With college football season on the horizon, ESPN Chalk's college football experts -- Phil Steele, "Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris Fallica -- combine to give you betting previews of the top 25 teams, according to the ESPN College Football Rankings. They break down each team's strengths and weaknesses, along with season win total bets and national title odds.
Odds from Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Sept. 1.
Ohio State Buckeyes
National title odds: 5-2
Season win total: 11.5
Phil Steele
Strengths: Talent. The Buckeyes have arguably more talent than any other team in the country. I rate eight positions in my magazine, including QBs, RBs, WRs, O-linemen, D-linemen, LBs, DBs and special teams. The Buckeyes' lowest-rated unit is special teams, which ranks 12th in the country. Overall, six of OSU's eight units rank in the top four. The schedule is also favorable.
Weaknesses: As mentioned above, this team does not really have a weakness. Its main problem this year figures to be motivation -- in terms of both OSU and its opponents. Will the Buckeyes be as hungry as last year when they were written off after losing to Virginia Tech? Last year's defending champ, Florida State, did not play with the same fire each week that it did the previous season. Plus, the Buckeyes' opponents are more motivated this year as they will get every opponent's best shot.
Over-under: There is no room for even one slip up when you play over 11.5, but that is the way I am leaning here. Ohio State is a double-digit favorite in every game this year. OSU's toughest games are at Virginia Tech, at Michigan and home versus Michigan State.
National title odds: To win a national title, a team usually has to be lucky in a game or two during the season. Even if Ohio State goes undefeated in the regular season, it would have to beat two teams in the playoffs who may be a little more battle-tested by tougher schedules. However, since it is over 2-1 odds, it would be worth a play.
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin
I know no one ever likes teams to repeat in college football, but when you look at the talent the Buckeyes have returning, I can't help but think they are the best bet in the nation to make the College Football Playoff this season. They have two returning starters at QB (Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett), an every-down running back, NFL talent on the defensive side of the ball, a favorable schedule and (maybe most importantly) Urban Meyer as their head coach.
I would also throw a couple shekels on Braxton Miller for the Heisman Trophy (he's 33-1 at Bovada), because if Charles Woodson can beat out Peyton Manning to win it, Miller can beat out any QB, seeing how he will run, catch and maybe even throw some touchdowns this year.
What I don't like about Ohio State is I could totally be wrong in my assessment of the players' "mental toughness." I think Meyer will keep his team grounded and focused on winning another title, but there could be some players who think they know everything already, because they won it last year. Buckeyes players should realize that even though they lost two QBs last year, they were still pretty fortunate in getting to the playoff. They must be focused on this year, as they will need to be better than last season, and they will get every team's best shot.
O/U: I'll say Meyer keeps them in check and they don't lose a game in the regular season. Take the over.
Chris Fallica
Ohio State is clearly the team to beat this season in college football. Yes, they will be missing some players in Blacksburg, but it's hard to find a loss on the schedule. The history of heavy preseason favorites isn't good in regards to winning the title (none of the six teams to receive over 90 percent of the preseason first-place votes did), but even the most adamant SEC fan has to realize Ohio State is the most talented team in the country. Still, we've seen Alabama and Florida State struggle as defending champs the last two years in the role of heavy favorite, so this isn't a slam dunk.
O/U: There is no wiggle room here. ESPN metrics give the Buckeyes nearly a 50 percent chance to take a 10-0 record into the Michigan State game on Nov. 21. It will take a massive upset for the Buckeyes to slip up and while Michigan should be better this year, I can't see Ohio State losing with a potential unbeaten season on the line. I have them going 12-0, so I like the over.
Title odds: Boy, it's tough to take them at 5-2. I think it's likely Ohio State goes 12-0, which would mean a return trip to the CFP, but if the Buckeyes are 10-0, 11-0, etc., how much shorter will Ohio State be at that point in the season? I say it's worth the little bit of "insurance" to wait until the playoff gets closer and see the potential matchups, should the Buckeyes get there. I'd be just as happy taking 9-5 then as 5-2 right now.