ASAwins Power Ratings – Oct 22nd
Ohio State jumps to our #1 ranking this week as they continue to dominate and have an edge over the rest of the best with their defense. Wisconsin dips this week after their loss in Illinois but don’t fall as far as you think, much like Georgia didn’t after a loss to South Carolina two weeks ago. Missouri was upset by a win-less Vanderbilt team and takes our second biggest hit in the power rankings. Oregon is a team on the rise with a fast and athletic defense and an NFL ready QB in Herbert. Oklahoma jumps up nearly 2-points in our rankings with an offense built to outscore everyone. The Baylor Bears and Minnesota Gophers crack out top 25 this week, Row the Boat!
1. Ohio State: – 27.25 – The Buckeyes earn the top spot as they are just better overall than Alabama. The Tide have a slight edge offensively but defensively this Buckeye defense is one of the best in football. OSU has a margin of victory this season is 41.7PPG which is best in the NCAA’s and they’ve faced a tougher schedule than Bama.
2. Alabama: – 27.0 – The Tide are second in yards per play offense, 7th in total yards per game ‘O’ and 48.7PPG which is second best in the Nation. The problem is a defense that gives up over 320YPG and is outside the top 20 in that category.
3. LSU: -24.75 –The Tigers came up with another win over a quality opponent when they beat Mississippi State last weekend on the road. LSU has one of the best passing attacks in the Nation with several top 5 rankings in key categories.
4. Clemson: -22.5 – The Tigers essentially don’t play anyone the rest of the way and are on their way to the Playoffs. Obviously, this team has great overall statistics, but you must factor in the weak schedule.
5. Oklahoma: -22.25 – The Sooners offense is the best in the nation at 612.9 yards per game, is top 10 in passing yards, rushing yards and points scored per game. OU has a +9.06 yards per play differential which is one of the best numbers in the country.
6. Georgia: – 20.0 – The Dawgs bounced back with a shutout win over Kentucky last week after their upset to South Carolina. Georgia average 6.1 yards per carry and held UK to just 180 total yards. The Georgia defense allows just 86.1 rushing yards per game (5th) and 10.6PPG which is 4th and 267.1YPG which is 6th.
7. Wisconsin: -14.5 – The Badgers suffered a lookahead to Ohio State this week and lost last week to Illinois. Bucky outplayed the Illini and had a chance to seal the win but fumbled on a late drive in the game. UW is still one of the best D’s in the Nation with 4 shutouts on their resume. 1st in: Yards allowed, passing yards per game, rushing yards per game and points allowed.
8. Auburn: -12.0 – Auburn is off a 41-point win in Arkansas and has scored 51+ in three games this season. It’s the Tigers defense though that is the difference for this program. UA is top 20 in several key defensive categories but has a passing attack that is 103rd in the nation.
9. Oregon: -11.75 – The Ducks got a very impressive road win last week in Washington and remain unbeaten in 6 straight after the opening season loss to Auburn. OU’s offense is led by QB Herbert who is completing 68% of his pass attempts with 21 TD’s and just 1 INT.
10. Florida: – 11.5 – The Gators continue to impress with a road win at South Carolina in an obvious letdown spot last week. Florida is anchored by a defense that holds foes to just 15.8PPG and a passing attack averaging 277YPG.
11. Notre Dame: -10.75 –Notre Dame has the 9th highest average scoring differential at 22.3PPG and have played a top 35 schedule. They are rested heading into a game at Michigan Saturday and could vault into the top 10 with a win.
12. Utah: – 10.75 – The Utes dominated Arizona State last weekend with 342 total yards to just 136 by ASU. Utah has a top six defense in several categories including total yards, rushing yards and points allowed per game. Utah also has a big play offense that is 11th in the nation averaging 6.8YPPL.
13. Penn State: – 10.25 – Penn State got their White Out win against Michigan but were out-gained and had a minus 15-minute time of possession deficit. The Lions allow just 282YPG which is 11th best in the country, 66 rushing yards per game (4th) and 10PPG (3rd).
14. Texas: -9.0 – UT suffered a letdown against Kansas last week and the game was much closer than it should have been. The Longhorns bad defensive numbers (118th in yards allowed) are tempered as they’ve faced three of the top six offenses in college football (LSU, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma). UT averages 40.9PPG which is 9th in the nation and 482 total yards per game which is 15th.
15. Texas A&M: – 9.0 – Only a handful of teams have played a tougher schedule than the 3-3 Aggies as their three losses have come against Alabama, Clemson and Auburn who are a combined 20-1
16. Missouri: -8.5 – Mizzou just got outplayed by a Vanderbilt team that didn’t have a win on the season, but they remain in our top 25. Consider this: The Tigers are favored by 10-points this week against Kentucky which is the same spread when Florida was there. Mizzou has a top 25 defense.
17. Michigan: -8.25 – The Wolverines outplayed Penn State in Happy Valley last week with +124 total yards, +15 minutes TOP but came up short on the scoreboard. UM has two losses this year two a pair of top 15 teams in Wisconsin and Penn State, both on the road.
18. Iowa State: -8.25 – The Cyclones hold foes to just 113.6 rushing yards per game (25th) defensively and pound out 481 total yards per game offensively (16th). ISU has two losses this year to quality foes by a total of 3-points.
19. UCF: -7.75 – The Knights are 2nd in the country in total yards per game offense at 553.8YPG and have a top 42 total defense. UCF’s averages 44.3PPG which is 5th best in the nation.
20. SMU: -7.5 – The Mustangs took care of Temple last week 45-21 to push their record to 7-0. SMU has the 16th best average margin of victory at +17PPG and average 44.3PPG which ranks them 7th.
21. Baylor – 7.25 – The Bears have beaten everyone on the schedule including Iowa State and Oklahoma State. Baylor is top 15 in both total yards per game and scoring and also have a top 50 defense.
22. Washington: – 7.25 – The Huskies let one slip away last week at home against Oregon but despite three losses are still a top 25 team in our rankings. UW has played the 31st toughest schedule to date and yet have a top 60 offense and defense.
23. USC: -7.0 – The Trojans have lost three games this year but two of those have come by 17 total points to a pair of top 25 teams in Notre Dame and Washington. The Trojans dominated Arizona last week with a 41-14 win.
24. Cincinnati -7.0 – The Bearcats continue to win and have one loss to the best team in the nation Ohio State in Columbus. Cincinnati has a top 34 defense and a running game producing 173YPG which is 61st in the nation.
25. Minnesota: – 7.0 – Row the boat Gophers! Minnesota is 7-0 on the season and have the 17th ranked offense in total yards, 11th in passing yards. The defense is improving and currently 57th in yards allowed per game.
