An early odds look at how many wins the expert are picking for college football's best teams during the 2019 season.
247sports.com
It's Clemson, Alabama and everybody in college football this season in the race to the national championship game.
Those cheering for parity may not get what they want at the top of the final polls unless, Georgia, Oklahoma or another titan is able to unseat the favorites from their throne. The Crimson Tide and Tigers are two of six Power 5 teams we expect to hit double-digit victories during the regular season, meaning those who will be in contention for the final four down the stretch is quite narrow.
Have you locked in the preseason over-under win total wagers yet? Now, with several weeks worth of spring practice to better analyze rosters and potential strengths and weaknesses, perhaps you have enough intel to properly slot teams inside the Top 25 and how they'll finish this fall.
Heading into summer break prior to talking season commencing in mid-July, here's our best guess at win totals for every nationally-ranked team:
Editor's note: These are win total projections from 247Sports only based on our knowledge of the teams and respective schedules. Some were taken from an average of recently-released win total from various Las Vegas sportsbooks. The Top 25 used in this exercise is our own 247Sports preseason rankings.
1. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (11 WINS)
The skinny: Last season's preseason 10.5 over-under win total projection for the Crimson Tide was free money from Vegas oddsmakers and
we told you to take it long before the season began. Tua Tagovailoa hadn't yet been announced as Alabama's starting quarterback, but every insider was saying otherwise and those close to the program knew a changing of the guard was underway at the position. He's back, along with most of his weapons offensively ā including Biletnikoff winner Jerry Jeudy ā off a unit that shattered several program records last fall. Toss in some key guys back on defense who will be first-round picks and Alabama should be considered the overwhelming favorite to win another SEC Championship in 2019. They'll have to go 12-0 to hit the over here, but it's still a surprisingly advantageous bet.
3. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (10.5 WINS)
The skinny: No one said it would be easy to win a third consecutive SEC East title for the Bulldogs in 2019. Georgia faces an arduous task in its quest to reach the College Football Playoff for the second time in three years, but certainly has the talent to do so with Jake Fromm, possible 2020's top NFL Draft pick, returning at quarterback. And if you believe this program will field the division's best defense this fall ā despite losing five starters ā to pair with the league's top passer behind Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa, you'll probably confident betting the over during the regular season here. If the Bulldogs get to the midseason junction unscathed, highlighted by a win over Notre Dame, eclipsing 10.5 victories before another round with Alabama in Atlanta could still be worrisome considering the treacherous slate in November.
6. LSU TIGERS (9 WINS)
The skinny: Ed Orgeron's team used last season's lack of respect during the summer (8 projected wins) as motivation, "upsetting" several Top 10 teams on their way to a successful 10-win season. Joe Burrow returns at quarterback and there's enough skill talent on both sides of the football to compete for that No. 2 spot in the division behind Alabama. The road game at Texas in Week 2 may determine whether or not this team ultimately finishes 9-3 or 10-2 during the regular season and there's a couple other important matchups to look at a little closer before picking the over here. But if there's a darkhorse in the SEC not named Alabama or Georgia, we think the Tigers fit the bill.
7. Florida Gators (9)
The skinny: What do the Longhorns and Gators have for an encore after impressive New Year's Six bowl wins last fall to cap off successful seasons? No longer designated as hunters with preseason Top 10 expectations, both schools will have to handle the pressure of being conference title contenders with veteran quarterbacks leading the charge. Sam Ehlinger might be worth a Heisman look as a player just outside the 'Big 5' in early odds. He was responsible for 41 touchdowns last fall and may put up even better numbers as a junior since the Longhorns replace more than half of their defensive starters ... With Justin Herbert back and the intrigue of an top-flight signing class, Oregon is the early Pac-12 favorite on the same line as Washington. The Ducks open against Auburn and must go through several nationally-ranked opponents during league play to stay in the Playoff conversation. Nine feels like the right number for Mario Cristobal's team.
14. Texas A&M Aggies (7.5
19. Mizzou Tigers (7.5)
22. Auburn (8)
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