Who is the most overrated coach in college football? CBS Sports polled one-fifth of the active 130 FBS coaches and the most overrated in their mind was Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, who got 13 percent of the vote. Harbaugh hasn’t finished higher than third in his Big Ten division during his first two seasons in Ann Arbor, so I don’t disagree. Now that we’re so close to starting the season, here are three College Football betting picks we’ve picked out with the best odds to bet on the Under this 2017 regular season (Michigan would be one but I’ve touched on them previously).
College Football Betting Totals to Consider for the Under in 2017
Another opportunity to get better today. #17CardsCamp pic.twitter.com/EQ4ZlNfyv5
— LouisvilleFootball (@UofLFootball) August 11, 2017
Louisville Cardinals (9.5 Wins)
Yes, I’m aware that Louisville will again have one of the nation’s top offenses behind quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and a favorite to be the second player to ever repeat. But the Cardinals looked like a totally different team late last season in losing their final three. A weak offensive line really affected Jackson’s play. “You can be motivated by your successes or be motivated by your failures," coach Bobby Petrino said of moving past the three-game slide that ended last season. “The one thing you need to keep in mind is that with all the great things we did and the success we had. We have to address why we didn’t succeed, learn from it and get to work.” Jackson is one of just four returning starters on offense as other playmakers will need to emerge, and quickly. Jackson needs help, especially from his line, which allowed 47 sacks, more than any ACC team. Petrino was so concerned that he hired former Florida assistant Mike Summers to fix the line. Defensively, Louisville allowed 29 touchdown passes last season, the most in the ACC. The Cards finish 9-3.Latest College Football Betting Trends
- Odds to Win 2018 National Championship: +1600
- Odds to Win ACC Conference: +300
- Odds to Win ACC Division: +400
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 9½ -115 / U 9½ -115
Why These Teams Will or Won’t Make the 2018 College Football Playoff
Texas Longhorns (8 Wins)
UT is going to be good again soon as new coach Tom Herman is recruiting incredibly well. But he took the job so late last season that this year’s freshman class wasn’t great. So Texas is likely to be average for one more season. Herman was 22-4 in two seasons at Houston and inherits plenty of talent that Charlie Strong left behind in Austin. However, there also is plenty of work to do on both sides of the ball, especially with a defense that gave up nearly 32 points and 450 yards per game last season. On the bright side, UT has experience at quarterback (Shane Buechele), running back (Chris Warren III), receiver (Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay, Armanti Foreman and Jerrod Heard) as well as an offensive line with four returning starters, including All-America left tackle Connor Williams. Despite Texas’ 5-7 finish last season, Buechele passed for 2,958 yards, a Texas freshman record, and 21 touchdowns. Texas will start 2-0 but lose at USC, vs. Oklahoma, vs. Oklahoma State, at TCU and at West Virginia.
Latest College Football Betting Trends
- Odds to Win 2018 National Championship: +2000
- Odds to Win Big 12 Conference: +350
- Odds to Win Big 12 Division: TBA
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 8 -130 / U 8 +100
Wisconsin Badgers (10.5 Wins)
Check out my recent story on why I thought Wisconsin wouldn’t make this year’s College Football Playoff. I still don’t understand this win total. If you bet over, you think UW is going 11-1? The chances of that have taken a big blow as star inside linebacker Jack Cichy will miss the 2017 season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Cichy suffered the injury during practice Tuesday. He was examined by the medical staff, returned to practice and practice again on Wednesday. Cichy earned All-Big Ten honorable mention last season despite missing UW’s final seven games with a torn pectoral muscle. He had 60 tackles to tie for the No. 4 mark on the team. Cichy was scheduled to start alongside junior T.J. Edwards, who had a team-high 89 tackles last year. Junior Ryan Connelly filled in last season after Cichy went down and finished with 59 tackles in 14 games. Cichy, a senior, had been voted team captain for the upcoming season and was on the preseason watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy. Wisconsin already is missing Connelly. He is out with a left-leg injury and Coach Paul Chryst isn't sure how long Connelly will be out. That defense suddenly looks weakened. Wisconsin won the Big Ten West last year and lost to Penn State in the conference championship game. The Badgers are the favorite to win the division again. I’m not saying this won’t be a good team, but it’s not going 11-1 in the regular season. Expect 10-2.Latest College Football Betting Trends
- Odds to Win 2018 National Championship: +4000
- Odds to Win Big Ten Conference: +330
- Odds to Win Big Ten West Division: -160
- 2017-18 Regular Season Wins: O 10½ +125 / U 10½ -155
