Ohio State, Wisconsin Climb Into Playoff Contention.
The shuffle of teams seeking a spot in the college football national playoffs continues week after week.
Penn State, ranked second in the nation going into its game in central Ohio, blew a 35-20 fourth-quarter lead and fell to Ohio State 39-38. TCU, ranked fourth, lost a defensive battle at Ames, Iowa, against Iowa State 14-7.
These two losses opened the door for two Big Ten schools to move into the top four, with the Buckeyes (7-1) climbing to No. 3 and Wisconsin (8-0) now at No. 4. From the beginning of the season, Alabama (8-0) has sat at the top of the rankings. Georgia (8-0) remains at No. 2. Let’s see how long these four can survive as the best in the country.
VGB’s college football Week 10 parlay pick (odds provided by bovada.lv) — Take Oklahoma (+3) over Oklahoma State and Iowa State (+2.5) over West Virginia. If both teams beat the spread, the payoff is $64.22. If either team loses by more than the spread, the ticket is void.
No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 11 Oklahoma State — The Sooners have won four of the last five and 12 of the last 14 games against the Cowboys in the Bedlam Series. They’re also 9-5 against the spread.
This rivalry game in Stillwater has major bowl implications for these two schools. A win would help their status, a loss would cripple their efforts. Both teams have one loss in eight games — OKC losing at Iowa State and Oklahoma State losing at home to TCU.
Unless the weather doesn’t cooperate, this game promises to be a high-scoring affair with two Heisman candidates leading their teams under center. Baker Mayfield, in his third year with the Sooners, is having one of the best years of his career.
Mason Rudolph, in his in his fourth year with the Cowboys, is at his best in his senior year. But he is 1-2 in his career against Oklahoma.
Rudolph leads the nation in passing yards. He’s also thrown for 22 touchdowns against five interceptions. Mayfield has thrown for 200 yards less than Rudolph, but he has 23 TDs and only three interceptions.
Let’s take the points and enjoy the show.
No. 14 Iowa State at West Virginia — The Cyclones (6-2) have won four straight, including victories over Oklahoma and TCU. Both teams were ranked in the top four when they played Iowa State.
Now, the 14th-ranked team in the country meets the Volunteers and oddsmakers have made them the underdog. What does Iowa State have to do to gain national attention?
Sure, West Virginia is 4-1 all-time in this series and Will Grier is among the best passers in college football. But the Cyclones have only been favored three times this year and yet they are 7-1 against the spread.
The Volunteers’ defense gave up more than 450 yards and 50 points last weekend. The Cyclones’ defense gave up more than 300 yards and seven points. They’re also 3-0 on the road this season.
It’s time for Iowa State to earn some respect.
No. 19 LSU at No. 1 Alabama (-21.5) — The Crimson Tide have won eight straight and outscored their opponents 344-78. Alabama is 4-4 against the spread, while LSU is 3-5.
South Carolina at No. 2 Georgia (-25) — The Bulldogs have also won eight straight and outscored their opponents 305-95. Georgia is 6-2 ATS. South Carolina has won three straight and is 5-2-1 ATS.
No. 3 Ohio State at Iowa (+16.5) — The Buckeyes have won six straight and are 4-4 ATS. They are 46-3-14 all-time against the Hawkeyes, who are 3-4-1 ATS this season.
No. 4 Wisconsin at Indiana (+9) — This is the first time this season the Badgers have not been a double-digit favorite. The trend for Wisconsin is a win against the spread, since they seem to alternate between winning one week and losing the next. The Hoosiers are 2-5-1 ATS.
