We’ve got movement! There’s a new #1 in our Bet the Board Top 10 for Week 6. The Georgia Bulldogs have proven enough through the first portion of the season that they deserve top billing. Now the more important question; can they close when it matters most?
Big Ten Bluebloods
Georgia isn’t the only team on the climb. Penn State’s solid defense continues forcing our hand as they’re now up to #4! Michigan overcame a ton of professional support on the Badgers last week to cover in dominant style. Coach Harbaugh’s boys now sit at #6 after their demolition in Mad-Town. Finally, we have to reluctantly acknowledge Iowa’s dominance around these parts. The Hawkeyes finally make their maiden voyage in our poll rounding out the Top 10
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Onto the rankings…
Bet the Board Top 10 Week 6:
1.) Georgia
2.) Alabama
3.) Ohio State
4.) Penn State
5.) Oklahoma
6.) Michigan
7.) Cincinnati
8.) Oregon
9.) Iowa
10.) Florida
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Overrated: Oklahoma State
Cowboy nation has had a great season thus far. Oklahoma State is 5-0 out of the gates and has climbed all the way to #12 in the popularity polls. While 5-0 is great on the surface, let us dissect that resume.
- 7 point home win vs. Missouri State as a 33 point favorite
- 5 point home win vs. Tulsa. The same Tulsa school that has lost outright to UC Davis and to Houston by 35.
- 11 point win against Kansas State where they failed to score in the 2nd half and the Wildcats used 2 back-up quarterbacks.
- 10 point win against Baylor that required a Spencer Sanders conversion on 4th and short to create breathing room in the game’s final 2 minutes.
Now to be fair, Oklahoma State did upset Boise State on the road 21-20 as a 3.5-point underdog. However, that was another illustration of offensive ineptitude throughout the 2nd half. Oklahoma State is generating a NET +0.4 yards per play and that’s because of a stop unit allowing a mere 4.6 yards per play. Oklahoma State’s defensive metrics are the real headliner considering the team is squarely inside the top 15 in defensive efficiency.
Sweet and Sour
The stop unit isn’t the problem; it’s an anemic offense. Spencer Sanders was hyped to have a big time year for the Cowboys but has fallen considerably short of expectations thus far. His completion percentage is a mere 58% with a 5:4 touchdown to interception ratio to boot. There is legitimate concern heading into the meat of the Pokes schedule. Oklahoma State’s next two road games includes trips to Austin and Ames to take on Texas and Iowa State respectively. Both of those games come before their annual Bedlam showdown with Oklahoma. Call it a hunch but we don’t think this team is nationally ranked when all the dust settles.
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Underrated: Nebraska
Texas gained this distinction last week and now we have another blueblood to celebrate. Look no further than Nebraska; a team written off for dead after their season opening loss to Illinois as more than a TD favorite. Scott Frost’s bunch have shown grit and determination covering every game since. The Cornhuskers aren’t flashy but rank inside the Top 40 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They’re also creating a net +1.8 yards per play despite a .500 record in the W/L column with a Top 20 strength of schedule.
Road Warriors
Nebraska is 4-1 ATS on the season against FBS opponents including near outright upsets in tough environments like Norman and East Lansing. Adrian Martinez has shown some of the talent that had him pegged as a Heisman darkhorse just a few seasons ago. So far this season he’s averaged 9.8 yards per attempt, produced a 66% completion percentage, and generated a 6-2 TD/INT ratio.
Adding Wrinkles
Nebraska opened their playbook recently unveiling a triple option giving the group another offensive dimension. We’d expect to see some of that this weekend against a Michigan run defense that can be beaten down to down. The defense is allowing 15.5 ppg which ranks 13th nationally. They are 26th in defensive yards per pass and will definitely have an opportunity to put their run defense to the test against the Wolverines massive offensive line. Let’s see where the market goes for this weekend’s prime time showdown in Lincoln but we’re fully in the “stock-up” category when it comes to NU.
