Everyone in the sportsbook world thinks that they know who the
participants in the BCS Championship Game will be: Texas, and the winner of the
possible Florida-Alabama showdown for the SEC crown. Who else could sneak in
through the back and overcome some major NCAA football odds?
Iowa (+1500)
The No.4 Hawkeyes are one of the biggest surprises of the
year, and they don’t win pretty: seven of their nine wins have been by 11
points or less. This could come back to bite the Hawkeyes, especially as the
Big Ten isn’t known as the power conference it once was (thanks for getting
blown out in two straight BCS title games, Ohio State). The Hawkeyes first have
to get past their visit to Ohio State next weekend, and then if they make it to
the Rose Bowl as the Big Ten champions, they’ll most likely have to blow out
their opponents for their NCAA football odds to be considered.
TCU (+2000)
The No.6 Horned Frogs, out of the Mountain West, should
thank Utah for making a fuss about the smaller conferences being left out of
the BCS title race after last year, and they’re powered by the No.1 defense in
the country. They beat Clemson and Virginia on the road, and they also went to
then-No.16 BYU and spanked the Cougars 38-7. Their last tough game comes next
weekend at home against Utah, and if they get past the Utes, keep an eye on
their NCAA football odds.
Boise State (+2000)
The No.7 Broncos are praying that Oregon keeps winning,
because their season-opening win over the Ducks is their only strong victory.
The Broncos are balanced, coming in 10th in defense in 21st
in offense, but their schedule is weaker than a child with swine flu. Their
conference, the WAC, has just hired a PR firm to help the Broncos’ bid for the
BCS, but will that help Boise State be one of the NCAA
football picks for the big bowls?
Cincinnati (+3000)
The No.5 Bearcats are quietly rolling through the Big East,
even with an injury to quarterback Tony Pike. Their signature wins came on the
road at Oregon State and South Florida, which isn’t all that great. But they
have a great chance to sway from voters when they host West Virginia next
Friday night, as well as their road trip to No.13 Pittsburgh to end the season.
A win over the Panthers would surely boost their online betting odds.
LSU (+5000)
The Tigers have a loss to No.1 Florida, but they can blow
the title race wide open if they were to upset No.3 Alabama on the road this
weekend. Even the loss to Florida was only by 10 points at home, so it’s really
not that bad. The Alabama game is their last chance to show voters what they
have, because the road trip to Ole Miss isn’t as important due to the Rebels,
well, sucking this year. Still, this weekend’s clash with the Crimson Tide
could definitely shake up the internet sports betting lines in the NCAA.