New York Post may receive compensation and/or an affiliate commission if you purchase through our links. Featured pricing may vary. It has been 52 years since an NFL season concluded with a team remaining unbeaten. Nearly five decades have passed since Bobby Knight’s Hoosiers achieved their flawless season. In college football, this is a common […]
It has been 52 years since an NFL season concluded with a team remaining unbeaten. Nearly five decades have passed since Bobby Knight’s Hoosiers achieved their flawless season.
In college football, this is a common occurrence.
Michigan closed out last season with a perfect record, marking the fifth national champion in the last six years to finish undefeated. Six of the last nine national title contests featured teams that were unbeaten. The BCS era (1998-2013) saw 19 flawless seasons.
This season has presented an unusually turbulent landscape. The top-ranked teams have been as unreliable as any group since the 2007 season, which produced the only two-loss national champion (LSU) of the modern era.
The defending champions (Michigan) experienced as many defeats in their first seven matches as they did in the past three years combined. The most formidable team of the decade (Georgia) suffered as many losses as they had in the last three years. Alabama, often seen as the most dominant team of the generation, has seen its reputation fade under the absence of Nick Saban, recording its highest losses in 14 years.
After a decade with no playoff team exceeding one loss, the 12-team field may host up to eight teams with multiple losses — including Alabama (9-3) — potentially leading to one of the least celebrated champions of the era.
Unless Oregon emerges as the final victor.
After Ohio State’s loss to Michigan, No. 1 Oregon (12-0) — the nation’s top-ranked team for seven consecutive weeks — has finally been positioned as the favorite in betting for the national title, a decade removed from their first loss in the College Football Playoff championship game.
The Ducks have been working towards this achievement. Under Dan Lanning — who secured a national title as an assistant at Alabama and another while serving as Georgia’s defensive coordinator — Oregon finished 10-3 in his inaugural season. The Ducks recorded a 12-2 mark last year, with those losses totaling just six points against the national runner-up (Washington).
This year’s squad has triumphed by an average of almost 20 points per game, defeating No. 6 Ohio State, No. 10 Boise State, and No. 21 Illinois. Oregon continues to feature one of the top offensive lines nationwide, permitting only five sacks over their last 10 games. Graduate transfer Dillon Gabriel — once a Heisman favorite — has set the NCAA record for total touchdowns. The Ducks’ defense ranks among the nation’s top 10 units, recently accumulating 10 sacks against Washington while restricting standout running back Jonah Coleman to just three rushing yards.
The decision in the Big Ten title game is straightforward: Oregon (-3.5), the most stable team in the country, or James Franklin, who has ridden a very easy schedule to his 21st matchup at Penn State against a top 10 adversary (2-18).
Western Kentucky (+3.5) over JACKSONVILLE STATE
The Hilltoppers secured a victory over the Gamecocks on Saturday, amid swirling rumors about coach Rich Rodriguez’s potential departure from the program. Even if Jacksonville State quarterback Tyler Huff — a game-time decision — returns from an ankle injury, his dual-threat capabilities will be curtailed in the rematch.
Unlv (+4) over BOISE STATE
Last season, the Broncos dominated the Mountain West Championship against UNLV. This year, Boise State traveled to Las Vegas and secured another win. However, UNLV possesses the elements needed for an upset, bolstered by a top-15 run defense that limited Heisman candidate Ashton Jeanty to his lowest performance of the season (3.9 yards per carry). The Broncos deserve recognition for their chance to contend for a national championship under Chris Petersen, yet now bear the burden of Idaho against a squad with eight consecutive road victories.
ARMY (+4.5) over Tulane
A team comprised of players raised below the Mason-Dixon Line may not relish the frigid temperatures along the Hudson River. The tougher team will show in the trenches, where Tulane’s defensive line has been overpowered in all three of its setbacks, conceding an average of 211 rushing yards. Leading the nation’s best rushing attack, Bryson Daily is set to conclude his remarkable career at West Point with an unforgettable AAC Championship outing.
Arizona State (-2.5) over Iowa State
The Cyclones achieved their first-ever 10-win season, aided by one of the easiest schedules in the Big 12 and the league’s best scoring defense, averaging nearly two takeaways a game. The Sun Devils, who are tied for seventh nationally in fewest turnovers, should capitalize on the highly underrated star running back Cam Skattebo against a defense ranked 112th against the run.
Miami (Ohio) (-3) over Ohio
Sixth-year Redhawks quarterback Brett Gabbert is poised to claim his third MAC title (second consecutively). Miami’s 30-20 triumph in the October rivalry matchup is more impressive than the stats imply, having allowed a couple of late touchdowns to the Bobcats.
Georgia (+2.5) over Texas
The Longhorns faced just one ranked team this season, and that contest in Austin saw Georgia hand Texas the worst home defeat, 30-15, of a No. 1 team in 42 years. The Bulldogs received a wake-up call in their eight-overtime battle against Georgia Tech and will rediscover the form that showcased three double-digit wins over potential playoff contenders (Texas, Tennessee, Clemson). Carson Beck has bounced back from his midseason slump, throwing 11 touchdowns with no interceptions in the last three games. He enters with an 8-3 career record against ranked opponents into a de facto home game in Atlanta.
Marshall (+5.5) over LOUISIANA
The Thundering Herd can control the tempo and limit how much Louisiana’s high-powered offense gets the ball, featuring a ground game that averages nearly 200 rushing yards per game. Defensive lineman Mike Green can also disrupt the Cajuns’ flow, standing just half a sack shy (16) of the national lead. Marshall has gone 4-0 against the spread as an underdog this season.
Betting on College Football?
Smu (-2.5) over Clemson
The line initially favored the Tigers, but their reputation is no longer deceiving anyone. No. 17 Clemson (9-3) is not deserving of playoff contention, having reached the ACC Championship without a single win against any of the other six teams with a winning record in the conference. SMU’s (11-1) top-tier defensive front will challenge Clemson’s offense, which has averaged under 21 points in its last four outings.
Best bets: Oregon, Unlv, Arizona State
This season: 111-98-1 (17-24-1)
2014-23 record: 1,272-1,206-30
