College football scores, rankings, highlights: Oklahoma wins with Caleb Williams, Ole Miss survives Tennessee

The Sooners seem to have found their new quarterback in a comfortable win over TCU

All anyone wanted to know heading into Week 7 was which first-round caliber quarterback was going to start for No. 4 Oklahoma. When the Sooners took the field against TCU, it was the true freshman Caleb Williams who emerged to put together one of the best starting debuts in recent memory. 

Williams was nearly perfect, completing 18-of-23 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns, adding 66 yards on the ground, including a 41-yard score, in a 52-31 win over the Horned Frogs. The performance moved Oklahoma to 7-0 with an opportunity to move up in the AP poll after No. 2 Iowa fell 24-7 to Purdue. 

Elsewhere, No. 13 Ole Miss survived an upset bid from Tennessee with a late defensive stop to secure a 31-26 win. However, the game was delayed for nearly 20 minutes late in the fourth quarter after Tennessee fans began throwing debris on to the field in protest of a ball spot from SEC officials on a fourth-and-24 play.

No. 22 NC State scored 21 points in the third quarter to finish off a 33-7 road win over Boston College. while No. 5 Alabama took care of Mississippi State. And in a top-25 upset, Baylor beat No. 19 BYU 39-24. 

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College football scores, schedule: Week 7

Auburn 38, No. 17 Arkansas 23 -- Takeaways, recap
LSU 49, No. 20 Florida 42 -- Recap
No. 10 Michigan State 20, Indiana 15 -- Recap
No. 12 Oklahoma State 32, No. 25 Texas 24 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 3 Cincinnati 56, UCF 21 -- Recap
Purdue 24, No. 2 Iowa 7 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 1 Georgia 30, No. 11 Kentucky 13 -- Takeaways, recap
Baylor 38, No. 19 BYU 24 -- Recap
No. 5 Alabama 49, Mississippi State 9 -- Takeaways, recap
No. 13 Ole Miss 31, Tennessee 26 -- Recap
No. 4 Oklahoma 52, TCU 31 -- Recap 
Check out the entire Week 7 scoreboard

Check these out ...

• Jeyarajah: Oklahoma State proves it belongs, Iowa's playoff hopes crushed
• Bowl projections: Ohio State rejoins playoff after Iowa loss
• TT25T: Cincinnati up to No. 2 in latest top 25 projected rankings 
• LOOK: Tennessee fans throw trash on to the field vs. Ole Miss
• Dodd: Will the Bulldogs let Stetson Bennett lead a title run?
• WATCH: Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy dances after beating Texas
• WATCH: Florida ends half with Hail Mary TD as LSU defense falters
• WATCH: Armani Rogers sets record for longest TD run by QB in NCAA history
• WATCH: Louisville surprises Lamar Jackson with upcoming jersey retirement

[Oct 17, 2021 at 10:19 am ET · Ben Kercheval]

Utah upsets No. 18 Arizona State in late-night comeback

The Utes are still in the mix for the Pac-12 South title after a 35-21 come-from-behind victory over the Sun Devils in Saturday's nightcap. Quarterback Cameron Rising threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 59 yards and a touchdown on six carries. The Utes (4-2, 3-0 Pac-12) are now in sole possession of first place in the Pac-12 South and the last unbeaten team in Pac-12 play.

[Oct 17, 2021 at 12:18 am ET · Barrett Sallee]

Rebels win a wild one

Final: No. 13 Ole Miss 31, Tennessee 26

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker hit Jacob Warren for a 23-yard gain on fourth-and 24 with 54 seconds left in what many in Neyland Stadium apparently thought sealed the game for the Rebels. Fans littered the field with bottles, trash and Rebels coach Lane Kiffin was hit with a golf ball in a delay that lasted more than 20 minutes.

Tennessee forced a three-and-out once play restarted and got deep into Ole Miss territory on a Hendon Hooker 14-yard run. Hooker came out of the game with a leg injury after the play, and Joe Milton came in to try to save the day. He ran out of bounds on the Ole Miss 8-yard line with no time on the clock to end one of the craziest games that we've seen this season.

[Oct 17, 2021 at 12:01 am ET · David Cobb]

Tennessee fans trash field

Upset with an unfavorable spot on a near-conversion on a fourth-and-24, Tennessee fans started littering the Ole Miss sideline and the field in general with trash. It's resulted in a delay that is going on 20 minutes. Just a surreal scene as they take the field with 54 seconds remaining. That was not the best of college football, to say the least.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 10:48 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

NC State steps up to crush BC

FINAL: NC State 33, Boston College 7

The Wolfpack took control of the ACC championship race by crushing Boston College 33-7 on the road, handing the Eagles just their second loss. The game was just 10-7 at the half, but NC State responded with a 21-point third quarter, featuring a recovered fumble in the end zone and 79-yard connection between Devin Leary and Thayer Thomas. The win moves NC State to 5-1 with only ranked opponent – No. 16 Wake Forest – remaining on the schedule. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 10:44 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Ole Miss up two scores

No. 13 Ole Miss 31, Tennessee 19

Matt Corral has 217 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and 169 yards on the ground in an impressive performance in a raucous Neyland Stadium. He hit Dontario Drummond for a 16-yard score late in the third frame to make it a two-score lead. This is the kind of performance that can vault him right back into the Heisman Trophy race.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 10:36 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Alabama cruises

Final: No. 5 Alabama 49, Mississippi State 9

Bama is back. Well, at least back to winning SEC games. The Crimson Tide annihilated Mississippi State in front of the cowbells in Starkville on the arm of Bryce Young. The sophomore quarterback threw for 348 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in the 49-9 win. Brian Robinson Jr. added two touchdowns on the ground, and Jordan Battle picked off two passes -- one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Crimson Tide still control their own destiny in the SEC West and looked the part of a champion on Saturday night.

Mississippi State had 300 passing yards but only 299 total yards. Go figure. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 10:32 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Williams impeccable in debut

End 3Q: Oklahoma 45, TCU 24

TCU kept things close in the first half, but first-time starter Caleb Williams is putting together one of the best performances of the college football season. Williams has completed 18 of 21 passes for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns, and just added a 41-yard touchdown run to make the lead three scores heading into the fourth quarter. Oklahoma is averaging 10.6 yards per play with Williams under center. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 10:21 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

UL-Monroe upsets Liberty

UL-Monroe was a 32.5-point underdog at home vs. Liberty, but found a way to spring one of the most surprising upsets of Week 7. Chandler Rogers threw two touchdown passes and the Warhawks scored 28 points in the third quarter to send Huge Freeze and the Flames home with their second loss of the season. Flames quarterback Malik Willis, who was once considered a Heisman Trophy candidate, threw an interception with just over one minute to play to put an end to their chances.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 9:38 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Corral is destroying the Vols

Half: No. 13 Ole Miss 24, Tennessee 12

Lane Kiffin's return to Rocky Top has turned into the Matt Corral show. The quarterback of Kiffin's Rebels has 164 passing yards, one touchdown pass and 97 rushing yards. Perhaps more concerning for the home-standing Volunteers is the fact that Ole Miss ran 60 plays in the first half en route to the 12-point lead, which will likely come into play late in the game when fatigue sets in.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 9:06 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Boston College, NC State fighting

HALF: NC State 10, Boston College 7

The ACC rivals are dueling in a game that could have ACC title game implications. The Wolfpack hit a 27-yard field goal as the half expired, but these two teams have played very evenly – literally. The teams are knotted up at 172 yards each, though NC State leaned more on the pass while Boston College is running the ball well. Boston College gets the ball back to start the second half with a shot to take the lead. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 8:45 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Alabama taking care of business

Half: No. 5 Alabama 21, Mississippi State 6

Alabama's defense is back on track in Starkvegas. The Crimson Tide have allowed just 4.8 yards per play to the Bulldogs, Jordan Battle has a pick six and they've sacked quarterback Will Rogers four times to build a halftime lead. John Metchie III has 97 receiving yards, including a 46-yard touchdown from Bryce Young, in the first half.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 8:36 pm ET · Barrett Sallee]

Tennessee and Ole Miss in a wild one early

Start Q2: No. 13 Ole Miss 10, Tennessee 9

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral is 7 of 14 for 52 yards, and Snoop Connor has a touchdown run to give the Rebels a one-point lead after one quarter. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker tossed a touchdown to Cedric Tillman and the Volunteers sacked Corral for a safety to account for their points. The Vols nearly had a scoop and score midway through the frame, but it was called back after a brief discussion.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 8:11 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Oklahoma off to hot start

1Q: Oklahoma 14, TCU 0

At first glance, Oklahoma looks like the Oklahoma we expected with Caleb Williams starting at quarterback. The Sooners went 75 and 62 yards on seven plays per drive to easily score touchdowns. Williams completed all six of his passes to start the game for 88 yards. The TCU defense has looked terrible through the first 14 plays. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 7:26 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Oklahoma names starter

Sooners true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams will start for Oklahoma against TCU after leading the program to a 21-point comeback against Texas in the Red River Showdown, according to The Athletic's Jason Kersey. Williams, the No. 2 overall quarterback recruit in the class of 2021, threw for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 55-48 victory. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 7:08 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Baylor dominates No. 19 BYU

FINAL: Baylor 38, BYU 24

The Bears used 188 yards rushing and three scores from Abram Smith to pull off a physical victory over future conference-mate BYU in Waco. Baylor held BYU to just 67 yards rushing, including 15 carries for 33 yards from star running back Tyler Allgeier. The Bears averaged 7.1 yards per play and moved to 6-1 to reach bowl eligibility after missing the mark in 2020. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 6:52 pm ET · David Cobb]

Marquee win for Jeff Brohm

Purdue seemed a bit like a boat lost in the wind during the fifth season under Jeff Brohm. Just 6-12 over the last two seasons, the Boilermakers started 2-0 this year but dropped to 3-2 last week with a home loss against Minnesota. But now? All of the sudden the Boilermakers are 4-2 with a win over No. 2 Iowa ON THE ROAD and shouldn't be counted out of the Big Ten West race. We assume Iowa will bounce back, but if the Hawkeyes slip up against Wisconsin/Nebraska, etc. then Purdue will have a tiebreaker.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 6:49 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Kenny Pickett thrives vs. Va Tech

Pickett threw for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns while running back Israel Abankikanda rushed for a career high 140 yards as Pitt demolished Virginia Tech 28-7 to stay undefeated in ACC conference play. Virginia Tech mustered just 224 total yards and barely 3 yards per carry in the loss as it fell to 3-2. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 6:31 pm ET · David Cobb]

David. Bell.

David Bell is up to 240 yards receiving as he hauls in a 13-yarder from O'Connell to move the chains on a third down play. Under eight minutes remaining, and barring a disaster, Purdue will beat No. 2 Iowa. It's 24-7, and the Boilermakers may very well put up 500 yards before it's all said and done. What a victory for Jeff Brohm. Just huge for his tenure.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 6:05 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Linebacker touchdowns? 

Baylor offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has been creative using personnel in his first season with the program, but today has been unique. Starting middle linebacker Dillon Doyle was inserted into the game as a fullback in a pair of red zone sets and ran for a touchdown on one play and caught a touchdown pass on the other, the first two career touchdowns for the linebacker. Another fun fact? Abram Smith, who has Baylor's two other rushing touchdowns, started at linebacker for Baylor last season before moving to running back in Baylor's new wide zone system. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 6:05 pm ET · David Cobb]

Iowa in deep trouble

It's Purdue football in Iowa territory to begin the fourth quarter. The Boilermakers have a 17-7 lead. While the apparent vulnerability of Iowa's defense jumps off the page, you've got to give credit to Purdue's defense. Iowa is averaging a dismal 4.4 yards per play, and the Hawkeyes ran just seven plays in the third quarter.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:55 pm ET · David Cobb]

Huge swing for Iowa

So TJ Sheffield was reaching the pylon on a third-and-goal to potentially give Purdue a 17-point lead late in the third quarter. But the football actually came out as he was reaching for the end zone, and upon further review, it was called a touchback. That's a crushing, crushing play for the Boilermakers. Hard to fault the effort, but the result is a turnover that will allow Iowa to stay in this game.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:37 pm ET · David Cobb]

Big-time play for Purdue

David Bell is a problem. This catch set up a 32-yard field goal that has Purdue up 17-7 on Iowa midway through the third quarter. Iowa has already punted it back to Purdue as well. So the Boilermakers have the football on up 10 on the road against the No. 2 team in the country. Yeah, this is officially upset alert territory. Bell is up to 148 yards receiving.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:13 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Pitt cruising against VT

HALF: Pitt 21, Virginia Tech 0

Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett is putting on a show against one of the better defensive programs in the ACC as the senior has 148 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead a three-score lead at the half against Virginia Tech. Pickett completed passes to seven different receivers in the first half, including a 36-yard touchdown with 96 seconds remaining in the first half. Virginia has just 74 yards at the half and is averaging 0.5 yards per carry. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:12 pm ET · David Cobb]

Georgia up 7

Half: No. 2 Georgia 14, Kentucky 7

Kentucky punted on five of its six first half of possessions and went three-and-out three times. BUT the Wildcats did have a 13 play, 75-yard touchdown drive that included some masterful play calls. Georgia gets the ball to start the second half. It's Stetson Bennett at QB again as JT Daniels' health continues to be quite a mystery. Follow full live coverage of this one at this link.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:09 pm ET · Shehan Jeyarajah]

Baylor up on No. 19 BYU

HALF: Baylor 17, BYU 7

Baylor is cruising against ranked BYU at the half behind 97 yards and a touchdown run from running back Abram Smith. The Bears are outgaining the Cougars 305-134 in a battle of future conference foes, and have held BYU to negative rushing. The Cougars also ran just 22 plays in the first half. A win would likely get Baylor back into the AP Top 25, especially after Oklahoma State's win over Texas. 

[Oct 16, 2021 at 5:00 pm ET · David Cobb]

Purdue takes the lead!

With 19 seconds left in the first half, the Boilermakers have taken a 13-7 lead on No. 2 Iowa via a TJ Sheffield 10-yard TD catch from Aidan O'Connell. The PAT try misses, but what a huge score for Purdue, which receives the second half kick. 10 plays, 75 yards on that drive. The Iowa defense has given up two of those drives already and hasn't forced a turnover yet.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 4:43 pm ET · David Cobb]

Iowa answers

The Hawkeyes go 80 yards on nine plays, capped by a three-yard run from Ivory Kelly-Martin. Big answer after the Iowa defense held firm in the red zone and forced a missed Purdue chip-shot. 3:20 left in the half, which is plenty of time for this defense to get the football back. It's not pretty, but is it ever with this team? Iowa is doing its thing.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 4:14 pm ET · David Cobb]

Iowa trailing early

Iowa is trailing Purdue 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Purdue went 67 yards on 10 plays and scored on a 6-yard run by QB Aidan O'Connell. Iowa driving as the second quarter begins. Spencer Petras was picked off on Iowa's first series and the Hawkeyes punted on their second series. Not the most inspiring start for the nation's No. 2 team.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 3:57 pm ET · David Cobb]

Michigan State survives

The Spartans survive an ugly, ugly, ugly game with Indiana, winning 20-15 and improving to 7-0. Bye week next week, then a date with Michigan on Oct. 30. If the Wolverines handle Northwestern next week (which they should), we're looking at two 7-0 teams facing off in East Lansing in what will be a battle of top-10 squads with legitimate Big Ten title and CFP hopes. This 15-yard reception by Michigan State QB Payton Thorne was probably the best offensive play in this game.

[Oct 16, 2021 at 3:51 pm ET · David Cobb]

Tyrion Davis-Price!

The LSU running back sets a program record with 287 yards rushing as the Tigers take down No. 20 Florida 49-42. Don't know know where that came from with an LSU team that had struggled to run the ball all season, but it was impressive. Aside from Davis-Price, four Florida interceptions stand out as the difference in another crazy game between these cross-division rivals.