With college football season on the horizon, ESPN Chalk's college football experts -- Phil Steele, "Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris Fallica -- give you betting previews for the top 25 teams in 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.
Arizona Wildcats
National title odds: 200-1
Season win total: 7.5
Phil Steele
Strengths: Arizona is in the top 25 largely because it won the Pac-12 South last year and returns starting quarterback Anu Solomon (the first time Rich Rodriguez has had a returning signal-caller here). The Wildcats' talented running back, Nick Wilson, had 1,375 rushing yards as a true freshman. They also have a defensive star in linebacker Scooby Wright III.
Weaknesses: Arizona does not rank in my top units at offensive line, defensive line or defensive back, and it plays in the second-toughest division in the FBS. Arizona was 7-2 in Pac-12 play last year but did so with mirrors, as the Wildcats were minus-4.4 in yardage per game.
Over/under: I have Arizona an underdog in five games and one other game a toss-up, so I am clearly leaning to the under.
National title: I don't see this team winning the Pac-12 South, so even though 200-1 odds on a team that played in the conference title game last year would seem to have value, I think the odds are fair.
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin
One of the most surprising things this offseason has been the lack of hype and support for one of my favorite head coaches, Rodriguez, and his Wildcats. They have the QB Solomon and star running back Wilson (1,375 yards rushing, 5.8 yards per carry and 16 TDs last year) returning, plus they have everyone's favorite defensive player back in Wright.
The Wildcats lost their bowl game, so you're not allowed to think this team should be worth consideration among the nation's top teams, right? Let me just say I hate that idea. People call it a myth, but it has become more telling every year, as people just remember the most recent time they saw a team take the field.
Anyway, I am a huge fan of Rich Rod, and I think he doesn't get credit for the offensive mind he is. I think the Wildcats will have a good year. They have to play five conference road games, but they don't have to play Oregon. I'm not saying they will repeat as Pac-12 South champs, but I do think they will be right in the mix.
O/U: Their schedule is very back-loaded, as they end the season with games at USC, vs. Utah and at Arizona State. I expect Rich Rod to put a lot more on Solomon's plate this year as the signal-caller, and Arizona will be in the mix for the division title when November comes around. I like the over.
Chris Fallica
The Cats were a pretty fortunate team last year -- six wins by seven points or fewer -- including a miracle comeback against Cal and closer-than-you-would-have-thought escapes against UTSA and Nevada. By the way, they also won a game at Autzen Stadium as 24-point dogs. I expect more of the same this year. Solomon will make some plays that make you say "wow" and some plays that make you say "WOW?" If you like unpredictability, Arizona is your team.
O/U: I think 8-4 is a probable result. The Cats will be favored in every home game other than the one against UCLA. I say they go 5-1 at home, which means they just have to win at Nevada, Colorado and Washington to get to eight wins. There isn't much wiggle room, but I'd lean toward the over.
Title odds: Pass. It's hard to imagine better than 2-2 with three road games at Stanford, USC and Arizona State and a home game with UCLA. It's a pretty good bet the Pac-12 champion will be in the playoff, but I don't think the Wildcats will be the team that emerges.