Alternative Odds

Last week, Bodoglife.com released some odds for the upcoming college football season and the Plain Dealer’s Doug Lesmerises handed out some free advice on where to place the smart money. He covered the basic odds like Ohio State’s win total, BCS Championship chances, and Wells Heisman odds. These are compelling props, but we think there are a few left undiscussed.

Odds Todd Boeckman gets up if he receives this type of hit from Rey Maualuga: 25/1
These odds are not slight on Boeckman’s toughness but more an affirmation of Rey’s potent delivery. Just ask UCLA quarterback Patrick Cowen (work safe, may cause vicarious headache). The above-linked contact was courtesy of Ali Highsmith, the __ draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, a great player to be sure, but Maualuga is the most feared defensive player in college football right and one who does not always play by the rules (Poe knows what I am talking about).

Odds Brandon Saine attains the status of all-purpose star: 5/1
Fans, insiders, and players have touted Saine as a do-it-all athlete since the moment he arrived. Granted, he has only played one season and performed admirably considering his role, but fans are hungry for more, however (include me in that group). The odds are good that Saine will add something new to this offense because he can lineup in 3 or 4 different positions. The writing is on the wall, as well. If you were unconvinced by the staff’s efforts to work him into the BCS Title Game, then the rumors of shared backfield formations with Wells should.

Odds Beanie Wells returns for his senior season: 100/1
Wells has stated that he will be a Buckeye for 4 years, but no one would blame him if he left early. While the recent trend at Ohio State is for players to eschew NFL money for their senior year – Laurinaitis, Jenkins, and Boone did it this season; Doss in 2002 – all of those players return to complete unfinished business (read: win a Mythical National Championship). If the Buckeyes win the MNC, he’s gone. Another near miss, however, hardly guarantees his return as the 2009 version of the Buckeyes may not have a clear shot at the title.

Odds Ohio State plays in the BCS Title Game with a loss: 118/1
Some analysts try to assuage the national malice for Ohio State fans by saying that a narrow defeat to USC would still allow the Buckeyes to make an unprecedented appearance in the nascent final game. But we read the forums; we know that fans, coaches, and media types will give the other 118 teams every chance they can before including Tressel’s squad in another college super bowl. Whether it is right or wrong, warranted or unjustified, the Buckeyes must go undefeated.

Speaking of Doug, he is ready … for the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes. Projecting future successes of the Buckeyes is a rite of passage for all OSU fans but we usually reserve it for the moments immediately prior to the bowl game or those steamy July weekdays when there is nothing else to discuss. We are not blaming Doug for his overzealousness, but we are choosing to focus out attention on something a little more tangible – say, this calendar year.