When it comes to 2023 NCAAF Championship odds, the same handful of teams are again favored to win the College Football Playoff.
While much of the college football offseason has been about the seismic conference realignment that is set to take place, many of those moves won’t have a history on the upcoming season per se.
What can be expected from this season is the returning quarterbacks at powerhouse programs will have a large say in how this season goes.
Who Is Going to Stop the SEC?
The question for most college football is which conference will have the horses to stop the SEC? Last season’s national championship game between Georgia and Alabama was something college football hoped it could avoid with a playoff.
But the SEC showed that its top teams were better than what everyone else had to offer. Here’s a look at what is coming up for the 2022 season.
Crimson Tide Defending Champ
The Crimson Tide won the SEC last season but was taken down by rival Georgia in the national championship game.
When this season starts, Alabama will be expected to be on top of the college football standings. Returning quarterback Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy last season.
Young passed for 4,872 yards and threw 47 touchdowns. He threw seven interceptions but showcased he will be a problem for the rest of the conference this year.
Alabama currently is the favorite to win the national championship at +150. The Crimson Tide last won the championship in 2020.
LSU Recluted Brian Kelly
LSU decided to distance itself from the Ed Oregon era and make a big splash by hiring a top coach. The Tigers were able to lure Brian Kelly, who led Division II Grand Valley State to a national championship and had a strong career at Notre Dame, to coach the program.
While LSU will have a lot of work to do, the Tigers will benefit from having Kelly, who has a successful track record.
Kelly at Notre Dame
During Kelly’s last five seasons at Notre Dame, he led the Fighting Irish to 10 wins or more. Kelly’s supporters hope that moving to the SEC and a program where he has more financial resources will be a boost for him and LSU. The Tigers are +8000 to win the CFP but may be worth a small flier.
Georgia’s on my mind
NCAAF news saw Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, a former walk-on, decide he was going to return for a sixth year with the Bulldogs.
Bennett was effective at quarterback for Georgia last season, passing for 2,862 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
SEC Was Easier for the Bulldogs
When it comes to the SEC, the Bulldogs have an easier path to the SEC title game than Alabama does. Georgia, however, mostly relied on its stout defense to get to the championship game last year.
The Bulldogs will be hoping to ride that momentum as Georgia sorts its communication issue out. Georgia is +400 to win the championship.
A Different Year for the Buckeyes
Ohio State won the first-ever CFP playoff but has been one of the NCAAF teams that can’t get over the hump.
Things back are different for the Buckeyes this year, as quarterback C.J. Stroud gained valuable experience last year and will be ready to lead once again a talented Ohio State conference against a schedule that won’t challenge them much outside of the conference.
Buckeyes’ Toughest Non-conference Game
The Buckeyes’ toughest non-conference game will be a matchup with Notre Dame. However, with Brina Kelly leaving Notre Dame for LSU, there may be a transition for the Fighting Irish.
Ohio State should be able to topple a Notre Dame team still finding its bearings and be able to focus on the Big Ten slate. At +400, taking a look at Ohio State to win another national title isn’t a bad option.
Venerables’ Coaching Coup
Oklahoma scored a major coaching coup by luring Brent Venables, who previously coached the Sooners for 12 years before heading to Clemson in 2012, back following the departure of Lincoln Reilly.
Despite all of the Sooners’ success as a program since Bob Stoops arrived in 1999, Oklahoma has only won one national championship.
Oklahoma, which has dominated the Big 12 during that timespan, will also have to handle the pressure of having a target on its back and leaving the conference for the SEC.
Oklahoma Defense Should Improve
Venables should be able to help make sure the defense improves. The biggest challenge for the Sooners, who are +3300 to win the title, will be making sure it has the correct signal caller.
Both of Oklahoma’s quarterbacks, Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams, transferred to other programs following last season for various reasons.
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