4 biggest risers in College Football after Week 7

What a wild week of college football. Because 5 of the AP top-10 teams lost this week, there has to be a new batch of teams ready to take their place, and we had some teams rise to the occasion here in Week 7. Here are the biggest risers of the week.

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BYU

Oct 9, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up prior to a game against the Iowa State Cyclones at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It may have been a controversial ending, but the Cougars notched one of their biggest wins in program history, knocking off Notre Dame 28-24. This is massive for a BYU team hoping to avoid a repeat of 2024 and 2025, when two-loss Cougar teams were left out of the CFP for not having enough marquee wins. Now, thanks to the incredible efforts of Bear Bachmeier and co., they have a massive marquee win in 2026.

UCLA

Sep 5, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney (center) talks to UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (left) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Even without QB1 Nico Iamaleava, the Bruins outlasted Wisconsin and came away with a 17-7 win. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but it was significant. Looking at the rest of UCLA’s schedule, they don’t have to play Ohio State or Indiana. Their toughest remaining game is the Battle for LA against USC. 12-0 is within sight for the Bruins, which would obviously guarantee a CFP berth in Bob Chesney’s first season.

Ole Miss

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) looks to throw against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

In a week when the rest of the AP top-10 was losing, Ole Miss put a beatdown on Missouri. Trinidad Chambliss accounted for 4 total touchdowns in the 31-3 rout. The longer we move away from it, the more that Ole Miss’s loss to Florida looks like a one-time aberration. The Rebels look like an SEC contender and have one of the country’s best quarterbacks leading the way.

Tennessee

Oct 17, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back DeSean Bishop (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

All of a sudden, Tennessee looks like an SEC contender as well. The Volunteers were never really threatened in a 26-10 victory over rival Alabama. It was George MacIntyre, not freshman Faizon Brandon, who started at QB for the Vols, and while his numbers were unspectacular, he played complementary football to an elite run game and defensive effort and got the job done. Desean Bishop is one of the best running backs in college football, and he showed it with 159 yards and 2 TDs.

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