Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
Spring practices usually focus on player development, new schemes, and position battles, especially at quarterback.
While spring games are just a small piece to the offseason puzzle, there are five things I learned this spring that I'm applying to my college football best bets.
Best bets to make following CFB spring practice
Best bets
Odds
Oregon to win the National Championship
+800
Michigan Under 8.5 wins
-148
Georgia to win the SEC
+400
LSU to miss the CFB Playoff
-190
Keelon Russell to win the Heisman
+3500
Five things we've learned from college football spring practices
1. Oregon has the best combination of talent, experience and depth in CFB
The Oregon Ducks return 14 starters from last year, which is tied for the most in the country. They are led by QB Dante Moore, a Top 5 overall prospect in next year’s NFL Draft. Oregon also has two great RBs in Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill, two great WRs in Evan Stewart and Dakorien Moore, and a Top 5 secondary.
While Oregon returns all four starters on the defensive line, depth was a question mark heading into the spring. That question was answered easily with Aydin Breland, Matthew Johnson, Bleu Dantzler, and D’Antre Robinson all flashing in the spring game.
Speaking of spring games, I’ve watched about 20 of them, including Indiana, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame. I thought Oregon showcased the best combination of talent and depth.
I expect Oregon to be favored in 11 of their 12 games (exception being at Ohio State). Oregon has gotten a little better each year under head coach Dan Lanning, and the next step is the National Championship.
Best bet: Oregon to win the National Championship (+800 at FanDuel)
2. Michigan QB Bryce Underwood has yet to improve
Last year, Bryce Underwood was the No. 1-rated true freshman and the highest-rated quarterback to ever sign with the Michigan Wolverines. Underwood became the youngest starting quarterback in Michigan history.
Needless to say, Underwood did not live up to those lofty expectations, with only 11 touchdown passes combined with nine interceptions.
This year, the Michigan Wolverines welcome in new head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah, and the expectation was Underwood would show great improvement with more experienced and respected coaching. That improvement did not occur in the spring.
Underwood completed just three of nine passes for 22 yards and was sacked twice during Michigan’s spring game. I was there in person, and it was just as bad as what those stats indicate. While it was just one scrimmage, the reviews prior to the spring game were also lukewarm at best for Underwood.
The Wolverines will need Underwood to improve greatly during fall camp as they play one of the most difficult schedules in the country, including six games against teams in my Top 25 (Oklahoma, Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, at Oregon, and at Ohio State). I don’t see them splitting those games and winning the other six.
Best bet: Michigan Under 8.5 wins (-148 at FanDuel)
3. Georgia should be the favorite to win the SEC, not Texas
The Texas Longhorns are favored to win the SEC over the two-time defending champion Georgia Bulldogs at most sportsbooks. In my opinion, that’s giving Texas and QB Arch Manning way too much credit.
This is a team that easily could have been 7-5 last year in the regular season (beat both Kentucky at Mississippi State in overtime).
Texas could play as many as eight Top 25 teams this year, and six of those games could see them favored by single-digits or possibly even an underdog (vs. Ohio State).
Meanwhile, after watching Georgia’s spring game, I think this year’s team is better, deeper, and more experienced than their last two editions, especially at QB and RB. Georgia ranks No. 8 in Bill Connelly's returning production, which is the best mark in the 11-year Kirby Smart era.
The Bulldogs also have an easier schedule than the last two years. I project Georgia to be favored in all 12 games by at least a field goal, and nine of those games by double-digits.
I think Georgia is a safe to at least make the SEC Championship Game, while Texas could lose three games (win total is 9.5, juiced to the Under).
If the two teams were to match up in the SEC Championship Game, I’d favor the Bulldogs over the Longhorns. Georgia is 3-0 against Texas the last two years, including a resounding 35-10 win last season.
Best bet: Georgia to win the SEC (+400 at bet365)
4. LSU is not competing for the National Championship in Year 1 under Lane Kiffin
According to 247 Sports, the LSU Tigers signed the No. 1 transfer portal class this year, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was the top overall transfer player. That transfer class, along with the hype surrounding new head coach Lane Kiffin, has created unrealistic expectations in Baton Rouge.
Remember, Leavitt suffered a right foot injury that ended his season early last year. He underwent surgery again this spring to remove the pins from his initial procedure and missed most of the spring.
Can Leavitt hit the ground running in the summer with a completely new team, offense, and coach? Will he be as mobile as the last two years, when he rushed for 749 yards and 10 TDs? I have my doubts.
Kiffin also tried to temper the expectations this spring, saying, “Things don’t happen overnight. There’s a ton of work to get the program back up to where everybody around here wants it to be.”
LSU will play as many as seven teams in my preseason Top 30 this year. I don’t see LSU winning more than nine games this fall, which makes them a large underdog to even make the playoffs.
Best bet: LSU to miss the CFB Playoff (-190 at FanDuel)
5. Alabama will have a Heisman contender at quarterback this year
Neither Keelon Russell nor Austin Mack has been named the starting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback yet. Mack has more experience in Kalen DeBoer’s system dating back to Washington. However, Russell has more upside.
In this year’s spring game, Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception. Russell also extended several plays with his legs despite wearing a non-contact jersey.
Meanwhile, Mack, who served as the backup to Ty Simpson last season, was "dinged up" but still completed 6 of 12 passes for 101 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
That performance by Russell, along with other practices this spring, has given him a leg-up in the competition.
Remember, DeBoer’s system is very QB-friendly dating back to his days at Fresno State (Jake Haener, Michael Penix Jr, and Simpson, to name a few). If Russell plays to his five-star potential, Alabama will be 5-0 hosting Georgia in early October, and Russell will be a Top 5 Heisman favorite by then.
Best bet: Keelon Russell to win the Heisman (+3500 at DraftKings)
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
