With college football season on the horizon, ESPN Chalk's college football experts -- Phil Steele, "Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris Fallica -- combine to bring you betting previews for 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 Aug. 22.
Iowa Hawkeyes
National title odds: 60-1 (opened 100-1)
Season win total: 8.5
FPI win total projection: 8
Phil Steele
Strengths: Iowa is a stronger team this year compared with 2015, when the Hawkeyes went 12-0. The defense boasts defensive tackles Nathan Bazata and Jaleel Johnson, middle linebacker Josey Jewell and Jim Thorpe Award-winning cornerback Desmond King. C.J. Beathard is my No. 6 quarterback in next year's draft, and keep in mind he was banged up for the final 10 games last season.
Weaknesses: Three position groups
Over/under (8.5): The total is 8.5 and I am a strong buyer on this one. Iowa's five Big Ten opponents had a combined record of 10-30 in conference play last season, and the team gets its toughest foes at home. This might be the best play of the top 25, as I do not have the Hawkeyes as an underdog in any game.
National title (60-1): The Hawkeyes opened at 100-1 and now have dropped to 60-1. With their talent and schedule, I would have them about 25-1, so I clearly like the high odds on this team. They are worth a play.
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin
What's not to like about the Hawkeyes this year? Beathard is back calling the signals, coach Kirk Ferentz is also back and cashing a check above $4 million, and there isn't a loss in sight on their schedule until November. Sounds like over the win total of 8.5 to me.
Just look at the schedule: home games vs. Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska; toughest road game at Happy Valley on Nov. 5; out-of-conference games include Miami (Ohio), Iowa State and North Dakota State. The Hawkeyes' defensive secondary was fourth among the Power 5 conferences with 19 interceptions last season, and they don't have to face the best QB in the league (J.T. Barrett).
Give me Iowa and the over and I can't wait to see how mad people get at Iowa's schedule again this year.
Chris Fallica
O/U: Last year was a perfect storm for Iowa as the Hawkeyes had some good fortune, winning every toss-up game. They took advantage of what was the easiest schedule among Power 5 teams and found themselves in the Rose Bowl -- and nearly the College Football Playoff. But last year was an outlier: Prior to that, Iowa had five straight seasons where 8-5 was the high point.
It's hard to think the Hawkeyes will win every 50-50 game again this season, and they pick up Michigan on the schedule. I know a lot of starters are back on defense, as is Beathard, but I think under is the way to go. I believe games at Minnesota, versus Wisconsin, at Penn State, versus Michigan and versus Nebraska are all losable.
CFP odds: One thing the committee indicated last season: If you're undefeated, you have a playoff shot, regardless of what the schedule or any other metrics say. So if you think the Iowa mojo will continue for 2016, then take the 60-1 odds and see how far it goes. I will pass.