How to fade Texas, back Texas Tech and value to be found in C-USA - ESPN

The second week of the College Football Playoff Rankings dropped, and for the most part, it was business as usual. The top four — Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M and Alabama — all held their ground, which feels (mostly) right.

Nothing that happened over the weekend justified a shake-up, and that's fine. The teams at the top continue to play like it, separating themselves with stability and maturity more than flash.

If anything, this week was a reminder that chaos hasn't yet found the playoff picture. The real movement came just outside that group, where Texas Tech continues to climb. Up two spots to No. 6, the Red Raiders are finally starting to get some national recognition, but not enough in my eyes. I'll explain why.

All odds by ESPN BET

To make College Football Playoff:Yes +180 / No -240

Texas moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 — despite having a loss to a 3-6 Florida team — and it doesn't make much sense. The odds to make or miss the playoff haven't changed so instead of doubling down on a futures ticket that says Texas will miss, there's another way to fade the Longhorns.

Bet against them on the moneyline this week versus Georgia (-215), and if Georgia wins (as I expect), roll those winnings over on Texas A&M to beat Texas in the finale.

It's essentially a moneyline rollover parlay that mirrors the «Texas to miss the playoff» position, but with a better payout and the flexibility to stop after the first leg if needed. Texas has shown flashes of potential, but their inconsistency, two losses and tough closing stretch point to one outcome: being outside the playoff picture. My preseason stance does not change.

Odds to make College Football Playoff: Yes -900 / No +550 | Odds to win Big 12: -300

Up two spots to No. 6, the