Hope is precious right?
And for now it seems too risky to hold too much of it for the sports that are nearby.
The NBA season is in jeopardy. Major League Baseball has hurdles to clear before it can even get started. Both seasons could still happen, but there are questions and complications and contingencies lurking around every corner.
The college football season should be safe from disruption
But it seems college football should be okay. By August, the hope is coronavirus will no longer be an immediate national threat.
Kids should be back on campus. The bands, the cheerleaders, and our favorite teams should be on the field. The games should go on.
Sports fans can cast some hope ahead to college football. And let’s take a look at the futures odds and the betting lines for the games that will bring so much joy when they arrive.
Penn State is 50-1 to win the national title
Clemson (+200), which made the title game last season and returns star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, is the favorite to win college football’s national championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Ohio State, which just added Oklahoma RB transfer Trey Sermon, is +400 and Alabama is +500. In Pennsylvania, Penn State is 50-1, Pitt is 300-1, and Temple is 750-1.
West Virginia is 200-1. Bettors can find slightly different odds at other sportsbooks, so they’d be wise to compare PA sports betting odds before making a wager.
Buckeyes are Big 10 favorites, Tigers top the ACC
FOX Bet has futures available on the champions for most major conferences. In the Big 10, Ohio State is the favorite at -225. Michigan is next at +500, followed by Penn State (+1000) and Wisconsin (+1000).
In the ACC, Clemson is a heavy favorite at -700. Miami (+750), North Carolina (+1000), and Florida State (+1800) are next. Pitt is eighth in ACC odds at +2800.
In the Big 12, Oklahoma is the favorite at -125. Texas, which returns quarterback Sam Ehlinger, is +125. West Virginia is fifth in conference futures at +1800.
The other conference favorites and their odds are as follows:
- American: Central Florida (+125)
- Conference USA: Western Kentucky (+300)
- Mid-American: Ohio (+300)
- Mountain West: Boise State (-200)
- Pac-12: Oregon (+225)
- Sun Belt: Appalachian State (-167)
- SEC: Alabama (-120)
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is the Heisman favorite
Heisman Trophy futures are also posted at a number of sportsbooks. At DraftKings, the current favorite is Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (+350), who is expected to lead an explosive offense in 2020.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is next at +500. Quarterbacks dominate the futures board, with Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford far down the list at 80-1.
Heisman pricing also varies across the industry, so bettors would be wise to comparison shop on those as well.
No need to wait. Big game betting lines are already live.
Some single-game betting lines are already posted, giving players another fun option for college football wagers.
At BetRivers PA, the first game posted is a matchup between Navy and Notre Dame, which will be held in Ireland on August 29. The Irish are currently 16.5-point favorites.
Penn State’s game with Michigan on October 3 is already live as well, with the Nittany Lions listed as 2-point underdogs. Later in October, Ohio State is a 4.5-point favorite when the Buckeyes travel to State College on October 24.
Return of sports a distant glimmer
It’s hard telling exactly when our beloved sports will return. Some of them should be back this summer.
And it seems safe that college football will kick off as scheduled in August.
Kids should be back on campus. The bands, the cheerleaders, and our favorite teams should be on the field. The games should go on.
And that’s the precious hope waiting for many sports fans up ahead.
