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College Football Nation’s Second-Tier Title Contenders

Written by on October 31, 2016

Well, another wild and wacky week of college football has altered the national championship landscape ever so slightly for some of the nation’s top ‘second-tier’ title hopefuls following this past weekend’s thrilling results. Thanks to this look back – and brief glance ahead – you’re going to have a great idea of what to expect out of the vast majority of big-time bowl game hopefuls as we move further toward the stretch run portion of the 2016 season. Okay, with that said, let’s get started with the latest betting odds.

Analyzing The College Football Nation’s Second-Tier Title Contenders

 
 

No. 11 Auburn

The Auburn Tigers are on fire having won five straight, including their convincing 40-29 win over Mississippi on Saturday. Now, lowly Vanderbilt awaits.

No. 12 Oklahoma

The Sooners pounded Kansas unmercifully en route to a commanding 56-3 win on Saturday as 13.5-point favorites and should have another easy win coming in Week 10 against overmatched Iowa State.

No. 13 Baylor

Talk about a letdown. The Bears failed to show up defensively in their heartbreaking 35-34 loss against mediocre Texas on Saturday.  Now, with their playoff hopes all but squashed, the Bears will take on dangerous TCU in Week 10.

No. 14 West Virginia

The Mountaineers got spanked by Oklahoma State 37-20 and no longer have a legitimate shot to reach the four-team CFB Playoff.

No. 15 LSU

The Tigers have won three straight since canning former coach Les Miles – and will be well-rested for their Week 10 matchup against No. 1 Alabama this coming weekend. Could an upset be brewing for the Tigers? Um…nope, not gonna’ happen!

No. 16 Utah

The Utes fought their hearts out, but ended up losing to elite, no. 4 Washington this past weekend. Utah will look to avoid the upset against wildly inconsistent Arizona State in Week 10.

No. 17 Western Michigan

The MAAC resident Broncos are unbeaten and well-rested following their Week 9 bye. Western Michigan ranks sixth in scoring (44.3 ppg) and an equally impressive 19th in points allowed (19.2 ppg). Next up for the Broncos is mediocre Ball State.

No. 18 North Carolina

The Tar Heels got a bye this past weekend but have won two straight and three of their last four, including wins over Florida State and previously ranked Miami. Next up for the Heels is run-first Georgia Tech.

No. 19 Florida State

The Seminoles put forth a great effort, but ended up losing a heartbreaker to Clemson 37-34 on Saturday. Now, the Noles take on a dangerous NC State team as they close out their ‘lost’ 2016 season.

No. 20 Penn State

Say what you want about my beloved Nittany Lions, but they’re back on the national map after routing Purdue 62-24 on Saturday. More importantly, Penn State has a young quarterback with a ‘big ass pair’ in young signal-caller Trace McSorley, not to mention a game-breaking running back in Saquon Barkley.

No. 21 Colorado

The Buffs had a bye this past weekend after getting past Stanford two weeks ago in an absolutely ugly affair. Colorado will look to keep its Pac-12 title hopes alive against UCLA this coming weekend.

No. 22 Oklahoma State

The Oklahoma State Cowboys dominated West Virginia in its stunning 37-20 Week 9 win and should be able to get the outright ‘W’ against K-State this coming weekend.

No. 23 Virginia Tech

The high-scoring Hokies sneaked past Pittsburgh 39-36, but should have a much easier time in Week 10 against Duke.

No. 24 Boise State

The Broncos were on the wrong end of a crushing 30-28 road loss against Wyoming this past weekend, but they should feel a lot better after facing San Jose State in Week 10.

No. 25 Washington State

The Cougars got past Oregon State 35-31 but never came close to covering the spread as14-point home favorite.