It’s not an accident that the Alabama Crimson Tide are the college football betting odds favorite to win the national championship. Under head coach Nick Saban the Tide has won five national championships since 2009. Saban is a protégée of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Its no coincidence that he has built a dynasty in an era of parity just as Belichick has done in the NFL. Saban and the Tide opened as an overwhelming 5/2 choice for the 2018 national title. And that price may prove to be a bargain, all things considered.
2018 College Football Futures
Date and Time: Season Begins Last weekend of August, 2018
Location: Throughout the United States
College Football Betting Online Odds at SBG: Alabama 5/2
Alabama
Alabama is the obvious choice with the college football betting odds. But the legitimate question remains if they are the best choice. Lost in the shuffle of their recent national championship is the fact that the Crimson Tide did not even win its own Southeastern Conference West Division. Saban pulled a rabbit out of the hat when he put in freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the championship game to steal the win. With a fourth new offensive coordinator being hired in the past three years the Tide will have both five star talent and challenges.
Clemson
The Clemson Tigers opened as a 6/1 sports betting choice to win the National Title but their 24-6 loss to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl illustrated the weaknesses of coach Dabo Swinney’s team. The one known positive for 2018 is that Clemson will be the choice to win the Atlantic Coast Conference. Swinney continues to deliver top ranked recruiting classes and has flipped the culture at Clemson to one of high expectations.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Sooners may have to replace Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Baker Mayfield but they are a program that reloads instead of rebuilds. Oklahoma lost to Georgia in the Rose Bowl 54-48 in an overtime classic. The loss proved that OU can stand toe to toe with anyone. Head coach Lincoln Riley had a banner first season. The concern is the defense led by Mike Stoops, which has been nowhere near dominant in recent seasons. Riley likely feels the pressure to keep Stoops, who is the brother of retired OU coach Bob Stoops. The futures odds opened at 18/1 for Oklahoma.
Matchup to Watch
Other top choices to win the national championship include the Ohio State Buckeyes at 6/1, Georgia Bulldogs at 8/1, Michigan Wolverines at 10/1, Penn State Nittany Lions at 12/1, Michigan State Spartans at 25/1, and Texas Longhorns at 25/1.
When looking at the college football betting odds for national championship futures one of the most important guides is the team schedule. And this is where the Oklahoma Sooners stand apart as a potentially tremendous value. The Sooners non-conference schedule is totally manageable with home games against Florida Atlantic, UCLA, and Army. The Big 12 is solid but hardly dominant as a conference. This opens up tremendous opportunity and potential betting value for the Sooners.
2018 College Football Futures College Football Betting Odds Picks
The Oklahoma Sooners are far and away the best value on the board as far as teams with a legitimate shot at the national championship.
College Football Betting Online Pick: Oklahoma Sooners 18/1
Checkout highlights of Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa!