Looking at the SEC win totals in Vegas as of June is an interesting reminder: It takes a lot to change a win totals line, whether it’s money or significant football-related events.

Quarterback competitions, the addition of true freshmen and transfers, fall scrimmages … yet none of the lines deviated by more than a half-win, while most of them stayed just as they were more than two months ago.

Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Tennessee saw their Vegas win totals increase by a half-game, while Auburn, Missouri and Florida went a half-game in the other direction.

The betting price, listed in parentheses in the chart below, indicates how much return to expect on your wager. For example, If you bet Alabama to win more than 10.5 games at -150, you have to risk $150 to win $100. If you bet Alabama to win fewer than 10.5 games at +120, you risk $100 to win $120.

Three teams gained a half-win from the June 10 totals and still require you to pay more than $100 and the vig (the house’s cut of your wager) to win $100. Thus they are the three teams with the most improved odds since June, according to Vegas: the SEC East Bulldogs, the SEC West Bulldogs and the Vols.

Team June 10 Win Totals* Aug. 27 Win Totals#
Alabama 10.5 10.5 (-150/+120)
South Carolina 9.5 9.5 (-125/-105)
Georgia 9 9.5 (-125/-105)
Auburn 9.5 9 (-135/+105)
LSU 9 9 (-125/-105)
Ole Miss 7.5 8 (-115/-115)
Missouri 8 7.5 (-135/+105)
Florida 8 7.5 (-140/+110)
Mississippi State 7 7.5 (-130/EVEN)
Texas A&M 7 7 (-135/+105)
Vanderbilt 6 6 (+155/-190)
Tennessee 5 5.5 (-135/+105)
Arkansas 4.5 4.5 (-130/EVEN)
Kentucky 3.5 3.5 (-180/+150)

*Based on CG Technology’s lines.
#Based on Bovada’s lines as of 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Numbers listed in parentheses are the price for betting over/under.

There can be value in a futures bet, just as there can be in any wager. But if you feel strongly that, say, Kentucky will win four or more games, you may do better financially by wagering on the game lines, or taking the money line for all of the Wildcats’ non-conference matchups, rather than paying $180 to win $100 if you are correct.

It’s difficult, too, because no one can predict in August when a star receiver may tear a hamstring or when a key linebacker may get suspended for targeting just before a crucial SEC game.

Do you expect your team to go over or under the Vegas win total?

We’ll know the outcomes soon enough.