Florida State Odds - Bowden will have 'Noles in the ACC hunt
The Florida State college football betting odds for the 2009 season are backing Bobby Bowden’s team to challenge for the ACC title, even in the face of an academic cheating scandal. They’ll also be looking to extend the country’s longest bowl streak to 28 this year.
Florida State odds: Even at 79, Bowden still gets the most out of his players
- FSU lack experience among skill players
- Best defensive players are gone from overachieving 2008 unit
- Seminoles have one of the toughest schedules in the country
The entire offensive line is back for the Seminoles, which is good because sophomore pivot Christian Ponder will need all the protection he can get. Running back Jermaine Thomas is a freshman, and Florida State’s top three receivers from 2008 are also gone, meaning the backups at the skill positions need to step up – especially given that receiver Richard Goodman, tabbed to be one of the starters, could miss time because of an off-season campus fight, while tight end Caz Piurowski was involved in the cheating scandal. The line is young, but deep, and they went through enough to gain valuable experience for the upcoming season.
Defensively, the Seminoles were 15th in the country last year, but they’ll be missing linebackers Derek Nicholson and Toddrick Verdell, as well as Myron Rolle, who was one of the best secondary players to ever come out of FSU. The Seminoles had a paltry nine picks last year, and that was with graduated defensive end Everette Brown and his 13.5 sacks in the mix. Jamie Robinson and Korey Mangum will be counted on the carry the secondary until a pass rusher steps up. Two of the Seminoles’ starting linebackers could be freshmen this year, which is sure to affect the thoughts of those who are into sports betting online.
The Seminoles have a brutal schedule as 11 teams they face this year went to bowl games in 2008. They open up the season with a rivalry game with Miami, and then they head to BYU two weeks later. October 3rd’s trip to Boston College should decide the favorite in the ACC Atlantic. The final stretch is three road games in four weeks, including trips to Clemson and Wake Forest before heading to “The Swamp”, where they’ll try to snap a five-game losing streak to rival Florida.
Sports betting odds have the Seminoles at +1800 to win the BCS title for the first time since 2000, and they’re +250 co-favorites with Virginia Tech to win the ACC. These odds may be a bit optimistic when you think about all the players that FSU has suspended for the scandal and various other things, but when you have a coach who ranks second for all-time wins in the NCAA, you’re given the benefit of the doubt. Bowden is still one of the best coaches in the country, and the talk about some of his wins being taken away seems to have him fired up. The BCS title may be out of their reach, but they’re a solid value bet to win the ACC in your offshore sportsbook.
For more college football betting picks, check the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
