Alabama 6/1 to win 2015 FBS Title
LAS VEGAS, NV (The Spread) – After failing to reach the title game for the first time in three years, will Alabama make a run at the 2014-15 FBS championship?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Crimson Tide currently have 6/1 odds to win the 2014-15 college football FBS championship. Those odds are second-best to only Florida State, who is 11/2 to win this season’s title. Alabama is also 11/10 to make the four-team playoff this year and has 2/3 odds to miss the postseason altogether.
If the Crimson Tide is going to make a run at the postseason and, eventually, a title, then it’ll need to overcome a couple of key offseason losses. On offense, gone are national championship-winning quarterback AJ McCarron, receiver Kevin Norwood and offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. 2013 All-Conference running back T.J. Yeldon and receiver Christion Jones return, but it’ll be up to Blake Sims at quarterback to ensure that the offense doesn’t suffer any setbacks now that McCarron is a Cincinnati Bengal. ‘Bama also needs to replace two starters on the offensive line.
On defense Nick Saban lost middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and safety Vinnie Sunseri, who was essentially a coach on the field as much as he was a steady player. Linebacker Trey DePriest returns, as does fellow 2013 All-Conference safety Landon Collins. But as a whole, Saban had to replace seven starters on the defensive side of the ball.
Does Alabama offer good value for bettors at 6/1? The good news is that Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake give the Tide a three-headed monster at running back and the receiving corps is deep and talented. The concern is that Sims and/or Florida State transfer Jacob Coker will hold the offense back. But Lane Kiffin should be able to coach either signal-caller up and seeing as how the QB position will be surounded by so much talent, I’m not worried.
Saban hated how his team wasn’t mentally prepared in last year’s Sugar Bowl at Oklahoma. He’s been on a mission this offseason to make sure that the Tide is focused on one thing: Getting back to the title game. And at 6/1 odds, Saban and ‘Bama make for a solid value bet.
Want More From TheSpread.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook or Subscribe to Our News Feeds!