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 Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Miami Hurricanes
National title odds: 60-1 (opened 30-1)
Season win total: 9
FPI win total projection: 9.2
Phil Steele
Strengths: The defensive front seven is one of the best in the country. Last season their starting linebackers were all true freshmen, and now they have experience. I rate their defensive line fourth best in the country. The Hurricanes also have my No. 14-rated offensive line, return their 1,000-yard rusher in Mark Walton and top wide receiver in Ahmmon Richards. They also have my No. 15 special-teams squad.
Weaknesses: With Brad Kaaya leaving
Over/under (9): I have Miami as my No. 2 surprise team, or non-top-10 team that I think can make the playoffs. I have the Hurricanes an underdog in only one game, so you know I am going with the over.
National title odds (60-1): While Miami does have to face Florida State during the regular season, the Hurricanes are my favorite to win the Coastal Division. That would put them in the ACC title game and one step from making the playoff. I feel they should be priced closer to 20-1, so there is a lot of value here.
'Stanford Steve' Coughlin
Over/under (9): Ah, the beauty of the ACC Coastal Division. If you ranked the teams in the ACC Atlantic Division and put the Canes in there, you probably would rank them fourth. But they are in the Coastal Division, and I am all-in on the Hurricanes this year.
The linebacker corps are the reason I am so high on this team with the three true sophomores of Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud. They were the first true freshman trio to start at "The U" in the history of the program. Their presence saw the defense improve to fifth in the country in tackles for loss after being 106th the year prior; most importantly they rose from 77th to 12th in points allowed. The weight of the offense will fall on standout running back Mark Walton, who rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last season. I am not worried about the QB position and have full trust in Richt when it comes to those kind of decisions.
I am picking Miami to be one of the four College Football Playoff teams this year.
Chris Fallica
Over/under (9): Quarterback worries are the only thing keeping this from being a very strong over. Are there three other losses outside the Florida State game? I don't think so -- Notre Dame and Virginia Tech are in Miami. The toughest league road games are at North Carolina and Pitt, each of which will be breaking in a new quarterback and other key skill positions this year. Miami's defense should be among the best in the country, and if either N'Kosi Perry or Malik Rosier emerges as a legit QB, along with RB Mark Walton and WR Ahmmon Richards, it looks like 10-2 is about where the Canes will be. Hard seeing less than 9-3, and 8-4 would certainly be viewed as a disappointing season.
It will be hard to expect the Canes to go to Tallahassee and win in Week 3, but the key will be a favorable schedule stretch after that game. And after a season of breaking in a new quarterback, a rematch in the ACC title game would be something that's likely welcomed by Miami.
CFB Playoff odds (60-1): At 60-1, I think it's worth taking a shot. There's a chance Miami could lose in Tallahassee and beat FSU in the ACC title game rematch, or beat Clemson in the ACC title game. And a 12-1 Miami as ACC champ after a win over either Clemson or Florida State would absolutely be in the playoff and two games away from cashing at a huge number.