The most anticipated college football matchups are when we get to witness the best go up against the best. It's the games that could feature Heisman Trophy and national championship favorites and where the passion of the fans is on overdrive.
Two top-10 teams meeting happens about 10 times a year in the regular season as the decorated groups clutch onto a promising overall record. In certain cases, the contest could be scheduled before an eventual conference championship rematch. However, in the most exhilarating weeks, stakes are crucial with one team potentially being knocked out of contention.
Below we break down all you need to know before betting on college football top-10 ranked matchups.
2023 Regular Season Top-10 CFB Team Matchups
| When | Home Team | Away Team |
|---|---|---|
| September 24, 7:30 PM ET | Notre Dame Fighting Irish (No. 9) | Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 6) |
| October 15, 7:30 PM ET | Notre Dame Fighting Irish (No. 9) | USC Trojans (No. 5) |
| October 21, TBD | Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 6) | Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 7) |
| November 4, TBD | USC Trojans (No. 5) | Washington Huskies (No. 8) |
| November 11, TBD | Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 7) | Michigan Wolverines (No. 2) |
| November 25, 12:00 P.M. ET | Michigan Wolverines (No. 2) | Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 6) |
The 12th man is alive and well
Boy, do the home teams have a massive advantage against fellow top 10-ranked opponents. Just last season, the home teams went 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS when hosting. The single upset in 2022 came in "The Game" when No. 2 Ohio State was defeated by No. 3 Michigan 45-23 at Ohio Stadium.
The home team's crowd continues to rock the stadium, proving that betting on the home team is a profitable choice and even long-term data proves it.
Over the last six seasons, the home team has gone 25-14 SU when going head-to-head with another top-10 ranked squad. That is a promising winning percentage of 64.1% to take into account when placing your wager. To make you feel even more confident about your bets this season, the home team is 24-15 ATS and 22-17 for O/U bets.
upsets in 2023
Two ranked meetings saw massive upsets so far this season. Week 1's Florida State and LSU rematch had the Seminoles take over the second half, winning 45-24. Florida State cashed the +125 ML, covered the +2.0 spread and the OVER was cashed.
Recently, the Texas Longhorns (+231) stunned the Alabama Crimson Tide, 34-24. It was the first time in over a century that Texas won in Tuscaloosa.
Texas vs. Alabama
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) September 13, 2023
The Mini-Movie 🎬🤘 pic.twitter.com/yq7pVn2Far
Endless endzone action in 2022
There were some pretty hefty point totals in the top 10 ranked meetings last season, five of the nine had totals set at 56.5 points or more. So far in 2023, the OVER is a fair 1-1.
Top 10-Ranked rematches In 2023
Only two of the games will be rematches from last year and where underdog notably upset the favorites in one of them. Let's reminisce, shall we?
Alabama vs LSU
Alabama at LSU: LSU Wins 32-31 OT, Profit +$400.00 for $100 bet on LSU ML
It took about 19 years of CFB coaching, but Brian Kelly finally earned his first win against Alabama. After a scoreless first quarter, the two stayed neck-and-neck as the clock winded down. It was QB Jayden Daniel's 25-yard rush that led to a tied OT. Kelly's quick decision of a two-point conversion paid off as Daniels found Mason Taylor in the endzone to take the one-point victory.
"I knew I had to make a play."
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 6, 2022
LSU QB Jayden Daniels came up BIG in OT to beat No. 6 Alabama 👏 pic.twitter.com/ROYzuFLSuE
LSU covered the double-digit +13.5 underdog spread and seriously cashed in the generous +400 moneyline.
These two meet again as the Tide host the Tigers in Week 9. LSU returns last season's hero in Daniels while Alabama is working on replacing coveted signal-caller Bryce Young, the first-overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Michigan vs ohio state
Michigan at Ohio State: Michigan wins 45-23, Profit +$385.00 for $100 bet on Michigan ML
This well-known rivalry returns to wrap up Week 13. A fourth-quarter clinic, that saw the Wolverines post 21-points, gave Michigan back-to-back wins in The Game over the last two seasons. RB Donovan Edwards pocketed two touchdowns totalling 216 yards to secure the victory.
Donovan Edwards ended the season (Ohio State, Purdue & TCU) playing with a cast on his broken dominant hand & a torn patellar tendon in his knee.
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) July 3, 2023
He had a choice to sit out, but he decided he had to play because they already had no Blake Corum, a Heisman Candidate.
Safe to say… pic.twitter.com/X9fLPZHisN
This year, Michigan gets to welcome its forever-foes at "The Big House" and with the total going over 80 points in the last two meetings, expect them to be favored with a giant point-total.
Top-10 Listed CFB Team Betting Results & Advice
Certain teams do thrive better under pressure than others. No. 3-ranked Ohio State has the most relilable record (18-8) when facing a fellow top-10 team. However, since that's predictable and the Buckeyes are typically pinned as the favorite, taking them to win outright doesn't rake in the most jaw-dropping profit (+$99.29).
But beware, stay far away from wagering on Ohio State ATS as you'd be down a brutal $875. I mean, can you blame them? In the Bucks first top-10 matchup last season, they were pegged 17 point favorites against Notre Dame. Did they win? Yes, 21-10. But, expecting a blowout can be far-fetched sometimes.
The SEC's LSU Tigers (15-10) are hands down the most profitable, carrying a hefty $1,687 money bag over their shoulders. They carry the second-best overall record and Ohio State (9-3) follows to round out the top three most successful high-ranked CFB teams against top-10 schools.
Roll with No. 2 Michigan when it comes to lighting up the scoreboard. Over the last eight seasons, the Wolverines have clawed through the OVER in 78.9% of their matchups, stocking up nearly $1,000 in profit.
| Team | SU | OVER/UNDER | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson Tigers | 12-7 (+$268.82) | 9-10 (-$177.48) | 13-6 (+$582.59) |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | 18-8 (+$99.29) | 14-12 (+$64.84) | 9-17 (-$875.83) |
| Florida State Seminoles | 5-12 (-$395.58) | 11-6 (+$284.20) | 9-8 (-$71.21) |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | 17-7 (+$41.08) | 11-12-1 (-$90.42) | 12-11-1 (+$173.77) |
| LSU Tigers | 15-10 (+$1,787.47) | 15-9-1 (+$363.54) | 16-8-1 (+$751.31) |
| Michigan Wolverines | 5-14 (-$750.91) | 15-4 (+$967.84) | 7-12 (-$565.03) |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | 3-13 (-$420.00) | 9-6-1 (+$206.66) | 9-7 (+$127.66) |
| Washington Huskies | 4-6 (-$0.88) | 3-7 (-$428.89) | 5-5 (-$49.40) |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 16-7 (+$315.98) | 10-13 (-$357.48) | 14-8-1 (+$452.65) |
| USC Trojans | 3-8 (-$318.64) | 4-6-1 (-$237.98) | 4-7 (-$333.81) |
For more information on placing your college football bets, check out our How To Bet On College Football guide for all you need to know before you start stacking your profits all season long.
