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While Week 7 of the college football season is over, the effects of the week will linger for some unfortunate teams. A handful of serious losses had season-shifting impacts on major programs. Here are the five costliest losses of college football's Week 7.
Top 5 costliest losses of College Football Week 7
5. Marshall vs. Georgia Southern
Not a game that was on the radar of most people in Week 7, but this was a pair of 1-0 Sun Belt teams and Marshall had its hearts ripped out. The Herd led 23-3 with seven minutes left in the game and lost. The game Georgia Southern offense that scored three points in 53 minutes scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes.
Meanwhile, with a 20-point lead and seven minutes to go, Marshall saw offensive possessions that went safety, three and out, fumble, fumble, and interception. There might be worse ways to lose a football game, but there can't be many.
4. Florida vs. Tennessee
This game wasn't costly for reasons that many of the more prominent games were. Florida isn't going to the College Football Playoff. They may not even be going to a bowl game. But Billy Napier's job is hanging by one very taut thread. And a win over Tennessee would've given him something to point to as a reason for staying in Florida. Only UF managed to botch the game.
It's hard to look at the Florida situation objectively and not see that Napier needs replacing. Kentucky comes to Gainesville this week, and a fourth straight UF loss for the Wildcats would end Napier's time with the Gators.
3. Colorado vs. Kansas State
Colorado is one of the most popular teams in college football for various reasons. Factors include Deion Sanders and his unconventional recruiting and coaching, the team's explosive offense, and the what-happens-next feel of the program. But even as beloved as Colorado is, they were already outsiders to the CFP and the top 25.
But their Kansas State game could have been a rallying point. Hold the lead that Colorado gained with three minutes left in the game, and Colorado is 5-1 with a solid shot at the Big 12. Instead, at 4-2, they now have a 3.7% chance at the CFP.
2. Utah vs. Arizona State
Utah has had a strange season, and the Big 12 remains up for grabs. But a second loss of the year really cut the Utes out of a fairly wide-open league. The Big 12, as noted above, is unlikely to gain a second bid, and Utah is now two games back in the league picture.
After losing to Arizona State, Utah has a 0.8% chance of reaching the Playoff, per ESPN's FPI. That's only the ninth-best chance in the Big 12. Even if Utah had won, their CFP hopes revolved around a challenging path, but now, after Week 7, the path is basically gone.
1. Ole Miss vs. LSU
This game brought a pair of highly regarded teams, each with a single loss, into collision. While it is a foregone conclusion that the SEC will get multiple teams into the College Football Playoff, how many and which remain is uncertain. While a second loss isn't disqualifying, it would undoubtedly put the loser at a disadvantage.
With the loss, Ole Miss's CFP chances per ESPN's FPI fell to 22.5%. While ESPN gives the Rebels a fair shot at winning out the remainder of their schedule, it'll certainly take that (and some good luck) for them to reach the Playoff.
Which losses of Week 7 did you think were the most significant? Share your thoughts below in our comments section!
