SPORTS BETTING

• BCS Championship Contenders

  Posted on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT by GetChalk

  
  

  The first BCS rankings hit the presses this past weekend, and to no one's surprise the Florida Gators sit atop the standings which will help determine the two teams that will play for college football's biggest prize. Here's a look at the best bets to make this season's Bowl Championship Series final.
   
  Florida Gators
   
  All roads to the BCS title go through Gainesville. Florida doesn't have the offensive weapons like last year's title team. Quarterback Tim Tebow is still a little woozy after suffering a concussion a few weeks back and the Gators’ passing game has struggled to find a go-to receiver. Thankfully for coach Urban Meyer, he returned his championship defense, which ranks second in the country and is giving up only 8.7 points per game. If anyone is going to beat the champs they will have to beat the UF defense to do it.
   
  Alabama Crimson Tide
   
  The SEC Championship could end up being tagged as the real BCS title game. Alabama's defense is just as good as the Gators’ defense and is currently ranked first in total yards allowed, giving up only 11.6 points per game. The Crimson Tide's offense may not carry the same public image as Florida but it does have a solid option at quarterback in junior Greg McElroy and a Heisman candidate in running back Mark Ingram. The sophomore is leading the SEC with more than 129 yards rushing per game and has rumbled for eight touchdowns this season.
   
  Texas Longhorns
   
  The Longhorns are the class of the Big 12. While that title is usually enough to garner a spot in the BCS championship, this is a down year in the conference – especially with Oklahoma reeling after Sam Bradford's shoulder injury. Texas has the most potent offense in the Big 12 and leads the country in scoring with 42 points per game. Quarterback Colt McCoy is the star of the Longhorns, however, behind him they don't have many game-breaking talents besides receiver Jordan Shipley. Texas' stop unit is sitting sixth in the nation but has taken on some mediocre opponents in the first half of the schedule.
   
  USC Trojans
   
  Southern Cal is the wild card of the bunch. The Trojans have already dropped their arbitrary game with a shocker to Washington in Week 3. However, if one of the three teams above drop a game, USC could slide into title game talks. The Trojans’ offense isn't as powerful as past seasons, behind freshman quarterback Matt Barkley. The Southern Cal defense is sixth in the country, allowing just under 12 points on 260 yards against per game. The pass rush has totaled 26 sacks, which is second in Div-1A, with eight of those coming from first-year defensive lineman Nick Perry.
   
  Boise State Broncos
   
  The best non-BCS hope for a national title lies on the blue turf. Boise State remains undefeated heading into the weekend. With tough games against Idaho and Nevada, the Broncos must pass those tests before getting any title game considerations. Boise State is once again one the nation's most potent offenses, scoring more than 38 points per game. Quarterback Kellen Moore has passed for 16 touchdowns with just two interceptions this season, making him the highest rated QB in the country. The Broncos will have to score some style points in the second half of the season if they want to wow the BCS.
   
  Iowa Hawkeyes
   
  The surprise of the Big Ten schedule could sneak into the BCS title game if it can close out the season undefeated. That will take road wins over Michigan State and Ohio State as well as avoiding letdown games against weaker conference foes. The Hawkeyes' title game chances lie in their defense, which ranks third in the Big Ten but is perhaps the most dangerous in the country. Iowa has a tendency for turning takeaways into points. They have the fourth biggest turnover margin in the land and lead the nation in interceptions with 15 on the season. Five of those picks have come from sophomore defensive back Tyler Sash.
   
  Cincinnati Bearcats
   
  The Bearcats’ BCS hopes might have just gone up in smoke with quarterback Tony Pike's surgery this week. Pike had a plate fixed in his forearm. The injury is to his non-throwing arm, so the tough senior could be back against Louisville on Saturday. Pike has Cincinnati ranked fourth in points with almost 41 per game. The Bearcats will have to run the table in the Big East, which includes taking wins over West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Cincy's defense has been steady in the first half of the season and also has a nose for the ball. The Bearcats have 12 interceptions along with 25 sacks and 61 tackles for a loss (250 yards), which is the most in the country.