With college football season on the horizon, ESPN Chalk's college football experts -- Phil Steele, "Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris Fallica -- combine to give you betting previews of the top 25 teams, according to the ESPN College Football Rankings. They break down each team's strengths and weaknesses, along with season win total bets and national title odds.
Odds from Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Aug. 22.
Stanford Cardinal
National title odds: 25-1 (opened 20-1)
Season win total: 8.5
FPI win total projection: 7.5
Phil Steele
Strengths: Christian McCaffrey plays on their team, and the Cardinal also have my No. 21-rated offensive line. The defense had just three starters back last season and allowed 368 yards per game -- its highest total since 2009. This year the defense has six starters back, though, including my No. 18 defensive line, No. 5 group of linebackers and No. 14 set of defensive backs. I believe the Cardinal will be back to where they normally find themselves -- as a top-10 defense.