The Big 12 and SEC are considered to own the best two conferences this year and the oddsmakers at Las Vegas Sports Consultants don't disagree.
Florida sits in the top spot of the 15th installment of the LVSC rankings and is one of four schools listed in the Top 30. The Gators started the season in the fifth spot and they could be a bigger favorite in this week's title game against Alabama if it wasn't for their one-point setback (31-30) to Mississippi earlier in the year.
Speaking of the Rebels, head coach Houston Nutt has done an incredible job this season. Ole Miss started the season 3-4, with the four losses coming by a combined 19 points. Since the fourth setback, the Rebels closed the year with five straight wins, including a pair of double-digit victories against former SEC West powers Auburn (17-7) and LSU (31-13). LVSC moved Ole Miss from the 24th position up to No. 17.
Oklahoma (2), Texas (4), Texas Tech (7), Missouri (8) comprise of four spots in the LVSC rankings Top 10. The group has seven schools ranked, which is the most amongst all conferences.
The Pac 10 has five schools ranked, while the Big 10 follows with four teams.
Cincinnati (18) is the highest ranked of three Big East schools and deservingly so, after clinching the conference last Saturday.
The ACC charge in the LVSC rankings is led by Boston College (20) who will square off against Virginia Tech on Saturday in the ACC Championship for the second straight year. LVSC doesn't even have the Hokies on their radar, ranking other conference opponents Florida State (24) and Georgia Tech (27) above them.
Below is a complete list of all the rankings with notes from LVSC Chief Operating Officer Kenny White.
| 1 |
Florida |
115.0 |
1 |
Title shot on the line in Atlanta. |
| 2 |
Oklahoma |
114.3 |
2 |
Shootout winner over Cowboys. |
| 3 |
Southern Cal |
113.5 |
3 |
Rival Bruins last Rose Bowl hurdle. |
| 4 |
Texas |
113.0 |
4 |
BCS snub!!!! |
| 5 |
Penn State |
110.5 |
5 |
Eyeing a date with the Trojans. |
| 5 |
Alabama |
110.5 |
6 |
Everything on the line vs. Gators. |
| 7 |
Texas Tech |
109.3 |
7 |
Barely got by Baylor. |
| 8 |
Missouri |
106.5 |
8 |
Knocked off by Kansas. |
| 8 |
Ohio State |
106.5 |
9 |
Back in BCS picture??? |
| 10 |
Georgia |
105.0 |
10 |
Couldn't hold off Georgia Tech. |
| 11 |
Utah |
104.8 |
12 |
Where do they end up???? |
| 12 |
Oklahoma State |
104.7 |
11 |
Gave Sooners a battle. |
| 12 |
Boise State |
104.7 |
13 |
Another Bronco blowout. |
| 14 |
Texas Christian |
104.1 |
14 |
Solid season for Horned Frogs. |
| 15 |
Oregon |
103.6 |
16 |
Spoiled Beavers Rose Bowl plans. |
| 16 |
California |
102.9 |
15 |
Wrap up with Washington. |
| 17 |
Mississippi |
102.2 |
24 |
Houston Nutt - Coach of the Year??? |
| 18 |
Cincinnati |
101.8 |
20 |
Comfortable win over Syracuse team. |
| 19 |
West Virginia |
101.6 |
17 |
Flopped in Pittsburgh. |
| 20 |
Iowa |
101.5 |
21 |
Waiting for post-season invite. |
| 21 |
Arizona |
101.4 |
22 |
Pay Sun Devils a visit. |
| 22 |
Oregon State |
101.3 |
18 |
Couldn't keep up with Ducks. |
| 23 |
Boston College |
101.1 |
23 |
Hold serve at home over Maryland. |
| 23 |
Florida State |
101.1 |
19 |
Class difference on display against UF. |
| 25 |
Pittsburgh |
101.0 |
NR |
Two straight wins in the Backyard Brawl. |
| 26 |
Nebraska |
100.8 |
27 |
Beat Buffaloes in high scoring affair. |
| 27 |
Georgia Tech |
100.6 |
NR |
Beat Bulldogs in Athens. |
| 28 |
Kansas |
100.5 |
30 |
Nice way to end season. |
| 29 |
Ball State |
100.3 |
NR |
Now the MAC Championship. |
| 30 |
Brigham Young |
100.0 |
28 |
Waiting for an invitation. |
| 30 |
Michigan State |
100.0 |
28 |
Hoping to regroup in bowl season. |
| Dropped Out: South Carolina (24), LSU (26) | |
Chris David can be reached at cdavid@vegasinsider.com
