Yesterday we took a peek at the preseason AP Poll and got a sense of who we might be seeing in the playoff (On average, 9 out of 12 teams in a hypothetical playoff would have been ranked in the preseason AP poll).

Today, let's take a look at how we can profit from that. Here is part one of five in Cal's playoff profit extravaganza. Now some of these teams' odds as we get closer to #1 are just a bit too juicy (Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon.. etc) for those teams I might suggest some other futures that have better value after the breakdown, same for teams that I do not think have a great chance at getting in. Let’s take a look!

25 - Iowa (+600)

After finishing last season 24th in the AP poll, Iowa returns at 25 to start the season. The story out of Iowa is, was, and always has been their defensive brand of football. Last season they seemed to publicly be determined to shed that by making it known they were focused on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator and coach's son Brian Ferentz would even be taking a pay cut (with the opportunity to recoup) with scoring incentives built into his contract. He was unable to reach the incentives and lost his job.

Along the way, Iowa set records for the lowest points ever scored in college football. So why are they still in the top 25 to start the year? Iowa faces only one (preseason) ranked team, and still plays some of the best defense in the Big Ten. That being said, with the elimination of divisions in the conference and the addition of Pac-12 teams USC, Oregon, it is unlikely they make the college football playoff. If you are looking for Iowa action, I would hold your nose and bet the under every week. Learn to love the punt my friend.

24 - North Carolina State (+500)

The Wolfpack starts the year in the top 25 for the first time in program history. They surprised a lot of folks last year throughout the season, culminating with a huge win over in-state rival UNC. The Wolfpack returns four of their five offensive line starters and are playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference that remains relatively thin at the top. At plus five hundred, this is a pretty good value play as they have a slight chance to win the conference and a better one to finish in the top twelve. The only big thing I see holding them back is the name prestige that could keep them on the outside looking in at a more storied program when the top 12 are announced. I would not back the pack for the playoffs due to this.

23 - USC (+400)

USC's high-flying offense joins a conference that prides itself on defense. They also come in after losing their Heisman-winning quarterback and the number one NFL draft pick. The Trojans had a very disappointing '23 season, coming into the season ranked sixth with playoff hopes before showcasing an abysmal defense and only managing to win seven games.

Last season, the Trojans had the 123rd ranked defense in all of FBS. This offseason they aimed to fix that by hiring cross-town DC "D'Anton" Lynn. Lynn was able to take the Bruins' defense from 92nd to 14th in opponents' points per game. If he can have similar success at SC, this is a team that could be very dangerous as they remain loaded and explosive on offense with a three-headed monster of Zachariah Branch, Duce Robinson, and Jakobi Lane at wide receiver.

The Trojans' obstacle in making the playoff is a schedule that does them no favors, featuring four out of twelve games against ranked opponents with three coming in the first six weeks. Still, and this might be my Pac-12 bias talking, at 4 to 1 the Trojans are a great bet to make the college football playoff even if they have little to no chance of winning the Big 10.

22 - Kansas (+600)

Kansas has an outstanding coach in Lance Leipold, and they were able to surprise some folks last year, winning nine games. However, they stumbled down the stretch, dropping two of their last three at home and finding themselves in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Leipold's Jayhawks are both helped and hurt by their schedule this season. On the one hand, it features just one ranked opponent, which could get them to the title game. But, it is unlikely they would be able to win. Then it would be on the committee to put a team in that did not play anyone in the playoff.

Because of that, Kansas is out of my college playoff bracket. Last year they were able to average 34.76 points a game though, so maybe target overs and team totals this season for the Jayhawks.

21 - Arizona (+750)

The school down south was dealt a huge blow when their program savior Jedd Fisch fled to Washington to take a more storied program that paid better and would provide him with more resources. The Wildcats still come into the '24 season at 21 as they are returning stars on both sides of the ball, including QB Noah Fifita and WR Tetairoa McMillan. Their biggest test will come early with two of their first four games featuring ranked opponents on the road. At 7.5 to 1, the value here is pretty good, even if that means your ticket could be worthless by October.

There is the first five in the CFB betting guide. Please come on back tomorrow as we start to talk SEC where it just means more.