It’s just been a couple of weeks since we read about how Dana Holgorsen’s departure from West Virginia for Houston was part of a grand plan to lead the Cougars to greatness as a program. Houston is poised to enter the Big 12, but they needed overtime to beat UTSA and then lost at Texas Tech, so we will wait to declare Houston the next power in the state of Texas, at least until Holgorsen installs a workable defense. That was the issue he faced at West Virginia, and little has changed. The Sun Belt Conference made a bid to be included in the group of power leagues, as Marshall beat Notre Dame, and Appalachian State beat Texas A&M, with both upsets coming on the road. Indeed, Appalachian State also received a seven-figure check from the Aggies, who had figured the Mountaineers would be an easy win. Check out this week’s updated AP Top 25 rankings in college football, along with some College Football betting opportunities to consider.
NCAA News: College Football Top 25 Analysis & Betting Opportunities
- #1 Georgia Bulldogs
- #2 Alabama Crimson Tide
- #3 Ohio State Buckeyes
- #4 Michigan Wolverines
- #5 Clemson Tigers
- #6 Oklahoma Sooners
- #7 USC Trojans
- #8 Oklahoma State Cowboys
- #9 Kentucky Wildcats
- #10 Arkansas Razorbacks
- #11 Michigan State Spartans
- #12 BYU Cougars
- #13 Miami Hurricanes
- #14 Utah Utes
- #15 Tennessee Volunteers
- #16 N.C. State Wolfpack
- #17 Baylor Bears
- #18 Florida Cougars
- #19 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- #20 Ole Miss Rebels
- #21 Texas Longhorns
- #22 Penn State Nittany Lions
- #23 Pitt Panthers
- #24 Texas A&M Aggies
- #25 Oregon Ducks
Can someone explain why Oregon is back in the Top 25? They were absolutely obliterated by Georgia in their season opener, 49-3. Yes, they hung 70 points in Week 2, but that was against FCS opponent Eastern Washington. BYU started at South Florida with a win, hosted Baylor (and won in double overtime) and now heads to Oregon as the brutal early part of the Cougars’ season continues. Oregon still has to figure out how best to use transfer quarterback Bo Nix, while the Cougars seem to have a rhythm going. With Oregon as a home favorite, it’s an easy pick to take BYU and the points.
The move for Texas in the rankings is less difficult to figure out. They came into Week 2 unranked, preparing to host Alabama as double-digit home underdogs. All they did was control Alabama’s offense with their defensive line, which almost had Bryce Young for a game-winning sack before he danced away and made the play of the game, moving the Tide ahead on the drive that would give them a 20-19 win. The Longhorns moved up to #21 even though they lost freshman quarterback Quinn Ewers for four to six weeks (shoulder). Ewers led the Longhorns on two scoring drives before he went down to injury. It looks like Texas is ready to be heard as a contender, but we will also see if there is a letdown as they host UTSA, a dangerous opponent.
Florida has given us feast and famine so far this season, as quarterback Anthony Richardson played out of his mind in that Week 1 win over Utah. However, in Week 2, he struggled in a loss to Kentucky. This week, the Gators welcome South Florida. Last year, Richardson went 3 of 3 for 152 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while running for 115 yards and another score in relief of Emory Jones. Could he put up even bigger numbers as the starter?
We’re still waiting for Michigan to play someone decent, as they follow up laughers against Colorado State and Hawai’i with a visit from UConn. J.J. McCarthy, the Week 2 starter, will start again after he went 11 of 12 for 229 yards and three scores in the first half against the Rainbow Warriors. So far, McCarthy has been more productive at quarterback than Cade McNamara; the only question for the sports bettor is whether this immense line (46.5 points) provides enough value.
College Football Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college football lines
