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5Dimes Favors SEC for BCS Title No. 5
By Robbie Wilson
In recent years, the SEC has become synonymous with college football dominance and 5Dimes.com has made defending conference champion the early favorite to make it five titles in a row.
The conference has won four consecutive BCS Championships and, with teams like Alabama and Florida reloaded, the Drive for Five is alive. So who has the edge on SEC odds in 2010?
ALABAMA
SEC odds: 11/10
BCS odds: 4/1
The defending champs were dealt a brutal blow this week when Mark Ingram underwent knee surgery. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will miss at least the first week of the year, and possibly more. It won’t be a problem in Week 1 against San Jose State, but dates with Penn State and at Arkansas in September look much more daunting now.
Even without Ingram, ‘Bama remains a fantastic championship candidate. Sophomore Trent Richardson can handle the load at running back after rushing for 751 yards in 2009. The bigger issue might be the secondary and how fast it gels; six key defensive backs from last year’s roster are gone.
FLORIDA
SEC odds: 9/4
BCS odds: 9/1
No Tim Tebow? No problem. OK, not exactly, but the drop from Tebow to new starter John Brantley won’t be as precipitous as people think. Brantley is a traditional pocket passer who can take advantage of the many dangerous athletes the Gators like to collect at the skill positions.
Florida pulled in the nation’s top recruiting class and there don’t appear to be many holes here. Perhaps the one thing to keep an eye on is the pass rush, as Florida lost two talented defensive ends to the NFL.
ARKANSAS
SEC odds: 7/1
BCS odds: 35/1
If you’re looking for value, look no further. Arkansas employed the highest scoring offense in the SEC last year, not to mention ranking first in passing and third in total yards. That explosive unit returns nine starters in 2010, including Heisman candidate Ryan Mallet. The junior quarterback will be working with one of the best receiving corps in the country.
The defense, of course, is the problem. It allowed a whopping 400 yards per game last season, worst in the SEC. The pass defense is a train wreck and the Razorbacks need better effort from both the secondary and pass rushers; if they can somehow manufacture a better output on “D,” Arkansas just might be in the BCS Championship hunt.
AUBURN
SEC odds: 9/1
BCS odds: 40/1
Auburn made solid progress during Gene Chizik’s first year as head coach, but the Tigers aren’t ready to roll with the big boys just yet. The offense was surprisingly punchy, though it lost star running back Ben Tate to the NFL. Auburn will also be breaking in a new quarterback this season, JC transfer Cameron Newton.
While the offense may take a step back, the “D” could be ready for a step forward. That’s Chizik’s specialty, and nine starters return for another tour of duty in 2010. Either way, Chizik needs another year or two before his team can compete with the Alamabas and Floridas of the world.
LSU 10/1
Georgia 15/2
South Carolina 20/1
Tennessee 25/1
Mississippi 40/1
Mississippi State 65/1
Kentucky 80/1
Vanderbilt 100/1
The best teaser odds, the greatest variety of college football odds and props – visit 5Dimes.
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