SportsCrack Blog

Monday, November 16, 2015

Bovada's Latest National Championship Odds



Bovada.com has released their latest team odds to win the National Championship.  Give this a read before betting your life savings aka two week pay check.

1) Alabama - 12/5 - Last year at this same time Bama was the overwhelming favorite to win it all.  We all know what happened.  Can you really see Jacob Coker leading them to a Natty?

2) Ohio State - 11/4 - Led by the best coach in the nation the Buckeyes are just starting to hit their stride.  Granted they haven't played anybody of significance yet.  Michigan State and Michigan should challenge them the next two weeks and then Iowa awaits in the Big Ten Championship.

3) Clemson - 15/4 - Clemson is 10-0 for the first time since 1981.  Yes the last and only time they won a Natty.  North Carolina is the only legitimate hurdle left for the playoffs.

4) Notre Dame - 9/1 - We all know what happened the last time ND played for a Natty.  It wasn't pretty.  If they can beat Boston College and Stanford they will be in the playoffs.

5) Oklahoma - 12/1 - One of the hottest teams in the nation.  I could see the Sooners sneaking into the playoffs.  This might be one of the best long shots to take here especially with a scorching hot QB in Baker Mayfield leading the charge.

6) Oklahoma State - 12/1 - No chance.  They will probably lose to both Baylor and Oklahoma.  Cute story but it would be foolish to throw any money on them.

7) Florida - 14/1 - FSU and/or Bama in the SEC Championship will beat the Gators.  They have a great defense but their offense is not going to win them any of those games.

8) Iowa - 22/1 - The Hawkeyes should be undefeated going into the Big Ten Championship game.  A small bet here could pay off huge if they go on a similar 2014 Buckeyes run

9) TCU - 25/1 - No chance without Trevon Boykin and Josh Doctson this week vs Oklahoma.  Barely beat Kansas last week.

10) Michigan State - 45/1 - They need a monumental upset of the Buckeyes to even have a chance of reaching the Big Ten title game.  Could it happen?  Sure.  Doubtful though and I wouldn't bet on it.

11) Baylor - 50/1 -  The Bears were eliminated last week when they lost to Oklahoma.  Too many wacky things need to happen for them to even reach the playoffs.  Then again this has been one of the craziest seasons so far.

12) North Carolina - 66/1 - This is the long shot everybody should at least lay down a case of beer money on.  Since losing to South Carolina to open the season UNC has won 9 straight, all in impressive fashion.  They continue to get better and they have an X factor at QB in Marquise Williams.  If they win their next 3 vs Virginia Tech, NC State and Clemson they should squeeze into the playoffs.

SportsCrack's Top 10 for Week 11



Please tell me you got the chance to sit on your ass for at least 12 hours on Saturday and watch the madness that is college football unfold.  It was glorious and with three weeks left in the regular season it's going to be an all out battle to secure a playoff spot.

Right now the seeding appears to be as followed. 
Playoff spots:
1. Clemson if they win out.
2. Alabama if they finish 12-1.
3. Ohio State if they win out.
4. Notre Dame if they finish 11-1.
5. Big 12 Champ left out unless Oklahoma State finishes undefeated.

With Stanford and Utah both losing the PAC 12 conference is officially eliminated from the playoffs.

1. Clemson
Clemson didn't play exceptionally well at Syracuse but at this point it doesn't matter.  They just need to win and they should get the #1 seed in the playoffs.  Winning out is hardly a guarantee with a scorching hot North Carolina team waiting for them in the ACC Championship.
2. Alabama
Bama is hitting their peak.  The defense especially the front 7 looks nasty as they completely destroyed Miss State on the road.
3. Ohio State
Did you know the Buckeyes haven't played a single game vs a top 25 team all season?  Insane.  This week they face their first in Michigan State.  I expect the Buckeyes to win rather easily vs an overrated Sparty team.
4. Notre Dame
It wasn't pretty on Senior Day for the Fighting Irish as ND "struggled" to win by 3 touchdowns vs a lousy Wake Forest team.  This week they travel to Fenway Park to take on Boston College.  They should cruise until the big game at Stanford.
5. Iowa
Like Ohio State the Hawkeyes are benefitting from a dog shit schedule.  Granted they beat Northwestern and Wisconsin who on paper are top 25 teams but it's not like those programs are world beaters.  
6. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys so far have to be the luckiest team in the country.  They came back 17 down vs an awful Iowa State team to win and stay undefeated.  Their out of conference schedule is holding them back from a top 4 stop at this spot.  They get Baylor and Oklahoma the next two weeks.  I see defeats in both as the law of averages catches up.
7. Oklahoma
The Sooners are playing great ball after going into Baylor and winning with an impressive performance from QB Baker Mayfield who may have vaunted himself into the Heisman discussion.  If the Sooners can beat TCU and Oklahoma State they are one upset (Clemson or ND losing) from cracking the top 4 of the playoffs.
8. Florida
The Gators are absolutely brutal to watch.  Just a boring fucking team but you know what isn't boring?  SEC East champs.  If they win out they are in the playoffs.
9. Baylor
The Bears played their asses off but just didn't have enough vs a loaded Oklahoma squad.  Baylor is basically eliminated unless about 5-6 things happen.
10. UNC
I don't think there is a hotter team in the country.  The Tarheels are putting up 50 plus points on the scoreboard with ease and will get their shot at Clemson in the ACC Championship.  Could UNC squeeze into the playoffs with a victory?  It's possible but they would still need ND to lose, the Big Ten and Big 12 to cancel each other out also.