16 Teams Still In The Hunt For The National Title: So Says The Vegas Odds

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MIAMI - JANUARY 4: The 2005 FedEx Orange Bowl National Championship trophy awaits USC on January 4, 2005 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The USC Trojans defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 55-19. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

With teams playing either four games or less so far this college football season, some teams are already out of the National Title hunt. Well they might not be totally out but lets just say the odds are against them.
Before every season I do a top 25 according to Vegas and this year was no different. Things have changed in a hurry and according to those willing to put their money where their mouth is, there are only 16 teams who have a better than 30-1 chance to be holding the trophy when all is said and done.

30-1 Odds

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 25: The mascot of the Virginia Tech Hokies leads the team onto the field to face the Boston College Eagles at Lane Stadium October 25, 2007 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Following teams all weigh in at 30-1 Odds:

Iowa—Hard to believe they can run the table from here on in but stranger things have happened.
Kansas—A big schedule ahead, as in Big 12 big.
Miami—Going to have to run the table and get some help.
Michigan—Not so far fetched the way things are shaking out. They get Ohio State at home this year.
Oregon—Going to need USC to beat Cal and then beat USC and hope for all kinds of help.
Penn State—Not out of reach but the slightest stumble and it's all over.
South Florida—Would be a reach but have a schedule that can get them there.
Virginia Tech—May be the best of this group but need to win all the way in.

20-1 Odds

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 19: Jimmy Clausen #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gets a hug from a relative after a win over the Michigan State Spartans on September 19, 2009 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Michigan State

Notre Dame—Irish fans would love it and the TV networks would love it even more.
Ohio State—Playing as well as anyone after the loss to USC.
Oklahoma—A few tough ones on the schedule. This just isn't the Sooners year.

18-1 Odds

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 19: Cheerleaders of the Louisiana State University Tigers cheer before the game against the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Gra

LSU—Here is a team that never seems to blow anyone out or win in an impressive fashion but always seem to get the most important part right, they get the win.

10-1 Odds

LOS ANGELES - SEPTEMBER 23: Young USC Trojans fans yell in the game with the Washingotn State Cougars on September 23, 2009 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

USC—After just three games the odds of the Trojans holding the crystal football when all is said and done have doubled. Once again, it was a conference game which was supposed to be a given that bit USC. They still have an outside chance but they never seem to get the benefit of the doubt when the invitations are given out.

5-1 Odds

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 26: The University of Texas Longhorn band performs before a game against the UTEP Miners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Texas—Mack Brown's team is still looking to get revenge for the snubbing they got last year and for the first time this season took an opponent out behind the woodshed last week against UTEP. The Horns got revenge on the Texas Tech Red Raiders who handed the Horns the loss that kept them out of the title game. They will need to beat the Sooners for another consecutive year and then beat the rest of the Big 12 and win a title game. They can do it but they have their work cut out for them.

3-1 Odds

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 05: A flag girl for the Alabama Crimson Tide marching band performs before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

Alabama—Simply put, Alabama looks better than they were last year and that's a scary thought for anyone on the Tide's schedule. It's going to take a big effort to beat Alabama probably combined with an off week for the Tide and I am not so sure that scenario happens. Of course there is the trip to Ole Miss and the LSU game and an SEC Title Game if they get there.

2 1/2 -1 Odds

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: A general view of the crowd during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Florida-—The defending National Champions are still the favorite but even at these chalky odds they aren't nearly as tight or seen as a given as they were just a few short weeks ago. Whether it was the one man band they appeared to be against Tennessee or Seeing Tim Tebow getting his bell rung and carted off against Kentucky, the odds have dropped significantly.

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