College football stock up, stock down from Week 7: SEC elite suffer reality check

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Week 7 is a good example of why college football is so special. Chaos. That was the theme of this weekend and it was great for viewing pleasure.

There were five teams ranked inside the top eight that suffered a loss on Saturday, and of course, upsets are always must-see TV. But it wasn’t just upsets that made Week 7 great.

Both of the must-see games went down to the wire. Despite losing starting quarterback Julian Sayin, Ohio State managed to stifle Indiana’s offense enough to get a big win on the road. And then Notre Dame-BYU didn’t disappoint. CJ Carr had a chance to get Notre Dame a big win, but the Cougars’ defense pulled out the upset to give the Irish their first loss.

Here’s the latest stock up, stock down from Week 7.

MORE: BYU makes No. 1 pitch: Notre Dame upset could end 42-year AP poll wait

Stock up: BYU Cougars

Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It was a big day for BYU and the Cougars wanted to show they belonged. The last time ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ was in Provo was back in 2009 and that was a game BYU wants to forget. TCU crushed the Cougars, but it wasn’t going to be the same result this time around.

Despite not having running back LJ Martin, who has been BYU’s star, the Cougars got off to a quick start. BYU found itself up 21-10, but Notre Dame would make a run. The Irish would go up 24-21, and that’s when quarterback Bear Bachmeier showed his mettle. He led the Cougars down the field for a go-ahead score, and BYU would remain undefeated with a 28-24 win over the Irish.

BYU’s defense is for real and the Cougars are starting to separate themselves in the Big 12. Both Texas Tech and Utah will want to have a say, but BYU now has its signature win.

Stock down: Premier SEC teams

Oct 17, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) dives to score a touchdown against Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Qua Moss (6) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Three SEC teams ranked inside the top eight went down on Saturday. You can make the decision on whether the SEC is overrated or if there is just so much parity in the sport. It wasn’t that shocking to see Alabama lose. The Tide were up against a good Tennessee team on the road.

But Georgia losing a home game to Auburn? That wasn’t expected. Texas to lose a home game to Florida? A team that’s been reeling? Not expected. After seeing Alabama play Georgia last weekend, it appeared those were the best two teams in the SEC, but after this weekend, it could be Ole Miss, Tennessee, or Kentucky.

The days of Georgia, Alabama, and Texas dominating could be the thing of the past. With the new age of NIL and the transfer portal, the usual teams that dwell in the middle are making their way toward the top.

Stock up: Tennessee gets statement win

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)

Tennessee is suddenly right in the mix of not only competing for an SEC title but earning a big bid in the College Football Playoff. The Volunteers are honestly a few plays away from beating Texas and being undefeated.

What makes the Tennessee win even sweeter for Volunteer fans is that they are doing it differently. We are used to seeing high-octane Tennessee teams, but with the Vols having quarterback issues, they rely on running back DeSean Bishop and their defense.

Bishop ran for 159 yards and two scores, while the Vols’ defense forced four takeaways en route to a 26-10 win over Alabama.

Stock down: Arch Manning hype

Oct 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up before a game against the Florida Gators at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Texas has lost two games in a row, and two games in a row Arch Manning has had terrible moments. Last week, against Oklahoma, Manning had two fourth-quarter turnovers that cost the Longhorns the game against the Sooners.

This week, Manning struggled to take advantage of a susceptible Florida defense. And then in the fourth quarter, he fumbled the ball away. Manning had 173 yards through the air, and the Gators’ defense had allowed 270 or more passing yards in each of the last four games.

It’s time to have a talk about Manning and it’s because of his last name. Does he have major potential? Absolutely. But he’s yet to put it all together and there are little reasons to be talking about Manning has a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Stock up: UCLA continues to find ways

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava looks to pass as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10, 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

No Nico Iamaleava, no problem. The UCLA defense showed up last weekend against Oregon and it did so again this weekend against Wisconsin. The Bruins were just scoring more points than everyone else through the first four games, but now it’s up to the defense.

UCLA allowed Wisconsin to muster just 214 yards of offense in the Bruins’ 17-7 win over the Badgers. UCLA turned the ball over twice, but the Bruins’ defense wasn’t going to allow them to lose this game.

There are still concerns about UCLA. Ty Dieffenbach did throw for 264 yards, but he also tossed an interception and turnovers haunted him at Cal Poly last season. But if UCLA’s defense is going to take a new level, the Bruins have a schedule that will take them to the playoff.

Stock down: Bryce Underwood era at Michigan

Michigan quarterback Tommy Carr (14) celebrates his touchdown against Penn State with quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Michigan was hopeful the bye week was going to fix its offensive woes. But that didn’t happen. In fact, the first 30 minutes against Penn State were among the worst football fans have witnessed. The Wolverines gained 80 total yards in the first half, and Bryce Underwood tossed two interceptions.

Kyle Whittingham benched Underwood in favor of freshman Tommy Carr to begin the second half. Carr led three scoring drives to propel Michigan to a 21-18 win over the Nittany Lions. While Whittingham was non-committal after the game, it’s hard to imagine Carr not starting next week against Indiana.

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