Odds to Play for the 2009-2010 National Championship

The Short List: (127%; 7.85/10) 

Florida 8/5

Texas 4/1

Oklahoma 5/1

Penn St. 5/1

Reasonable Shot: (55%; 9/5)

Southern Cal 8/1

Alabama 8/1

Ohio St. 12/1

Mississippi 18/1

Virginia Tech 18/1

LSU 18/1

Oklahoma St 20/1

Long Shot: (16.7%; 6/1)

California 35/1

Georgia 35/1

Georgia Tech 40/1

BYU 40/1

TCU 50/1

Boise St. 50/1

Notre Dame 50/1

Rest of the Field: (1.3%; 75/1)

Florida: 

They're just about everybody's pick (58 out 60)first place votes in the AP. The reasons they should play for the Championship are almost as long as the odds that Notre Dame will it. With Tebow and pretty much the same team as last year, a favorable SEC schedule, look for the Gators in January. Is the hype too much and will they resemble ESPN's "Greatest College Team Ever" 2004 Southern California who lost to Vince Young?

Texas:

With Colt returning for his senior season, and most of his offensive weapons sticking around, the Longhorns look like a favorite. Will they end up on the wrong side of a 3 way tie again?

Oklahoma:

Along with Texas they look like the class of the Big 12, but with a tough schedule and Bradford losing some offensive weapons, can they get back to the title game?

Penn State:

I don't think they're near Southern Cal, the top of SEC or the top of the Big 12 but with only 2 games against ranked teams (22 Iowa and 6 Ohio St) both of which are at home, an undefeated season isn't out of the question. They have no room for error, so can they run the table?

Southern California:

They play a tough schedule, (6 Ohio St, 12 Cal, 23 Notre Dame, 16 Oregon) all on the road. With another QB moving on to the NFL they have chosen to start true freshman Matt Barkley. With this many tough road games and a true freshman QB, can they run the table and if they drop one will they make it over a 1 loss Big 12 or SEC school?

Alabama:

Look for Sabon to have Bama fired up after a disappointing finish to last seasons reemergence to the national scene. Ranked 5th nationally they start off the season with a showdown with 7th ranked VT. How will they do without Wilson?

Ohio St:

They play Southern Cal early in a must win game. After some disappointing BCS performances they need to win some big non conference games to win some credibility back for the Big 10. With to late top 25 games (Penn St. and Iowa) and no conference championship game, they can't afford to drop one. Can they bring respect back to the Big 10 this year?

Mississippi:

With Snead and a favorable SEC schedule, the Rebels are a dark horse to win the SEC this year. Actually they are everyones dark horse to win an ranked 8, so are they really still a dark horse?

LSU:

They may start Jefferson, who would be the youngest starting QB in the SEC and while they have the talent, they may not have quite the experience to win the SEC. Can they overcome their youth and contend for the SEC and then national title?

Virginia Tech:

The Hokies are a solid team and along with GT look to be the class of the ACC, unfortunately that doesn't carry the same clout as being the class of the Big 12 or SEC. I expect youth and tough start to prove to much for them as they drop at least 2 games. Is the ACC able to send a legitimate contender this year?

Oklahoma St:

Surprisingly easy schedule considering where they play, Georgia and Texas at home, and then the season finale against Oklahoma. They may steal one of the games against OU and UT but not both. Could they play a roll in the championship picture by creating an awkward 3-tie in the Big 12 South?

Georgia:

Not quite as long of a shot as you may think, the major road block is that they have to go through UF. If they win that game, they can afford to drop one of the Ok. St, LSU, and GT games, and then beat the SEC West Champion. Can they get through UF?

California:

They get Southern Cal at home and if they win that game anything is possible. Do they have the depth or consistency to run the table?

Georgia Tech:

Like VT, they would pretty much have to go undefeated to get the nod. However, if they lose early, win key conference games, and if Georgia stays highly ranked until the Yellow Jackets come to Athens, it possible. Will their defense be able to fill the holes on the DL?

BYU:

They play a tough schedule (3 OU, 18 FSU, 17, TCU, and 19 Utah). Look for them to drop at least one of those games. If they win out do you have to take them over a 1 loss UF or UT?

TCU:

With their only ranked opponents being 20 BYU and 19 Utah, it looks like their strength of schedule isn't enough to get them in. If UVA or Clemson managed to make a run at the ACC title could it be enough to them?

Boise St:

In the same situation as TCU and BYU, they need to finish 12-0 to have a shot, and that is really just a shot at a BCS game. Does anyone think that last years Utah was really better than UF, do these non BCS school have a case?

Notre Dame:

Thanks to Beano Cook and Lou Holtz the Irish have been thrown into national championship talk. They play maybe the easiest schedule they have ever played with Southern Cal being the only ranked team. I expect them to lose 3 but how would the voters react to a 1 loss Irish team?