2014 College football futures betting: Conference winners odds and predictions

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the upcoming college football season. Want more? Read our full preview. 

The college football season is fast approaching. With just two weeks to go before games get underway, time is running out for those looking to place futures bets for the upcoming season. That doesn't mean it's too late, however, as there is still an opportunity to get in on some long-term action.

Here's a look at odds comparisons for the power-five conferences for the 2014 season, with a team worthy of a closer look for each.

Odds to win the ACC

Clemson Tigers +1000, widely available

This probably isn't the division to get cute in, but if one were inclined to do so, Clemson would be the way to go.

The Tigers showed an incredible ability to force their way into the backfield and make plays a year ago, and the defense returns five starters who tallied double-digit tackles for loss in 2013, including dynamic defensive end Vic Beasley, who led the conference in sacks a year ago with 13.

The offense certainly has some significant turnover to deal with, but senior quarterback Cole Stoudt knows the system, and will have a deep backfield behind him that he can lean on.

Odds to win the Big 12

Baylor Bears +300, The Greek

The Big 12 is another division in which it probably isn't wise to fool around. Oklahoma appears bound for the College Football Playoff, but they may not be as bulletproof as they seem.

Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham's eligibility is up in the air, linebacker Frank Shannon is lost for the year, and freshman running back Joe Mixon is dealing with off-field issues before ever even lacing them up in Norman.

Baylor may not have the deep roster that Oklahoma does, but their top-end talent outclasses that of the Sooners. If quarterback Bryce Petty can provide the kind of Heisman-caliber season many expect, a repeat as Big 12 champions isn't out of the question for the Bears.

Odds to win the Big Ten

Michigan State Spartans +350, widely available

Michigan State offered Ohio State a wake-up call in last year's Big Ten title game, handing the Buckeyes their first loss of the Urban Meyer era.

The Spartans have some work to do, replacing six defensive starters, but two key faces are back in defensive end Shilique Calhoun and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.

On offense, quarterback Connor Cook and running back Jeremy Langford are the notable returnees, and their presence should help the team's offense take another step forward.

Schedule wise, the Spartans have to make a trip out to Oregon, which is a daunting task, but other than that they get their toughest matchups - Nebraska, Michigan, and Ohio State - at home.

Odds to win the Pac-12

Stanford Cardinal +800, The Greek

It's easy to say that the Cardinal will be in for a regression given that they will be forced to replace 10 starters, especially since so many of those starters have moved on to the pro ranks.

However, the Cardinal lost nine starters after the 2011 season, with Andrew Luck among them, and still went on to win the Pac-12 and the Rose Bowl in 2012.

This year, Kevin Hogan returns for his third year as a starter, and will have his strongest receiving corps yet to throw the ball to, while the team's stop unit returns seven starters to a group that led the Pac-12 in scoring defense a year ago.

Odds to win the SEC

Georgia Bulldogs +800, BetOnline

While many pundits have the West going to South Carolina, they don't offer the best value. A disappointing 2013 season, combined with the departure of Aaron Murray, has Georgia installed at fairly long odds, even though the Bulldogs will field plenty of talent at the offensive skill positions this season, starting with Heisman Trophy candidate Todd Gurley.

The team's defensive secondary is a concern, but new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt from Florida State should help improve the unit as a whole.

The SEC West will be tough this year, but whichever team comes out of the SEC East is going to have a fighting chance to win the conference in what will effectively be a one-game playoff to get into the College Football Playoff. Considering the kind of shootout that developed in last year's title game in Atlanta, getting behind a team with the kind of offensive firepower the Bulldogs have seems like the smart play.

More 2014 College football futures betting articles:

Conference winners odds
Win total odds
National Championship odds

Odds courtesy BetOnline, Sports Interaction, The Greek.