NCAA Football Power Rankings - Florida, Alabama finally face off
Sports betting players have been waiting for this matchup since last year’s SEC title game: Florida and Alabama, with the winner getting a spot in the BCS championship. It’s only right that these two kick off the BetOnline NCAA football power rankings for Championship Week.
1. (3) Florida (12-0): The Gators’ senior class will graduate with 47 wins, the most for a four-year class in SEC history, and Tim Tebow went out with a bang on Senior Day in a pummeling of FSU. They look ready for Saturday’s showdown with...
2. (2) Alabama (12-0): ...the Crimson Tide, who showed a lot of character by coming back in a win over Auburn in the “Iron Bowl”. However, to beat the Gators, they’ll need more than 30 yards rushing out of Mark Ingram, who may have lost some ground in your online sportsbook in regards to the Heisman.
3. (1) Texas (12-0): The Longhorns’ defense, which is the reason for their improved sports betting odds, has looked shaky as of late, particularly against Texas A&M.
4. (4) TCU (12-0): The Horned Frogs are praying that Texas will somehow lose to Nebraska in the Big 12 title game, as they would stand to leapfrog (pardon the pun) the Longhorns, and then possibly take on the winner of Florida/Alabama in the BCS championship game.
5. (5) Cincinnati (11-0): How distracting are the rumors that coach Brian Kelly may be leaving for Notre Dame? We’ll see when they face off against...
6. (8) Pittsburgh (9-2): ...the Panthers in the Big East title game. Pitt will be hungry after a loss at West Virginia in the “Backyard Brawl”.
7. (7) Ohio State (10-2): The Buckeyes have lost their last three BCS games, but at least last year’s loss to Texas was close. This will be their first trip back to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl since 1997, when they beat Arizona State.
8. (9) Boise State (12-0): The Broncos have a 48-point sports betting spread this week against New Mexico State. That, in a nutshell, is why Boise State won’t be going to the BCS title game.
9. (10) Oregon (9-2): The Ducks have scored at least 43 points in their last five games, but the defense has been inconsistent. They’ll have to be better, because...
10. (14) Oregon State (8-3): ...The Beavers have won four in a row, and averaged 45 points in their last two outings. This is the first time in 113 editions of the “Civil War” that the winner will be guaranteed a spot in the Rose Bowl.
11. (6) Georgia Tech (10-2): The Yellow Jackets were beaten at their own game against rival Georgia, allowing 339 yards on the ground. With Clemson coming up in the ACC title game, they need to improve that, ASAP.
12. (11) LSU (9-3): The Tigers look to be heading to a New Years Bowl once again, but coach Les Miles will look back on the terrible clock management at Ole Miss two weeks ago and wonder if that cost them a BCS berth.
13. (16) Penn State (10-2): Those two losses at home in Happy Valley to Iowa and Ohio State must be burning the soul of coach Joe Paterno.
14. (--) Virginia Tech (9-3): The Hokies have made a late-season charge, romping in their last four games, which included three on the road. They also lost to some pretty good teams, but still, it’s no fun to watch, even if you’re making an NCAA football betting play with Va.Tech.
15. (--) BYU (10-2): “They” made Max Hall apologize after his comments about Utah at the conclusion of the “Holy War”. Ridiculous. There’s nothing wrong with hating a rival, especially if they poured beer on your parents, or whatever went on.
16. (18) Iowa (10-2): If the Hokies are boring to watch, they’re Texas compared to Iowa, who still may be able to sneak into a BCS bowl.
17. (19) USC (8-3): Love the call to go deep after UCLA called an unnecessary timeout last week. I keep saying it: WATCH OUT for USC’s sports betting odds next year.
18. (--) Houston (10-2): Any team that hangs 73 on the opposition deserves a shout-out. Quarterback Case Keenum would probably a Heisman lock if he played for a bigger program.
19. (17) Clemson (8-4): Like their ACC opposition, Georgia Tech, Clemson had their ground game shut down against rival South Carolina, and they gave up 223 rushing yards. Over/under on total passes thrown in Saturday’s game: Ten.
20. (--) Nebraska (9-3): The Big 12 title game may not be a walk like most people think it’ll be, even though they lost four in a row to Texas. Three of those four games have been decided by a field goal or less.
Honorable Mention - Florida State: Shout-out to the retiring Bobby Bowden for making the Seminoles a high-profile program during his 34 years in Tallahassee. It’s a shame the defense was so awful this year.
Check out BetOnline for everything you need to make your online betting picks in NCAA football as we head into bowl season.
