In 2014 I took TCU 630/1 to win the National Championship.  That is not a misprint.

My bet was completely about returning starters, and a perfect schedule that only had them leaving the state of Texas a few times.  I knew @ West Virginia would be the “hedge” game.  Sadly, I lost that Mountaineers hedge and the TCU 630:1 was jumped by Ohio State in the final College Football Playoff rankings.  This confirms my belief that placing a bet on Conference and Division winners are less fluid and more predictable than relying on a committee that ranks and picks four teams for the playoff.

With Game of the Year wrapped up at the Golden Nugget it is time to look at 2015 College Football Conference and Division Odds.  In late June 5Dimes (5D) and BetOnline (BOL) started to leak Conference Odds along with the Westgate (LVH).  By the time you read this you should be able to shop for any team’s Conference/Division Odds.

Although I have hit multiple Conference Odds on my Twitter Handles (@CWofCCH/@CCHPicks), Division Odds are fresh on 5D.   Lets look at some scenarios where your team may be worth a penny.

ACC Coastal Division

The Play:  Georgia Tech and Miami have to jump every hurdle (Clemson/Florida State) in the Atlantic Division, while Virginia Tech and North Carolina do not.  Virginia Tech is going to Georgia Tech off a Bye Week on November 12^th, but +195 isn’t enough to warrant a play.  With 17 Returning starters (and Gene Chizik as the new Defensive Coordinator) North Carolina +1300 has PK games @Pitt and @NCState, but visiting Virginia Tech on November 21^st is your hedge spot.

SEC Conference/Division

The Play:  I’ve taken a stance that Texas A&M can win the West with limited road trips to Ole Miss and LSU.  The rest of TAMU’s games are inside the state of Texas.  We want the biggest bang for our buck; so whether you take the +2200 SEC Odds or Texas A&M +1400 for the West, prepare to sweat Alabama and hedge against LSU.

In the East, Tennessee and Georgia have murderers row for SEC West scheduling.  Meanwhile check out Missouri’s schedule.  They avoid Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M from the West.  That is a tremendous scheduling advantage.  Mizzou +490 above looks enticing, but why not roll into the Georgia Dome with a Missouri +1700 ticket to hedge in the SEC Championship game?

MAC Conference

The Play:  If you keep tabs on my Twitter, I flew to Vegas for Golden Nugget Game of the Years, but also to hit UMass 40:1 for the MAC.  I sadly got 30:1, but would still happily take UMass +1900.  The Minutemen return 19 starters, the best Quarterback in the conference with Frohnapfel, and have the easiest conference schedule in the MAC.  Division odds are not currently posted, but hosting Akron Nov 7^th and the MAC Championship are your hedge spots.

Mountain West Conference

The Play:  As much as I want to say Utah State +725, they host Boise State and then travel to the team that will win the West, San Diego State.  SDSU hosts Utah State and visits Colorado State (Off a Bye Week), but San Diego State +650 will be the West representative taking on Boise State.  There may be deregulation of divisions in the Mountain West by 2016, but this year we should take advantage of SDSU winning the West.  Will SDSU be +650 against Boise in the MWC Championship?  No.  Your hedge spot will come against Boise State.

Sun Belt Conference

The Play:  I hit Appalachian State +200 the second this number was released @CCHPicks for the max money on 5Dimes ($250).  I think the “Fighting Yosef’s” will win every game this year (except Clemson).  Their top rivals in the division (Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, Louisiana Lafayette) all visit Boone, NC.  Ever been to Boone, NC?  App State brings 20 returning starters and blitzed the final 6 games of 2014.  The fighting Yosef’s are my team for 2015.  Take Appalachian State +150 for some Sun Belt fun.

Follow me on Twitter @CWofCCH and at CCHPicks.com.