After a huge weekend that saw two of the top-four teams lose, who are the frontrunners to capture the College Football Playoff title?
Coach Brian Kelly's move from Notre Dame to LSU was one of the biggest offseason storylines in college football.
After a slow start and loss in the opener against Florida State, doubters questioned if Kelly had what it took to compete in the SEC.
The narrative has changed.Â
The Tigers (7-2) are now No. 10 in the land after showing guts and earning glory against Alabama last Saturday night.
The high-flying Bayou Bengals travel to Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks (5-4) this week.
FrontPageBets breaks down this matchup and another of interest for this week's best bets.
In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz try to make sense of the College Football Playoff rankings after two undefeated teams lose, while also setting up a big Week 10 NFL matchup.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change)
LSU spread (-3) and Under (62) at Arkansas
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ESPN
The rationale: LSU dropped the heavily favored Crimson Tide in Death Valley, 32-31, in overtime. After Alabama scored first in the extra session, the Tigers scored immediately on a Jayden Daniels' 25-yard run, went for two and sealed the deal, taking control of the SEC West. Daniels was sacked six times but still managed to throw for 182 yards, a pair of touchdowns and the winning two-pointer to tight end Mason Taylor. Arkansas was shocked at home by Liberty, 21-19 last Saturday. The Hogs were limited to a field goal in the first half and denied a tie when foiled at the goal line on a two-point attempt with a little over a minute left. Arkansas outgained the Flames, 428-315 yards, but turned the ball over twice, both interceptions tossed by QB KJ Jefferson.
The pick: LSU, 28-21
Georgia spread (16.5) and Under (53.5) at Mississippi State
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN
The rationale: The Bulldogs (8-0) showed they are the team to beat by handling Tennessee, 27-13. Georgia's dominant defense held the Volunteers' prolific offense and Heisman candidate Hendon Hooker to 289 yards. Meanwhile, UGA QB Stetson Bennett outplayed Hooker, throwing for 257 yards and two TDs. Receiver Ladd McConkey caught five balls for 94 yards and a score. Mississippi State (6-3) edged reeling Auburn, 39-33. That snapped a two-game losing streak. Quaterback Will Rogers has thrown 26 touchdowns with five interceptions. Â
The pick: Georgia, 31-14
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Gerry Ahern is senior content editor for FrontPageBets. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters.
