With the publication of the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings less than a week away, a number of key Week 9 matchups take on even greater importance, with nation’s top-ranked teams looking to catch the eye of the CFP selection committee.
No. 1 Mississippi State has risen to the top of the national rankings following three straight wins over top 10 teams, and will be looking to improve on their perfect 6-0 record when they travel to Kentucky to take on the Wildcats.
The Bulldogs, who opened the season outside the Top 25, are pegged as early 13.5-point road favorites over Kentucky in college football betting odds published at bettingsports.com. Mississippi State is currently riding a nine-game winning streak and have rewarded bettors with a 9-1 record ATS in their last 10 games, but will need a win to keep ahead of the other two undefeated teams vying for CFP consideration.
No. 2 Florida State, SU winners in their last 23, head into a bye in Week 9 at 7-0 following a 31-27 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Saturday night. While the Noles have padded their SU record, they have been a disappointment to bettors, covering the spread just once in their last eight dating back to last season’s national championship game.
The Seminoles face ACC conference rivals in four of their next five, which may represent the toughest stretch of their regular season schedule.
No. 3 Ole Miss face the biggest test among the remaining undefeated teams when they travel to Baton Rouge to take on the No. 24 LSU as slim 3-point road favorites in college football betting odds published at bettingsports.com.
The 7-0 Rebels own the best defense in the nation heading into Week 9, allowing just 10.6 points per game so far this season. But the 6-2 Tigers have had their number in recent matchups, beating Ole Miss in nine of their last twelve meetings, including five of their last six.
A loss by Ole Miss this weekend would open the door for a number of power teams with just one loss on the season.
No. 4 Alabama briefly held the top spot in the USA Today national rankings earlier in the season, but tumbled to No. 7 following their stunning 23-17 loss to Ole Miss in Week 6. It looked like the Crimson Tide would not recover from the defeat after struggling to post a 14-13 win over unranked Arkansas a week later.
But Bama looked in playoff form in Week 8, destroying Texas A&M’s slim playoff hopes with a 59-0 victory that exiled the 5-3 Aggies from the Top 25.
The 6-1 Crimson Tide will be looking for their eighth straight win against Tennessee when they take on the Volunteers this weekend as 17-point road favorites in college football betting.
The 5-1 Auburn Tigers also remain in the CFP hunt. This weekend No. 5 Auburn are heavy 18-point favorites over the 4-3 South Carolina Gamecocks.
No. 6 Oregon opened the season as a betting favorite to win this season’s national championship. The 6-1 Ducks have since tumbled to 15/2 in college football futures betting after failing to cover in four of their first seven games.
Oregon visits California as 18.5-point road favorites this weekend, and will need to string together some decisive wins down the homestretch to lock up a College Football Playoff berth.
Balladeer's Blog 
Excellent! My palms are itching!
Ha! Good to hear!
Excellent look going into what was then the late season.
Thanks!
Great post!
Thanks!
I like football but most sites make it so boring.
I understand how you feel.