NCAAF Futures: How does Signing Day change things?

National Signing Day came and went last week, and as usual, it was largely a case of the rich getting richer. After losing the College Football Playoff National Championship on the last play, Alabama can dry its tears on yet another no. 1 ranked recruiting class. With six five-star recruits heading the pack, the Tide machine continues to roll, even with a large chunk of last year’s team headed for the NFL Draft (including six projected first round picks).

Heated rivals from the Big Ten also got involved in the fun too, as Jim Harbaugh and Michigan landed the fifth-best class. Not to be outdone, Ohio State had the second-best recruiting class. Rounding out the top five was Georgia and USC, all title contenders that won’t need much help from freshman this year, but it’s nice to have all the same.

Things weren’t all status quo though, one school’s scandal truly rocked its recruiting class. What’s upsetting is that school wasn’t Baylor. Ole Miss seemed to feel the effect of being under NCAA investigation for recruiting violations, falling from fifth in the nation last year to 30th: their worst class since 2012. Meanwhile, the Bears improved on last year’s class, and since then, all the headlines about the program just keep getting worse.

How does all this affect the odds of a championship next year? Check out the odds below.

Odds to win 2018 College Football Playoff

• Alabama: 4/1
• Ohio State: 7/1
• Florida State: 8/1
• USC: 9/1
• Oklahoma: 10/1
• Michigan: 12/1
• LSU: 16/1
• Louisville: 18/1
• Clemson: 20/1
• Penn State: 22/1
• Auburn: 25/1
• Georgia: 30/1
• Texas: 30/1
• Oklahoma State: 40/1
• Virginia Tech: 40/1
• Washington: 40/1
• Florida: 50/1
• Tennessee: 50/1
• UCLA: 50/1

Nailing another recruiting class was huge, but perhaps the bigger news for Alabama was that they’re left without an offensive coordinator after Steve Sarkisian accepted a job with the Atlanta Falcons. Whoever takes over the job next isn’t in a rough spot by any means, inheriting a Heisman candidate in sophomore QB Jalen Hurts and a stable of great runningbacks. As long as their offensive playcalling isn’t a Charlie Weis-level disaster, Alabama should walk to their fourth straight appearance in the College Football Playoff. Who will join them there is the question.

Can Harbaugh finally get Michigan past Ohio State in his third season at the helm? Without DeShaun Watson in Death Valley, will Florida State be able to overcome the reigning ACC champion Tigers? Which conference will claim the fourth playoff spot; the Big 12 with their newly minted title game, or the Pac-12, led by a resurgent USC program?

We’re a long way out from getting answers to these queries, but events like Signing Day help slowly piece together the puzzle.