Betting: 2021 NCAAF Season Preview
Pam Maldonado previews betting odds for the 2021 NCAAF season, including best bets for the National Championship.
Video Transcript
PAMELA MALDONADO: Hey, everyone. Pamela Maldonado, with Yahoo Sportsbook to give you a look into the College Football National Championship odds. Since 2011, Alabama has won five of the last 10 national titles. Clemson has two, Florida State, Ohio State, and Joe Burrow's LSU 2019 squad all have one.
Could Alabama win again? Absolutely. Did they lose a bunch of players, including Heisman, winning wide receiver DeVonta Smith? Yes. Did they lose their quarterback? Yes. Crimson Tide, however, is the number one recruiting team in all of college football. And you have Nick Saban as the head coach.
Alabama is plus 260 to win the National Championship this year. But if you're not thinking Nick Saban and company, then what is the next best team? Clemson is plus 500, Georgia is plus 650. Clemson does lose quarterback Trevor Lawrence but incomes quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who had two starts last year.
The Tigers do have a mega easy conference schedule, based on just one ACC team with the 2020 winning record. If it is not Alabama, Clemson could be the next best team. Georgia Bulldogs-- they are expected to be one of the best defenses in the country, and should have an improved offence with quarterback JT Daniels entering his second season behind center. But what do we get? Clemson versus Georgia in week one.
You're better off holding off on a Georgia features your ticket. Because although they do avoid facing Alabama in the regular season, Georgia could face Alabama in the title game, where they will almost certainly be underdogs. Getting two playoffs is one thing. But then you have to win in playoffs. In Georgia's road to win the National Title, we'll almost certainly give you better than 7 to 1 odds.
The Oklahoma Sooners at plus 600 also makes for an interesting option, with quarterback Spencer Rattler entering the season as the Heisman front runner. A true test will be at Kansas State, where the Sooners have lost back-to-back games as 23 and 27 point favorites. And we could see a toss-up game versus Iowa State at home.
The Sooners have had five trips to the college football playoffs, and they've also had five losses. If you do like the Sooners, save your money on the National Title features odds, and instead, look to either winning the Big 12, or to make the college football playoffs. You kind of think of it as betting on the PGA. If you like an outright, take them in the top 10, where you have a better shot of cashing that ticket.
For a minute, I was interested in LSU. But quarterback Myles Brennan broke his arm prepping for a fishing trip. So I'm no longer interested. And why not A&M? Because they do have a new quarterback, which I could overlook. However, they also have a new offensive line.
Key game for the Aggies is going to be facing Alabama at home October 9. Why not Ohio State? Because they have a new quarterback. And when I say a new quarterback, the options that they have right now behind center have a combined zero career passing attempts.
At plus 500, I would love to see quarterback Sam Howell, head coach Mack Brown, and North Carolina get their shot. What we do know about the Tar Heels is that they can score. What I need to see, though, is improvements on defence.
Last year, the Tar Heels ranked the bottom half in opponent yards per play and opponent points per play. Trust me, there will be plenty of opportunities to grab their features this season. If there was one feature to take, not named Alabama, then it would be Clemson at 4 and 1/2 to 1. You can find these national championship odds and more at the Yahoo Sportsbook.