College Football Ratings Week 12 2023
The favorites just keep on winning- we now enter rivalry week with an unprecedented 5 11-0 power conference teams. It’s a good thing we don’t have the BCS anymore, I can’t imagine how much of a nightmare adjudicating this mess would be with a 2 team format.
Top 25
Oregon (+3)
Georgia (+1)
Ohio State (-1)
Michigan (-3)
LSU (+1)
Alabama (-1)
Notre Dame
Penn State (+2)
Louisville (+6)
Oklahoma (-1)
Texas (+2)
Oregon State (+4)
Missouri (-5)
Florida State
Clemson (+2)
Kansas State (-5)
Arizona (+3)
Texas A&M (-6)
Washington
Kansas (+4)
Tennessee (-3)
Florida (+14)
Maryland (+14)
USC (-1)
SMU (+1)
Next Ten: UCF, Miami, TCU, North Carolina, Ole Miss, NC State, UCLA, Auburn, Liberty, South Carolina
Oregon has moved to the #1 spot in my ratings for the first time in a decade. The Ducks put up one of the most dominant performances you’ll ever see against Arizona State last week. They figure to be at least a touchdown favorite against Washington in a potential Pac-12 title game rematch. Michigan moves out of the top spot after an extremely disappointing performance against Maryland. The Wolverines’ defense looked mortal for the first time all year and the Terrapins had multiple chances in the 4th quarter to win the game. Florida outplayed Missouri on the road and is probably the most unlucky team in the country- they’re a fringe top 25 outfit that is 5-6.
Moving Up
I have been a huge believer in New Mexico State all year, but even I did not expect them to beat Auburn. They became the first team of the year to win by 20+ points as a 20+ point underdog, and it wasn’t a fluky game- they just outplayed Auburn on the line of scrimmage. New Mexico also won outright as a 24 point underdog- I picked the Lobos +24 and am really kicking myself for not sprinkling on half a unit on their moneyline. Arkansas State looked like the worst team in FBS in September but Butch Jones has saved his job with a miraculous turnaround, and the Red Wolves are now bowl eligible.
Moving Down
At this rate, Colorado might finish below their preseason rating. The wheels have come off for the Buffaloes and they were uncompetitive with Washington State. Louisiana Tech is the biggest dumpster fire in the sport as head coach Sonny Cumbie has gone to war with the local media and his team is a disaster. Louisiana Tech under was probably my best win total bet of the year. Cincinnati is also a total mess under first year coach Scott Satterfield and looks nothing like the team that went to the playoff wtih Desmond Ridder and Sauce Gardner two years ago.