At the onset of looking at the 2019 College Football Futures betting odds it appears to be a case of the rich getting richer. Recruiting class rankings for 2019 tie into that as the top-rated classes are in sync with the top-rated teams. Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia are recent playoff teams that have fully stocked cupboards. Along the same lines they are among the betting favorites for the 2019 college football national championship. Texas, Oregon, LSU, Michigan, and Florida are second tier favorites that also ranked high for recruiting. Nebraska looms as a potential dark horse.
Clemson Opening as Favorites
Clemson has opened as a 7/4 offshore betting favorite to win the national championship. Following the Tigers are Alabama 9/4, Georgia 7/1, Ohio State 9/1, and Oklahoma 12/1. Second tier picks include Michigan 16/1, and Texas 25/1. At 33/1 are Florida, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Washington. And then there is an intriguing potential value with Nebraska at 40/1.
Alabama
Yet again Alabama finished with the top recruiting class in the country. Antonio Alfano and Evan Neal headed the Bama list as five-star recruits. Nick Saban continues to run a machine at Tuscaloosa. Additionally, the Crimson Tide will feature a vastly remade coaching staff that include new offensive and defensive coordinators. Last season’s embarrassing loss in the national championship game to Clemson did not sit well with the Nicktator.
Clemson
Naturally Clemson is the top pick with College Football Futures betting odds based in large part due to their impressive title game performance last year. Looming large in the minds of the betting public is the fact that the Tigers have posted four consecutive playoff appearances with another national title in 2016. Head coach Dabo Swinney has built the Clemson program his way with a much happier marquee than Saban. Certainly, the Tigers work hard but they also have fun, which appeals to recruits. Five-star cornerback Andrew Booth heads their 2019 class.
Georgia
Now Georgia continues to garner plenty of respect with the College Football Futures Betting Odds. Recruiting is a big reason as to why. Kirby Smart has once again delivered a top five class for 2019. Although the Bulldogs failed to make the College Football Playoff last year they certainly could have. Georgia boasted a total of five recruits that were ranked at the five-star level. Among them were Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean for what is already an impressive defense. Only arch rival Alabama ranked higher for its class.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Perhaps the one traditional power favorite facing the most questions are the Ohio State Buckeyes. Of great concern is the retirement of head coach Urban Meyer, who departs with a national championship and three Big Ten titles as head coach of the Buckeyes. Myer had a drive that was unsurpassed and he simply burned out with health issues such as migraines sending him to the broadcast studio.
Urban Meyer
By contrast Ryan Day will run a looser ship as Ohio State head coach. While Day performed well as interim coach when Meyer was suspended last year, he has a virtually impossible task. As a matter of fact, he is in a situation in which he is set up to fail compared to Meyer. Ohio State’s recruiting class finished outside the top ten for the first time since Meyer took over and that adds to Buckeye fans worries.