Following the latest AP rankings release, discussions emerged from a high level inside the coaching ranks. A senior Power Five coach texted a reporter with a blunt reaction: “Ridiculous, Oregon State isn’t in the top 25.” The sentiment underscored a broader belief among some observers that Oregon State’s recent results aren’t being fully recognized by the pollsters.
Oregon State had a rocky start, dropping back-to-back games in the first two weeks, but the Beavers have since surged with five straight wins, climbing back into contention within the Pac-12. Still, their ascent hasn’t translated into a spot in the Top 25, even as several teams that have suffered losses remain ranked or improve due to a combination of tradition, conference strength, and perceived quality of opposition.
Week 7 proved volatile for several major programs. The Georgia Bulldogs were upset by the Auburn Tigers, Notre Dame fell to BYU, and Indiana’s 22-game winning streak ended in a loss to Ohio State. Alabama suffered its second defeat of the season against Tennessee, while Texas was unable to hold off Florida’s upset bid.
In the latest AP Top 25, the Miami Hurricanes sit at No. 1, with BYU jumping from No. 8 to No. 2. Ohio State sits at No. 3, and Notre Dame remains at No. 4 despite a loss. The defending national champions, Georgia, dropped to No. 5, and Indiana rounds out the top six. Texas, which had held the top spot for weeks, fell to No. 19 after its defeat to Florida. Alabama remains in the Top 15 at No. 13 after another setback. Tennessee has climbed to No. 11, and Florida makes a notable return to the Top 25 at No. 20.
Oregon is still unranked for the second straight week, receiving the 27th-most votes and just missing the Top 25. This has sparked further debate about whether the Beavers deserve to be in the rankings given their unscathed record against unranked opponents and the strength (or lack thereof) of their schedule to date. Critics argue that teams with more marquee wins or tougher schedules should be rewarded, while supporters contend that consistent victories, even if against lesser opponents, show progress and resilience.
The central argument hinges on strength of schedule. Oregon State has won five straight, but none of those victories have come against a ranked foe. By contrast, many of the teams currently in or near the Top 25 have faced at least one ranked opponent, which voters often weigh when determining rankings.
A related note of debate involves No. 21 Boise State, whose 5-1 record has earned a spot in the rankings despite a schedule featuring several unranked opponents. Boise State’s solitary loss also came against an unranked team, prompting questions about how strength of schedule influences a team’s ranking here as well.
As the season progresses, the AP Poll continues to face scrutiny from fans and analysts who question how much stock is placed in ongoing outcomes, strength of schedule, and the performance of teams in and out of conference play. The Oregon State Beavers, for their part, face a timely opportunity to prove their merit. They are set to face two unranked opponents in the next two weeks before squaring off with Boise State, offering a chance to showcase their growth and possibly break into the Top 25 with a strong late-season push.
In summary, Week 7 delivered shocks across the college football landscape, fueling ongoing discourse about how rankings are determined and which teams truly deserve to be among the nation’s elite. For Oregon State, the forthcoming games provide a critical platform to demonstrate that their late-season form is more than a string of wins against unranked teams—and perhaps finally earn the recognition their supporters feel they deserve.
