2014 BCS National Title Picks and Predictions: Breaking Down BCS Title Sleepers: The 2013 college football season is fast approaching, and while the two-time defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State Buckeyes are among those on the short list of national title favorites, there are a few teams lurking under the radar that have the talent and schedule to at least reach the BCS title game. Meanwhile, history has repeatedly shown us that there is no such thing as a sure thing when it comes to bowl games, and while underdog teams may not be able to beat the powerhouse programs on a weekly basis, David can slay Goliath on any given night. With that in mind, here is a closer look at a few teams that could end up in the BCS title game with a shot at winning the 2013 national championship.
With last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel under center, the Texas A&M Aggies have a chance to build on their breakout 11-2 campaign from last season. Granted, the offense does lose a couple of weapons, including standout left tackle Luke Joeckel, but Manziel’s dual-threat abilities should keep the offense on par with last year’s unit that ranked fourth in the country in scoring and in the top 15 in both rushing and passing. The bigger question mark is whether or not the Aggies can overcome the loss of their top playmakers on defense, including sack artist Damontre Moore. Still, the schedule is rather manageable by SEC standards with a home game against Alabama early and a road game against LSU late as the main hurdles. If Manziel and company can finish the year with one loss or less, they should have a shot at sneaking into the BCS title game.
Before the Louisville Cardinals split for the ACC in 2014, they will get one year to make a run at an undefeated season in the woeful American Athletic Conference. After all, 15 starters are back, including star quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, from a team that went 11-2 last year and upset Florida in the Sugar Bowl in convincing fashion. Louisville is the most-talented team in the newly-formed AAC and has the defending Big East Coach of the Year in Charlie Strong calling the shots and the defending Offensive Player of the Year in Bridgewater to lead the offense. It will absolutely take an undefeated season to reach the BCS title game, but this team in this conference has a shot. From there, the Cardinals would have a puncher’s chance against any team, and they have already shown they can upset an SEC powerhouse on a big stage.
Despite a myriad of quarterback injuries last season, the Oklahoma State Cowboys finished third in the country in scoring and seventh in passing. Coach Mike Gundy’s system is legit, and while he welcomes back a pair of QBs that have had success, many of the other top teams in the Big 12 will be breaking in new signal callers. Not to mention the fact that Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU and Kansas State will all come to Stillwater. Aside from a road game late in the year against Texas, the Cowboys have a fairly cushy schedule. Defense can always be an issue for the Cowboys, but assuming this year’s unit can generate a few more turnovers, the team’s powerhouse offense could take care of the rest.
In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year in 2012, the Boise State Broncos finished 11-2. This time around, quarterback Joe Southwick enters the season with a year of experience under his belt, which should help the Boise State offense provide a little more support for a defense that ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring year. Coach Chris Petersen has an 84-8 career record with the Broncos, and while the pieces have yet to fall in place as far as a BCS title game appearance is concerned, an undefeated season is a possibility for this team. Road games against Washington and Fresno State won’t be a walk in the park, but if Boise State runs the table, they will have a shot.
Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship
1801 Alabama +300
1802 Arkansas +17500
1803 Auburn +20000
1804 Arizona +15000
1805 Boise State +6600
1806 Boston College +75000
1807 BYU +15000
1808 California +35000
1809 Cincinnati +15000
1810 Clemson +2500
1811 Florida +2500
1812 Florida State +2000
1813 Georgia +2000
1814 Georgia Tech +20000
1815 Iowa +20000
1816 Kansas State +15000
1817 Louisville +2000
1818 LSU +1500
1819 Miami +2500
1820 Michigan +4000
1821 Mississippi +12500
1822 Mississippi State +12500
1823 Missouri +25000
1824 Nebraska +5000
1825 North Carolina +8000
1826 Notre Dame +5500
1827 Ohio State +800
1828 Oklahoma +4000
1829 Oklahoma State +3000
1830 Oregon +650
1831 Oregon State +10000
1832 Pittsburgh +15000
1833 Rutgers +10000
1834 South Carolina +2000
1835 South Florida +25000
1836 Stanford +1500
1837 TCU +8000
1838 Tennessee +10000
1839 Texas +3000
1840 Texas A&M +1200
1841 UCLA +5000
1842 USC +6600
1843 Virginia Tech +12500
1844 Washington +10000
1845 West Virginia +25000
1846 Wisconsin +5000
1847 Field +2000
NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Picks against the spread and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.
2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2013 College Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN GT BETS Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 100% BONUS instantly FREE. |