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The countdown to the 2009 College Football Season is nearly just one month away. While the anticipation continues to build, college players around the nation prepare their first practices of the 2009 season which kicks off in the next two weeks. The weeks leading up to the season is the time when you can always find the biggest variety of preseason college football betting odds on the web. BetUS Sportsbook (100% match play bonus when using this link) and Superbook (50% cash signup bonus using this link) have nearly every preseason betting opportunity imaginable; from wins totals, championship odds, division winners, props, and more. Our writers here at Bankroll Sports have provided free picks along with some general advice on cashing in on these odds, and we will continue to do this over the next few weeks. In today’s addition, I will break down some of the best college teams in America and give my predictions on the amount of wins they will capture in 2009.

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#1. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-7 record)

Over 7 ½ Wins -140
Under 7 ½ Wins +125

Illinois had a big letdown season in 2008 with a dismal 5-7 overall record. However, the offensive production was among the best in the Big Ten and this year’s unit could be among the best in the nation. Quarterback, Juice Williams threw for 3,173 yards and also rushed for 713 yards a year ago. The offensive line looks to return a solid group, meaning that Williams could be in for another big year. The senior quarterback should provide the leadership to put this team over the hump. Standout wide receiver, Arrelious Benn could be on the verge of a huge season after racking up over 1,000 receiving yards last year as a sophomore. Expect this offense primarily the passing attack to be the best in the Big Ten. The defense definitely has some question marks, but if they can just be decent, the Illini should be able to make a lot noise flying under the radar this season. Coach Ron Zook’s 2009 class could be even more talented than the 2007 unit that produced 9 wins and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Anything less than 8 wins would simply be inexcusable.

Pick – Over 7 ½

Consensus:

#2. West Virginia Mountaineers (9-4 in 2008)

Over 8 ½ Wins -125
Under 8 ½ Wins -115

Is it just me or can you hear the nail biting over in Morgantown? The Mountaineers had a very promising approach to 2008, but the 9-4 record was a bit of a letdown in coach Bill Stewart’s first year. However, there are a ton of concerns this season on offense that could make matters a lot worse. Not only does West Virginia have to replace the elusive Pat White, but new quarterback, Jarrett Brown has very little experience despite entering his senior season. Brown has yet to attempt over 50 passes in one year in his previous 3 seasons and he will have to prove himself on the field. The biggest concern could be on the offensive front, which will nearly have an entire new appearance. Not only will that affect Brown’s level of comfort, but it will take away from the Mountaineer’s best offensive threat in tailback, Noel Devine. Offensive productivity could be in jeopardy here. The defense should be very solid and perhaps even the best in the Big East. There will be many who pick the Mountaineers to win the Big East, but this actually could be a disaster in the making on the offensive side of the ball.

Pick – Under 8 ½ Wins

Consensus:

#3. Ohio State Buckeyes (10-3 in 2008)

Over 9 ½ Wins -115
Under 9 ½ Wins -125

If you happened to catch some of our other preseason articles, then you will know we keeping the Buckeyes on the lookout alert. Ohio State really came on strong at the end of 2008, and nearly beating the Texas Longhorns in the Fiesta Bowl. Terrelle Pryor destroyed defenses with his legs last season, but we believe he will do a lot more with his arm in 2009. The youngster was able to keep defenses on their heels in his freshman season while only showing flashes of his passing ability. Giving the time he has had to work on his throws, there could be a big upgrade in the air assault, giving a huge lift to the offense this season. Many experts try to argue that the defense lost too many big players, but Ohio State has had very little problems reloading on talent over the last few years. Expect those guys that were not on the field last season to be very skilled players who will take to the gridiron come kick off time. While the defense may take a step back, don’t expect it to be a big step by any means. The Buckeyes biggest test will be the trip to Happy Valley late in the season. Outside of their showdown with the Nittany Lions, Ohio State should be favored in every game.  And, we don’t expect them to be upset more than once this season which is what will have to happen in order for them to finish under 9.5 wins.

Pick – Over 9 ½ Wins

Consensus:

#4. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-4 in 2008)

Over 8 ½ Wins -120
Under 8 ½ Wins -120

The Yellow Jackets were the biggest surprise team in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season. New coach Paul Johnson implemented his famous rushing offense and the affects surpassed all expectations. Jonathon Dwyer is among the best running backs in the nation and he has good company. Backup tailback, Roddy Jones and quarterback, Josh Nesbitt are both very solid athletes who only making the rushing attack more dangerous. Look for WR Demaryius Thomas to become a bigger focus the few times Nesbitt drops back to pass. Thomas caught for just 39 passes last year for 637 yards, but there numbers could take a drastic impact as the Yellow Jackets will catch defenses off guard with a few more passing attempts. However, the offense main production will come from the rushing attack. The offense excelled on the ground as the year progressed in 2008 and as they continue to get accustomed to the new offense the improvements will only continue. Georgia Tech will also return one of the best defenses in the ACC as well. The Yellow Jackets defense ranked in the top 25 in college football during the 2008 season and they return 8 starters from that impressive unit. With all the ingredients for more improvement, Yellow Jackets fans should be anticipating making a legitimate run at an ACC crown.

Pick – Over 8 1/2 Wins

Consensus:

#5. USC Trojans (12-1 in 2008)

Over 10 ½ Wins +120
Under 10 ½ Wins -160

The USC Trojans will enter the 2009 season with a lot of question marks surrounding the most important position on the field. Quarterbacks, Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain will be fighting for the starting spot.  However, neither quarterback possesses any experience. The defense may have been the best in college football last season, but after losing 8 starters there are some legitimate concerns. The defense will likely be alright as the Trojans reload talent like no other team in the country. However, we just don’t see this team ending with the same record from 2008 with such a big question mark behind center. The offense will struggle at times and there will be some better teams in the Pac-10 ready to throw a big punch. The Trojans make some scary road trips to Notre Dame, Oregon, and California, giving a lot of opportunity for mistakes. The Trojans seem to give up one big upset a year, but this season they could let a few more slip away.

Pick – Under 10 ½ Wins

Consensus:

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College football today is composed of countless teams using spread offenses and relying on passing games to rack up a load of points against opponents. Far from the old roots of football that was led by ground and pound rushing attacks. Today’s game is based mostly around teams that spread the field with 4 and 5 wide receivers and try to stretch out defenses before picking them apart. However, look at any championship caliber team and you can bet they have a strong running game. The rushing game will always be the best offense when used effectively because it allows a team to take control of the clock along with taking control of field position in tight games. Even though the hard core rushing offenses seem to have vanished in today’s game, there are still a load of players who have the ability to rack up big chunks of yards on every play. These players give their teams an edge that most do not possess; the ability to not only break big plays, but keep opposing offenses off the field. Keep your eyes on these guys for the upcoming football season as we break down the best running backs in the nation.

#1 Jahvid Best (California)

Jahvid Best is not only the best running back in college football, but he also has the best chance to be a big name at the next level. Best has a raw combination of quickness and immeasurable strength giving him the ability to run through defenses. Best was extremely impressive in his first full season as starter for the Golden Bears rushing for 1,580 yards to go along with 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. Best averaged a lucrative 8.1 yards per carry and broke California’s single game rushing record against Washington bulldozing his way to 311 yards. If it was not for Heisman winners Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford returning, Best would be right in the middle of the talk for winning the Heisman Trophy this season. Expect nothing less than a huge year from the Golden Bears running back as California makes a run at a Pac-10 title.

#2 Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State)

Kendall Hunter had a big season in 2008 rushing for 1,555 yards and 16 scores making numerous big plays. Hunter who resides in the pass happy region of the college football world, led the Big 12 in rushing yards. Add to the fact, Hunter will be a part of one of the most explosive offenses in the nation this season and things are looking very promising. Hunter probably has the quickest cutback of any tailback on our board and can bust plays open quickly. Expect Hunter to be a big reason, the Cowboys have a lot of success in 2009 and just maybe come up with a big upset or two.

# 3 Jonathon Dwyer (Georgia Tech)

The option style offense the Yellow Jackets turned to last season may have been a nightmare if they did not have the talented Jonathon Dwyer in the backfield. Dwyer took over 200 carries cashing in for 1,395 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets entire offense was based around the running game and defenses knew it making Dwyer’s numbers a bit more impressive. During the time that defenses keyed in on the running game, Dwyer’s numbers actually picked up during the latter part of the season giving promising hope to 2009. Dwyer who has a knack for shaking off tacklers led the ACC in rushing in 2008. Anticipating how many carries he is likely to get in 2009, it looks to be another big season for the Yellow Jackets star player.

# 4 Jacquizz Rodgers (Oregon State)

So who here remembers the Beavers upset over the USC Trojans last season? If you do then you probably remember a small freshman sensation by the name of Jacquizz Rodgers slicing through the best defense in the country. Rodgers had a big season in his freshman campaign rushing for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns. Possibly the best sophomore in the country heading into this season, Rodgers averaged 114 yards per game in his first year at Oregon State. Expect the 5’7 little guy to improve on those numbers this season and become one of the best tailbacks in the Pac 10.

# 5 Evan Royster (Penn State)

Evan Royster was a big part to the Nittany Lions success in 2009 that had them in National Title contention for the majority of the year. Royster exploded onto the scene racking up 6.5 yards per carry in route to a plus 1,200 yard season. The Nittany Lions offense was a well balanced machine last year with Royster in the back field and Daryll Clark delivering the air assault. However, Penn State lost big time receivers Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood, and Derrick Williams. The big losses at wide out means the Nittany Lions will give Royster a big increase in carries and we expect no less than 1,500 yards from the best back in the Big Ten.

#6 MiQuale Lewis (Ball State)

MiQuale Lewis is probably the least known name on our board, but surprisingly one of the best on the board as well. Lewis ranked 3rd individually last season tallying up 1,736 yards on the season. Lewis put up those impressive numbers as a junior and there will be big expectations for him again in 2009. The Cardinals running back already led the nation last year with 22 touchdowns. Imagine if those numbers were to improve. Some may argue that Lewis is in a weak defensive conference, but it’s hard to match those numbers regardless of who you are playing.

#7 DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma)

DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown make up the best running back duo in the nation for Oklahoma. Murray received less hand offs in 2008 due to missing the last two games of the season with injury, but both backs averaged a strong 5.6 yards per carry. Murray was also able to post a 1,000 yard season despite missing those few games. If not for sharing carries with an equally talented Chris Brown, Murray could easily be one of the top rushers in the nation. However, the Sooners ability to rotate between the two may be more effective from a team’s standpoint. It is just amazing the numbers that the Sooners running backs are able to produce considering they are such an elite passing team.

#8 Noel Devine (West Virginia)

Noel Devine burst onto the scene at the beginning of 2008 as one of the hottest tailbacks in the nation. Devine averaged over 120 yards during the first 8 games of the season before fading a bit down the stretch. However, his numbers were very impressive considering running threat of Pat White accompanied him in the back field. Devine posted a 6.1 yards per carry average in 2008 despite the Mountaineers taking a step back as a team. However, Devine will be the best returning back in the Big East this season and will try to be the main guy in helping restore the explosiveness on the Mountaineers’ offense.

#9 Chris Brown (Oklahoma)

Another very impressive tailback that comes out of the Oklahoma stable, Brown was able to rush for 1,220 yards last season. Brown ranked 4th among running backs in college football producing 20 scores for the year. The senior tailback will enter 2009 with the expectations for another 1,000 yard plus performance. If not for sharing time with Murray, Brown could be one of the single best rushers in America. However, sharing carries in the back field may actually limit his chances of putting up ridiculous numbers.

#10 C.J Spiller (Clemson)

C.J Spiller perhaps is one of the most under rated backs in college football. However, those are not because he has put up any huge numbers. In fact, Spiller has never eclipsed the 1,000 yard barrier in his previous 3 seasons with the Tigers. Spiller has fell victim of an offense that simply has not allowed him to showcase his skills. One of the quickest backs on our board, Spiller has also had to share time with James Davis over the last 3 years. However, Spiller will be the lone back for the Tigers this season and there is no way he should not rack up well over 1,000 yards against the ACC defenses.