Early NCAAF Action
By Chris David
VegasInsider.com
Can Alabama win 11 games this college football season?
What about LSU?
If you believe so, then perhaps you should visit 5Dimes.com and take advantage of their recently released college football win totals.
The Crimson Tide and Tigers both have a total of 10½ victories but the kicker is that the pair have a generous take-back. Alabama is plus-150 (Bet $100 to win $150), while LSU is plus-170 (Bet $100 to win $170).
Is 5Dimes.com baiting the bettors?
Considering the two SEC West schools play one another on the first Saturday in November, we understand that neither will go 12-0. With that being said, you have to look at the other 11 games and decide which school has the better chance to run the table.
VegasInsider.com handicapper and SEC guru Brian Edwards believes LSU should be just as good as last year's runner-up squad. Edwards explained, "Les Miles's team returns a wealth of talent, including all four of its stud running backs, Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu and defensive line stalwarts like Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. However, fifth-senior quarterbacks Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee are gone, leaving the starting job to Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger." "Mettenberger will have two years of eligibility remaining. He has great size (6'6", 235) and was one of the most highly regarded prep players in the 2009 class. Mettenberger had a 32/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio at Butler County CC in Kansas after leaving Athens and before arriving in Baton Rouge. "
LSU went 6-0 on the road last year, which included impressive wins over Oregon (40-27) in Dallas, West Virginia (47-21) and Alabama (9-6). Even though the road slate only has four games in 2012, trips to Auburn, Florida, SEC-newbie Texas A&M and Arkansas don't look easy on paper.
5Dimes.com also has a handful of early win totals on other schools but unlike LSU and Alabama, gamblers will have to lay down the cash if they expect those schools to go 'over' the number.
Southern California has a win total of 9½ but the 'over' is minus-245 (Bet $245 to win $100). The Trojans are coming off a 10-2 season and they return a ton of talent, including quarterback Matt Barkley. USC should be the favorite to win the Pac 12 especially with Stanford losing QB Andrew Luck and Oregon watching a pair of playmakers in running back LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas leave the program. The non-conference schedule isn't imposing unless you count Notre Dame visiting USC in late November and outside of a trip to Stanford, the conference road games (Washington, Arizona, UCLA) should have the Trojans laying points.
Another nationally recognized program that has its quarterback returning is Oklahoma, with signal caller Landry Jones behind center this upcoming season. Similar to the Trojans, the Sooners have a total of 9½ victories, yet the 'over' is only minus-185 (Bet $185 to win $100).
Below is a complete list of more college football props and win totals from 5Dimes.com:
BCS Championship at Sun Life Stadium from Miami Gardens, Fl.
LSU wins BCS Championship +315
Field wins BCS Championship -445
Southern California wins BCS Championship +400
Field wins BCS Championship -600
Alabama wins BCS Championship +600
Field wins BCS Championship -1200
Oregon wins BCS Championship +1250
Field wins BCS Championship -2750
WIN TOTALS
Victories in conference championships & bowl games do not apply
Alabama 2012 regular season wins
Over 10½ +150
Under 10½ -190
Georgia 2012 regular season wins
Over 9½ -120
Under 9½ -120
LSU 2012 regular season wins
Over 10½ +170
Under 10½ -230
Michigan State 2012 regular season wins
Over 8½ -140
Under 8½ +100
Ohio State 2012 regular season wins
Over 8½ -180
Under 8½ +140
Oklahoma 2012 regular season wins
Over 9½ -185
Under 9½ +145
Southern California 2012 regular season wins
Over 9½ -245
Under 9½ +175
Texas 2012 regular season wins
Over 8½ -110
Under 8½ -130
West Virginia 2012 regular season wins
Over 8½ -140
Under 8½ +100