OKLAHOMA IS THE TEAM TO BEAT IN FUTURE BOOK COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING

There's still some concern that a labor dispute will delay or even derail the 2011 NFL season but, thankfully, college football betting fans have no such worries about the upcoming NCAA gridiron campaign. In fact, future book odds on teams winning the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title are up and already taking action at most sportsbooks.

 

Oklahoma, a 7/2 favorite in most future books, appears the team to beat. The Sooners boast a slew of talent from last year's 12-2 team, including quarterback Landry Jones and wide receiver Ryan Broyles among 14 returning starters. What's more, the schedule isn't as daunting, with Texas in a bit of a rebuilding process and Nebraska having fled to the Big Ten. Road trips to Florida State and Oklahoma State are challenging but Oklahoma may be equal to the task.

 

Alabama, the 2009 BCS titleholder, is the second choice in most future books at odds of 7/1. The Crimson Tide lost three first round draft choices to the NFL but 14 starters return to Tuscaloosa and the schedule sets up nicely too with Bama not having to face Georgia or South Carolina and getting stalwarts LSU and Arkansas at home. Quality quarterback play and a trip to Florida are the key tests.

 

After Oklahoma and Alabama, a bevy of teams, including Florida State, Boise State, Florida, LSU and Oregon are poised to make a run a national title. FSU is a solid 10/1 shot, extremely high for an ACC team, even one that returns 17 starters from a 9-3 team. The Seminoles will be tested during a two-week stretch in late September by a visit from Oklahoma and a trip to Clemson, where they haven't won since 2001. Oh yes, and they end the year at Florida.

 

For the third straight season, Boise State, 12/1, opens the year on the road against a quality opponent (Georgia). Beat Georgia, just as BSU did to Virginia Tech (2010) and Oregon (2009) and the Broncos are in the national title hunt. By the way, 14 starters return from last season's 12-1 team, including record-setting quarterback Kellen Moore.

 

Both Florida, 14/1, and LSU, 15/1, have the same problem; not only do the teams play each other but they also face Alabama, as well. Can any of the three go 2-0 or will everyone be 1-1? Will Muschamp takes over for Urban Meyer in Gainesville with a very young team, particularly on defense where nine underclassmen are expected to start. Given that, the Gators might be a better pick next year. LSU is more experienced than Florida and is coming off a year in which it beat the Gators in Gainesville, knocked off Alabama and crushed Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl. There's reason for optimism.

 

After narrowly losing the title game to Auburn, Oregon, 16/1, has the potential to get back to the championship game this season. Start with running back LaMichael James, the nation's leading rusher (1,731 yards) off last year's 12-1 team and a top Heisman Trophy candidate. The defense will rebuild around All-America cornerback Cliff Harris. The Ducks' opener versus LSU in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 3, should tell us a lot.

 

College football betting fans who like a bit more price in their future book selection process might opt for Nebraska, Stanford, Notre Dame or Oklahoma State. The Cornhuskers, 20/1, move into the Big Ten this year where a new no-huddle offense will try to take full advantage of the talents of quarterback Taylor Martinez.

 

Stanford, 25/1, is led by quarterback Andrew Luck, the probable first round draft choice in next year's NFL lottery. New Head Coach David Shaw was offensive coordinator for the departed Jim Harbaugh so the innovative offense should continue to hum. Circle Nov. 12, when Oregon visits Palo Alto.

 

Sixteen returning starters from an 8-5 team that beat Miami in the Sun Bowl have some thinking that Notre Dame is a nice future book play at odds of 33/1. The Irish should be better but probably not that much.

 

Most of the firepower from an offense that averaged 520 yards and 44.2 points per game is back, making Oklahoma State, 33/1, and dangerous opponent and intriguing future book play. The Cowboys do have some rough road games at Texas, Missouri, Texas A&M and Texas Tech but if it gets that far, the final game of the year, against rival Oklahoma, is in Stillwater.

 

The NFL season may be in some doubt but college football betting already has kicked off.

 

 

 

 

This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com