LSU, Michigan Jump in AP Poll After Big Wins, Penn State Repeats History by Losing to OSU, Michigan State

Posted on: October 15, 2018, 09:00h. 

Last updated on: October 15, 2018, 07:10h.

LSU is once again a Top 5 college football program after the Tigers easily knocked off No. 2 Georgia 36-16 in Death Valley on Saturday. With the win, LSU (6-1) soared eight spots in the AP poll.

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LSU ran away from the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday in Baton Rouge. (Image: Jonathan Bachman/Getty)

LSU was Georgia’s first true test of the season, as the Bulldogs had just won win over a ranked opponent (No. 24 South Carolina) entering Saturday’s matchup in Baton Rouge. Still, Las Vegas sportsbooks had the visiting Bulldogs around eight-point favorites.

We were going to take shots and go for it and play to win the game,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “We were going for it as hard as we can today. We were throwing out the kitchen sink, man. We were giving them everything we had, and we did it.”

Despite the signature win, LSU’s difficult schedule, which includes No. 22 Mississippi State next weekend, and then No. 1 Alabama following a bye week, keeps the Tigers’ College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship odds relatively long at 40/1.

Michigan Wins, WVU, PSU Lose

What was supposed to be a close Big 10 game between Michigan and Wisconsin was anything but. After taking a 13-7 lead at halftime, the Wolverines broke away in the third and went on to win 38-13.

Michigan was favored by 10 points over the visiting Badgers, and easily covered the spread. The Wolverines (6-1) jumped six sports to No. 6 in the AP poll, and the odds on them winning the national title have been cut to 25/1.

West Virginia had perhaps the worst loss of the week when they were upset at Iowa State 30-14. The Cyclones entered the game with a losing record, but managed to deliver the Mountaineers their first loss of the season. WVU fell seven sports to No. 13, and are now at 100/1 to win the national title.

Penn State’s loss to Michigan State wasn’t far behind. For the second year in a row, the Nittany Lions lost by a point to Ohio State, and then followed it up with a loss to Michigan State to all but end their playoffs hopes.

PSU entered the game as the No. 8 team in the nation, but dropped 10 spots to No. 18 in the defeat. The Westgate SuperBook had James Franklin’s team at 12/1 preseason to win the national title, and is now at 500/1.

National Championship Contenders

It was another exciting weekend of college football, with plenty of upsets that shook up the title picture. But one thing remained constant, and that is Alabama is the team to beat.

The No. 1 Crimson Tide cruised 39-10 over Missouri, which was just enough to cover the 28-point spread.

Alabama remains at 1/2 to win the CFP National Championship, which means bettors will net just $50 for every $100 wagered should Nick Saban’s team defend the title.

Ohio State, now ranked No. 2 in the country, is at 5/1, while No. 3 Clemson is a bit shorter at 4/1. Notre Dame remains unbeaten and is at 8/1.