College Football 2019 Power 5 Conference Odds, Analysis

The college football betting landscape has been limited since Clemson throttled Alabama in the national title game. Only a few outlets have provided early Heisman Trophy and National Championship odds without much traction.

The betting menu just changed, however, as DraftKings Sportsbook became the first to offer Power 5 conference odds.

The Action Network Power Ratings were updated before spring practice, and show there are numerous conflicts in the opening numbers.

Notes on Power 5 Conference Odds

The ACC should be renamed 'Clemson and the baker's dozen.' The Tigers dodge the three projected best teams from the Coastal Division (Virginia Tech, Miami and Virginia) while getting Florida State at home. Still, -265 is a bit high and dictates around -8.5 in a single game setting like the ACC championship game, so there may be better odds on Clemson to make the Playoff.

The Big Ten presents all kinds of opportunity for investment. Even with a new speed and space offensive scheme for Michigan,  Action Network Power Ratings have the Wolverines over Ohio State. With Penn State and Michigan State's placement, the top four teams in conference odds all hail from the East division. If there is one team to keep your eye on in the West division, it is Minnesota. The Gophers not only rank top-10 in returning production, P.J. Fleck gets the easiest conference schedule. Minnesota dodges Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State from the East while getting Iowa and Wisconsin at home.

The rules for the Big 12 have always been to the advantage of the bettor backing Oklahoma. It is unimaginable to see the Sooners fall to third in the conference standings and miss the championship game. My disdain for 2019 Texas football started months ago, which may create an opportunity for another team to meet the Sooners in Arlington. Keep tabs on Baylor in what should be Matt Rhule's final season as a college head coach. The Bears leave the state of Texas just three times (Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Kansas).

Much like the Big 10, the Pac-12 has three teams at the top of the leaderboard from the same division. The South may have been the worst Power 5 division in 2018, but a healthy Tyler Huntley should lead Utah right back to Santa Clara. The North may be too close to call, as Oregon has the least amount of questions but must travel to Stanford and Washington.

It is hard to envision an SEC championship game void of Alabama and Georgia. Keep in mind this is an odd numbered year, meaning Auburn's home field is in play. The famous Kick Six came in 2013, while 2017 had home victories over both Georgia and Alabama sending the student section to the hedges.