NCAAF Odds: Boise State leads high-octane offenses

Kellen Moore threw 39 TD passes in 2009 against three interceptions.

College football’s highest scoring team last year is poised to do it again and accomplish a lot more in the process.

The Boise State Broncos scored 42.2 PPG last season, tied for most in the nation with Houston.

The Broncos return all of their key players on offense, led by quarterback Kellen Moore. The soon-to-be junior had an amazing 39 touchdowns versus three interceptions in 2009 and is one of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

When Moore looks down the field, he’ll see wide-outs Titus Young and Austin Pettis. They combined for 24 touchdowns and almost 1,900 receiving yards. Running backs Jeremy Avery and Doug Martin each averaged well over five yards per carry and provide the balance that keeps opposing defensive coordinators up at night.

Bodog.com has Boise State at 8/1 to win the national championship. That only trails Alabama (4/1), Ohio State (6/1) and Oklahoma (15/2).

The Broncos went 14-0 last year and haven’t lost a WAC game since 2007. Conference opponents will be gunning for them, especially with the move to the MWC in 2011. However, there’s not much that can be done to slow down this offense.

If Boise State can get past Virginia Tech and Oregon State in non-conference play, it will have a great chance to play in the national title game, despite being a small conference school.

Arkansas’ offense (36 PPG) finished first in the SEC in points last year and ninth in the nation. That was slightly ahead of the celebrated Florida attack led by quarterback Tim Tebow (35.9 PPG).

Tebow is trying to get on the field with the NFL’s Denver Broncos, but Arkansas returns its big gun in Ryan Mallett. Mallett is a 6-foot-7 physical specimen who is already topping NFL mock drafts for next year.

The Michigan transfer threw for 3,627 yards in his first season at Arkansas. He did struggle against the elite SEC defenses like Alabama and Florida, but he’s improving his footwork and pocket presence to go along with his rocket arm.

Arkansas has a deep receiving core led by Greg Childs (897 receiving yards). The team also likes to spread around the carries at running back, with Broderick Green leading the way with 11 rushing touchdowns.

Arkansas is 35/1 to win the national title at Bodog, but it avoids Florida and gets Alabama and LSU at home.

Oklahoma has an offense that could really surprise. The Sooners struggled last year after tight end Jermaine Gresham was lost before the season and quarterback Sam Bradford got hurt in the opener. The offense finished at 31.1 PPG, 29th in the nation.

Sophomore Landry Jones is the signal caller. He was inconsistent with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but he showed plenty of promise for a freshman. Jones threw for 392 yards in a 65-10 win over Texas A&M on Nov. 14. He broke 400 yards against Stanford in the Sun Bowl.

If running back DeMarco Murray stays healthy, and the secondary receivers behind Ryan Broyles continue to improve, then Oklahoma’s offense could be the best in the Big 12.

Other high octane offenses:

• Texas A&M: Jerrod Johnson may be the best quarterback not attracting national attention. National title odds: 100/1
• Wisconsin: The Big Ten is not known for scoring, but the Badgers led the league in points (31.8 PPG) and return almost every offensive starter. National title odds: 40/1
• Notre Dame: Brian Kelly brings his high powered attack from Cincinnati. New quarterback Dayne Crist should develop quickly. National title odds: 40/1