College Football Odds: Florida tops SEC East

Mike Richt and Georgia head into the year under the betting radar.

The NCCA college football season kicks off in less than two months and it’s never to early to start searching for trends and angles that may pave the way to the cashier’s window.

The Southeastern Conference has dominated lately winning the last four National Titles, and once again figures to be the neighborhood bully in 2010. Alabama is a popular pick among preseason pundits to defend its BCS crown, but the Crimson Tide faces a major challenge on Oct. 2 when it plays host to Florida.

The Gators should once again finish atop the SEC East despite the fact that they will feature new starters all over the field, highlighted by quarterback John Brantley, who replaces Tim Tebow.

Bettors looking to make a buck may want to steer clear of Florida against conference foes. Urban Meyer’s crew flunked six of nine SEC tests last season ATS.

However, the Gators have taken advantage against non-conference competition, grabbing the green at an amazing 20-4 clip since 2004.

Florida’s toughest challenge in the East will come from an underrated Georgia team that starts below the national radar.

The Bulldogs have not been to the SEC title game since 2005 and they were unranked at the end of 2009.

Coach Mark Richt must prove himself for once as he enters his 10th year at Georgia, and he always does well when expectations are low.

The Bulldogs have one of the top offensive lines and running back corps in the country. In addition, wide receiver AJ Green is one of the highest-rated NFL prospects.

Georgia avoids Alabama and with just one Top 10 team on the schedule, could find itself in the SEC title game.

Avoid the Bulldogs as home favorites (2-8) and against conference foes (4-11-1).

New Tennessee coach Derek Dooley inherits a team that is runway-model thin at too many positions to be considered a major conference contender just yet.

Dooley doesn’t know what to expect from the quarterback battle after Nick Stephens left the team in April, and Matt Simms and Tyler Bray have yet to stand out after spring practice.

College Football Betting Odds

The NCAA college football offensive line doesn’t return any starters and the top two running backs are gone. The Volunteers still have enough playmakers to fluster some teams, despite losing arguably their three best defensive players in safety Eric Berry, linebacker Rico McCoy and tackle Dan Williams.

Tennessee is worth a second look when it plays on the road. The Volunteers have cashed 14 of their past 23 as road chalk the last 10 seasons and five of their last seven as short-enders on the highway.

Vanderbilt needs some confidence after last season’s 2-10 wreck. The Commodores didn’t win an SEC game for the first time since Bobby Johnson’s debut season in 2002.

Patching up this wounded team starts with an offense that mustered 8.9 points per game against league opponents and finished 110th nationally in scoring offense.

Laying points with Vanderbilt in Nashville (6-14) has proved a fool’s errand. But the Dores’ have grabbed the cheese at a 7-1-1 clip in their last nine chances as road pups.