Tide Opens at Number One in College Football Wagering
Alabama was the favorite at the online odds makers to win the BCS National Championship with an starting price of +350 and was also ranked number 1 in the USA Today preseason top 25 poll. Alabama will have a gifted but if they're to win that 2nd sequential championship, they need to get their significantly inexperienced defense up to speed.
The Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked 2nd in the USA today poll, fresh off a Rose Bowl win and 15 starters coming back directed by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Pryor, the current starting quarterback for the Buckeyes, is a hugely gifted athlete who may find himself an quite sought-after recruit if he enters the NFL Draft.
Alabama's top Southeastern Conference rival Florida was ranked 3rd. Much like Alabama, the Gators will be reloading, especially on offense, as 3-year starting quarterback Tim Tebow has moved on to the NFL to headline sizeable graduation losses on offense. The Gators are currently being coached by Urban Meyer, who has been head coach since the 2005 year. Meyer took a short leave of absence for health reasons but is back and coming back to his coaching duties for the 2010 year. Tim Tebow is being replaced at starting quarterback by John Brantley. Brantley doesn't have the star power that Tebow has, but he's a reliable quarterback who will be given the opportunity to succeed €" or fail €" this coming year.
Texas is another squad that will be seeking to reload as Colt McCoy has also moved on to the NFL after starting 4 years as the Longhorns quarterback which highlights an inexperienced offense. In the USA Today poll, Texas was ranked 4th.
The Boise State Broncos ranked 5th in the preseason poll as a legitimate BCS contender from the non-BCS Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos will no longer have the element of surprise, however, which might harm their total board value with the NCAA odds.
Boise State's starting game in Washington, DC versus the Virginia Tech Hokies will decide their year as far as the BCS competition goes.
Rounding out the USA Today top 10 in order was 6-Virginia Tech, 7-Texas Christian University, 8-Oklahoma, 9-Nebraska, and 10-Iowa.
As they have a more skilled squad and quarterback along with a more favorable schedule than Texas, Oklahoma might be a reliable value with the NCAA football lines.
Nebraska will be performing their final year in the Big 12 before moving on to the Big Ten next season and is supposed to win the North Division, which will set them in the conference championship competition.
Another non-BCS squad with an outstanding shot at the BCS championship game is TCU of the Mountain West Conference.
Iowa is yet another potentially strong NCAA football gambling value as they have a favorable schedule and a roster loaded with experience.