College Football Top 25: Recapping Week 7, previewing Week 8

23. Pittsburgh (6-1)

Week 7 result: Defeated Virginia Tech 28-7

Pitt has not been talked about nearly enough this season. If it weren’t for a disappointing three-point loss to Western Michigan, they’d probably be in prime position to make the College Football Playoff at the current moment.

They have one of the most high-powered offenses in the country as well as one of the best quarterbacks in Kenny Pickett who has been absolutely brilliant this season and is possibly the most improved quarterback in the nation. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is off the charts at 21-to-1 currently.

Their most recent win was against Virginia Tech on the road Saturday. They went into Blacksburg and crushed a tough Hokies team in front of their own crowd. One thing’s for sure, Pittsburgh doesn’t struggle offensively.

The Panthers will now take on the best defense they’ll face all season in Clemson this week. Although, it probably won’t take too many points to outscore that struggling Clemson offense.

Next game: vs. Clemson
My prediction: Win 28-24

24. UTSA (7-0)

Week 7 result: Defeated Rice 45-0

Meep meep. The Roadrunners are ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time in school history. This is pretty exciting stuff for the players and the program as a whole.

UTSA is one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the country and they have earned this ranking. I know they’re in the Conference-USA but they actually have two impressive road wins on the season. One is against Illinois and the other is against Memphis. Those may not be top-tier wins either but give credit to Jeff Traylor and what he has done with this program.

This team was 3-9 a few short years ago at the bottom of their conference. But they now find themselves 7-0 midway through this season in prime position to win the conference.

The Roadrunners are favored in each game left on their schedule so realistically they could keep rising up this poll and finish the regular season unbeaten.

Next game: vs. Lousiana Tech
My prediction: Win 30-23

25. Purdue (4-2)

Week 7 result: Defeated Iowa 24-7

What an upset by the Boilermakers. They were the better team from start to finish in this one against Iowa. Purdue just flat-out destroyed them on both sides of the ball. They did to Iowa what the Hawkeyes normally do to others which is caused turnovers. Safety Cam Allen had two of those interceptions himself.

Iowa just had no answer for Purdue wide receiver David Bell who was unstoppable in this one. He went off for 240 yards and a touchdown on only 11 catches which resulted in a PFF grade of 83.7.

This guy should be rising up draft boards after a performance like this. Yes, the Boilermakers are now ranked, but we will see how long it lasts as they enter a tough four-game stretch against some of the conference’s best teams.

Next game: vs. Wisconsin
My prediction: Lose 16-14