougars Highlights

10. LSU (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Ole Miss, 29-26 (OT)

Garrett Nussmeier found Kyren Lacy for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in overtime to give the Bayou Bengals a walk-off win. Nussmeier finished with 337 passing yards, three TDs and two INTs in what could be a season-defining victory for the Tigers, who look to separate in a loaded SEC.

11. Tennessee (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Florida, 23-17

For the third straight game, the Tennessee passing attack has looked anemic. However, against a depleted and humbled Florida team, the Vols did enough to earn their second win in SEC play with a massive game against Alabama on tap next week.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has not passed for more than 200 yards since the Vols’ Week 2 win against N.C. State.

12. Alabama (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated South Carolina, 27-25

Alabama survived this game thanks to a missed field goal and a mismanaged final possession by the Gamecocks. For two and a half games, the Tide have not looked good — proving it with a loss to Vanderbilt — and now stumbling against a South Carolina team that will struggle to win eight games this season. One bright spot is that the Alabama defense did record four takeaways and four sacks against the Gamecocks.

13. Notre Dame (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Stanford, 49-7

The Fighting Irish scored 35 points in the second and third quarters and got their best performance to date out of QB Riley Leonard, who completed 16 of 22 passes for 229 yards and four total touchdowns. 

14. Texas A&M (5-1)

Week 6 result: Idle

15. Missouri (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated UMass, 45-3

Welcome back, Mizzou. Wideout Luther Burden accounted for 127 total yards, including a 61-yard rushing touchdown, on just seven touches against the Minutemen.

16. Boise State (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Hawaii, 28-7

It’s the Ashton Jeanty show in Boise, and it was on display again Saturday. The do-it-all back rushed for 217 yards and a touchdown, while also adding another score through the air in the Broncos’ win over Hawaii.

17. Kansas State (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Colorado, 31-28

The Wildcats escaped Boulder with a win, but it wasn’t easy. Chris Klieman’s team relied on the run game and halfback DJ Giddens, who carried the rock 25 times for 182 yards in the win.

18. Illinois (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Purdue, 50-49

Luke Altmyer threw for 379 yards with three touchdowns in what became an instant classic in the Big Ten. A game that featured more than 1,000 yards of offense, including more than 600 through the air, came down to a two-point conversion attempt the Illini stopped to keep their Big Ten title hopes alive.

Purdue Boilermakers vs. No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini Highlights

19. Indiana (6-0)

Week 6 result: Idle

20. Pitt (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated Cal, 17-15

With the victory, Pitt improved to 6-0 for the first time since 1982 and has established itself as a legitimate challenger in the ACC title race. And the Panthers did it without much in the way of offensive yardage. They totaled just 277 yards — nearly 250 beneath their average in the first five games of the season.

21. Ole Miss (5-2)

Week 6 result: Lost to LSU, 29-26 (OT)

Lane Kiffin’s team put up 464 yards of offense, but the Rebels’ defense couldn’t slow down LSU’s offense when it mattered most. Jaxson Dart passed for 284 yards and a score, but he only completed 24 of 42 passes in the game, likely putting an end to his Heisman chances, as well as the Rebels’ SEC title chances.

22. Arizona State (5-1)

Week 6 result: Defeated Utah, 27-19

When you’ve gotta get hard yards, hand the ball to Cam Skattebo. That’s what the Sun Devils did Friday night, as the senior running back rumbled for 158 yards and two touchdowns in an upset win over Utah. With the win, the Sun Devils hit the over on their preseason win total (4.5). 

“For those of you who won,” ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said, “put the money back in the NIL collective.”

23. SMU (5-1)

Week 6 result: Idle

24. Army (6-0)

Week 6 result: Defeated UAB, 44-10

Quarterback Bryson Daily was responsible for five total touchdowns in a rout that started with a 20-point first quarter for the Black Knights. The win makes Army 6-0 for the first time in 28 years and extends the team’s winning streak to 10 games, dating back to last season.

25. Navy (5-0)

Week 6 result: Idle

RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports and the host of the podcast “The Number One College Football Show.” Follow him at @RJ_Young and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube.

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Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa says his “authority was affected” when Luis Suarez criticised his coaching style.

Suarez, who retired from international football in September, said earlier this month Bielsa had “divided the whole group” and some players were considering quitting.

In an interview with Latin American broadcaster DSports, Uruguay’s all-time leading scorer also asked “the fans not to take it out on the players when things go wrong” because “the players will reach a limit and they will explode” under the Argentine’s working conditions.

“As for how the situation affected me, I don’t ignore what happened, and I know that my authority was affected in some way,” said Bielsa after Saturday’s defeat by Peru.

Uruguay lost 1-0 in the Fifa World Cup qualifier, but remain third in the overall standings, behind Argentina and Colombia, with 15 points from nine games.

“What happened during the week does not condition or explain how we played, nor do I think it has had an effect because it was a week with a lot of effervescence,” added the former Leeds United boss.

“It didn’t alter the conviction with which the match was prepared and the way the group and the coaching staff worked. The preparation was the same as always.”

Suarez had also criticised the treatment of midfielder Agustin Canobbio, who was forced to train as a ball boy and a spare man during the 2024 Copa America, and staff not being allowed to greet or eat with the team.

Bielsa was sacked by Leeds in February 2022 but became known for his intense training sessions and meticulous level of detail during his time at the Elland Road club.

He was appointed Uruguay boss in May 2023 to build a strong team for the 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay face Ecuador next on Tuesday at the Estadio Centenario.

College football fans were treated to plenty of outstanding games in Week 7, highlighted by Oregon‘s thrilling 32-31 victory over Ohio State, which in return elevated Dillon Gabriel‘s Heisman stock.

While Gabriel saw his Heisman stock rise, Colorado’s Travis Hunter saw his stock take a hit after he exited the Buffaloes‘ 31-28 loss to Kansas State with an apparent shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Boise State‘s star running back, Ashton Jeanty, remains at the top of the Heisman leaderboard after putting together another jaw-dropping performance, this one coming against Hawaii.

Here is a look at the current Heisman Trophy odds following a jam-packed Week 7:

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: +160

Another day, another dominant performance from Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos’ star back carried the ball 31 times for a jaw-dropping 217 yards and a touchdown in Boise State’s 28-7 win over Hawaii. Jeanty has now topped the 200-yard rushing mark in three games this season, and he has totaled 1,248 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in six games.

Next: Jeanty and the Broncos have a bye before traveling to UNLV to take on the Rebels on Oct. 25.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty celebrates one of his two touchdowns against Hawaii.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon: +400

Gabriel was sensational in Oregon’s memorable 32-31 win over Ohio State on Saturday. The lefty QB completed 23 of 34 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while also adding 32 yards and a score on the ground in the win. Oregon should be favored in every remaining game on its schedule, and if the Ducks are able to run the table, Gabriel should continue to find himself near the top of this leaderboard.

Next: Gabriel and the Ducks travel to Purdue to take on the Boilermakers on Oct. 19.

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns in the Ducks’ 32-31 win over Ohio State.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.): +550

Ward and the Hurricanes had a bye this weekend after their thrilling comeback victory over Cal last week. Ward finished that game 35-of-53 for 437 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning TD pass to Elijah Arroyo with 26 seconds remaining. Ward also added a rushing score in that win as Miami improved to 6-0 for the first time since the 2007 season.

Next: Ward and the Hurricanes travel to Louisville to take on the Cardinals on Oct. 19.

Miami QB Cam Ward threw for 437 yards and two touchdowns in Miami’s 39-38 comeback win over Cal.

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado: +900

After finding himself near the top of the leaderboard following his memorable performance against UCF back on Sept. 28, Hunter’s Heisman hopes took a hit this weekend after he was knocked out of the game Saturday with an apparent shoulder injury. The Buffaloes’ two-way star caught three passes for 26 yards on offense and recorded a tackle on defense before exiting the game.

Next: Hunter and the Buffaloes travel to Arizona to take on the Wildcats on Oct. 19.

Travis Hunter caught three passes for 26 yards before exiting Colorado’s game against Kansas State with a shoulder injury.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama, +1000

Jalen Milroe and the Alabama Crimson Tide entered Saturday hoping to bounce back following an ugly 40-35 loss to unranked Vanderbilt last weekend. The Tide were able to squeak out a win against South Carolina, but it was far from pretty. Milroe was 16-of-23 passing for 209 yards with a touchdown and two rushing scores in a 27-25 win over the Gamecocks. He ran in a 7-yard touchdown with 10:42 remaining in the fourth quarter and then hit Germie Bernard for a late 34-yard score to help No. 7 Alabama survive the scare. With the victory, Milroe and the Tide improved to 5-1 on the year.

Next: Milroe and the Crimson Tide travel to Tennessee to take on the Volunteers on Oct. 19.

Jalen Milroe was on the move often in Alabama’s win over South Carolina, rushing for two touchdowns. 

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: +1200

As good as Milroe and Gabriel have been this year, you could make an argument that no quarterback has been better over the past month than Klubnik. Following an ugly Week 1 loss to Georgia, Klubnik has been on fire, shredding every defense in his way. The Tigers‘ junior signal-caller was fantastic again on Saturday, completing 31 of 41 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-14 win over Wake Forest. Klubnik has now thrown for 1,528 yards and 17 touchdowns in six games.

Next: Klubnik and the Tigers take on Virginia on Oct. 19.

Cade Klubnik led Clemson to another high-scoring win, throwing for three touchdowns in a 49-14 victory over Wake Forest. 

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: +1500

Beck put up big numbers in the Bulldogs’ 41-31 win over Mississippi State, but this was a game that shouldn’t have been as close as the scoreboard reads. In addition to his 459 yards and three touchdowns through the air, Beck also threw a pair of costly picks, one of which came on Georgia’s first offensive possession of the contest. He did finish with 36 completions to 11 different players, including Arian Smith, who hauled in five catches for a game-high 134 yards and a touchdown.

Next: Beck and the Bulldogs travel to Texas to take on the Longhorns on Oct. 19.

Georgia QB Carson Beck threw for over 300 yards in the first half of its win over Mississippi State.

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Liverpool defender Gemma Bonner says there is “no reason why we can’t aim” to challenge for a Women’s Champions League spot.

Matt Beard’s side finished fourth in the Women’s Super League table last season, one place below the European qualification spots.

They beat Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal during the campaign, their second back in the top tier following promotion.

They have five points from their opening three games this season but will face their biggest challenge yet on Sunday, at Anfield against league leaders Manchester City, fresh from a 2-0 win over European champions Barcelona.

“In the last few years we have shown we can compete with these teams. We have beaten Manchester City, we have beaten Chelsea, we have beaten Arsenal,” Bonner told BBC Sport.

“The key is the consistency. City are always up there in the Champions League places because they do everything consistently, whether that be in training or performing in the games.

“Of course the game is still growing but we can go to that next level with consistency. For so long, the top three has been set but now we’re waiting to break that.

“Everyone is pushing to get better. Why not aim for Champions League? I’d love nothing more than to get back there.

“We have shown we can do more than compete, we can beat these teams. But we have to do it every single week.”

Bonner says Liverpool “have to be realistic” about their ambitions but the potential they showed last season gives them plenty of optimism.

While other clubs around them – including Manchester United, Brighton and Aston Villa – spent significantly in the summer, Liverpool were fairly quiet.

They did, though, add club record signing Olivia Smith, who has impressed early on.

“We don’t go out and spend fortunes on players,” Bonner said. “But the strength we have is already there. We will grow together and that is what makes you successful.

“We are ambitious, we want to improve. We know we’re still young and have a lot of learning to do but if we can keep going and develop in the way we did last year, we can use those experiences.

“It will be tough because we’re maybe not the surprise package that we were last season and teams will be more prepared. That throws more challenges at us.

“We will let other teams recruit and we can focus on ourselves and keep growing.”

Watch Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira full fight video highlights from their main event showdown Saturday at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, courtesy of UFC.

The flyweight contender showdown headlined UFC Vegas 98 and the highly anticipated matchup between Royval, a recent title challenger, and the undefeated Taira lived up to the hype and then some. For five rounds, Royval and Taira battled each other tooth-and-claw on the feet and on the ground, with both threatening to finish the fight at any given moment.

Though the fighters were clearly reaching deep into their energy reserves by the final round, neither was willing to give an inch, and the outcome was in doubt until the final bell, when Royval was finally able to assert himself on the mat. Royval’s efforts were enough for him to eke out a split decision win.

Check out the best highlights from the Fight of the Year candidate below.