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Bovada released its conference championship odds for the 2016 season, and you'll never believe who the favorite for the SEC title is!
Okay, you'll totally guess it. It's Alabama. But Missouri's odds in the East are, dare I say, better than I expected.
NCAA FOOTBALL 2016 SEASON -- ODDS TO WIN THE SEC EAST DIVISION
1. Tennessee (4/5)
2. Georgia (2/1)
3. Florida (9/2)
4. Missouri (16/1)
5. Kentucky (25/1)
5. South Carolina (25/1)
5. Vanderbilt (25/1)
NCAA FOOTBALL 2016 SEASON -- ODDS TO WIN THE SEC WEST DIVISION
1. Alabama (4/5)
2. LSU (9/4)
3. Auburn (7/1)
4. Ole Miss (12/1)
5. Arkansas (14/1)
5. Texas A&M (14/1)
7. Mississippi State (20/1)
NCAA FOOTBALL 2016 SEASON -- ODDS TO WIN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP
1. Alabama (7/4)
2. LSU (7/2)
2. Tennessee (7/2)
4. Georgia (9/1)
5. Ole Miss (10/1)
6. Texas A&M (16/1)
7. Auburn (18/1)
7. Florida (18/1)
9. Arkansas (20/1)
10. Missouri (50/1)
10. Kentucky (50/1)
10. Mississippi State (50/1)
13. South Carolina (66/1)
14. Vanderbilt (100/1)
Some quick thoughts:
- The East feels about right to me. Tennessee's odds are maybe a hair stronger than I would have set, but there's no question the Vols are in the best shape to win the division. And Georgia is a pretty significant wildcard with the whole "likely to be playing a freshman quarterback" thing.
- Mizzou being fourth also feels right. It jibes well with what my own projections say (though mine don't take schedule into account here): Tennessee ninth, Georgia 15th, Florida 19th, Missouri 47th, South Carolina 63rd, Vanderbilt 69th, Kentucky 83rd.
- My numbers and the SEC West odds don't match up quite as nicely. I would have Ole Miss and Arkansas ahead of Auburn and Texas A&M.
Overall, I do feel like Missouri is positioned to be about the fourth-best team in the East this year. The Tigers must play at two of the three teams above them and host two of the three teams below them, so the schedule doesn't really help or hurt. But the theme of the offseason persists: If the offensive line is competent, a top-40 level of performance is between somewhat and very likely. If the line struggles once more, well, fourth place might be optimistic.