My Top 10 Teams, Plus Week 10 ATS Leans

Rating teams each week and making adjustments to their power ratings isn't anything like you see in media polls. In my weekly column identifying the nation's Top 10 teams, I'll explain why I made an adjustment as well as break down significant upcoming games for each team.

1. Alabama (99, LW 99): The Crimson Tide are coming off their bye. While I expect them to find a way into the College Football Playoff with either a win or loss this Saturday, a road victory at LSU could ultimately be the game that solidifies their place as one of the greatest teams of all-time (assuming they wind up running the table). The 7.5-point line is about right for Week 10, and I anticipate LSU will be a popular home underdog this week. But this Alabama team is scary good on both sides of the ball, which isn't something we are accustomed to (and they win championships anyway).

2. Ohio State (94, LW 93): The Buckeyes get a bump up in my personal power rating despite their narrow home victory over Northwestern. I took the +27.5 in Week 9 and bet against the Buckeyes since my number was 20.5 for the game. I understood some of the inflation coming off of the loss to Penn State, but it got out of hand. Respecting the market close is still the most crucial part in making numbers each week, and in this case it added an extra point Ohio State's power rating. The Buckeyes are currently laying 17 at home in Week 10 and my personal number for the game is 16.5, so I won't be getting involved.

3. Louisville (94, LW 93): Similarly to Ohio State, the Cardinals got a bump in my numbers despite winning a close game late in which they were heavily favored. I was shocked to see them favored by as many as 33.5 points at Virginia, and since my number was over a touchdown lower I made an adjustment to my ‘Ville rating (and downgraded UVA's as well). In Week 10, Lamar Jackson and company face a Boston College team coming off a nice upset win at NC State. I expect the number to creep up as most Cardinals' games have, so if you like the favorite I'd recommend betting it early.

4. Clemson (92, LW 91): After their win at Florida State, the Tigers have just about cemented their place in the College Football Playoff. They are expected to be massive favorites in their remaining four regular-season games, and even when they face Virginia Tech or North Carolina in the ACC title game I would make Clemson over a touchdown favorite in either matchup. The 27-point line this Saturday is actually a couple points short, but I understand why with a potential letdown spot here for Clemson and Syracuse coming off its bye.

5. Michigan (92, LW 91): This is another situation like Ohio State and Louisville where I adjusted upward despite Michigan failing to cover a big number. This game wound up closing a touchdown higher than my number, so I bumped the Wolverines' power rating and also downgraded my Michigan State number. In Week 10, Jim Harbaugh gets Maryland at home and is laying 31.5 points. My number came in at 29.5, so there isn't a ton of value backing the Terps, but if I had to make a play it would be Maryland getting the hook on 31 with starting quarterback Perry Hills looking healthy as well.

6. Washington (90.5, LW 90.5): The Huskies found a way to get the big win in Salt Lake City over the pesky Utes. Games against Cal, USC, Arizona State, Washington State and then the Pac-12 title game stand between the Huskies and the College Football Playoff. Most people figured the Utah game would be their biggest remaining test, but I still think it will be against USC. Either way, I'm rooting for the Huskies to finish undefeated and get a Pac-12 team in the playoff. The line at 16 in Week 10 lines up perfectly with mine, so I'm passing.

7. LSU (89, LW 89): As if the matchup with Alabama didn't have enough intrigue as is, each side getting two weeks to prepare should make for a fantastic battle in Xs and Os. Like I mentioned, the 7.5-point spread is close to my number so I won't be making a play. Upset or not, the Tigers should be offering Ed Orgeron a permanent gig as their head coach. He's getting this team to play to their talent level, something Les Miles was unable to do in recent years.

8. Oklahoma (88.5, LW 88.5): The Sooners benefitted from Baylor and West Virginia losses and are now the absolute frontrunners to win the Big 12. They should take care of businessSaturday at Iowa State, but the 21-point spread is a few points too high. I have some interest in backing the Cyclones at this number, but with the opener at 19.5 spiking here early in the week, I'm in no rush to play the +21 in case it keeps climbing.

9. Florida State (86.5, LW 86.5): I didn't make a change to the Seminoles' power rating. They had opportunities to pull the home upset over Clemson and fell just short, but this team is still one of the nation's 10 best. The letdown spot at NC State is pretty evident. We took the +7.5 on Sunday evening, and while I don't expect the number to reach there again, I would recommend a play on anything at 7 or better if it does.

10. Texas A&M (86, LW 86): The Aggies beatdown of New Mexico State following their loss to Alabama was expected. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more of the same in Week 10 when they travel to Mississippi State, despite the inflated number.