Everyone in the sportsbook world thinks that they know who the participants in the BCS Championship Game will be: Texas, and the winner of the possible Florida-Alabama showdown for the SEC crown. Who else could sneak in through the back and overcome some major NCAA football odds?
Iowa (+1500)
The No.4 Hawkeyes are one of the biggest surprises of the year, and they don’t win pretty: seven of their nine wins have been by 11 points or less. This could come back to bite the Hawkeyes, especially as the Big Ten isn’t known as the power conference it once was (thanks for getting blown out in two straight BCS title games, Ohio State). The Hawkeyes first have to get past their visit to Ohio State next weekend, and then if they make it to the Rose Bowl as the Big Ten champions, they’ll most likely have to blow out their opponents for their NCAA football odds to be considered.
TCU (+2000)
The No.6 Horned Frogs, out of the Mountain West, should thank Utah for making a fuss about the smaller conferences being left out of the BCS title race after last year, and they’re powered by the No.1 defense in the country. They beat Clemson and Virginia on the road, and they also went to then-No.16 BYU and spanked the Cougars 38-7. Their last tough game comes next weekend at home against Utah, and if they get past the Utes, keep an eye on their NCAA football odds.
Boise State (+2000)
The No.7 Broncos are praying that Oregon keeps winning, because their season-opening win over the Ducks is their only strong victory. The Broncos are balanced, coming in 10th in defense in 21st in offense, but their schedule is weaker than a child with swine flu. Their conference, the WAC, has just hired a PR firm to help the Broncos’ bid for the BCS, but will that help Boise State be one of the NCAA football picks for the big bowls?
Cincinnati (+3000)
The No.5 Bearcats are quietly rolling through the Big East, even with an injury to quarterback Tony Pike. Their signature wins came on the road at Oregon State and South Florida, which isn’t all that great. But they have a great chance to sway from voters when they host West Virginia next Friday night, as well as their road trip to No.13 Pittsburgh to end the season. A win over the Panthers would surely boost their online betting odds.
LSU (+5000)
The Tigers have a loss to No.1 Florida, but they can blow the title race wide open if they were to upset No.3 Alabama on the road this weekend. Even the loss to Florida was only by 10 points at home, so it’s really not that bad. The Alabama game is their last chance to show voters what they have, because the road trip to Ole Miss isn’t as important due to the Rebels, well, sucking this year. Still, this weekend’s clash with the Crimson Tide could definitely shake up the internet sports betting lines in the NCAA.
