Every week here at ATS.io we will be updating the power ratings below and based on those ratings along with other factors provide our top picks of the week with a short preview of why. Each week old picks will be moved to the bottom of the page for record keeping and our overall record tracked.
2021 Record: 4-2 +4.6 Units
This week we are back with 3 pack of picks as our power ratings show a huge advantage in the lines.
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College Football Picks 09/18/21
Virginia Tech vs West Virginia
- Opening Line West Virginia -2.5
- Current Line West Virginia -2.5 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Virginia Tech -5
Public betting %’s are at a 54% VTech/46% West Virginia – with a near identical split on the money count. Virginia Tech sports one of the best offensive lines, high end defense vs a sub par West Virginia team
Pick: Virginia Tech +2.5 4 out of 5 units
Ball St vs Wyoming
- Opening Line Wyoming -6.5
- Current Line Wyoming -7 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Ball State -1
Public betting %’s are at a 33% Ball St/67% Wyoming – With a huge 90% money count on Wyoming. Wyoming has needed late heroics the last two weeks to get to 2-0 and now face the defending Mac Champs.
Pick: Ball State +1 2 out of 5 units
Oklahoma St vs Boise St
- Opening Line Boise St -4
- Current Line Boise St -3.5 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Oklahoma St -8
Public betting %’s are at a 37% Ok St, 63% Boise St – However the money is close to 60% on Ok St and a sharp move down with the line. With almost 12 points of value and the key half point take Oklahoma St
Pick: Oklahoma St +3.5 3 out of 5 units
College Football Power Ratings
Rank | Team | Conference | PR |
---|---|---|---|
Team | Conference | PR | |
1 | Alabama | SEC | 99 |
2 | Georgia | SEC | 93 |
3 | Clemson | ACC | 92.5 |
4 | Oklahoma | Big 12 | 92 |
5 | Oregon | Pac-12 | 90 |
6 | Iowa | Big Ten | 90 |
7 | Ohio State | Big Ten | 89.5 |
8 | Iowa State | Big 12 | 88.5 |
9 | Penn State | Big Ten | 87 |
10 | Texas A&M | SEC | 85 |
11 | Florida | SEC | 85 |
12 | Wisconsin | Big Ten | 84 |
13 | Cincinnati | AAC | 83 |
14 | Miami (FL) | ACC | 82.5 |
15 | Notre Dame | Independent | 82.5 |
16 | Arizona State | Pac-12 | 82.5 |
17 | UCLA | Pac-12 | 82 |
18 | Ole Miss | SEC | 82 |
19 | Michigan | Big Ten | 82 |
20 | LSU | SEC | 81 |
21 | TCU | Big 12 | 80.5 |
22 | Utah | Pac-12 | 80 |
23 | Arkansas | SEC | 80 |
24 | Texas | Big 12 | 80 |
25 | North Carolina | ACC | 80 |
26 | Auburn | SEC | 80.5 |
27 | Virginia Tech | ACC | 79.5 |
28 | Washington | Pac-12 | 78 |
29 | UCF | AAC | 77.5 |
30 | Minnesota | Big Ten | 77 |
31 | Pittsburgh | ACC | 77 |
32 | Coastal Carolina | Sun Belt | 76.5 |
33 | USC | Pac-12 | 76 |
34 | West Virginia | Big 12 | 75.5 |
35 | Oklahoma State | Big 12 | 75.5 |
36 | Indiana | Big Ten | 75 |
37 | Michigan State | Big Ten | 75 |
38 | BYU | Independent | 75 |
39 | NC State | ACC | 75 |
40 | Mississippi State | SEC | 75 |
41 | Maryland | Big Ten | 75 |
42 | Boston College | ACC | 75 |
43 | Wake Forest | ACC | 75 |
44 | Purdue | Big Ten | 74 |
45 | Liberty | Independent | 74 |
46 | Louisiana | Sun Belt | 74 |
47 | Kentucky | SEC | 73 |
48 | Texas Tech | Big 12 | 72.5 |
49 | Boise State | Mountain West | 72 |
50 | Virginia | ACC | 72 |
51 | Kent State | MAC | 72 |
52 | Appalachian State | Sun Belt | 72 |
53 | Stanford | Pac-12 | 72 |
54 | Louisville | ACC | 71.5 |
55 | Florida State | ACC | 71 |
56 | San Diego State | Mountain West | 71 |
57 | Nebraska | Big Ten | 71 |
58 | Northwestern | Big Ten | 71 |
59 | Baylor | Big 12 | 71 |
60 | Kansas State | Big 12 | 71 |
61 | Missouri | SEC | 70 |
62 | Colorado | Pac-12 | 70 |
63 | SMU | AAC | 70 |
64 | Nevada | Mountain West | 69.5 |
65 | Oregon State | Pac-12 | 69.5 |
66 | Toledo | MAC | 69 |
67 | Washington State | Pac-12 | 69 |
68 | Tulane | AAC | 69 |
69 | Houston | AAC | 68.5 |
70 | Tulsa | AAC | 68.5 |
71 | Fresno State | Mountain West | 68 |
72 | Memphis | AAC | 68 |
73 | California | Pac-12 | 68 |
74 | San Jose State | Mountain West | 68 |
75 | Ball State | MAC | 66.5 |
76 | Wyoming | Mountain West | 66 |
77 | Rutgers | Big Ten | 66 |
78 | Central Michigan | MAC | 65 |
79 | Georgia Tech | ACC | 65 |
80 | UAB | Conference USA | 65 |
81 | Tennessee | SEC | 65 |
82 | Army | Independent | 65 |
83 | Troy | Sun Belt | 64 |
84 | FAU | Conference USA | 64 |
85 | South Carolina | SEC | 63.5 |
86 | Western Michigan | MAC | 63 |
87 | UTSA | Conference USA | 63 |
88 | Duke | ACC | 62.5 |
89 | Air Force | Mountain West | 62 |
90 | Arkansas State | Sun Belt | 61 |
91 | Illinois | Big Ten | 61 |
92 | Hawaii | Mountain West | 61 |
93 | Marshall | Conference USA | 61 |
94 | Ohio | MAC | 60.5 |
95 | Louisiana Tech | Conference USA | 60.5 |
96 | Buffalo | MAC | 60.5 |
97 | Miami (OH) | MAC | 60 |
98 | East Carolina | AAC | 60 |
99 | Eastern Michigan | MAC | 59 |
100 | Colorado State | Mountain West | 59 |
101 | Syracuse | ACC | 59 |
102 | Vanderbilt | SEC | 59 |
103 | Georgia Southern | Sun Belt | 58 |
104 | UNLV | Mountain West | 57 |
105 | Northern Illinois | MAC | 57 |
106 | Georgia State | Sun Belt | 57 |
107 | Texas State | Sun Belt | 57 |
108 | Rice | Conference USA | 56.5 |
109 | Western Kentucky | Conference USA | 56 |
110 | Arizona | Pac-12 | 55 |
111 | Charlotte | Conference USA | 55 |
112 | Middle Tenn | Conference USA | 54.5 |
113 | Southern Miss | Conference USA | 54.5 |
114 | South Alabama | Sun Belt | 54.5 |
115 | Temple | AAC | 54 |
116 | USF | AAC | 54 |
117 | Kansas | Big 12 | 52 |
118 | Utah State | Mountain West | 51.5 |
119 | Navy | AAC | 51 |
120 | New Mexico | Mountain West | 51 |
121 | North Texas | Conference USA | 51 |
122 | FIU | Conference USA | 49.5 |
123 | Old Dominion | Conference USA | 43.5 |
124 | Louisiana Monroe | Sun Belt | 43 |
125 | UTEP | Conference USA | 41 |
126 | Bowling Green | MAC | 40 |
127 | Akron | MAC | 40 |
128 | New Mexico State | Independent | 37 |
129 | UMass | Independent | 38 |
130 | UConn | Independent | 34 |
As you can see, Alabama is #1 at 99 and New Mexico State is #130 at 37. The two teams do play this season and that game would be lined at Alabama -66. It is the highest line between two FBS teams.
In order to create a betting line for a game, you compare the difference between the power ratings and add home field to the home team.
For example, here are the “Week 0” Lines for the games on August 28 using this set of power ratings:
Date | Away | Home | The Line |
8/28 | UTEP | New Mexico State | +5.5 |
UConn | Fresno State | -26.5 | |
Nebraska | Illinois | +6 | |
Hawaii | UCLA | -18 |
UTEP is power-rated at 44.5. New Mexico State is at 37. Add 2 for home field advantage and you get 5.5.
UConn is 42.5. Fresno State is 66. Add three points HFA and you get 23.5 + 3 = 26.5.
Using these numbers and this strategy, you can decide if you want to bet on the game based on your power rating or not.
The Power Ratings Process
Having a good set of College Football Power Ratings before the season is essential. One really popular way of setting up Power Ratings is to take a position-based approach.
The goal here is to determine a team’s strength at certain position groups and add those values together to get a number that represents the team’s talent level relative to other teams across the country.
You can also use this as a guide to determine the strengths of position groups within a conference. While a Toledo or a Boise State might not grade as a 10, because those are reserved for the Alabamas and Ohio States of the world, a score of 8 or 8.5 is going to be among the best in that conference.
The following is a possible breakdown that you could use, with 100 as the best team and 30 as the worst team:
Quarterbacks – Up to 15 Points
The QB is the most important player on the field. On this scale that goes up to 100, putting 15% of a team’s value on the quarterback could even be viewed as not enough to some people, but we also have to consider that it is just one player or one group of 3-4 players. The offensive line and the skill players also have a big impact on how a quarterback plays.
Year in and year out, Alabama’s quarterback will grade as a 14 or 15. That player will be one of the best in the country. On the flip side, UTEP’s QB or UMass’s QB may be 5 or 5.5 points. Generally you don’t want to go too much lower than a 5-15 range.
Running Backs – Up to 10 Points
Running games remain more important and more prominent in college football than in the NFL it would seem. Running backs do play a big part in the game. A lot of guys can put up numbers, but elite running back position groups are huge for a team. Not only do they produce offense, but they can salt a game away with a lead late and keep that clock running.
Running back groups can be graded on about a 4-10 scale, with the best running back groups, think Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, etc. at 9.5 or 10 and then the bad running back groups like New Mexico State or Akron at 4 or 4.5.
Wide Receivers – Up to 10 Points
Wide receivers around the country are plenty capable of putting up numbers, but you still want to make sure that you are grading these groups based on their depth and production levels. There can be a correlation with the QB position as well.
Similar to the other position groups, the best teams and the most dynamic offenses will have 9s and 10s and other teams might have 6s and 7s or lower.
Offensive Line – Up to 15 Points
The trenches collectively account for 30% of the team’s total rating in this format. The offensive line is worth up to 15 points. Those guys protect the quarterback. They open up holes for the running backs. Those guys are critically important. They can dictate a game and control the line of scrimmage.
The best teams will have 15s, while the worst teams will probably be in 6-7 range. You can go as low as 5 with some of the really awful teams.
Defensive Line – Up to 15 Points
Rushing the passer and stuffing the run are ways to really alter the opposition’s game plan. Watch any football game and it is clear that the trenches are such a huge element of the game play. That is why the defensive line gets a big chunk of the points for the overall rating.
In college football, specifically, teams that are terrible at the line just get run over with regularity. It is a really important part of the equation.
Linebackers – Up to 10 Points
This is one area that may be a little bit overvalued, but it does keep the 100-point scale in play. Furthermore, linebackers have had to be better and better in pass coverage as the game has evolved. Also, we get a lot of EDGE rushers that go after the quarterback from this position. It isn’t about guys with neck rolls stuffing the run anymore. The linebacker position is extremely nuanced and having depth at that level is important.
Defensive Backs – Up to 10 Points
Secondaries are very important as teams have adopted the spread offenses and so much tempo in college football. Getting beat over the top is a good way to lose games and lose a lot of them. The teams that stack up the best at DB are often the most talented and most athletic, which is true of all of the position groups.
The worst secondaries are going to be valued down in the 4 or 4.5 range.
Coaching & Special Teams – Up to 15 Points
Coaching matters so much in college football. Offensive and defensive coordinators change like socks, so teams are always learning new verbiage or new schemes. Head coaches tend to stick around until they get fired or get a better job. But, this is also a way to look at special teams rankings and special teams coordinators.
There are some intangible factors that go into play with this as well.
An Example of a Team’s Power Rating
Let’s take Alabama as an example, with a Power Rating of 99. This would be a breakdown for the Crimson Tide:
QB: 14.5
RB: 10
WR: 9.5
OL: 15
DL: 15
LB: 10
DB: 10
CO: 15
Total: 99
Bryce Petty is a new starting QB and the Crimson Tide bid adieu to Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, so they have to figure out some new weapons, but this is also a team that recruits at an insanely high level. They are going to be more talented than their opponents in just about every way.
How about Ohio State at 92.5?
QB: 13
RB: 9
WR: 10
OL: 14
DL: 14
LB: 8.5
DB: 9
CO: 15
Total: 92.5
CJ Stroud is taking over for Justin Fields and Ohio State has zero experienced depth at QB. While Stroud and the Buckeyes may have no issues offensively, the Buckeyes are not at the elite level that they were at the QB position. However, Stroud does have Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. The Buckeyes are stout in the trenches and have an outstanding.
As an example of how these teams end up getting ranked relative to the rest of the country, here is an example of some July 2021 Preseason College Football Power Ratings.
What Do You Do With Power Ratings?
In tandem with home field advantage numbers, you can create your own spreads for college football games. In the above example with Ohio State and Alabama in deeper detail, Alabama would be -6.5 on a neutral against Ohio State. If Alabama was at home, the Crimson Tide would be -10.5. If Ohio State was at home, Alabama would be -2.5.
You can use a set of power ratings to create your own spreads and then bet them accordingly when the opening lines come out.
If you had Alabama -10.5 against Ohio State and the line came out -7, you might want to consider betting on the Crimson Tide. A good set of power ratings will see line movement in the direction of your line.
Maybe a better example would be something like Wyoming at Boise State. Boise State is power-rated at 73.5 in this sample set with three points of home field advantage. That is 76.5. Wyoming is power-rated at 65. The line based on this set of power ratings would be Boise State -11.5. If the line comes out Boise State -16.5 or something, Wyoming appears to have some value.
You can do this with every game to get a number and then decide if you want to bet on it or not based on where your number is and your thoughts on the game.
Home Field Advantage
Home field advantage in college football probably isn’t worth what it used to be. Most people are somewhere between 2.5 and 3 points with their average HFA. If you use 2.5 or 3 as a baseline, you probably are not that far off.
The adjustments from that point are where you have to be cognizant of a lot of different factors. Does a team have a full stadium all of the time? Are there travel considerations? For example, Morgantown is not easy to get to for Big 12 teams, especially for early games. Pullman, Washington is a tough trip to Washington State. This is something you really want to factor in with schools that have smaller athletic budgets in the Group of 5.
Are there environmental concerns? Think Boone, NC, where Appalachian State plays in the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River for FBS football. Think Laramie, Wyoming, the highest elevation in CFB.
Typically, you don’t want to give more than 5 points for HFA and that would be a maximum, like a White Out in Happy Valley for Penn State or a huge non-conference game in Alabama or Michigan. Those are extreme cases. Most times, HFA will range from 2 points to 4.5 points.
Use your best judgment or maybe even past results to determine where the HFA should be.
Updating College Football Power Ratings
The true art in having a set of College Football Power Ratings is to update them as the season goes along. Once you get your initial preseason Power Ratings, the focus becomes adapting to the market conditions and the team performances as the season goes along.
A three-step process for updating Power Ratings is pretty popular.
Step 1: Compare your lines to the closing lines
What was your line and what did the line close in the betting markets?
Did the opening line move closer to your number? Did it move in the other direction?
If the line moved away from you, then it is a good time to re-evaluate your ratings of one or both of the teams. That being said, if the line moved away from you, but the game played out closer to your expectation, maybe other people are wrong.
This really is a tough process that requires feel, understanding, and perspective.
Step 2: Box score study
Why did a game end up the way it did? Did you have a game lined at -14 that the market had lined at -14 but the underdog won outright? Were turnovers a factor? Did a team get into the red zone multiple times and miss field goals or have turnovers?
Look for misleading box scores. Look for things that had a direct impact on the result, but may not happen again.
This also includes looking at injuries. Did a key player miss the second half? How long will he be out? This information can be hard to find, but Twitter can be your friend.
Step 3: Make lines for the next week BEFORE the betting markets open
Put together your numbers in advance of the release from the sportsbooks. Get an idea of where you think a line should be. If that line is way off from your number, then your number might be wrong. See if the initial line movement goes towards your number or not.
If it doesn’t, then you know that your line is wrong and you’ll need to adjust one or both teams. Doing so early keeps you from running into the same situation for next week.
Past College Football Power Rating Picks
College Football Picks 09/11/21
Texas St vs FIU
- Opening Line Texas St -1
- Current Line FIU -2 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Texas St – 10
Public betting %’s are at a 41% Texas St 59% FIU – With a huge 91% money count on FIU. FIU coming of a blowout win against a FCS opponent while Texas St pushed Baylor to the end. Grabbing excellent line value in our rating here, taking Texas St
Pick: Texas St +2 2 out of 5 Units
Georgia Southern @ FAU
- Opening Line FAU -6.5
- Current Line FAU -7.5 @ DraftKings
- ATS Power Line: FAU -3
The betting public trends show 34% on Georgia Southern with 64% to FAU, the money % is close with 77% on FAU. Coming off a inter-state rivalry game along with a advantage in our power numbers we will be backing Georgia Southern to grind out a ATS win by controlling the ball and clock
Pick: Georgia Southern +7.5 2 out of 5 Units
Vanderbilt @ Colorado St
- Opening Line Colorado st -5.5
- Current Line Colorado St -7 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Colorado St -0.5
Current bet splits have 39% of the best on Vandy, 61% on CSU and a whopping 91% of the money CSU. Both teams struggled last week in their openers vs lesser programs, expect Vanderbilt to get the offense going against a CSU team that gave up close to 5 yards a carry. This week we roll with the sportsbooks and grab the other side of the popular money Vandy +7
Pick: Vandy +7 3 out of 5 Units
College Football Picks 09/04/21
Stanford vs Kansas St
- Opening Line Stanford -2
- Current Line Kansas St -3 @ Caesars
- ATS Power Line: Stanford -2 with Homefield taken into account
This line has moved dramatically over the last few days and at this point with 5 points of line value its time to jump in and back the Cardinal. Take Stanford +3 for 2 out of 5 units, some shops offshore are showing 3.5 so keep a eye out for the half point.
College Football Picks 09/03/21
Michigan St vs Northwestern –
- Opening Line Northwestern -4.5
- Current Line Northwestern -3 @ Draftkings
- ATS Power Line: Northwestern -8, with homefield add 1
Bets are currently 54% Michigan St vs 46% Northwestern. Both programs have seen a turnover this past year and may not look anything like their 2020 versions. Northwestern has been solid defensively during the current regime while Michigan St has struggled on the offensive line for 3 years in a row! Based on our power numbers and projections Northwestern should be atleast a touchdown favorite and will be looking for payback after last years upset against Michigan St. Take Northwestern -3 2 out of 5 units
College Football Picks 09/02/21
Boise State vs UCF –
- Opening Line UCF -3.5
- Current Line UCF -6.5 @ Draftkings
- ATS Power Line: UCF -4
UCF is currently seeing between 75-85% of the bets at reporting sportsbooks.
Boise State new head coach Andy Avalos is bringing in a high-octane passing attack that will suit a excellent receiving corps, a terrific quarterback in Hank Bachmeier. 9 Starters also return on a solid defense.
UCF also has a new coach in Gus Malzahn who inherits an attack that averaged 568 yards and 42 points per game last year. With most starters returning to the offense its the defense that has lost its most prolific players in a year after ranking 123 in total defense.
With atleast 2.5 points in our favor in what should be a back and forth game take UCF +6.5 (possibly 7 by gametime) for 2 out of 5 units. WINNER