The Arkansas Razorbacks took a historic fall from grace, dropping from No. 8 out of the nation rankings following Saturday’s 34-31 overtime loss to UL Monroe as 30-point favorites.It was the second-largest drop in AP Poll history, behind No. 5 Michigan’s loss to FCS Appalachian State in 2007. The upset to the Warhawks also forced oddsmakers to discount the Razorbacks’ odds to win the BCS title, moving Arkansas from +1,800 in Week 1 to +3,300 heading into Saturday’s date with Alabama.
Here are four other programs which have had their national title odds adjusted quite a bit through the first two weeks of the NCAAF season:
Alabama Crimson Tide - +600 to +225The defending national champs smoked Michigan in Week 1 and pitched a 35-0 shutout versus WKU last Saturday. The Tide open SEC play against the aforementioned Razorbacks, who may not have the services of QB Tyler Wilson after he took a shot to the head in the loss to UL Monroe. There is no line available for that Week 3 game yet.
“It’s fair to say that the opinion of Alabama, at even this early stage of the season, is that the BCS Championship looks like it’s theirs to lose,” Aron Black, of
bet365.com, told
Covers.
Wisconsin Badgers - +3,500 from +5,000A bad showing in Week 1 and an upset loss to Oregon State has taken Wisconsin out of the BCS picture. The Badgers offense is struggling with Heisman hopeful, RB Montee Ball, failing to find his form of last season. The Beavers bottled up Ball and limited him to only 61 yards on 15 attempts Saturday. The Badgers are on upset watch again, taking on a Utah State squad that has acquired a taste for shockers. Wisconsin is a 13.5-point home fave in Madison Saturday.
South Carolina Gamecocks - +8,000 from +4,000The Gamecocks are 2-0 to start the 2012 season, escaping Vanderbilt with a slim win in Week 1 and thumping East Carolina in Week 2. However, those victories aren’t enough to win over SEC bettors and the adjustments made to Alabama, LSU (+600 from +500), Georgia (+1,200 from +1,800) and Florida (+3,500 from +5,000) have tagged South Carolina the odd man out when it comes to BCS futures. Maybe this is the best time to buy Steve Spurrier’s crew? They take on UAB as 33.5-point home chalk Saturday.
Michigan Wolverines - +10,000 from +3,000The Wolverines went BCS or bust, scheduling a Week 1 matchup with Alabama. Unfortunately for Michigan fans, it was a big bust. Then, the Wolverines got caught with a Crimson Tide hangover and nearly soiled the bed with a slight win over Air Force in Week 2. Of course, UM is still in the running to win the Big Ten – especially with Ohio State banned and Wisconsin falling flat on its face. Michigan is a 45.5-point home favorite hosting newly-tabbed FBS UMass Saturday.
“Though they have one of the best individual talents in the game in Denard Robinson, they are looking much more a one-man team than many thought they would,” says Black. “Add to that the fact, they play in a pretty tough Big Ten.”