Last year Marcus Freeman got a sometimes painful education as Notre Dame’s rookie head coach. Many College Football Betting experts vow that Notre Dame is no place for a rookie head coach. And Freeman saw why in 2022. The season was not a total disaster. However, it was one of frustration. Now the Irish face Freeman’s second season with one of the nation’s toughest schedules. Meanwhile, Utah and Oregon are two top threats to USC in the Pac-12 Conference. The Utes and Ducks are consistent winners. But the public ignores them more often than not.
Post Spring College Football National Championship Futures
| When: | College Football Season Kicks Off on August 26, 2023 |
|---|
2023 College Football National Championship Future Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | +220 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +550 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +600 |
| Michigan Wolverines | +1000 |
| LSU Tigers | +1600 |
| USC Trojans | +1600 |
| Clemson Tigers | +2000 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | +2000 |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | +3000 |
| Texas Longhorns | +2500 |
| Florida State Seminoles | +1800 |
| Oregon Ducks | +3000 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +3000 |
| Oklahoma Sooners | +6000 |
| Washington Huskies | +3000 |
| Utah Utes | +6000 |
| TCU Horned Frogs | +10000 |
| Texas A&M Aggies | +60000 |
| North Carolina Tar Heels | +10000 |
| All Other Teams | +10000 or Higher |
Freeman Set to Build on Rookie Experience
Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman hoped to have a quarterback competition stretching into August. However, that won’t happen after Tyler Buchner transferred to Alabama. As a result, that leaves former Wake Forest starter Sam Hartman as the sportsbook man in South Bend, Indiana. He threw for nearly 13,000 yards with 110 touchdowns during five seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Of great concern is that tailback Logan Diggs, the second-leading rusher last season, entered the transfer portal. Jaden Greathouse, the No. 4 tight end/H-back in the ESPN 300, looked like he could contribute immediately.
Utah Remains the Disrespected Winner
At the onset, quarterback Cameron Rising is recovering from a torn ACL in his left leg. So redshirt freshman Brandon Rose got a lot of work with the No. 1 offense this spring. Utes coach Kyle Whittingham said Rising is on schedule in his recovery. Whittingham is cautiously optimistic he’ll be ready for the opener.
Meanwhile, the two-time defending Pac-12 champs have depth at running back. Starting with converted quarterback Ja’Quinden Jackson picking up where he left off at the end of the 2022 season. Also back is Micah Bernard after entering the transfer portal. Freshman receiver Mikey Matthews was a nice surprise during the spring. And then Ole Miss transfer Miles Battle should help shore up a secondary that lost star Clark Phillips III. Finally, Colorado transfer Cole Becker looks like a big College Football Betting upgrade in place-kicking from the past couple of seasons.
Quack Attack Poised for Pac-12 Title Charge
Since their Holiday Bowl win over North Carolina, there has been quite a bit of turnover in Eugene, Oregon. Quarterback Bo Nix has yet another offensive coordinator. To illuminate, Will Stein was hired to replace Kenny Dillingham, who was named Arizona State’s head coach.
Correlate that Nix had a couple of new targets in the spring. Namely Traeshon Holden (Alabama) and Tez Johnson (Troy). Of great concern is that four starters on the offensive line departed.
Second year head coach Dan Lanning believes his team will be more physical this season. South Carolina transfer Jordan Burch should help improve the pass rush. Consider Oregon had just 18 sacks in 13 games in 2022, the program’s fewest since 1986.