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College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 7

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen celebrate on the field after defeating the Houston Cougars 46-40 at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen celebrate on the field after defeating the Houston Cougars 46-40 at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers players react after a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers players react after a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Auburn had a rough start to its season, losing to Clemson and Texas A&M within the first three weeks of the season. The slow start raised questions about Gus Malzahn’s job security on the Plains. But the defense began to carry the team (and kept things close in both losses as well), and after now rattling off three straight wins (and serving as the final straw that broke Les Miles’ back) the Tigers are back in the thick of the SEC West race and back in the AP Top 25 for the first time in over a year.

They had a break this weekend as they prepared for the second half of the season. Next weekend they host Arkansas, then travel to Oxford to face Ole Miss on the last weekend of October. If they can knock off both ranked teams, the Tigers will set up a tough but potentially rewarding opportunity for themselves in November. With road games against Georgia and Alabama, nothing is guaranteed. But even if Auburn fails to run the table, they’ve proven themselves to be worthy of a spot in the Top 25.

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