Week 1 of the 2015 college football season is not yet upon us, but it’s never soon enough to anticipate and prognosticate.
Unlike years past, penciling in the SEC for the NCAA title game is no longer a foregone conclusion. New schools and conferences have crashed the party. All five power conferences are represented in the preseason top 10.
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Below are the Week 1 betting lines and title hopes, per Bovada, for the nation’s top 10 teams.
Ohio State
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-275
Week 1 line: Ohio St. minus-14 vs. Virginia Tech
*Virginia Tech was the only team to beat the defending champions last year.
Alabama
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-700
Week 1 line: Alabama minus-10.5 vs. Wisconsin
TCU
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-700
Week 1 line: TCU minus-14 vs. Minnesota
Perhaps the biggest shock in college football’s opening line is the favoritism shown toward TCU. The Horned Frogs, despite missing out on last year’s playoff, are tied for second-choice with perennial powerhouse Alabama.
Aiding TCU’s case is the return of quarterback Trevone Boykin. The 6’2”, 205-pounder will look to build on a year in which he passed for a school record 3,901 yards, rushed for 707 and contributed 42 touchdowns.
Auburn
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-900
Week 1 line: Auburn minus-10.5 vs. Louisville
USC
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-1600
Week 1 line: USC minus-28.5 vs. Arkansas St.
Notre Dame
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-2000
Week 1 line: Notre Dame minus-10 vs. Texas
Baylor
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-2000
Week 1 line: Baylor minus-34 vs. SMU
Oregon
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-2200
Week 1 line: Opening line not yet made available
Clemson
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-2200
Week 1 line: Opening line not yet made available
Entering darkhorse territory, Clemson's entire season is contingent upon the health of sophomore DeShaun Watson.
The dual-threat QB was forced to miss last year’s Russell Athletic Bowl victory against Oklahoma, and as a result, is a question mark heading into the season. With the departure of Jameis Winston from Florida St., Clemson’s opportunity to be taken as a serious playoff contender is now.
Florida State
Odds to win the National Championship: plus-2500
Week 1 line: Florida State minus-30 vs. Texas St.
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