Among the many props out these days for next year’s college football action there are a few that seem to stand out by the attention they are not getting. Even though the start of the 2013-2014 season is still over 6 weeks away, handicappers and wiseguys are making their preferences known on the betting market.
Traditionally, the Florida Gators are one of the strongest teams in the SEC….. which is to say, in the nation. However, Vegas oddsmakers posted their season win totals at 9 giving the over at +105 and the wise players just don’t seem to think that Muschamp’s squad is up to the task this year with tough road games against LSU, Miami, Georgia and South Carolina on the agenda.
The Gators are currently listed at +800 to win the Southeastern Conference where they will have to beat out both Alabama and Georgia. Florida’s odds to win the BCS title outright are set at +2,500. One expert put it like this, “I’m not seeing much love for the Gators in the loaded SEC. Sharp bettors are expecting Florida to fall short of that pre-season mark.
Players in Nevada love to bet on the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. They are sort of like the Las Vegas home team but the Rebs have been one of the worst bets in college football in recent years before sneaking away with a 6-5-2 ATS mark after going 2-11 SU in 2012. Even with a win total as low at 4.5 (Over +100), bettors in Nevada and elsewhere are staying away in droves.
UNLV is listed at +4,000 to win the conference and +2000 as a field choice to win the BCS Championship.
The Oregon Ducks remain one of the mysteries worrying bettors for next season. How will the loss of head coach Chip Kelly affect the Ducks chances? Las Vegas handicappers have posted a season win total for Oregon at 11 (Over +125) which just might be a tall order to fill in the talented Pac-12 conference.
But the Ducks have nine returning starters from last season’s squad which averaged 49.6 points per game and recently promoted head coach Mark Helfrich will be taking over a high-octane offence to be sure. Still in all, the wise guys are also staying away from the Ducks so far. Oregon’s odds to win the Pac-12 title are a low +150 and +650 to take the BCS Championship.
