Southern Cal, which was denied a chance at the Bowl Champion Series title when the BCS computers went on tilt last year, has been installed as a solid 7/2 favorite to make amends this season by winning the FedEx Orange Bowl in Miami, Jan. 4, 2005.
Price makers at
The Greek Sportsbook are offering odds on more than three dozen teams, including 9/1 on defending BCS champion LSU, which claimed the title hardware with a 21-14 upset of Oklahoma in last January's Nokia Sugar Bowl.
While football long has been the most popular sport among the wagering public, the BCS future book - along with futures on the Super Bowl - is a rare opportunity for bettors to get significantly more than 10/11 odds on their money. For that reason alone (as well as the chance to hedge if your team makes it to the title game), many players, including the most sophisticated of gamblers, believe that the future book is worth a wager... or three.
Let's take a look at the major contenders:
Southern Cal: The co-national champions have the major components returning from last season's 12-1 team that outscored opponents by an average of 41-18 per game. Included on that list is quarterback Matt Leinart, a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate who threw 38 touchdowns against just nine interceptions last year. It looks like Leinart again will be throwing to wideout Mike Williams (95 receptions, 16 TDs), who is seeking reinstatement at USC after failing to qualify for the NFL draft. The top three rushers also return while the "Wild Bunch" defense is keyed by a pair of 1st team All-Pac 10 tackles in Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody. The Trojans face rugged Virginia Tech in the Black Coaches Association Classic in Landover, Maryland, Aug. 28, but the rest of the schedule is soft.
Georgia: Why should Georgia be ranked ahead of defending co-champion LSU? One word: schedule. The Bulldogs, who dropped a 17-10 decision to the Tigers in Baton Rouge last season, get to play them "between the hedges" this year. Beyond that, the Bulldogs return 15 starters from last season's 11-3 team, including quarterback David Greene and NFL caliber receivers Fred Gibson and Reggie Brown. Defensive end David Pollack, the SEC Player of the Year in 2003, anchors the stop troops. In addition to hosting LSU, Georgia also gets Tennessee at home and plays Florida on a neutral site.
Oklahoma: The Sooners return 17 starters from the team that ran off a dozen straight victories before dropping their final two games. One national magazine rates the Oklahoma offense No. 1 in the nation and the defense No. 2. The attack, which loses just one regular, is paced by Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jason White (40 TD, 10 int.), a deep receiving corps led by Mark Clayton (83 receptions, 15 TDs), and an experienced line. The defense again should be strong, particularly in the secondary.
LSU: The Bayou Bengals could have a better team and worse record than a year ago. One reason is that LSU won't surprise anyone, as the team did last season. Another is a schedule that forces LSU to make back-to-back visits to SEC rivals Georgia and Florida, as well as having to play at improving Auburn and feisty Arkansas. Of course, there's good news, too. The Tigers may have the game's best center in Ben Wilkerson, a superb running back in Justin Vincent and a sting defense headed by end Marcus Spears.
Miami: Once again the Hurricanes have lost a lot of talent to the NFL (six first round draft choices) and once again it shouldn't matter very much. In fact, Miami probably will be favored in every one of its games this year, including road tests at new ACC rivals NC State and Virginia and home dates versus Florida State and Virginia Tech. The attack force should click, especially if the 'Canes can develop some consistency at quarterback and the defense, despite losing seven regulars, won't yield points easily.
Florida State: The Seminoles lost three games last season, two of them to Miami, making the opening season trip to Coral Gables a key contest again. But that's not to say that FSU won't be up to the task. The offensive line returns intact, which should give quarterback Chris Rix the time to find receiver Craphonso Thorpe (51 receptions, 19.5 avg.) more often. Florida State must rebuild a defense that lost six of its front seven.
Texas: The Longhorns return 14 starters - seven each on offense and defense - from last season's 10-3 team but the Oct. 9 Red River Shootout with Oklahoma in Dallas could make it difficult for Texas to go all the way. The Longhorns are loaded on offense with RB Cedric Benson (1360 yards, 21 TDs, 5.3 avg.) leading the way. Vince Young, dubbed "the right-handed Michael Vick," can beat you with his arm or his legs from the quarterback position and the offensive line loses just one starter. The defense is sturdy but freshmen could start at two of the three wide receiver spots.
Michigan: The Wolverines have one of the best defensive back sevens in the nation but have major holes to fill on offense where quarterback John Navarre and running back Chris Perry have moved on to the NFL. The strength of the offense, which returns six starters, is the receiving corps led by wideouts Braylon Edwards (85 receptions, 14 TDs) and Jason Avant. The offensive line, which yielded nine sacks in a Rose Bowl loss to USC, must be rebuilt and Michigan also needs help along the defensive line. Having to play at Ohio State, at Purdue and at Notre Dame doesn't make things any easier.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes set a record by having 14 players selected in the seven-round NFL draft in April but despite those significant losses might challenge for national honors this season. The key will be an offense where the line must be rebuilt and a replacement found for departed QB Craig Krenzel. Sophomore Justin Zwick could inherit the signal-caller's role. The defense returns just four regulars but 22 lettermen return to fill the gaps for a typically stingy unit.
Florida: The Gators main challenge may be to overcome a schedule that has them on the road against Tennessee and Florida State and in Jacksonville to face Georgia. Only nine starters return but Chris Leak brings stability to quarterback and there are some experienced hands along the line. The top three receivers and leading rusher are gone. Defensively, linebacker Channing Crowder is a stud but Florida must replace all four starting deep backs.
Kansas State: The Wildcats return the fewest starters in the Big 12 but they still have running back Darren Sproles (1986 yards, 16 TDs, 6.5 ypc.), an offensive line that averages over 300 pounds per man and an influx of JUCO players to replenish the defense. The concern is at quarterback where versatile Eli Roberson must be replaced. Kansas State has only four road games but three of them, at Colorado, Missouri and Texas A&M, figure to be challenging.
Auburn: Expected to challenge for national honors last year, Auburn fizzled to an 8-5 record. Now, a year later, with 13 starters and 49 lettermen returning, the Tigers could be set to live up to those expectations. Best rusher Carnell Williams, leading QB Jason Campbell and five of the six top receivers return. The defense is strong in the secondary but must plug some holes in the front seven. The schedule, with SEC foes Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas, as usual, is difficult.
Virginia Tech: A stalwart in the Big East, the Gobblers may be only the fourth best team (behind FSU, Miami and Virginia) in their initial campaign in the ACC this year. Only 10 starters return to the 8-5 team that lost its last three games, including the Insight Bowl to Cal. The secondary has to be rebuilt and someone will have to step into the huge cleats of Kevin Jones (1647 yards, 21 TDs, 5.9 ypc.) at running back. The quarterback team of Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick needs to improve.
Tennessee: The Vols have seven home games this year but lose quarterback Casey Clausen as well as four of their top six tacklers on defense. Still, 53 lettermen return, enough for Coach Fullmer to fill most of the gaps.
Washington State: Having lost leading top passer, rusher, top four receivers and a total of 16 starters, co-Pac 10 Coach of the Year Bill Doba has some huge holes to fill if the Cougars are to approach last year's 10 victories, let alone challenge for a national crown. The defense returns just two regulars from a year ago.
Virginia: With 16 starters returning, the Cavaliers, who won eight games last season, could be the surprise team in the ACC this year. The offensive line returns intact and the defense boasts a superb corps of linebackers. The Cavs should be 5-0 when they visit Florida State, Oct. 16.
Here are prices to win the BCS title. Please check
The Greek Sportsbook web site for updated odds.
ODDS TO WIN THE 2005 BCS CHAMPIONSHIP
FedEx Orange Bowl, Jan. 4, 2005
