College Football Predictions: 13 Outlandish Bets for 2011

With the 2011 college football season only mere weeks away, some are excited because their favorite sport in back in season, while a collection of others is getting excited about an opportunity to make some money.

When the NCAA last left us, it was a classic matchup between Oregon and Auburn to close out the season. It was also the last chance to wager on a college football game. If you were on the losing end of that one, the good news is that this year is a clean slate.

Those of you that clean up during the college football season know that betting on the sure things every week isn't going to make you the type of money you are dreaming about. Those that are willing to take a shot or two usually reap the benefits when it's all said and done.

That's what this article is dedicated to. I'm looking at the 13 craziest bets out there to place early on that could bring you in a pile of money. While none of these are likely to happen, it's fun to say "what if." Yet if they do, those who took the long shots will cash in at the end.

1. Week 1: Tulsa over Oklahoma

Remember that this is about the most outlandish bets during the college football season and not the smartest bets. Those looking to take a shot on a big number can look no further than the first week of the season.

When it comes to the NCAA tournament, many say that a No. 16 seed will one day beat a No. 1 seed. Wouldn't it be nice to have that No. 16 seed on the money line when it does?

That's what we have here, when the preseason No. 1 team Oklahoma opens their season against Tulsa. Tulsa's offense likely won't be as explosive with former head coach Todd Graham now roaming the sidelines at Pitt, but who says something unpredictable can't happen?

While Boomer Sooner likely wins going away, one of these years something crazy is going to happen to the No. 1 team right off the bat.

Ignore the 20.5 opening line, the money line on this will exceed +1,000 as we get closer to kickoff.

Crazy? Absolutely.

Impossible? No.

2. Darron Thomas to Win the Heisman: +3,000

With not many opening lines currently out, most of these outlandish bets will be future bets—or prop bets, whichever terminology you prefer.

It's time to make a buck on predicting the Heisman Trophy winner.

It's easy to pick one of the favorites, but let's look for a bigger number that has an outside chance to make history.

I see a +3,000 sitting next to Thomas' name and I can't help thinking why not him? The signal-caller on one of the nation's most explosive offenses has as good as a chance as anyone to sneak up and claim the Heisman.

3. Case Keenum Will Win the Heisman Trophy: +3,000

If you aren't big on Thomas, here is another option in Houston quarterback Case Keenum. Keenum also has an early line of +3,000 (all lines in this article have been taken from betus.com) to be named Heisman Trophy winner and he may be an even better bet.

Keenum, who seems to have been at Houston for a decade now, was in the Heisman chatter a mere two seasons ago before suffering an injury last season.

If healthy in 2011, Keenum is in a position to become the NCAA's all-time leader in total passing yards. In a high-powered offense, Keenum's numbers could be hard to overlook.

4. Miami to Finish in the Top 5 of the USA Today Poll: +800

Someone has to be a sleeper this season and sneak into the BCS mix. Why can't that team be the Canes?

A victory at home against Ohio St. could get them on the right path and they are talented enough to get hot and run through the ACC.

If Jacory Harris and Company decide to take care of the football for a change, they have two big conference road hurdles to climb in games at Virginia Tech and Florida St.

It's an unlikely scenario but stranger things have happened.

If you don't like the Canes, take a look at TCU with a line of +600.

5. Texas Will Reach the BCS Title Game: +600

After such a down year in 2010, could Texas get back on track in a big way? They have a ton of on-field issues to correct, but seeing a line like +600 sitting next to a Mack Brown-coached team at least makes you look twice at it.

6. Syracuse to Win the Big East Conference: +1,200

Syracuse took a big step forward a season ago. Now we will see if Doug Marrone's bunch can put together an entire body of work.

I look at +1,200 next to Syracuse and they are the classic example of "why not us."

While the Big East will be better than last season (how can it be any worse?), teams like West Virginia and Pitt have new head coaches and aren't as strong to begin with. This is an opportunity for a team like the Orange to cash in.

7. North Carolina St. to Win the ACC: +2,500

Last time I checked, the ACC wasn't the SEC and this conference is winnable for more than a handful of teams—including the North Carolina St. Wolfpack.

Head coach Tom O’Brien broke through with a 9-4 season that ended with an impressive 23-7 victory over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Despite losing quarterback Russell Wilson, the Wolfpack are in good position to continue winning. Their defense should be one of the better ones in the league and returns eight starters. A line of +2,500 is way too high. A team like the Wolfpack putting together a big season isn't that crazy of an idea.

8. Michigan to Win the Big Ten: +950

Now that the Rich Rodriguez era of Michigan football has come to an end, maybe the Wolverines can get back to being a factor in the Big Ten.

The Wolverines still have talent and if they could figure out how to tackle anyone, they could take advantage of maybe Ohio St. being a little bit down this season. At +950, it would be nice if they did.

9. Utah to Win the Pac-12: +550

It isn't altogether that crazy of an idea for Utah to step in and win the Pac-12 in their first season. Sure, getting by Oregon will be a challenge, but the Utes have a ton of speed as well and should do just fine in their inaugural season as a BCS conference member.

Also, take into account that the Utes just don't lose at Rice-Eccles Stadium, and Utah could be worth taking a shot on. Seeing them over +500 is a mild surprise.

10. South Carolina to Win the SEC: +750

It's near impossible to pick something crazy in the SEC, but keep an eye on the Gamecocks. The Old Ball Coach is due for a big season and has a talented team returning.

It's a bit of a reach, but South Carolina has the nicest plus number of any team that actually has an outside chance. This is a case where you hope the Gamecocks can get out of conference play with only one or two losses and root for some upsets along the way to the top dogs in the conference.

11. Boise St. to Win the BCS Title: +1,250

It's going to happen one day. A team from a non-BCS conference will play their way into a national championship. Everyone's darling, Boise St., never seems to go away, so why not grab them while they are a high plus number.

If you're thinking of TCU to win a title before they make the journey to the Big East, they currently sit at +2,500.

12. Auburn to Repeat as Champs: +10,000

In this day of college football, repeating as champs is as difficult as it gets. It could be even more difficult for Auburn this season since they lost a good chunk of their 2010 team.

As unlikely as it is, if they could get it done, it would be a spectacular payday.

13. Odds of These Happening: +10,000,000

Naturally, this was a fun article just to look at different scenarios that could happen.  If any do happen, it will be a nice payday for those select few.

There are some things on this list that are intriguing and some that are purely fantasy, but there is a chance one or two of these scenarios could happen.

Who knows, but enjoy a fun, unpredictable college football season.