It’s going to be a mighty interesting season this year in the Pac-12, knowing that there are two legitimate National Championship contenders, an up and coming newcomer, a dark horse club, and the USC Trojans, who are ineligible for the conference title. We’ll start at the top with the Oregon Ducks (Current Pac 12 Odds: 2.30 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The Quack Attack came up just shy of the National Championship last season, losing out at the death to the Auburn Tigers. Now, QB Darron Thomas, RB LaMichael James, and a ton of others are coming back from a team that used to routinely drop 50+ points on opponents.

There’s only one problem this year. Whereas last year, the Stanford Cardinal (2011 Pac 12 Lines: 3 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) came to Autzen Stadium, this year, the U of O has to make the trip down to “The Farm.” Considering the fact that these two share the same side of the newly formed Pac-12, it is clear that the game between the two of them is going to be for a spot in the conference championship game, knowing that neither one is likely to end up getting beaten by two other teams in conference play. QB Andrew Luck is the real deal, and had he come out of school last year, he’d have $22M in the bank and would be the starting QB for the Carolina Panthers this upcoming season. In all likelihood, Luck will once again be Top 5 NFL Draft material, and he and RB Stepfan Taylor have a great chance of leading the Cardinal to the Pac-12 crown.

There are 20 returning starters and 53 returning lettermen to this year’s Arizona State Sun Devils (Current Pac 12 Odds: 5.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) team, which definitely makes it the up and coming team in this conference. Head Coach Dennis Erickson has promised that this is the year that ASU gets it all figured out. QB Brock Osweiler has high hopes after leading this offense to 427.1 yards per game last season. We just don’t know if this team is surviving a road test at the new kids on the block, the Utah Utes, especially knowing that the road trip to Oregon is on tap the next week. The rest of the big boys are coming to Tempe though, and Stanford is dodged, so getting to the Pac-12 Championship Game is definitely not out of the question.

2011 Odds To Win The Pac 12 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/31/11):
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Oregon Ducks 2.30 to 1
Stanford Cardinal 3 to 1
Arizona State Sun Devils 5.50 to 1
Utah Utes 7.75 to 1
Arizona Wildcats 8.50 to 1
UCLA Bruins 18 to 1
Oregon State Beavers 19 to 1
Washington Huskies 19 to 1
Colorado Buffaloes 23 to 1
California Golden Bears 29 to 1
Washington State Cougars 125 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Pac 12 North Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/31/11):
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Oregon Ducks 1.30 to 1
Stanford Cardinal 1.75 to 1
Oregon State Beavers 8 to 1
Washington Huskies 8 to 1
California Golden Bears 12.50 to 1
Washington State Cougars 47 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Pac 12 South Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/31/11):
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USC Trojans 1.40 to 1 (not eligible to play in Pac-10 Championship Game)
Arizona State Sun Devils 3.60 to 1
Utah Utes 4.20 to 1
Arizona Wildcats 4.85 to 1
UCLA Bruins 10.15 to 1
Colorado Buffaloes 13 to 1

This year, there is definitely a new sheriff in charge of the Mountain West in the form of the Boise State Broncos (Current Mountain West Odds: 1 to 2.80 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Simply put, the Broncos have the best team in this conference, and the only game that really should have any chance of tripping them up is the home date with TCU late in the season. Of course, Boise State’s eyes aren’t on winning the MWC. They’re on winning the National Championship. Many forget that the Broncos did not win their last season in the WAC last year; Nevada did. That being said, there is definitely some unfinished business for QB Kellen Moore and company, and though the team might take a bit of a step back in terms of talent from a year ago when it was a one-loss team, there’s no doubt that Head Coach Chris Peterson and company have themselves a legitimate shot at an undefeated season this year.

The bad news here is that the TCU Horned Frogs (2011 Mountain West Lines: 4.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) probably aren’t going to be contending for anything but perhaps an MWC title in their final season in this conference before heading to the Big East. Head Coach Gary Patterson knows that this is a very, very important season for recruiting purposes for next year’s jump to the big time, but after last year’s Rose Bowl performance, the team this season has a ton of hurdles to climb. We know that TCU is going to have a tremendous defense, something that has become a staple of a Gary Patterson team. However, missing QB Andy Dalton, the winningest signal caller in TCU history, is going to be a bit of a problem.

About the only other team that we could see making any noise out of this conference is the San Diego State Aztecs (Current Mountain West Odds: 12.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Head Coach Brady Hoke has moved on to the Michigan Wolverines, but he definitely hasn’t left the cupboard dry. QB Ryan Lindley is going to be on the short list for conference player of the year honors after throwing for 3,830 yards and 28 TDs last year, and RB Ronnie Hillman is coming off of a freshman campaign in which he rushed for 1,532 yards. Both TCU and Boise State are home games, but the Aztecs are going to be major underdogs in both outings.

2011 Odds To Win The Mountain West @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/31/11):
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Boise State Broncos 1 to 2.80
TCU Horned Frogs 4.50 to 1
San Diego State Aztecs 12.25 to 1
Air Force Falcons 16 to 1
Colorado State Rams 26 to 1
Wyoming Cowboys 36 to 1
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 81 to 1
New Mexico Lobos 165 to 1

It feels like the MAC is one of the toughest conferences in America to handicap on the NCAA football odds each and every season. This year, the favorite of the bunch is the Toledo Rockets (Current MAC Odds: 3.65 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook), but we’re really not all that sure that it’s justified. THe team went 7-1 last season in conference play, but in total, it was outscored by eight points. Nine starters are back from a defense that was one of the better ones in the MAC at 365.5 yards per game. However, we have a real question as to whether QB Austin Dantin is really going to be able to get the job done or not. The only godsend is that Northern Illinois is coming to the Glass Bowl this year, and the only other potentially difficult games are at home, save for the duel at Temple on October 1st.

Speaking of the Temple Owls (2011 MAC Lines: 6.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook)… What better way for new Head Coach Steve Adazio to take over his program than to win the MAC? Temple showed a lot of promise last year, and it was absolutely unjustly left out of a bowl game. This defense is legit, and the offense has some budding stars like RB Bernard Pierce that can do some real damage. Northern Illinois is dodged on the slate, and Toledo comes to the City of Brotherly Love, while the only tough game in the East Division is a home date with Ohio.

The team of the hour though, very well could be the Northern Illinois Huskies (Current MAC Odds: 4.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Losing Head Coach Jerry Kill could be a problem, but the return of QB Chandler Harnish and eight others on offense will inevitably make anyone’s trip to DeKalb a nightmare this season. Replacing RB Chad Spann might be difficult, but this is definitely a team with some unfinished business after making it to the MAC Championship Game last season after going 8-0, only to lose in the finale to Miami. As long as the roadie to Toledo turns out to be a good one, there should be no one else getting in NIU’s way this year on the road to Ford Field for the MAC Championship Game again.

2011 Odds To Win The MAC @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Toledo Rockets 3.65 to 1
Northern Illinois Huskies 4.25 to 1
Ohio Bobcats 4.95 to 1
Temple Owls 6.25 to 1
Miami Redhawks 6.80 to 1
Western Michigan Broncos 7.50 to 1
Central Michigan Chippewas 22.50 to 1
Kent State Golden Flashes 23.50 to 1
Ball State Cardinals 36 to 1
Bowling Green Falcons 37 to 1
Buffalo Bulls 41 to 1
Eastern Michigan Eagles 42 to 1
Akron Zips 46 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The MAC East Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Ohio Bobcats 2 to 1
Temple Owls 2.65 to 1
Miami Redhawks 3.10 to 1
Kent State Golden Flashes 9.50 to 1
Bowling Green Falcons 15 to 1
Buffalo Bulls 16 to 1
Akron Zips 18 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The MAC West Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/23/11):
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Toledo Rockets 1.75 to 1
Northern Illinois Huskies 2.10 to 1
Western Michigan Broncos 3.90 to 1
Central Michigan Chippewas 9 to 1
Ball State Cardinals 14 to 1
Eastern Michigan Eagles 16.50 to 1

There is definitely going to be a ton of offense this year in Conference USA, as there are some ridiculously high flying teams that could average well over 35 points per game if given the chance. The team that might be in for the biggest year is the favorite to win Conference USA, the Houston Cougars (Current Conference USA Odds: 2.45 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Last year turned out to be a disaster for the Cougs, as they lost QB Case Keenum for the season just two games in, and things just never really got on track. Keenum was granted a medical redshirt and will likely end up breaking all sorts of NCAA passing records this year, but Houston will only go as far as its defense is going to take it, and this unit really, really struggled all season in 2010.

The defending champs of Conference USA should once again be fantastic this year. The UCF Knights (2011 Conference USA Lines: 4.20 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) really have picked up a ton of momentum over these last few seasons, and thanks to the play of QB Jeff Godfrey, many in the Sunshine State are wondering where the men in black and gold really fall in the pecking order of teams in the state. A win in the Liberty Bowl last year was incredibly impressive, and there is no doubt that there is some major defensive talent on the field for the Knights. The question is whether Head Coach George O’Leary can withstand the heat that he is taking from the university’s loss of a lawsuit against the family of the deceased Ereck Plancher. If he can and UCF can keep its level of play up without distractions, these are fantastic NCAA football odds.

That is to say, if the Knights can get past their road test with the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (Current Conference USA Odds: 3.25 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Last season, UCF almost ended up losing Conference USA due to the fact that it was beaten by a very strong Southern Miss side that has a slew of returners this season. Head Coach Larry Fedora thinks that he doesn’t just have a contender in Conference USA, but that he has the potential to crack the Top 25 and maybe even the BCS when it’s all said and done. We’re not ones to argue with him, especially since Houston is dodged on the schedule.

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/21/11):
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Houston Cougars 2.45 to 1
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 3.25 to 1
Central Florida Knights 4.20 to 1
SMU Mustangs 8 to 1
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 8 to 1
UAB Blazers 16.50 to 1
East Carolina Pirates 20 to 1
Rice Owls 25 to 1
Marshall Thundering Herd 30 to 1
Tulane Green Wave 52 to 1
Memphis Tigers 70 to 1
UTEP Miners 70 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA East Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/21/11):
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Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles 1.40 to 1
UCF Knights 1.90 to 1
UAB Blazers 6.60 to 1
East Carolina Pirates 7.75 to 1
Marshall Thundering Herd 12 to 1
Memphis Tigers 27 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Conference USA West Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/20/11):
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Houston Cougars 1 to 1
Tulsa Golden Hurricane 3.50 to 1
SMU Mustangs 3.65 to 1
Rice Owls 11 to 1
Tulane Green Wave 20 to 1
UTEP Miners 27 to 1

There are very clearly two favorites in the Big 10 this year, and we wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up playing each other in the first conference title game. The nearly odds on favorites are the new kids on the block, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (Current Big 10 Odds: 1.90 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Big Red is making its debut in its new home, which might make it a little difficult facing a slew of new opponents that it hasn’t seen before. Still, with an amazing defense and a young quarterback with a ton of upside in QB Taylor Martinez, hopes are high. The schedule is rough with roadies at Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan, which could make life difficult, but we aren’t so sure that there are any other real contenders in the Legends Division.

The other team to watch out for is the Wisconsin Badgers (2011 Big 10 Lines: 3.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The Badgers would have been amazing this season without picking up QB Russell Wilson, but now that he is playing in Madison, it’s clear that this is a legitimate National Championship contender. Defensively, Head Coach Bret Bielema always comes up with a great squad, and the running game with RB Montee Ball and RB James White will be fantastic. This is a great schedule for the Badgers as well, as they don’t play a game on the road until October 22nd.

With Ohio State dealing with a ton of problems with players suspended and QB Terrelle Pryor leaving the team, we want no part of the Buckeyes. That being said, the only other team that we can really see making a bit of a stink here is the Michigan Wolverines (Current Big 10 Odds: 19 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). Big Blue really hasn’t had a great season in quite some time, but the first year of the Brady Hoke era could be something special. QB Denard Robinson is one of the most dynamic players in the entire country, and there isn’t a team that he can’t beat by himself. The problem is a horrendous defense that was absolutely torched a number of times last year. If Hoke gets the job done and improves this unit though, the rest of the conference really needs to look out.

2011 Odds To Win The Big 10 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/20/11):
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 1.90 to 1
Wisconsin Badgers 3.50 to 1
Ohio State Buckeyes 5 to 1
Penn State Nittany Lions 5.75 to 1
Michigan State Spartans 12.25 to 1
Michigan Wolverines 19 to 1
Iowa Hawkeyes 20 to 1
Northwestern Wildcats 24 to 1
Illinois Fighting Illini 28 to 1
Purdue Boilermakers 95 to 1
Indiana Hoosiers 135 to 1
Minnesota Golden Gophers 150 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Big 10 Leaders Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/20/11):
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Wisconsin Badgers 1.50 to 1
Ohio State Buckeyes 2.35 to 1
Penn State Nittany Lions 2.50 to 1
Illinois Fighting Illini 11 to 1
Purdue Boilermakers 34 to 1
Indiana Hoosiers 48 to 1

2011 Odds To Win The Big 10 Legends Division @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/20/11):
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 1 to 1.65
Michigan State Spartans 5.50 to 1
Michigan Wolverines 7.75 to 1
Iowa Hawkeyes 8 to 1
Northwestern Wildcats 9.50 to 1
Minnesota Golden Gophers 53 to 1

With the departures of both Colorado and Nebraska, the door really has swung open for the Oklahoma Sooners (Current Big 12 Odds: 1 to 1.80 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) to walk away from this conference. Texas is down once again this season, and there just aren’t that many teams that we feel can challenge Boomer Sooner. The biggest problem that this season could have is the road game at Okie State at the end of the season. However, Texas A&M comes to Norman, and there shouldn’t be any other difficult road tests on the schedule. This is one of the best teams in the land and is clearly the best team in the Big XII.

Seemingly the only other team that would have a shot of taking out of Sooners is the Oklahoma State Cowboys (2011 Big 12 Lines: 9 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The only problem that Oklahoma State has is that we’re not sure that the Pokes are going to be able to survive this schedule. Games at Texas A&M, Texas, an Missouri in just a five week stretch are going to prove to be nearly impossible to avoid disaster, and the roadie at Texas A&M probably won’t be fun in the middle of November either. However, QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon could both be in for absolutely amazing seasons and could be playing a spoiler role to the National Championship hopes of the Sooners.

If the Texas A&M Aggies (Current Big 12 Odds: 5.50 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) can play like they did down the stretch a season ago, they really could be for a great year as well. The problem is that we just don’t see QB Ryan Tannehill and this defense being able to take care of Oklahoma on the road. If the Aggies do though, they’re going to be in the driver’s seat, because both Oklahoma State and Texas, the next two biggest challenges that the conference has to offer, are games that are going to be played in College Station, where A&M went 5-3 ATS last season.

2011 Odds To Win The Big 12 @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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Oklahoma Sooners 1 to 1.80
Texas A&M Aggies 5.50 to 1
Texas Longhorns 7.50 to 1
Oklahoma State Cowboys 9 to 1
Missouri Tigers 16 to 1
Baylor Bears 20 to 1
Texas Tech Red Raiders 22 to 1
Kansas State Wildcats 36 to 1
Iowa State Cyclones 110 to 1
Kansas Jayhawks 160 to 1

The Big East is going to be a tough conference to handicap this season. There clearly aren’t any National Championship contenders, but there are definitely at least half of the teams in the conference that can claim glory and make it to the BCS. The favorites this year, seemingly as always, are the West Virginia Mountaineers (Current Big East Odds: 1.75 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The problem that the ‘Neers have is that they have four road games this year in conference play. The good news is that the “Backyard Brawl” is at home in Morgantown, but four road games in the last six games is going to be awfully difficult to survive.

The South Florida Bulls (2011 Big East Lines: 2.75 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook) are the team that could come out of nowhere to win the conference. Of course, the oddsmakers are onto just how good the Bulls really could be with QB BJ Daniels running the ship. It’s only a matter of time until Head Coach Skip Holtz really gets this program rolling, and this could be the year that USF finally gets to the big time.

The other team that is up and coming in the Big East is the Louisville Cardinals (Current Big East Odds: 10 to 1 at 5Dimes Sportsbook). The first year for Head Coach Charlie Strong was a great one for the Cards, and if that’s the case again this season, this could be a shocking team to watch. Louisville made it to a bowl game last year, and it isn’t all that far removed from Big East supremacy. Sure, three out of four on the road to end the season is going to be tough, as will those four road games in conference play. However, we were absolutely shocked at what the ‘Ville was able to do last year as the biggest underdog in the Big East, so this year, we wouldn’t be surprised if this is a team that really has a shot of winning the Big East this season.

2011 Odds To Win The Big East @ 5Dimes Sportsbook (as of 7/17/11):
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West Virginia Mountaineers 1.75 to 1
South Florida Bulls 2.75 to 1
Pittsburgh Panthers 3.75 to 1
Cincinnati Bearcats 9 to 1
Louisville Cardinals 10 to 1
Syracuse Orange 17 to 1
Connecticut Huskies 23 to 1
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 24 to 1