College football fans have been waiting all year for Week 7's loaded slate, and it didn't disappoint one bit
By Will Backus
• 1 min read
Before the college football season ever started, many circled Week 7 as one of the highlights of the year thanks to a loaded slate of games between contenders. As it concludes, it's safe to say the day lived up to the hype and then some, providing thrilling results and giving a bit more clarity to the College Football Playoff picture.
No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 10 Clemson handled their business, smothering Stanford and Wake Forest, respectively, in relatively drama-free affairs. Meanwhile Alabama needed two late defensive stops -- one on a two-point conversion and then another following a successful onside kick -- to avoid a second-straight upset against South Carolina.
Penn State rallied from two scores down to hand Lincoln Riley and USC yet another disappointing Big Ten loss in overtime. Texas continued to impress with a smothering 34-3 victory over rival Oklahoma and Pitt extended its surprising undefeated start with a victory over Cal.
The night window gave us a trio of thrilling finishes in games that all carried CFP implications. Oregon outlasted Ohio State 32-31. Meanwhile the SEC provided a pair of overtime thrillers with Tennessee downing Florida 23-17 and LSU holding on against Ole Miss 29-26.
CBS Sports with here with you every step of the way with the latest scores, highlights and storylines throughout the evening.
College football scores, schedule: Week 7
No. 7 Alabama 27, South Carolina 25 --Recap, takeaways
No. 10 Clemson 49, Wake Forest 14 -- Recap
No. 4 Penn State 33, USC 30 (OT) -- Recap, takeaways
No. 1 Texas 34, No. 18 Oklahoma 3 --Recap, takeaways
No. 11 Notre Dame 49, Stanford 7 -- Recap
No. 22 Pittsburgh 17, California 15 --Recap
No. 14 BYU 41, Arizona 19 -- Recap
No. 8 Tennessee 23, Florida 17 (OT) -- Recap
No. 3 Oregon 32, No. 2 Ohio State 31 -- Recap, takeaways
No. 13 LSU 29, No. 9 Ole Miss 26 (OT) --Recap
No. 11 Iowa State 28, West Virginia 16 -- Recap
No. 18 Kansas State 31, Colorado 28 -- Recap
Check out the entire Week 7 scoreboard
Check these out ...
- TT25T:Oregon replaces Ohio State amid top-five shakeup
- Travis Hunter injury: Colorado's two-way star exits Kansas State game
- Dodd: Drew Allar looks like the leader, playmaker PSU has long craved at QB
- Texas handles business: Longhorns look like title contenders in dominant win over Oklahoma
- Napier feeling the heat again: Timid decision-making costs Florida in OT loss to Tennessee
- WATCH: Oregon WR Traeshon Holden ejected vs. Ohio State for spitting
- USC blows another late lead:Lincoln Riley's frustration is clear as day: 'It always falls to me'
- Penn State's humble hero: Tyler Warren's historic performance wills team to key road victory
- WATCH: PSU coach James Franklin stops players from planting flag on USC's field
- Tylee Craft dies at 23: Ex-UNC WR honored by team before Georgia Tech game
- What's wrong with Alabama? Lack of attention to detail has plagued Tide| Milroe must be sharper
- Dilfer cratering UAB: Once a proud, resurrected program, the Blazers are abysmal in Year 2 under Dilfer
- Utah exposed: Loss to Arizona State shows Utes have no QB plan past Cam Rising
Updates
(73)
See New Posts
Pinned
Link copied
Kansas State survives upset bid over Colorado
FINAL: No. 18 Kansas State 31, Colorado 28
On fourth-and-5, Sanders attempted to go deep to Will Sheppard down the sideline, but his pass fell incomplete. Kansas State was able to run out the clock and survive an upset bid by the Buffaloes. Avery Johnson connected with Jayce Brown for a 50-yard go-ahead touchdown with 2:14 left to take the lead back for good. Sanders finished 34 of 40 for 388 yards and three touchdowns.
Colorado star Travis Hunter left in the first half because of an injury and didn't return.
Pinned
Link copied
Kansas State answers
Late 4Q: No. 18 Kansas State 31, Colorado 28
What. A. Drive. Just three plays after Colorado took its first lead since the first quarter, Kansas State answered. Avery Johnson connected with Jayce Brown for a 50-yard touchdown to help the Wildcats take a 31-28 lead with 2:14 left. Will Colorado answer?
Pinned
Link copied
Colorado takes the lead
Late 4Q: Colorado 28, No. 18 Kansas State 24
On fourth-and-6, Kansas State elected to go for it and Avery Johnon's pass was intercepted by Colorado DB Colton Hood, who took it 59 yards the other way. Two plays later, Sanders connected with LaJohntay Wester for a 11-yard touchdown to take the lead back with 3:12 left. How will Kansas State answer?
Pinned
Link copied
Colorado answers
LATE 3Q: No. 18 Kansas State 21, Colorado 14
After Kansas State marched down the field and scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the second half, Colorado responded. Sanders connected with Will Sheppard for a 7-yard score to cut it to a one-possession game with 4:44 left in the third. This is brewing up to a fantastic finish.
Pinned
Link copied
LSU wins in dramatic fashion
FINAL (OT): No. 13 LSU 29, Ole Miss 26
What a thrilling ending to one of the best games on the Saturday slate. After Ole Miss drilled a 57-yard field goal on its first drive beyond regulation, the Tigers ended the game in one play on a 25-yard touchdown connection from Garrett Nussmeier to Kyren Lacy. That will be a huge boost to LSU's potential College Football Playoff résumé, while the Rebels' at-large chances take a drastic hit.
Some notable stats from LSU's win:
- Start 2-0 in SEC play for 3rd straight season
- Fourteenth straight home win (3rd-longest active FBS streak)
- Eighth straight home win vs Ole Miss
- Never led before game-winning TD
Pinned
Link copied
Kansas State leads at halftime
HALF: No.18 Kansas State 14, Colorado 7
We have reached halftime from Boulder, and Kansas State will head to the locker room with a 14-7 advantage over Deion Sanders' Colorado team. Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is 15 of 16 for 152 yards and a touchdown in the first half of play, but the status of star wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is unknown. Hunter left in the first half and went to the locker room after suffering an apparent shoulder injury in the second quarter.
Kansas State star RB DJ Giddens had an incredible first half, rushing for 127 yards on only 12 attempts.
Pinned
Link copied
Overtime for Ole Miss, LSU
End of 4Q: No. 9 Ole Miss 23, No. 13 LSU 23
Ole Miss got to midfield for a end-of-regulation gasp, but QB Jaxson Dart was sacked. So now, to overtime we go! Each team has won its last overtime game (Ole Miss in 2020 vs. Kentucky and LSU in 2022 vs. Alabama). Kudos to LSU for clawing out of a 17-7 hole here.
Some stats at the end of four quarters:
QBs:
Garrett Nussmeier: 312 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT on 21 of 50 passing
Jaxson Dart: 284 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT on 24 of 39 passing
Team Rushing:
LSU has 84 yards rushing, Ole Miss has 179
Receiving:
Ole Miss has two players over 100 yards receiving (Cayden Lee and Tre Harris). LSU has five players who have caught three passes or more.
Pinned
Link copied
Travis Hunter exits with injury
ColoradostarTravis Hunterleft Saturday night's game againstKansas Statein the first half and went to the locker room after suffering an apparent shoulder injury in the second quarter. Hunter is the No. 1 player in the2025 CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospect Rankingsand is a Heisman Trophy contender.
Travis Hunter injury: Colorado's two-way star exits game vs. Kansas State to have shoulder evaluated David CobbPinned
Link copied
Tigers tie it up late in Baton Rouge
Late 4Q: No. 9 Ole Miss 23, No. 13 LSU 23
Craziness in Baton Rouge. Down seven points and facing a fourth-and-five from the Ole Miss 23-yard-line wiht 32 seconds left, Garrett Nussmeier kept LSU's CFP hopes alive with a touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson -- a beutiful strike on a post route where Nussmeier led Anderson open.
LSU eschews the two-point opportunity and kicks the extra point to tie it at 23-23 with 27 seconds left. Greg McElroy, on the call for ABC, says LSU should have gone for two rather than play for overtime, as the Tigers famously did when Brian Kelly took over two years ago and they beat Alabama.
Pinned
Link copied
A heavyweight fight that lived up to the hype
Final: No. 3 Oregon 32, No. 2 Ohio State 31
In a game that featured nearly everything you could possibly want, the sun set on Autzen Stadium with a pair of heavyweight fighters staggering back to their corners bruised and battered -- and left us wanting more.
Every time Ohio State fired a haymaker, Oregon bounced off the mat and delivered a staggering blow of its own. Results matter, and Oregon came up on top, but it wouldn't be shocking to see these two back in Indianapolis playing for the Big Ten Championship in December.
Ohio State is a well-oiled machine and the best constructed mechanism in college football, but Oregon didn't back down and even attacked the perceived strengths of the Buckeyes, including cornerback Denzel Burke, who gave up two touchdowns, to prove it isn't just worthy of top-5 consideration, but it is most definitely better than the early-season hiccups against Boise State and Idaho.
Pinned
Link copied
Tennessee escapes
Final: Tennessee 23, Florida 17
Tennessee needed overtime to squeak past Florida at home as a heavy favorite. The Volunteers' high-powered offense sputtered all night but got the tough yards when it mattered most to reach 5-1. Dylan Sampson sealed it with a 1-yard touchdown run after the Gators missed a 46-yard field goal on their only overtime possession. Sampson finished with 112 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Pinned
Link copied
LSU settles for FG
Late 3Q: Ole Miss 20, LSU 16
The last four LSU possessions have ended in field goal attempts. Damian Ramos is 3 of 4 on those attempts, with his most recent make coming from 41 yards. The Tigers remain one-dimensional with little ability to run the football as they try and squeak out a top-15 victory inside Death Valley.
Pinned
Link copied
Overtime in Knoxville
OT: Florida 17, Tennessee 17
Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway stepped and threw a 27-yard touchdown strike with 29 seconds left to tie the game at 17. The Gators initially lined up as if they were going to attempt a 2-point conversion. But after forcing the Volunteers to burn a timeout, they opted for the PAT. Tennessee's last-gasp possession in regulation was a disjointed mess, leading to overtime.
Pinned
Link copied
Ohio State jumps back ahead
Late 4Q: No. 2 Ohio State 31, No. 3 Oregon 29
Another possession, another lead change. A promising Ohio State drive stalled just outside of the red zone after a false start penalty put the Buckeyes behind the chains. Quarterback Will Howard couldn't hit wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for a first down on third-and-13. So the Buckeyes had to settle for a 40-yard field goal from kicker Jayden Fielding, who nailed the boot. While the Buckeyes would have liked a touchdown, they're certainly not going to balk at taking a lead.
There's still six minutes to play, so plenty of time for momentum to change hands multiple times before the final bell ends. So far neither team has been able to take a clear advantage.
Pinned
Link copied
ISU builds the lead in Morgantown
4Q: Iowa State 21, West Virginia 10
West Virginia was driving into Iowa State territory courtesy of a 28-yard scramble from quarterback Garrett Greene late in the third quarter. But then he was intercepted, bringing an abrupt end to a promising series. That one may come back to haunt the Mountaineers, who are attempting to hand Iowa State its first loss of the season. The Cyclones scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession to take an 11-point lead.
Pinned
Link copied
Colorado can emerge as Big 12 contender with win over Kansas State
Colorado was, quite literally, 1 second away from fading into irrelevance in Deion Sanders' second season. Since quarterbackShedeur Sanders' miraculous game-winning touchdown pass against Baylor, though, the Buffaloes have flipped the script.
After beating Baylor and UCF in their first two Big 12 games since rejoining the conference, the Buffaloes are one of only five Big 12 teams unbeaten in conference play. Especially after dominating UCF 48-21, the Buffs are suddenly set to play one of the biggest games of the early Big 12 season as they host No. 18 Kansas State on Saturday.
Colorado creeping up in Big 12 race: Buffs could emerge as league title contender with win over Kansas State Shehan JeyarajahPinned
Link copied
To the wire in Knoxville
4Q: Tennessee 17, Florida 10
Tennessee scored 17 unanswered, rallying from 10-0 deficit to take the lead. But Florida isn't done yet as freshman DJ Lagway has a chance to lead the Gators to a game-tying score inside Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers' defense has been strong, but they have been on the field for a long time tonight and haven't received much support from a sputtering offense that his been unable to connect on downfield shots.
Pinned
Link copied
Oregon's gamble comes up short
3Q: Ohio State 28, Oregon 22
Oregon coach Dan Lanning is rolling the dice, to mixed results. The Ducks made a gutsy decision to go for it on fourth-and-inches from their own 48-yard line and cashed in on a 32-yard completion to tight end Terrance Ferguson. That gave them the momentum they needed to move the ball all the way to Ohio State's 2-yard line, where they lined up to go for it again on fourth-and-goal. This time, though, the Buckeyes were all over it. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel came under immediate pressure and his pass fell short at the intended receiver's feet. It was a huge momentum-swinging play for the Buckeyes, who still hold a 28-22 advantage.
Pinned
Link copied
Red River dominance
Before the Red River Rivalry game, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables told local reporters that he had never had a Fletcher's Corny Dog in all of his years coaching at the State Fair of Texas. If the Sooners won, Venables promised he would try his first one after the game.
After No. 1 Texas decimated the No. 18 Sooners 34-3 on Saturday, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian came into the press box holding a Corny Dog triumphantly. Considering the destruction Texas left in its wake, it's only fitting that Sark quite literally stole Venables' lunch.
Texas handled business at a championship level in its dominant win over rival Oklahoma Shehan JeyarajahPinned
Link copied
Diving deep on Penn State's win over USC
The worst thing you could say aboutDrew Allaron Saturday is that he threw three interceptions. Remember? Don't beat yourself up over it if you don't. By now, no one in central Pennsylvania remembers either.
Saturday proved why No. 4Penn Statewent all out in getting the five-star quarterback prospect to become its next generation star more than two years ago. Saturday proved why Allar didn't go toOhio State-- 90 minutes from his Medina,Ohio, home -- but chose a hated conference rival instead.
Saturday was Allar's career day. On a field stocked with career days againstUSC, Allar's might have shown brightest. Well, at least once you get past tight end Ty Warren's 17 catches for 224 yards.
Drew Allar emerges as gunslinger, leader Penn State has needed all along in come-from-behind win over USC Dennis DoddPinned
Link copied
Iowa State in a battle
Half: Iowa State 14, West Virginia 10
Unbeaten Iowa State is in a rugged road battle in Morgantown, West Virginia. The Mountaineers struck first before a couple of Iowa State touchdowns in the second quarter. But Michael Hayes II hit a 43-yard field goal to cap a nice 2-minute drill series for the Mountaineers just before the half. Possessions are at a premium in this game as both offenses are operating methodically and protecting the football. Iowa State will get it to start the third quarter.
Pinned
Link copied
Ole Miss clinging to lead in Death Valley
Half: Ole Miss 17, LSU 13
Both offenses came to life in the second quarter after a scoreless opening frame as Ole Miss took a 17-13 lead into the break in a top-15 SEC battle. LSU has become completely one-dimensional with Garrett Nussmeier completing 11 of 26 passes for 172 yards, one touchdown and an interception. The Rebels gifted LSU its second field goal of the half with a Henry Parrish Jr. fumble that allowed the Tigers to tack on three points before the break.
Pinned
Link copied
Oregon up at the half
Half: No. 3 Oregon 22, No. 2 Oregon State 21
Oregon enters halftime with a slight advantage after a back-and-forth 30 minutes of play. The Ducks and the Buckeyes scored two touchdowns in the last four minutes. Ohio State started the ping-pong match with a 15-yard reception from star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. The Ducks responded just over two minutes later, as quarterback Dillon Gabriel connected with Tez Johnson for a huge 48-yard touchdown.
Gabriel, who entered Saturday's game with some lingering questions, after a lackluster start to Big Ten play with the Ducks, had a very nice first half. He completed 11 of his 16 pass attempts against Ohio State's loaded defense for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He had three passes of at least 30 yards, including the 48-yard bomb to Tez Johnson and a 69-yard connection with Evan Stewart.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was efficient, but the Buckeyes got a lot of work done on the ground. Running back TreVeyon Henderson had the Buckeyes' most explosive play with a 53-yard run, and Howard and Quinshon Judkins each had touchdowns on the ground.
Pinned
Link copied
Mertz injured on TD throw
3Q: Florida 10, Tennessee 0
Florida finally scored a touchdown on its fifth trip to the red zone as Graham Mertz hit Arlis Boardingham for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 92-yard drive. But the play may have come with a cost as Mertz hobbled off with an apparent non-contact leg injury. True freshman DJ Lagway has played some tonight and is 3 of 4 through the air. He may be called upon now as the Gators look to finish off an upset of the No. 8 Volunteers.
Pinned
Link copied
Oregon receiver ejecting for spitting
Oregonwide receiverTraeshon Holdenwas ejected from Saturday's clash between the second-ranked Ducks and No. 3Ohio Statefor spitting on Buckeyes cornerbackDavison Igbinosunas the two got tangled up near the end zone on a play run from Ohio State's 10-yard line. Broadcast cameras caught Holden spitting on Igbinosun after the two players traded words following the whistle. Holden's penalty also backed Oregon up 15 yards and made the Ducks settle for a field goal despite having a prime opportunity to score a touchdown.Atticus Sappington's27-yard kick did give Oregon a 15-14 lead early in the second quarter.
WATCH: Oregon WR Traeshon Holden ejected vs. Ohio State for spitting on Buckeyes player Will BackusPinned
Link copied
James Franklin stops flag celebration
Penn Statecoach James Franklin stopped celebrating for a moment after his team's33-30 overtime winatUSCon Saturday to admonish a player who was planting a Nittany Lions flag at midfield of LA Memorial Coliseum. With a Penn State player holding the flag near the USC logo and a few others nearby appearing to enjoy the spectacle, Franklin quickly appeared from a nearby scrum of bodies and put a halt to gesture. Franklin shook his finger at the player before grabbing the flag himself and walking it over to someone else while saying "take that."
WATCH: Penn State coach James Franklin abruptly stops players from planting flag on USC's field David CobbPinned
Link copied
LSU on the board
Late 2Q: Ole Miss 10, LSU 7
LSU finally hit pay dirt after a slow offensive start. Garrett Nussmeier found Tre'Dez Green for a 12-yard completion to cap the scoring drive, which was highlighted by a 28-yard completion to Kyren Lacy. The Tigers are struggling to run the football, and Nussmeier had been inaccurate to start. But that was an encouraging sign of life for LSU in this top-15 SEC battle.
Pinned
Link copied
Ugly half in Knoxville
Start 3Q: Florida 3, Tennessee 0
Tennessee looked like a trainwreck in the first half with a pair of turnovers, costly penalties and missed deep shots. However, Florida was unable to capitalize on the Volunteers' ineptitude as came up empty in the red zone three times for various reasons. The Vols have their defense and the Gators' poor execution to thank for why they are not facing a bigger deficit to start the second half.
Pinned
Link copied
Oregon scores after surprise onside kick; Traeshon Holden ejected for spitting on player
Early 2Q: No. 3 Oregon 15, No. 2 Ohio State 14
Oregon pulled a trick out of its hat and it worked with an onside kick — more like a knuckleball — deflecting off up-man Max Lomonico's chest. Oregon recovered at the Buckeyes' 41-yard line.
That wasn't the craziest moment, however. A couple plays later on offense, Oregon receiver Traeshon Holden was ejected for spitting in the face of Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun near the end zone after an incomplete pass. The 15-yard penalty quelled the Oregon momentum, but the Ducks still kicked a field goal to take their first lead at 15-14 with 10:09 remaining.
Pinned
Link copied
Georgia is unspectacular in victory
Final: Georgia 41, Mississippi State 31
Mississippi State can claim a moral victory on the road against Georgia. Though the maroon Bulldogs lost, they had UGA on its heels after scoring 14 unanswered to make things tight in the second half. Carson Beck finished with 459 yards passing, but he also threw two interceptions. Georgia also struggled to run the football even on a Mississippi State defensive front that has been susceptible this season.
See More