LSB Feature: Old CFB 2021 Favorites Are The New Underdogs

• The Clemson Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Iowa State Cyclones are all 1-1 after Week 2.
• These teams had short odds to win the NCAAF Championship before the season.
• All three teams have seen their odds get longer at online sportsbooks.

NEW YORK – The Clemson Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Iowa State Cyclones were all early favorites to win the 2021 NCAAF Championship.

Due to early struggles, these teams have seen their odds change after going 1-1 in the first two weeks of the season. Should college football betting fans jump on these now longer odds? Or are these teams no longer a desirable bet?

Clemson’s Odds

The Clemson Tigers opened with the second shortest odds at +450 to win the College Football Championship before the season started. The Tigers were also ranked #3 in the nation prior to Week 1.

Following their Week 1 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson’s ranking dropped to #6 in the AP Top 25 and their odds jump to +850. Clemson still has the fourth shortest odds to win, so sportsbooks still reflect the Tigers as a top team.

Those looking to wager on the Tigers would benefit from longer odd if the Tigers go on a winning streak with impressive showings. On the other hand, the loss to Georgia may have revealed some things about this Clemson team as they were held to just 3 points against a top team.

While the Clemson defense gave up 0 TDs, the offense could not get it going. Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei has big shoes to fill with Trevor Lawrence entering the NFL, but he has struggled in both games of the season.

Uiagalelei threw an interception against the Bulldogs in Week 1 and threw another interception in Week 2 against the South Carolina State Bulldogs leading to him being benched. Across both games, the sophomore QB threw for 349 yards on 54.1% completion and a QBR of 43.1.

Unless Uiagalelei improves his play, this Clemson team may struggle to compete for the CFP.

Ohio State Odds

The Buckeyes opened at +600 before the season started and are sitting at +850 after their Week 2 loss to the Oregon Ducks.

The Buckeyes ran into a similar issue as the Clemson Tigers with their star QB Justin Fields leaving for the NFL. CJ Stroud has played well so far this season, however.

Stroud has thrown for 778 yards on 63.2% completion, seeing 7 TDs to 2 INTs and a QBR rating of 82.6 in his first two starts. The problem for Ohio State is not the loss of their QB, but the loss of their top defensive players to the NFL.

Ohio States’ defense gave up 35 points to the Ducks, and 31 points to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Week 1, although the Buckeyes won that game.

LB Pete Werner, C Josh Myers, LB Baron Browning, and DT Tommy Togiai have all been drafted, and the current roster is not as strong defensively. The Buckeyes are usually a top defense in the nation yet now struggle to stop unranked teams from scoring.

Iowa State Odds

Iowa State had +4000 odds to win the 2021 NCAAF Championship before the season and now has +8000 at legal sports betting sites. The Cyclones were ranked #9 in the nation (currently #15) before they lost to the #10 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.

The Cyclones were simply outplayed throughout the Week 2 loss. QB Brock Purdy threw 3 INTs and was benched in the fourth quarter for freshman Hunter Dekkers. Purdy was viewed as one of the nation’s top returning QBs in 2021.

This loss could be viewed as an outlier, however, as Breece Hall was the nation’s top rusher in 2020 and Iowa State’s schedule for the next few games is easier, with the Cyclones avoiding Top 25 teams.

The Iowa loss could be the only game Iowa State loses this season, which would put them in a good position leading into the playoffs.

News tags: Alabama Crimson Tide | CFP | CJ Stroud | Clemson Tigers | College Football | College Football Playoffs | DJ Uiagalelei | Georgia Bulldogs | Iowa State Cyclones | LSB Feature | NCAAF | Ohio State Buckeyes