Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
Every week, I will provide an update that summarizes our College Football Power Rankings. FTN’s simulation model repeats 10,000 iterations and powers our weekly College Football Power Rankings. The rankings will update at the start of each week as the model collects additional data. If you are looking for weekly picks? Check out our CFB Betting Model which is updated every Monday for the upcoming slate of games.
Let’s take a quick look at the biggest discrepancies from the AP Top 25 to our own FTN Power Rankings.
Oregon Ducks
AP Ranking: 1
FTN Power Ranking: 3
Change: +2
The Ducks are a perfect 9-0, but we still rate them as a betting underdog to Ohio State and Georgia on a neutral field. Oregon did ascend two spots to No. 3 overall after cruising to a 38-17 win at Michigan. The Ducks have a good chance of running the table, with three unranked upcoming games against Maryland, at Wisconsin and home to Washington.
Florida Gators
AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 22
Change: +5
The Gators rose five spots to No. 22 overall after a valiant home loss to No. 2 Georgia, 34-20. Florida led 13-6 at the half and stayed within one score of the Bulldogs until the waning minutes. The Gators have another shot at a ranked opponent when they travel to No. 5 Texas this Saturday.
Washington Huskies
AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 25
Change: +4
The Huskies rose four spots to crack our top 25 after a 26-21 win over USC. That stopped a two-game losing streak, which was critical given the upcoming slate of opponents for the Huskies. They travel to No. 6 Penn State, host UCLA and then end the season at No. 1 Oregon.
Wisconsin Badgers
AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 29
Change: -4
The Badgers drop four spots after a rough 42-10 blowout loss at Iowa. Wisconsin outscored three consecutive opponents by a total score of 126-16 before suffering two consecutive losses by a 70-23 margin. When Wisconsin’s defense is good, it can compete with anyone, and the Badgers will have their biggest test of the season this Saturday against No. 1 Oregon.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 31
Change: +5
Minnesota continues to rise in our FTN Power Rankings after its fourth-straight win, 25-17 at No. 24 Illinois. Kicker Dragan Kesich made four field goals for a Golden Gophers team that continues to improve throughout the season. Minnesota travels to Rutgers on Saturday looking for its fifth-straight win.
