Lock$ of Saturday Futures & Week 0

Do you feel that? The slight chill in the air? Not feeling like you're walking into an oven every time you step outside? Friends, fall weather has crept upon us this wonderful Wednesday afternoon, meaning only one thing: College Football is BACK.

We've got some business to take care of, sharing the rest of our favorite future bets with you (you can find our first set of futures here). We cover picks for each P4 conference champion, one G5 bet, Heisman and the National Championship. Then it's on to Week 0!

Is it cliché? Yes. Do I care? No. There are a ton of really good teams in the SEC this year, but only one is truly great. Georgia runs through this conference pretty easily.

I think it’s very likely the Bulldogs find themselves in Atlanta again for an SEC title, and I’m not gonna bet against the Dawgs unless Nick Saban is prowling on the other sideline. 

Rarely have we gotten UGA at plus odds to win the SEC over the last five years, but with the addition of Texas, that changed the game. One word describes UGA: “reload”. With the returns of Carson Beck (arguably the most talented QB on paper UGA has had in some time) and Dominic Lovett, addition of Trevor Etienne, and “reloading” on defense, it is hard to go against the Dawgs.

The Ducks by far have the best roster in the conference, and you could argue they have the best coach, too. The biggest questions for the B1G newcomers will be in two tough road trips to Wisconsin and Michigan in November, where the weather will not be favorable for these Pacific-dwelling mallards. Still, +200 is great value.

From a pure betting perspective, I think this is the best value. Penn State gets Ohio State at home and misses Oregon and Michigan. I think they manage to get to Indy for the title game, and I’ll take a +500 moneyline in that scenario.

This is so strange picking Oregon to win the B1G, but I absolutely love the Ducks this year. The question mark was at QB, but bringing in veteran Dillon Gabriel eases all concern. Their biggest competition will be OSU, who they get at home this season, and I will go on record to say that game will be the “prequel," if you know what I mean. I believe a lot more in Dan Lanning than I do Ryan Day and that is what makes me quack.

I have been as critical of Dave Doeren as anyone, but winning nine games with that team last year while major offensive pieces were quitting midseason completely altered my perspective of him. He hit the portal hard and will have his best offense ever, led by QB Grayson McCall, and the defense should still be solid. This conference is wide open, and the Pack just might be the best team. Plus, NC State athletics is collectively on a heater we’ve never seen before. There might be some magic in the craft IPAs in Raleigh.

Another instance of me betting on the coach and not the team. The Tigers are a much better team than the narrative suggests, and Dabo is still the most proven big game coach in the conference. 

Alright, I know you are probably thinking this is a pander pick on a Virginia Tech website, but it is hard to argue the value. With an easy ACC slate, the Hokies just have to split Miami/Clemson, and they will be staring the ACCCG in the face. The fact the Hokies can be competitive with every team in the ACC and return the most production in the country makes me think they are the best bang for your turkey.

Much like the ACC, the Big 12 is completely up for grabs. It’s Avery Johnson’s show now in the Little Apple, and he has a plethora of weapons to distribute it too. Chris Klieman may also be the most underrated coach in the country.

What are our three keys to college football success again? Experience, solid QB, defensive depth. Utah has all of that. I think their home field advantage shines, and Cam Rising reminds the country of how good he is after being sidelined due to injury last season.

19 returning starters, Ollie Gordon and the most chaotic conference in college football in 2024? I loved the Pokes in my win totals, and I love the value here as well as my B12 champion. I think Utah and Kansas State are both tough teams, but I think Gundy can put some magic together for this to hit. Cam Rising hasn’t played a full season in two years and KState’s OL is a big concern. Gimme the Pokes by a longshot.

The consensus seems to be this is Boise State’s conference to lose (they are -110), but don’t sleep on the Runnin’ Rebels. The biggest question comes at QB after Jayden Maiava’s departure, and make no mistake, that room is rough. But WR Ricky White III is a bonafide star with almost 1,500 yards last year, and he can help any QB feel comfortable. They should also have a great run game and one of the best defenses in the conference.

This is a devious strategy the king Napoleon Bonaparte would be proud of. I’m of the belief that sports books aren’t sure how to price a 12 team playoff. Because of that, I think there is a chance to spray the board with conference favorites and see what sticks. If you were to bet to win 3.0 units on each of these selections, you come out positive if one of them hits. The ONLY way it doesn’t is obviously if none of them hit, something I call the “Liberty Problem." I could, however, see the committee leaving out a 12-0 Liberty with their schedule, especially if their best opponent, App State, fails to reach the 10-win mark. 

I need to invest in land in San Marcos at this point with how much I am buying into the Bobcats this season. They will have one of the most explosive offenses in the country and have an extremely easy schedule. Adding McCloud was a major upgrade from Finley, and with their only G5 playoff competition being Boise State (who has an extremely hard schedule), it is likely this team prowls into December 12-0.  Side note: they are so much fun to use in the EA Sports College Football 2025 “Dynasty Mode."

Let me start off by saying the most likely option is Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel at +700. It’s a great bet to make. But humor me with a non-QB option for this so-called “QB award.” Since 2009, there have been three non-QBs to win the award: Mark Ingram (2009), Derrick Henry (2015) and DeVonta Smith (2020). What do these three campaigns have in common? Each player played for the most dominant program at the time and did not have to contend with an elite statistical QB season. Etienne should check both boxes as Georgia’s RB against a notably weak QB group. While Georgia typically has rotated RBs in the past, Florida transfer Etienne comes in as by far the most experienced guy for a younger group, and he is lightning in a bottle, just like his older brother. Not to mention, he’s averaged six yards per carry in his career with some pretty bad Florida offensive lines, making him likely the best player on arguably the best team. I’m just saying, it’s great value.

Pure value play. I think the Aggies are gonna be a massive storyline this season with some big games, and a healthy Weigman has proven to be a great QB. It’s worth the value, especially considering previous Heisman winners who have come from this range of odds in recent years (‘19 Burrow +4000, ‘20 Smith +2500)

I think Ole Miss can have a 10 win season, and with that will come video game numbers from Dart. Over 3300 yards last year with a 23-5 TD/INT ratio, which is good but not great. However! They lost Quinshon Judkins who carried a ton of the offense. The passing game will be one of the nation's best with the addition of Antwane Wells Jr. and Tre Harris from the portal along with returning starter Jordan Watkins. I expect Dart to have 35-40+ attempts a game, which can lead to some crazy numbers. 

This pick comes down to Oregon and Georgia, who are by far the two best teams. I see Dan Lanning getting one against his former mentor and finally taking the Ducks over the hump. Phil "Thanos" Knight will finally rest and watch the sun rise on a grateful universe.

I have the Ducks at +850 (no biggie). But +750 is still a decent value for a team that is well above the Blue Chip Ratio, has an elite QB and is filled with NFL talent at every position. This is the year Oregon finally takes home the title. 

I am the last one to enter my picks and might as well make this unanimous. For the value, the Ducks at +750 are a no-brainer with Dan Lanning at the helm. They check every box for a national champion. Elite QB? Check. Strong in the trenches on both sides? Check. Elite kicker (yes, this matters, ask OSU)? Check. 'Sco Ducks!

This game could not have been scheduled at a better time for the Yellow Jackets. This is a group returning most of its core getting to play spoiler to an overhauled roster playing its first game together. GT has had all off-season to prepare for this, and their high-flying offense will jump on the Seminoles early, putting DJU in a position he does not thrive in: having to make big throws to lead a comeback.

Tommy Mellot.

A top three FCS team vs. a bottom five FBS team never ends well.