Stanford Cardinal 2016 College Football Betting Preview, Championship Odds

Stanford continues to win Pac-12 championships and cover spreads. Since Jim Harbaugh rejuvenated this program almost a decade ago, the Cardinal have been one of the best teams to wager on in college football. They did it again last year, going 10-4 against the spread at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark on their way to another Rose Bowl victory. Can they stay profitable again this year?

2015 Stanford record: 12-2 SU, 10-4 ATS

2016 regular-season wins over/under: 8.0

2016 odds to win Pac-12: +300 (bet $100 to win $300)

2016 odds to win national championship: +2000

Last Year in Review

Stanford began last season ranked No. 21 but lost its opener at Northwestern to fall out of the Top 25. But the Cardinal woke up and won their next eight games in a row, knocking off ranked USC and UCLA teams along the way.

They suffered an upset loss at home to Oregon, but they beat Cal to clinch the North Division title. Stanford then broke Notre Dame's heart, beating the Irish on a long field goal on the last play of the game, before disposing of the Trojans in a rematch in the Pac-12 title game. Finally, the Cardinal exposed Iowa, flying out to a 35-0 halftime lead in what became a 45-16 Rose Bowl romp.

In four seasons under Harbaugh, Stanford went 28-22 ATS; in five seasons under David Shaw, the Cardinal are 41-25 ATS.

This Year in Preview

Stanford only returns 11 starters this season, although it only had 12 last year. Five starters are back on offense, which is led by the dangerous Christian McCaffrey (2,019 rushing yards last year, 645 receiving yards and 1,200 return yards). But the Cardinal have to replace four-year starter Kevin Hogan at quarterback and three cogs along the offensive line. Meanwhile, six starters return on defense.

The Cardinal averaged 37.8 points per game last year while allowing 22.6. Even with McCaffrey, they'll have trouble matching that first figure this year, but they could improve upon the second.

Stanford 2016 Schedule

Stanford better be ready quickly this season because, after opening with a home date against Kansas State, the Cardinal host USC and then visit UCLA and Washington back-to-back. A couple of weeks later, they step out of conference for a trip to Notre Dame and later play at Oregon and at Cal. That's six true road games against some of the top teams in the Pac-12 and the Fighting Irish.

Betting on the Cardinal

Stanford is the favorite to win the Pac-12, yet it has an over/under of just eight wins. There's little value in those conference odds, and with some questions on offense but an improved defense, the under wager may be the play on the Cardinal this season.