Unsure who’s going to win the national title this yr in college football? You’re not alone.
So as an alternative of looking for value on a single team, why not buy in bulk and bet on the Big Ten to provide the national champion (+110, DraftKings)?
Current playoff projections from The Athletic, ESPN, CBS and Kelley Ford include 4 Big Ten teams within the bracket. Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State are well-positioned to make the 12-team field.
And it’s likely that two of the three at-large bids received by the Big Ten would include a house playoff game.
A plausible scenario exists by which the Big Ten finishes with 4 teams within the CFP committee’s top eight.
If the remaining games break in accordance with Vegas odds, Ohio State will avenge its lone lack of the season within the Big Ten title game, providing the Buckeyes (can be 12-1) with a first-round bye within the playoff.
If chalk prevails, that also implies that Indiana (11-1), Oregon (12-1) and Penn State (11-1) would likely be rewarded with home playoff games.
In that ideal scenario, grabbing those 4 teams at plus-money to win the CFP can be a steal.
Assuming Oregon and Ohio State handle their business within the regular season, it’s also necessary to notice that a Buckeyes win over the Geese would create an excellent seeding scenario for this future. Ohio State would secure the No. 1 overall seed and Oregon’s consolation prize can be the best at-large bid at No. 5 overall.
The College Football Playoff doesn’t reseed, which suggests Oregon and Ohio State can be on a collision course for a 3rd meeting within the national semifinals to be played on the Orange or Cotton Bowl.
If that involves pass, we’d have one team within the national title game, with the hopes of Indiana or Penn State sparking upsets on the opposite side of the bracket.
But enough hypothetical talk, let’s get into these teams’ DNA. The Buckeyes, Geese, Hoosiers and Nittany Lions each bring something special to the table on the defensive side of the ball.
Ohio State leads the country in quality drives allowed while clamping opposing passing attacks with air-tight coverage (seventh).
Oregon is even higher against the pass, sticking with receivers (fourth in coverage) and harassing quarterbacks (sixth in pass rush).
Indiana has been a brick wall against the run, rating top seven in rushing success rate, line yards and stuff rate.
And Penn State, to not be outdone, is tenth in defensive havoc and top three in each line yards and stuff rate when facing opposing rushing attacks.
If these defenses delay against elite competition, have they got the offensive firepower to go on a run within the CFP?
Within the case of Oregon and Ohio State, absolutely. The Geese have Dillon Gabriel, who has saved his best for the Geese’ biggest tests.
He accounted for seven total touchdowns against only one turnover when facing Ohio State and Illinois this season.
Betting on College Football?
While Oregon has been methodical in one of the simplest ways possible, Ohio State has been explosive, rating fourth within the “big play” metric.
Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke is second in QBR and their aerial attack leads the nation in success rate.
And eventually, Penn State has been ruthlessly efficient in nearly every category: Havoc allowed, success rate, big-play rate and third-down conversion percentage.
Can they prove that the Ohio State game was a fluke? When bundled with these three other teams, I’m willing to roll the dice that Penn State exceeds expectations for a change under James Franklin.
BET: Big Ten team to win national title (+110, DraftKings)
Why Trust Latest York Post Betting
Mike Calabrese is a handicapper for the Latest York Post, with a pointy give attention to college sports. His betting advice often centers around situational spots, including travel, rest and altitude disparities.
