Despite losing a lot of players to the NFL, the Ohio State Buckeyes, led by QB Troy Smith, is the top pick to take the 2007 BCS Championship, according to recently released odds at betED.com .
But they?re not the favorites by much.
It could be that the luck of the Irish ? and quarterback Brady Quinn ? will help Notre Dame capture the championship.
The Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish are neck and neck atop the pack, according to betED.com, with Ohio at +450 and Notre Dame right there at +475.
Rounding out the top 10 picks at betED.comUSC (+900), Oklahoma (+675), Texas (+1250), Florida (+1000), LSU (+1250), Florida State (+1150), Miami Florida (+1250), West Virginia (+750).
Quinn, Notre Dame?s career leader in total yards, passing yards, completions and touchdown passes, is back this season along with his favorite receiver ? All-American Jeff Samardzija ? as well as Rhema McKnight, the team?s leading receiver in 2003 and 2004 who missed most of last year with an injury.
And with the Buckeyes, many pundits attribute the respect Ohio State is receiving heading into this season not just to star QB Smith, but to coaching and strong recruiting. Head Coach Jim Tressel is dealing with a team that lost five No. 1 draft picks, its entire defensive back seven, its number one receiver, and two tremendous offensive linemen.
Thanks to Ohio State?s successful recruiting program, the Buckeyes, who lost players like A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, Ashton Youboty, Anthony Schlegel, Nate Salley, and Rob Sims, have been able to replace them with athletes just as strong, just as fast, and just as talented.
But they?re not the favorites by much.
It could be that the luck of the Irish ? and quarterback Brady Quinn ? will help Notre Dame capture the championship.
The Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish are neck and neck atop the pack, according to betED.com, with Ohio at +450 and Notre Dame right there at +475.
Rounding out the top 10 picks at betED.comUSC (+900), Oklahoma (+675), Texas (+1250), Florida (+1000), LSU (+1250), Florida State (+1150), Miami Florida (+1250), West Virginia (+750).
Quinn, Notre Dame?s career leader in total yards, passing yards, completions and touchdown passes, is back this season along with his favorite receiver ? All-American Jeff Samardzija ? as well as Rhema McKnight, the team?s leading receiver in 2003 and 2004 who missed most of last year with an injury.
And with the Buckeyes, many pundits attribute the respect Ohio State is receiving heading into this season not just to star QB Smith, but to coaching and strong recruiting. Head Coach Jim Tressel is dealing with a team that lost five No. 1 draft picks, its entire defensive back seven, its number one receiver, and two tremendous offensive linemen.
Thanks to Ohio State?s successful recruiting program, the Buckeyes, who lost players like A.J. Hawk, Donte Whitner, Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, Ashton Youboty, Anthony Schlegel, Nate Salley, and Rob Sims, have been able to replace them with athletes just as strong, just as fast, and just as talented.
