When I worked for ESPN full time, I put out a weekly article entitled the Vegas Power Ratings. I still have all the sources that I used to produce that article as it featured my plus/minus ratings which closely resemble Vegas’s numbers as well as three different casinos including the fine folks over at the Westgate Las Vegas Sportsbook @SuperBookSports.

This is not the AP poll but gives you an idea of how much teams would be favored over another team if they met on a neutral field. I use these to get an idea of lines on upcoming games. Keep in mind just because a team beat someone last week does not mean they would be favored over them in the Vegas ratings. AP voters must vote that way, but Vegas does not. I will update these each week during the year as always.

In 2024 all the controversy is about Florida State being left out of the playoffs but if Vegas was picking the final four team’s they would have left them out as well. Florida State was #15 in the Vegas Power ratings prior to the bowl games! All season long I said Vegas does not care about record or who beat who it just establishes who it thinks is the stronger team and who would be favored against whom.

Last year Oregon and Georgia were #1 and #2 in the Playoff rankings and in the AP Poll heading into the playoffs. Vegas had Ohio State and Texas as the top two teams and Texas lost to Ohio St in the Buckeyes closest Playoff win while Oregon and Georgia both lost in their first playoff game. Yes, Vegas had Ohio State rated higher than Oregon even though the Buckeyes had lost to Oregon in the regular season and Oregon was the undefeated Big Ten champ!

There have been some upsets and ranked teams beating ranked teams. Vegas does not overreact. If you look at the rankings Alabama is #19 in the AP poll but in Vegas they are currently #4!. AP Voters must rank Florida St over Bama as they beat them straight up but if the two were to face each other again this week Bama would be favored. Texas lost at now #1 Ohio St on the road but would still be favored over any other team and Texas is #2. These rankings differ from the AP but show you who would be favored in upcoming matchups.

Last week the Schedule Predictor went 4-0 on its Best Bets and we are updating it daily on Phil Steele Plus. If you are not yet a Phil Steele Plus member it is just $99 to join or you get the entire year free with a subscription to either College or NFL Inside the Pressbox Subscriptions.  CLICK HERE to get Phil Steele Plus.

Here is the week three edition of the 2025 Vegas Power Ratings!