Betting isn’t for everyone, but even casual fans know that odds are a good early indicator of which teams and players are expected to have big seasons.

Earlier this spring, many of the Las Vegas books released their initial betting odds for the upcoming college football season. These odds covered everything from the Heisman race to potential SEC champions.

Once these odds are released, the squares and sharps begin to take action. Updated odds provide an interesting look at which teams and players have the backing of public opinion and which are believed to be a little overrated. The Aria Race and Sports Book revealed their updated odds on Saturday to give just such a glimpse at which way the winds are blowing.

Credit: Andrew Olson

Alabama remains atop the list of Playoff favorites, but its odds have improved from 5/1 to better than 3/1. The next SEC team on the list is Auburn, but its odds have actually dropped since the initial opening from 15/1 to 18/1. LSU, Florida and Georgia are the other three SEC teams with the best odds for the Playoff, according to Aria, with the Bulldogs becoming one of the fastest risers on this list.

Credit: Andrew Olson

There is a three-way tie atop the list of SEC contenders for the Heisman Trophy. LSU running back Derrius Guice has held still at 15/1 odds, as have Alabama teammates Bo Scarbrough and Jalen Hurts.

It’s interesting to note that no SEC player has advanced their odds for the Heisman Trophy at this sportsbook.

Of course, odds at this point in the season are extremely hard to predict. Seemingly every year a player or team comes flying off the radar to make things interesting, while a favorite has an early stumble. If this were easy, however, it wouldn’t be called gambling.