Okay, college football fans, the halfway point is officially here after Week 7, and wow, what a shift we’ve seen! The Big Ten flat out landed the most selections on the CBS Sports Midseason All-America team, putting up seven players and totally shaking up what everyone thought they knew back in preseason.
The Big Ten’s Unexpected Takeover
Man, remember preseason? The SEC was running the show, snagging a massive 15 first-team spots. Well, that’s not the story anymore. Halfway through this wild season, the SEC is tied for second with the ACC, both with six picks. The Big Ten, on the other hand, soared to the top with seven players making the cut. It’s a huge swing and really shows how much the conference balance has flipped, with new national standouts emerging. Our CBS Sports experts were also way more aligned this time, going from just three unanimous picks in preseason to six on this midseason squad. That’s a major jump, and it tells you these players aren’t just good, they’re undeniably elite.
The Unanimous Kings and Standout Stars
Leading the charge are the absolute beasts: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Texas EDGE Colin Simmons, both unanimous selections on both the preseason and midseason teams. Those guys are just on another level. But they weren’t alone in getting every single vote this time around. The full list of unanimous Midseason All-Americans includes Smith, Simmons, LSU EDGE Princewill Umanmielen, Tennessee DT Xavier Gilliam, and Georgia LB Chris Cole. Plus, huge shoutout to Miami WR Malachi Toney and Oregon State wideout Jesse Legree. They were on every single ballot, even if they split votes at receiver and all-purpose. Their names belong right there with the unanimous guys, no question. The talent pool is deep this year!
The Full Conference Picture and What’s Next
So, to break it all down by conference, it’s a tight race at the top:
* Big Ten: 7 players
* SEC: 6 players
* ACC: 6 players
* Big 12: 5 players
* Group of Six: 2 players
* Independent: 0 players
And just a quick note: Notre Dame is sitting pretty at 6-1 right now, which is solid. This midseason team gives us a fantastic look at who’s truly dominating on the field. The back half of the season is gonna be absolutely wild as these players fight to keep their spots, and with the Big Ten making such a big statement, you gotta wonder if this shift in power is gonna stick. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out for the final All-America teams!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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