NCAA Football Betting: 2011 National Championship Odds Are Out

Nick Saban might be building a dynasty in Alabama, and the Tide are the early team to beat for next season. (AP Images)

Believe it or not spring practices begin as soon as next month for some NCAA football teams, so it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the 2010 season -- and Bodog has released college football futures on what team will win the 2011 BCS National Championship.

To no one’s surprise, the reigning champion Alabama Crimson Tide are the early-line favorites at 3/1 to repeat next season. But Coach Nick Saban’s team does have some holes to fill, especially on a defense that loses nine starters, led by tackle Terrence Cody, Butkus Award-winning linebacker Rolando McClain and top cornerback and return man Javier Arenas. But the Alabama offense should be tremendous next year with QB Greg McElroy, Heisman-winning RB Mark Ingram, fellow RB Trent Richardson and WR Julio Jones all back. Plus Saban has had some of the nation’s best recruiting classes the past few years and will again in 2010. But Alabama has a tough regular season schedule next season, including home games against Penn State and Florida and trips to Arkansas, LSU and Tennessee. Good luck going unbeaten with that schedule!

Bodog’s second national championship favorite for next season is Ohio State at 13/2. The Buckeyes beat three Top 10 teams this past season, capped by a win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. QB Terrelle Pryor was outstanding in that game and leads an offense that is set to bring back nine starters in 2010. Six starters are due back on defense, led by defensive end Cameron Heyward, who turned down NFL riches. The Buckeyes’ biggest tests on the schedule figure to come on Sept. 11 at home against Miami (Fla.), Oct. 16 at Wisconsin and Nov. 20 at Orange Bowl champion Iowa. Both Penn State and Michigan visit Columbus.

Oregon and USC are both at 12/1 behind Alabama and Ohio State, while Boise State, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas at 15/1 round out the favorites on Bodog’s college football futures odds. Look for Boise State, which brings back 21 starters from its unbeaten team this season, to open no lower than No. 4 in the first 2010 polls – meaning the Broncos have a legitimate chance to become the first non-BCS conference school to play in the national title game.

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