2008 College Football Rankings (Week 5)
Gambling911.com has released its 2008 College Football rankings which is the only list that takes into account the odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship in addition to other factors. 2008 College Football betting odds for Week 5 can be found at Sportsbook.com offering 5 percent back on all losses during the month of September.
1. USC - What can we say? The Trojans are ranked very comfortably ahead of any other team and they pay better than even odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship at +150 odds.
2. Florida - While Oklahoma is ranked number two in the AP and ESPN polls, along with the USA Today poll, Gambling911.com has ranked Florida number 2 with +400 odds to win the 2009 BCS.
They have a slightly better rating than the Sooners when it comes to establishing odds however. Florida took control on the opening kickoff and it didn't take long for Tennessee to become Gator Bait again.
No. 4 Florida beat its SEC East rival for the fourth consecutive year, a 30-6 rout of the self-destructive Volunteers on Saturday.
"We just came out and played relentless," said linebacker Brandon Spikes, who earlier in the week had accused the Vols of quitting in last season's 59-20 blowout. "If we come out every week and do that it's going to be tough on opponents."
The Gators (3-0, 1-0) haven't lost to the Vols since Urban Meyer became coach in 2005. Meyer also improved to 8-1 against Florida's three biggest rivals - Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State, while joining former top Gator Steve Spurrier as the only coach to defeat a Phillip Fulmer-lead Tennessee team in four straight seasons.
3. Oklahoma - Pays $400 for every $100 bet to win the 2009 BCS at Sportsbook.com
4. Georgia - The Bulldogs pay $500 for every $100 bet if they are to win the BCS.
Georgia gained 461 yards against Arizona State, but coach Mark Richt was not overwhelmed enough to say the same five would start on Saturday night.
"We've still got a ways to go," Richt said Sunday. "I think on a weekly basis these guys will continue to compete," Richt said.
Georgia scored 21 second-quarter points. Knowshon Moreno had 23 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb King added 40 yards rushing.
Freshman A.J. Green had career-high totals of eight catches for 159 yards with a touchdown.
The line gave up only one sack as quarterback Matthew Stafford set a career high with 285 yards passing and a touchdown.
"The offensive line looked really good," Moreno said. "They opened up holes for both backs and protected very well."
5. LSU - Could actually be ranked higher than Georgia. Their odds to win the BCS were at +1500 but their rating for establishing odds is slightly better than the Bulldogs.
6. Missouri - This team has a much lower rating for establishing the odds each week. Future betting odds have Missouri at +1200 though.
7. Alabama - Pay $2500 for every $100 bet to win the 2009 BCS Championship.
8. Penn State - This team is not ranked in the Top 10 in either the AP or USA Today polls but the Sagarin Ratings have Penn still in their Top 10 for establishing lines each week. They pay $2500 for every $100 bet at Sportsbook.com
9. Texas - Pays $3000 for every $100 bet to win the 2009 BCS.
10. Brigham Young (BYU) - So much for that inexperienced defense holding back BYU. The Cougars are looking as strong on that side of the ball as they usually do on offense. No. 14 BYU recorded its second straight shutout, beating Wyoming 44-0 Saturday and extending the nation's longest winning streak to 14. The Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Mountain West) forced six turnovers and returned two of them for touchdowns. They pay $4000 for every $100 bet to win the 2009 BCS Championship as part of the "field odds" category. BYU is not listed individually.
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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher