Until now, the return of Vince McMahon’s formerly defunct XFL felt like a dream. After watching the promising AAF rise and fall before it could even finish its inaugural season, fans weren’t wrong to think that way.

The foundation has been laid for a very exciting reality, however. The XFL Draft is in the books, minicamps are out of the way, and in just over a month, real XFL games will be hitting the field.

The true product won’t be revealed until the first regular-season games arrive on February 8th, but the anticipation is mounting around a surprisingly talent-laden pro football league.

It’s unlikely the XFL ever rivals the NFL, but meaningful football games are coming at us after the Super Bowl. Whether you plan on betting on Super Bowl 54 or not, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to cash in on pro football games after the NFL season has faded into the distance.

The question, of course, is how to bet on the XFL. Here’s a look at the updated XFL odds, along with a look at the top favorites and some XFL sleepers.

Latest 2020 XFL Championship Odds

Dallas Renegades +300 New York Guardians +400 Los Angeles Wildcats +500 Tampa Bay Vipers +500 Houston Roughnecks +750 DC Defenders +800 St. Louis Battle Hawks +900 Seattle Dragons +1000

It’s true that the XFL team names sound like they came out of Madden’s create-a-team mode, but these are still legit football franchises that hope to embark on a long and profitable journey in the XFL.

Step one to ensuring that happens is putting a quality product out on the field, of course. The AAF arguably accomplished that, though, so I have optimism that the XFL can do the same.

When looking at the latest XFL odds, bettors first note that the Dallas Renegades are the main favorites at top XFL betting websites like SportsBetting.ag.

Legendary college head coach Bob Stoops running the show probably has something to do with that. Stoops won a national championship and was typically highly successful at Oklahoma, and the 59-year old coach should bring a winning edge to the Renegades.

It can’t hurt that he has a talented roster in front of him, including the first-ever XFL signee in former Sooners star quarterback Landry Jones.

Dallas could have a leg up with that fact alone. Jones wasn’t very successful in the NFL, but he was a good college quarterback and will know how to execute Stoops’ offense.

With him on offense are former Auburn stud running back Cameron Artis-Payne and a collection of speedy wide receivers. Jeff Badet, who once ran a 4.27 40-yard dash time, is joined by Floyd Allen and Stacy Coley, who should also push the envelope in terms of explosive ability.

Defensively, the Renegades are led by former Oklahoma star pass rusher Frank Alexander, linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi, and cover man Joshua Hawkins.

Overall, Dallas may very well have the most complete squad and could be ready to chase down a title in their first try with the XFL.

Right behind the Renegades in terms of sheer XFL odds, of course, are the Guardians.

It was New York that was initially handed some of the best XFL betting odds when the top football sites first issued this wager, though.

I’m not nearly as impressed with this roster, but quarterback Matt McGloin flashed ability at the NFL level and has some solid weapons around him in DeAngelo Yancey, Tanner Gentry, and Justin Stockton.

Kevin Gilbride leads the charge from the sidelines, and his reliable presence could be a driving force behind the top sportsbooks liking New York’s chances.

Top XFL Sleepers

The favorites are the favorites for a reason. As things stand, I don’t see a ton of reasoning against betting on either the Renegades or the Guardians.

Both teams have the coaching needed to win consistently, and they also have safe options under center and some explosive weapons.

But in a brand-new league where nobody knows how things will play out, does it make some sense to live a little and target teams offering a bit more value? It could, which is why I’m game for breaking down three of my favorite XFL sleepers going into year one.

Houston Roughnecks +750

June Jones has always been known for his high-flying offenses, so you better believe I’m intrigued to see what the king of the Run and Shoot offense is capable of doing in the XFL.

The Roughnecks will, at the very least, be exciting. Junes made the Hamilton Tiger-Cats fun to watch in the CFL in 2018 (third in scoring), and he had a hand in the development of Jeremiah Masoli.

Of course, Jones has been piecing together explosive offenses for years, as his Hawaii teams routinely scored in bunches and usually enjoyed winning seasons. Jones couldn’t hack it in the NFL, but he did get the Atlanta Falcons to 9-7 and a playoff appearance back in 1995.

Perhaps the game is passing him by slightly, but the concepts and experience are there to help the 66-year-old living legend dominate the XFL.

Jones is not trying this all by his lonesome, either. He’s got an interesting quarterback room with Phillip Walker and Connor Cook fighting for the starting gig. They could be fine no matter who gets the nod, as explosive down-field threats like Sammie Coates and Kahlil Lewis could stretch defenses thin.

Defensively, another legend roams the sidelines in former Bills icon Ted Cottrell. Only time will tell if he can still orchestrate a nasty pass rush, but his past results are forever promising.

Cottrell has some goods to work with, too, as college sack artist Kony Ealy looks to hand in a steady rush on the edge in his attempt to return to the NFL.

Overall, I love the coaching and upside associated with the Roughnecks. They are priced at +750 because it’s tough to peg if their potential will fully translate, but at this stage of the game, they could be worth a roll of the dice.

DC Defenders +800

The Defenders are led by Pep Hamilton, who is best known for his offenses at Stanford, Michigan, and with the Indianapolis Colts. I’m not blown away by Hamilton’s guidance here, but his experience does give the Defenders some serious potential on the offensive side of the football.

That’s especially encouraging when you note their exceptional quarterback talent with Cardale Jones and Tyree Jackson vying for the top role.

From a sheer skill-set perspective, the Defenders should be in good hands offensively, while either passer should be aided by the explosive Eli Rogers, as well as DeAndre Thompkins. Running backs Donnel Pumphrey and Khurell Pressley could balance things out on the ground.

Defensively, former Arizona star linebacker Scooby Wright III aims to show he has what it takes to play at the highest level after being cut by the New England Patriots. He was a bullet on the field for the Wildcats, and if he regains his college form, he could spearhead a vibrant DC defense.

Wright isn’t alone, of course, as stud safety Matt Elam protects the back of the secondary. He’s got some amazing help from Rahim Moore, while Sam Montgomery hopes to drive a healthy pass rush up front.

On paper, the Defenders have stability, balance, and explosiveness. I love them at this +800 price.

Seattle Dragons +1000

I’m not particularly enthused about going hard at a team led by Jim Zorn, who really didn’t flex much coaching muscle with the Washington Redskins in 2008 and 2009. I’m also not sure it’s entirely his fault, as pretty much nobody can succeed working under Daniel Snyder in DC.

The good news is that Zorn has loads of experience and once helped make Charlie Batch into a passable starter. He later helped Matt Hasselbeck turn into a seasoned starter.

Zorn knows offense, and he can mentor even the most average quarterbacks, so there should be some buzz as he begins to work with talented quarterbacks like BJ Daniels and Brandon Silvers competing for the team’s starting gig.

Either should work in Zorn’s system, especially with receiving options like Austin Proehl, Keenan Reynolds, and Trey Brady to work with. Trey Williams and Kenneth Farrow give the team a healthy rushing attack, too.

Seattle will have to answer some questions defensively, but this team has upside on the offensive side and offers the best value in the league. This early in the process, they could be worth a look.

Who Will Win the 2020 XFL Title?

I won’t talk you out of the Wildcats or Vipers. They’re right behind the top two favorites and have quality rosters with good coaching. But they don’t really qualify as either a favorite or a sleeper in my book.

They’re in the mix, though, so don’t ignore them when placing bets on who will win the 2020 XFL championship.

Personally, I’d gear most of the betting action towards Stoops’ Renegades or aim a bit higher with one of the aforementioned XFL sleepers. We still have a long time to learn which teams are really the cream of the crop in this league, while injuries and free agency moves could also impact XFL odds before long.

Just imagine if one of these franchises reel in a big fish like Johnny Manziel or Antonio Brown. Naturally, the betting dynamic across the league would shift at least slightly.

Still, if I’m going hard at anyone, it’s the Renegades with their collection of top-flight coaching and star talent on both sides of the ball. Looking for a bit more upside? Take a chance on June Jones.

You’re seeing a price jump of +450 to make that bet, and given the lack of knowledge across the XFL so far, it’s a worthwhile gamble. If Jones can roll his system out and get similar results to what he’s seen in the past, the XFL could be a terrific stage for one of the most dynamic offenses in the league.

That’s my high upside bet, though. If I have to make one pick, I’ll go with Stoops and the Renegades.