The first College Football Playoff poll of 2021 came out on Tuesday, and the results demonstrate that, once again, the committee is dedicated to keeping the Power Five conferences in the national semifinal, even when the results of the regular season suggest that the best teams in the nation might end up outside that final four.
Let’s take a look at that first top 25 poll along with insights about online college football betting opportunities for Week 10 action.
NCAA News: Top 25 Football Analysis & Betting Opportunities
CFP Top 25 (Poll #1)
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Georgia | 8-0 |
| 2 | Alabama | 7-1 |
| 3 | Michigan State | 8-0 |
| 4 | Oregon | 7-1 |
| 5 | Ohio State | 7-1 |
| 6 | Cincinnati | 8-0 |
| 7 | Michigan | 7-1 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | 9-0 |
| 9 | Wake Forest | 8-0 |
| 10 | Notre Dame | 7-1 |
| 11 | Oklahoma State | 7-1 |
| 12 | Baylor | 7-1 |
| 13 | Auburn | 6-2 |
| 14 | Texas A&M | 6-2 |
| 15 | BYU | 7-2 |
| 16 | Ole Miss | 6-2 |
| 17 | Mississippi State | 5-3 |
| 18 | Kentucky | 6-2 |
| 19 | N.C. State | 6-2 |
| 20 | Minnesota | 6-2 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | 5-3 |
| 22 | Iowa | 6-2 |
| 23 | Fresno State | 7-2 |
| 24 | San Diego State | 7-1 |
| 25 | Pitt | 6-2 |
The committee’s animus against the American Athletic Conference is clear. One AAC team is in this top 25 (Cincinnati), three slots lower than in the AP Top 25 poll. Two one-loss teams in the conference, Houston and SMU, appear nowhere, although some lower-tier teams appear, including Fresno State and San Diego State. Putting two-loss N.C. State, Minnesota, Fresno State and Pitt in these rankings ahead of Houston and SMU indicates that the committee either has not paid attention to game outcomes or simply has decided to punish the conference for having the audacity to field quality teams.
#25 Pitt (-21) at Duke (O/U 64.5)
Pitt -1600 / Duke +850
Yes, Pitt has a win over Clemson this season, but they also lost at home to unranked Miami (FL) last week. This should be a week when they can work out some frustrations, though, as they visit a Duke team that has lost four in a row. In three of those games, they scored seven or fewer points. I’m not sure about the “over,” especially if Duke can’t put up points this week either, but I do see Pitt running some roughshod here.
Pitt to win and cover : Bet the Game Today
Missouri (+38.5) at #1 Georgia (O/U 59.5)
No Moneyline
This is an immense line, but the reason this game is on here is not because I’m sure about that point spread. Instead, let’s look at the point total. I fully expect the Georgia defense to lock down the Missouri offense, with the possible exception of a late garbage-time touchdown. For the point total, Georgia’s offense simply doesn’t move with the high-octane speed that will take it comfortably over this total by itself.
Take the under : Bet the Game Today
LSU (+28.5) at #2 Alabama (O/U 66.5)
LSU +2000 / Alabama -10000
The moneyline here offers absolutely no value unless you think LSU can wander into Bryant-Denny Stadium and snatch a win over an Alabama team that might actually fall out of the CFP top four with a second loss to an unranked team. I don’t see LSU doing that, even though I do expect them to come in and play all out for a departing Ed Orgeron. Alabama has the sort of offense that will put up points in a hurry — and LSU can take advantage of some holes in the Alabama defense — not enough to win, but enough to stay within four touchdowns and push that point total.
LSU to cover, take the over : Bet the Game Today
Tulsa (+22.5) at #6 Cincinnati (O/U 55)
Tulsa +1000 / Cincinnati -2000
If Cincinnati is going to make a statement about the first CFP poll, this will be the week to do it. Tulsa has an offense that can be difficult to slow down, but their defense can be broken. The Bearcats get Tulsa at home and, if they are really a team that deserves to be in the top four, will come out from the opening kickoff and control the game. The fact that they only dominated Tulane for 30 minutes after a close first half was apparently enough for the committee to justify putting the Bearcats behind the likes of Oregon, of all teams.
Cincinnati to win and cover : Bet the Game Today
College Football Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA football games? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college football lines
