Projected College Football Playoff rankings after Week 7: Alabama climbs back in, Iowa drops out

The College Football Playoff rankings were shaken up after No. 2 Iowa’s loss to the Purdue Boilermakers.

If you thought a quiet Week 7 of the college football season was in store, you were mistaken. Things have officially shaken up again, as the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes stunningly lost 24-7 to the Purdue Boilermakers. With that, the Hawkeyes will fall out of the College Football Playoff rankings.

There are no doubt going to be plenty of teams looking to sneak into the Playoff that will be sending Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm thank you cards, because their chances of clinching a spot have increased. But which teams will make it following Week 7?

Here are the projected rankings.

Projected College Football Playoff rankings after Week 7

1. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs remain at the top of the CFP rankings. Georgia disposed of a formidable foe in the No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats, who were previously undefeated prior to kickoff, by the score of 30-13. They now move onto a matchup against the Florida Gators, who narrowly lost a duel against LSU. As long as the Bulldogs keep winning, the top seed is theirs.

2. Cincinnati Bearcats

Congratulations, Cincinnati, because you are bound to be the second-ranked team in the nation in the next AP Top 25 rankings. The Bearcats benefit from not only Iowa’s loss but their dominant 56-21 victory over the UCF Knights. Cincinnati face off against Navy next weekend.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

It was the Caleb Williams show in Norman on Saturday night. In his first official start in place of Spencer Rattler, Williams threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns and rushing for a touchdown in the 52-31 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs. The Sooners take on the Kansas Jayhawks next Saturday.

4. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide were officially out of the Playoff for a little under seven days. That short stint outside of the spotlight comes courtesy of Iowa’s no-show against Purdue. Alabama solidified their jump back into the top four with a 49-9 blowout over Mississippi State. They will look to continue winning out for the remainder of the season starting next week against Tennessee.

Playoff hopefuls on the outside looking in

5. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes now have a chance to sneak into the playoffs following Iowa’s loss. They entered their bye week with a sixth-overall ranking by the Associated Press and will rise up by one spot. Ohio State will look to continue their climb back into the Playoff with a win over Indiana in their return to the gridiron.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

Much like Ohio State, Penn State will likely move up one spot. While the Nittany Lions’ lone loss was to the Hawkeyes, it was by a narrow margin. Not only that, but Iowa lost to an unranked Purdue team. Hence why Penn State takes the sixth spot on the outside looking in.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.