[h=1]Best early college football title bets[/h]Phil SteeleESPN Staff Writer
ESPN INSIDER
As the Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1 odds) look to defend their title, the betting field is wide-open for the team to win the College Football Playoff this season.
I will give you four value picks below that have favorable odds to win the 2017 title, all of which have odds worse than 10-1.
<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
[h=3]Florida State Seminoles (12-1)[/h]The Seminoles were the least experienced team (No. 128) in the FBS last year, but this year have 17 returning starters. They also have my third-ranked offensive line and ninth-rated defensive line. While the schedule is not easy, they should be favored in all 12 games and get the key game against Clemson at home on Oct. 29. Jimbo Fisher already has won a national title and has a deep team this season. The Seminoles have a legit chance again.
[h=3]LSU Tigers (15-1)[/h]Last year the Tigers rode Leonard Fournette to a 7-0 record and a No. 4 ranking in the polls, but lost three of their last five games. This year they have 17 returning starters, including Fournette and two NFL-caliber receivers inTravin Dural and Malachi Dupre. They bring in defensive coordinator Dave Aranda from Wisconsin. The past three years at Wisconsin, Aranda's defenses allowed just 289 yards per game, the best mark in the FBS, and he has much more talent to work with here. The Tigers get the key game versus Alabama at home and that could determine the SEC West, SEC title and a berth in the playoff.
[h=3]Iowa Hawkeyes (100-1)[/h]I looked at all the 100-1 teams and Iowa is the best choice of the bunch. The Hawkeyes weren't a dominant team last year but they went 12-0 and led Michigan State late in the Big Ten title game; essentially, they were one play from the playoff. This year they get all the tough opponents at home with their conference road games against teams that went a combined 10-30 in Big Ten play last year. They also have eight starters back on defense, including Jim Thorpe Award winner Desmond King. C.J. Beathard is a good signal-caller and currently my No. 5-rated quarterback for next year's NFL draft.
They could be favored in all 12 games and are 100-1? I'll take a shot with the Hawkeyes.
[h=3]TCU Horned Frogs (50-1)[/h]The Frogs have won 23 games the past two years but have been picked as low as sixth in the Big 12 this year. Just two years ago, the Frogs were my most improved team, on my surprise team list and were No. 4 a week prior to the playoff, but just missed out. Gary Patterson knows how to construct a solid defense and they have eight starters back on that side of the ball. While they lose their quarterback, top running back and two wide receivers, I like the replacements. They get Oklahoma at home and could find themselves favored in every other game.
TCU is worth a shot at 50-1, especially with Oklahoma not even finishing in the top 15 the past three times they were in the preseason top five.
ESPN INSIDER
As the Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1 odds) look to defend their title, the betting field is wide-open for the team to win the College Football Playoff this season.
I will give you four value picks below that have favorable odds to win the 2017 title, all of which have odds worse than 10-1.
<offer style="box-sizing: border-box;"></offer>
They could be favored in all 12 games and are 100-1? I'll take a shot with the Hawkeyes.
TCU is worth a shot at 50-1, especially with Oklahoma not even finishing in the top 15 the past three times they were in the preseason top five.
power
