The
following is a look at a couple of pressing issues in this week’s news and
notes that could have a major impact on futures odds. Even though it is the off season spring games are underway and coaching changes are ever present.
Many of the
top Division I football programs in the country are in the process of wrapping up
their spring workouts with their annual intra-squad games, which provide the
first real glimpse of what to expect come this fall. Along with these 
events come some additional
insight that can either add or subtract value from any current college football
odds a team may have to win next season’s BCS title.
Urban myths
There is a
buzz coming out of Columbus this week as the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare to
play their first spring game with new head coach Urban Meyer at the helm. After
a season filled with turmoil and disappointment, Meyer brings a true sense of
optimism that he can return this program to its former place of glory among the
top schools in the nation.
Given that
the Buckeyes are not even eligible to compete for a national title this season
in light of current sanctions against the school, Meyer’s biggest impact on the
2012 season will be how much of a spoiler can his Buckeyes be for the rest of
the Big Ten. He has a few legitimate playmakers on offense in running back
Jordan Hall and tight end Jake Stoneburner that could fit nicely with the new
scheme he brings to this unit. College football betting shops have listed Michigan (25/1) Nebraska (35/1), and Wisconsin (40/1) as three most likely teams from this conference to win a national championship. If Urban Meyer can get the rest of his players to quickly come together, Ohio State could end up being a major roadblaock to any of those teams' bids to win a national championship.
The Tide continues to roll
Alabama made
headlines this week for an accident that left its 2012 BCS national title
Coaches’ Trophy in pieces after the $30,000 piece of crystal fell from a podium
and smashed to the ground while on display. This incident followed the Crimson
Tide’s annual A-Day scrimmage which helped shed some light on their chances to
replace that trophy with a new one in early 2013.
One of the
biggest storylines from that game was the performance of running back T.J.
Sheldon, who hopes to follow in the footsteps of Trent Richardson as the next
great back to come out of Tuscaloosa. He tallied 88 yards on the ground and
added another 91 yards through the air to help lead the White team to a 24-15
victory over the Crimson. Alabama is currently the third-favorite college football pick at 11/2 to
successfully defend its title with back-to-back championships.
A couple of Fighting Irish jump ship
Whether it
is steeped in the betting publics’ hype or in sound, factual evidence, the
Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been opened at 25/1 to win the national title
next season. While these odds may paint them as a moderate longshot, there are
only eight schools with lower odds. The one thing we now know for sure is that
if Brian Kelly’s bunch is going to make a legitimate run at a title, he will
have to get there with a few less players on his roster.
First it was quarterback Dane Crist and linebacker
Anthony McDonald who decided to finish their college careers with Kansas to be
reunited with former Irish head coach Charlie Weiss. More recently, tight end
Mike Ragone decided to use a sixth year of eligibility to make the switch to
the Jayhawks as well. The most devastating loss was defensive end Aaron Lynch,
who just completed transfer papers to try and join the South Florida Bulls in
order to be closer to home. Lynch was considered to be a top-10 talent when he
came out of high school in Ft. Meyers and started six games for Notre Dame last
season.