Sportsbooks have started releasing futures odds and we are going to go through some of the best value picks and odds we love for this upcoming season. Today we are going to focus on conference champions and who are the best values this season. Just because a team is the betting favorite does not mean they should be the actual favorite to win the conference. All odds are from FanDuel. Disclosure: These are not recommendations, these are just my personal opinion on the best odds. Spend your money wisely.
ACC: Clemson +190 – Florida State is the current betting favorite but it is hard to pick against Dabo Swinney and Clemson. The Tigers are once again an incredibly talented team and have the experience winning the ACC Championship. Cade Klubnik is viewed as an upgrade at quarterback. Will Shipley is arguably one the most talented playmaker in the entire conference. Swinney also made a change at offensive coordinator hiring Broyles Award winner Garrett Riley from TCU. Clemson’s passing attack struggled throughout the season passing for less than 225 yards in eight different games and only above 300 yards once (the only game Klubnik started). Max Duggan at TCU threw for over 300 yards on five different occasions last year. Clemson’s offense should vastly improve giving them a great shot at winning the ACC once again.
Big Ten: Penn State +500 – Penn State’s window to get over the hump is the next two seasons. James Franklin has arguably his most talented roster since he took over in State College. Drew Allar is a quarterback who can lead Penn State to a Big Ten championship. The Nittany Lions have numerous offensive playmakers such as Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The duo of Singleton and Allen are the most underrated running back duo in the entire country. Allen and Singleton combined for over 2,200 total yards and 24 touchdowns. The defense will also be one of the best in the country once again. Kalen King has Thorpe Award potential and Abdul Carter is the best linebacker you have yet to hear about. Penn State could also realistically go 11-1 and be awarded the Big Ten Championship appearance. +500 is just too juicy to pass up.
Big 12: Kansas State +450 – Do people remember Kansas State won the Big 12 last season? The Wildcats discovered they had a stud at quarterback with Will Howard after Adrian Martinez went down with an injury. The biggest question for Kansas State is replacing Deuce Vaughn. Vaughn was an All-American running back and was the focal point of the offense. The Wildcats brought in Treshaun Ward from Florida State who averaged 6.6 yards per carry last season. Ward has displayed his versatility compiling 28 receptions as a Seminole and should help fill the void Vaughn left. The defense will need to find someone to replace Felix Anudike-Uzomah who won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Khalid Duke is an early candidate to take his role as he moves from linebacker to edge. Kansas State avoids playing Oklahoma and has an overall favorable schedule. The Wildcats could realistically lose two games and still have a chance at the Big 12 Championship.
Pac-12: Washington +430 – Michael Penix is being hyped up as a possible Heisman contender and a first round pick but somehow Washington is continuing to fly under the radar. Washington quietly went 11-2 with wins over Texas, Oregon and Oregon State. Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillian return for Washington after each finished with over 1,000 yards and combined for 17 touchdowns. The offense will continue to put up points but questions remain on defense. The Washington secondary allowed 26 passing touchdowns and 7.8 yards per attempt. The defense only recorded seven interceptions across the entire season. The Pac-12 has a strong core of quarterbacks so the secondary will need to improve. Washington’s offense should give them enough firepower to have a legitimate shot at winning the Pac-12.
SEC: LSU +600 – Georgia is the obvious pick but they are +105. Alabama is replacing playmakers on both sides of the ball with serious question marks at quarterback. People love to hate on Brian Kelly but he helped Notre Dame reach heights none of his predecessors could accomplish. LSU won the SEC West last season and should have an excellent chance to repeat. Jayden Daniels is viewed as a potential favorite for the Heisman Trophy but the best player on the team is on defense. Harold Perkins is nearly a lock to be an All-American after a breakout freshman campaign. The biggest question for LSU is can they beat Georgia? The Bulldogs reload once again but LSU should be some of their toughest competition.
The Walk-On Redshirts 