ESPN “College GameDay” college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has ranked his top college football teams following Week 7 of the 2023 college football season. The top game of Week 7 featured Washington beating Oregon in a tight Pac-12 game at home.
Additionally, USC lost on the road at Notre Dame in Week 7. College football’s top teams have avoided upsets for the most part to start the season. Will that change as conference play heats up?
Looking ahead, Week 8’s schedule features four ranked matchups: Penn State at Ohio State, Duke at Florida State, Utah at USC, and Tennessee at Alabama. Georgia football fans will have plenty of action to watch during the Bulldogs’ bye week.
Who are Kirk Herbstreit’s top six college football teams? Who would make his College Football Playoff if the season ended today?
No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Week 8: Penn State at Ohio State (noon ET — all times are ET)
Ohio State hosts Penn State in a critical Big Ten game this week. The Buckeyes have improved from the start of the season. Penn State has not won at Ohio State since 2011. The Nittany Lions have lost six straight against the Buckeyes and 10 of their last 11.
Is this Penn State team different? The Nittany Lions have a great defense, but will need a big game from starting quarterback Drew Allar.
Get more Ohio State football information on Buckeyes Wire
No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners
(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Week 8: UCF at Oklahoma (noon)
Oklahoma, who is coming off a bye week, faces UCF in Week 8. The Sooners last played in an emotional win over Texas. The Sooners and quarterback Dillon Gabriel are looking like College Football Playoff contenders.
No. 4 Florida State Seminoles
Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8: Duke at Florida State (7:30 p.m.)
Florida State hosts Duke in a battle of teams that are both undefeated in ACC play. Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis needs to have a good game against a tough Duke defense. Duke starting quarterback Riley Leonard has a chance to play against Florida State after suffering a high ankle sprain against Notre Dame a few weeks ago.
No. 3 Washington Huskies
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8: Arizona State at Washington (10:30 p.m.)
The Huskies are in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-12. Washington has a challenging remaining schedule including games at USC, at Oregon State, and versus Utah (home).
Washington quarterback Michael Penix is putting up some monster numbers passing to receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. Penix (-125) is heavily favored to win the Heisman, per FanDuel.
No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8: bye week
Georgia has a bye week after defeating Vanderbilt 37-20 last week. The Bulldogs play Florida after the bye in a key SEC East game. Georgia is battling through some tough injuries right now including ankle injuries to Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims.
No. 1 Michigan Wolverines
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Week 8: Michigan at Michigan State (7:30 p.n.)
Kirk Herbstreit moved Michigan to No. 1 after the Wolverines posted yet another dominant performance against Indiana in Week 7. Michigan has not allowed any opponent to score more than 10 points all season.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy is playing great football, but let’s be honest, Michigan’s schedule is very easy until the final few weeks of the season.
Get more Michigan news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
Herbstreit’s top six college football teams
How Herbstreit’s rankngs changed
My top 4 after WEEK 6
1-@GeorgiaFootball
2-@UMichFootball
3-@UW_Football
4-@FSUFootball
Next 2@oregonfootball @OhioStateFB— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 8, 2023
Georgia was previously Herbstreit’s No. 1 (after Week 6). Michigan surpassed the Bulldogs thanks to another strong performance. Washington stayed put after beating Oregon. Florida State and Ohio State stayed at their same spots in his rankings. Oregon dropped from No. 5. Oklahoma is now Herbstreit’s No. 5.
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