At the beginning of any American Athletic Conference football conversation is Cincinnati. Head coach Luke Fickell vowed to build what he described as “The State of Cincinnati.” In his fifth season, Fickell has a program that can go toe-to-toe with the nation’s elite. To illustrate, Cincinnati lost to SEC superpower Georgia 24-21 in the 2021 Peach Bowl. Many observers believe the wrong team beat the College Football odds that day. Cincinnati plays a level of defense that any program would envy. So too, is the UC defense vicious and nasty. Gamblers believe the Bearcats are best in the AAC.
2021 American Athletic Conference Championship Odds
| Date: | Season Begins August 28, 2021 |
|---|
2021 American Athletic Conference Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bearcats | -230 |
| UCF Knights | +450 |
| Tulsa Golden Hurricane | +900 |
| Memphis Tigers | +1000 |
| Houston Cougars | +1200 |
| Tulane Green Wave | +1200 |
| SMU Mustangs | +2500 |
| East Carolina Pirates | +5000 |
| Navy Midshipmen | +10000 |
| USF Bulls | +10000 |
| Temple Owls | +20000 |
2021 American Athletic Conference Championship SBG Odds Overview
Compared to the rest of the Group of Five leagues, the American Athletic Conference has elevated itself. Cincinnati is rated to be Power Five capable. And a team that can make the college football playoff. More emphatically, nobody else in the AAC has the Bearcats offshore betting cache.
Cincinnati Bearcats -230
At the onset of the 2021 season is a clearly stated goal. Cincinnati wants a shot at the college football playoff. UC has a loaded and experienced roster hungry for a shot at the national championship. Road games at Indiana and Notre Dame are opportunities for the Bearcats to state their case.
Senior quarterback Desmon Ridder returns for what should be a huge campaign with Heisman Trophy potential. Running back Jerome Ford and tight end Josh Whyle add to the optimism.
But what makes the Bearcats truly great is their defense. In this era of explosive offenses, UC is a throwback to when the defense made the championship difference. Namely, cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant rate as good as anyone in the country.
Finally, head coach Luke Fickell has built a team culture that few programs can match. His team backs down to and fears nobody.
UCF Knights +450
Namely, Gus Malzahn arrives after being fired at Auburn, where he was respected but out of ideas. The Gus Bus offense failed to evolve at Auburn. Yet, the masses still believe that Malzahn is an offensive genius. Had they not seen Auburn’s plodding offense fizzle in Malzahn’s final years on The Plains?
However, the case for the Gus Bus is that UCF has been the most consistent program in the AAC. The offense is the Knights calling card going back to when Scott Frost coached them to a 2017 undefeated season. To show, UCF averaged 40 points per game the past four seasons. And with quarterback Dillon Gabriel, those numbers figure to be maintained.
SMU Mustangs +2500
Head coach Sonny Dykes has proven to be a perfect fit on the Hilltop. SMU is loaded on offense but unproven at quarterback. In turn, Oklahoma transfer Tanner Mordecai and freshman Preston Stone will compete for the starting QB job. Regardless the supporting cast is elite-level talent.
2021 American Athletic Conference SBG Free Picks
As mentioned earlier, Cincinnati brings experience, talent, depth, and toughness as the best pick with the College Football odds.
2021 AAC Championship SBG Best Bet: Cincinnati Bearcats.