Top 25 College Football Analysis and Betting Opportunities for Week 9

Ahead of the first College Football Playoff poll, the AP Top 25 continues to show a lot of movement as ranked teams take upsets at an historic rate this season. More unranked teams have beaten ranked teams this season than in any year since the poll first started, back in 1936. Cincinnati remains entrenched at #2 in the nation, but one slip would send them a lot further back than the four places that Alabama slid after losing to then-unranked Texas A&M.

Let’s look at the latest top 25 poll as well as some thoughts about teams that may not be placed accurately, as you consider the college football betting implications.

NCAA News: Top 25 Analysis and Betting Opportunities for Week 9

Georgia faces one more significant hurdle in its march to the SEC Championship, and that’s the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, set for Saturday in Jacksonville against Florida. J.T. Daniels was throwing more in this week’s practices, so he could return to start at quarterback, although Stetson Bennett III has done just fine, leading the Bulldogs to wins over three ranked opponents the last three weeks. Tailback depth is an issue, as Kenny McIntosh (hamstring) and Kendall Milton (knee) range between questionable and out. The defense, which is the team’s strength, doesn’t have any significant injuries, though.

Cincinnati had some offensive malaise against Navy last week, going three-and-out four times and only gaining 271 yards. Navy’s defense had permitted 370 yards per game coming in. Desmond Ridder went just 18 of 30 for 176 yards, with two touchdown passes and a pick. Cincinnati led, 27-10, but then that Bearcat defense permitted 10 points. Navy then recovered an onside kick and had a chance to tie before throwing an interception. Cincinnati was favored by 27 — but only won by seven. This week, Cincinnati heads to Tulane, which can be a tricky place to play.

Ohio State has scored at least 35 points in the first half for four consecutive games, including 44 in the first half against Indiana last week. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 266 yards and four scores, and tailback TreVeyon Henderson scored two touchdowns. This team is starting to peak at just the right time — which is why the one-loss Buckeyes are still ranked ahead of Michigan. Speaking of the Wolverines…

Michigan rolled Northwestern last week, 33-7. The Wolverines did put the ball on the turf a few times, but they also ran for 294 yards and four scores. The defense had a pick and a fumble recovery, limiting Northwestern to 233 total yards of offense. The Wolverines also blocked a punt and looks solid in all three phases. This week, Michigan will take on…

Michigan State. The Spartans come out of the bye with an unbeaten record, but they had some luck in wins over Nebraska and Indiana. Expect the Spartans to stretch the field, as Michigan’s defense has struggled against teams that can air out the ball. Jayden Reed, Tre Mosley and Jalen Nailor all average over 15 yards per catch. Quarterback Payton Thorne only completed 53.8% of his passes against Indiana and threw more than one pick in a game for the first time; we will see if the bye week helped him get his timing back.

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