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 Aug. 22.
Clemson Tigers
National title odds: 7-1 (opened 7-1)
Season win total: 10
FPI win total projection: 10.5
Phil Steele
Strengths: Quarterback Deshaun Watson has seven other returning starters on offense, plus the return of wide receiver Mike Williams, who was his top target before hurting his neck in Week 1. Clemson has the most explosive offense in the country. The defense returns only four starters, but it had three back last year and still allowed just 313 yards per game. The Tigers' D has led the nation in tackles for loss the past three years.
Weaknesses: Clemson does lose four of its top five tacklers from the defense and 14 lettermen overall. The defense is not a weakness, but might slip a little bit statistically this year with my computer calling for 23.3 points per game allowed (still top 25). The only real weakness is a special teams unit that has finished No. 100 and No. 96 in my special teams rankings the last two years.
Over/under (10): I have Clemson favored in every game this year except for the road trip to Florida State on Oct. 29. The tricky games are the opener at Auburn and facing Georgia Tech's triple-option offense on the road. Ten is a tough number, but I would lean with the over.
National title odds (7-1): I personally don't think it's worthwhile to play on any team at less than 10-1 odds, especially since you have to tie up your money for five months or so.
"Stanford Steve" Coughlin
O/U: Does any team have higher expectations than the Tigers this year? They have arguably the best player in the country in QB Deshaun Watson, fresh off torching Alabama in the title game. They have a coach who is as hard to dislike as there is in the country in Dabo Swinney, and they have five-star talent all over the field. Speaking of that talent, their wide receiver corps is scary good and one of my favorite personnel groups to watch in the sport, and they get back Mike Williams (who missed most of last year).
The question remains: How hungry are the Tigers after being so close to a national championship last year? I was on the field for Clemson's loss to Alabama in the title game (in which Clemson still covered), and Swinney's bunch punched the Crimson Tide in the face plenty of times, but Alabama overcame with some big plays. The Tigers could be favored in every game they play this year, which includes the game of the year in the ACC, at Florida State on Oct. 29. I say the Tigers make the playoff this year, along with the Seminoles.
National title odds (7-1): Now, there isn't much value here, but I do think Swinney will have his squad ready for a return trip to the playoff.
Chris Fallica
Over/under (10): It would appear there are just three games Clemson even has a chance to lose -- at Auburn, Louisville and at Florida State. Are the Tigers going to lose all three? I don't think so. I would be surprised if they lost more than one of the three. And being that this Tigers class hasn't lost to an unranked team or a team with a losing record, it would seem unlikely they would start that trend now. After getting so close last year, I would expect that shortfall to drive them this year, similar to Alabama last year. Yeah, there are losses on defense, but when the offense will likely score 40 a game, I like the over, with little sweat of ever going under.
National title odds (7-1): I am not usually a fan of taking such a short price, so I would advise waiting. Assuming the Tigers are undefeated, nothing should really affect the price until the FSU game at the end of October. If they are 7-0 entering that game, and the price is 6-1 or so that week, it would be a good time to buy, as a win in Tallahassee would cause that price to drop like a rock.