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Tesla CEO Elon Musk at the company's Cyber Rodeo event in Austin, Texas.SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP

Elon Musk tweeted that the "total headcount would increase" at Tesla and salaried staff would stay "fairly flat."

Musk's comments came after the Tesla CEO sent an email to staff saying he would cut 10% of salaried jobs.

Tesla employed nearly 100,000 staff at the end of 2021.

After sending an email about job cuts for salaried staff, Tesla CEO Elon Musk seemed to retract his statements in a tweet reply Saturday, writing that the amount of salaried staff may not change drastically.

Twitter account @WholeMarsBlog tweeted that Tesla's headcount would increase over the next 12 months.

Musk replied and said that the total number of Tesla employees hired would increase, but that salaried staff "should be fairly flat."

Musk did not clarify whether or not existing salaried employees would become hourly employees or if new employees would be hired at Tesla.

Musk said that he had a "super bad feeling" regarding the economy in an email titled "pause all hiring worldwide" sent to Tesla executives on Friday. As a result, Musk said he would need to cut 10% of salaried staff, Reuters reported.

Musk wrote that the amount of hourly employees at Tesla would increase. The Tesla CEO said that the memo did not apply to anyone "building cars, battery packs or installing solar," Reuters reported.

Two days prior, Musk sent a memo to his executive staff telling them to return to the office or resign, Electrek reported.

Tesla employed 100,000 by the end of last year, according to an SEC filing.

A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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After emailing employees about job cuts at Tesla, Elon Musk says the total headcount at the company will increase - Yahoo! Voices

BofAs US stock chief sees a floor of 3,200 for the S&P 500 (potential downside of 22%) but here are 4 sectors she likes for inflation protection and cash return

Were almost halfway through the year, and sentiment has yet to turn bullish.

The S&P 500 is down 13% in 2022, while the tech-centric Nasdaq is off 22%.

If you want to know how low the market could really go, pay attention to what Savita Subramanian head of U.S. equity and quantitative strategy at Bank of America Securities has to say.

We calculate that a floor on the market is 3,200, even in a recession case, she told Bloomberg earlier this week.

The S&P 500 currently sits at roughly 4,100, so that market floor call represents potential downside of around 23%.

But that doesnt mean you should bail on stocks.

I do think that equities offer inflation protection and cash return, she added.

Not all sectors are the same, though. Subramanian suggests investors look into energy, financials, healthcare, and consumer staples.

These are areas of the market that are less susceptible to the vagaries and the negative impacts of inflation but can actually benefit from a pickup in inflation and are relatively healthy and paying healthy dividends relative to fixed income and other parts of the capital spectrum.

Lets take a closer look at those sectors and see how investors can get easy access to them.

Fueled by rising commodity prices, energy was the S&P 500s best-performing sector in 2021, returning a total of 53% vs the indexs 27% return. And that momentum has carried into 2022.

Year to date, the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) is up a whopping 55%, in stark contrast to the broad markets double-digit decline.

XLE aims to track the performance of the S&P 500s energy sector. If the positive momentum in energy prices continues, the ETF is a good bet to keep delivering market-topping returns.

XLE also provides a good starting point for further research if you are looking for individual picks. Its top holdings include oil giants like Exxon Mobil (XOM), Chevron (CVX), and ConocoPhillips (COP).

To tame spiking inflation, the Fed raised its benchmark interest rates by 50 basis points on May 4, marking the first half-point increase since 2000. Similar moves are expected to occur at the Feds upcoming meetings in June and July.

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Many businesses fear rising interest rates. But for certain financials, like banks, higher rates are a good thing.

Banks lend money out at higher rates than they borrow at, pocketing the difference. As interest rates increase, this earnings spread widens.

Banking giants are also well-capitalized right now and have been busy returning money to shareholders.

Last year, Bank of America boosted its quarterly payout by 17% to 21 cents per share. Morgan Stanley doubled its quarterly dividend to $0.70 per share. And JPMorgan increased its quarterly rate by 11% to $1 per share.

Investors can also get exposure to financial stocks through ETFs like the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) and the Vanguard Financials ETF (VFH).

Healthcare serves as a classic example of a defensive sector thanks to its lack of correlation with the ups and downs of the economy.

At the same time, the sector offers plenty of long-term growth potential due to favorable demographic tailwinds particularly an aging population and plenty of innovation.

Average investors might find it difficult to pick out specific healthcare stocks. But healthcare ETFs can provide both a diversified and profitable way to gain exposure to the space.

Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) gives investors broad exposure to the healthcare sector.

To tap into specific segments within healthcare, investors can look into names like iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) and iShares U.S. Medical Devices ETF (IHI).

Consumer staples are essential products such as food and drinks, household goods, and hygiene products.

We need these things regardless of how the economy is doing.

When inflation drives up input costs, consumer staple companies particularly those with scale and distribution advantages are able to pass those higher costs onto consumers.

Even if a recession hits the U.S. economy, well probably still see Quaker Oats and Tropicana orange juice made by PepsiCo (PEP) on families breakfast tables. Meanwhile, Tide and Bounty well-known brands from Procter & Gamble (PG) will likely remain on shopping lists across the nation.

You can gain access to the group through ETFs like the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) and the Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF (VDC).

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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BofAs US stock chief sees a floor of 3,200 for the S&P 500 (potential downside of 22%) but here are 4 sectors she likes for inflation protection and...

Apples (AAPL) WWDC developers conference, arguably its biggest event of the year, kicks off next Monday, and its expected to bring a slew of changes to the software that powers each of the tech giants devices.

Were talking updates to Apples iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and perhaps, the debut of the companys long-rumored realityOS for VR and AR headsets.

Yahoo Finance will be covering WWDC live as it unfolds, but just as with any big Apple event, Im already getting questions about what consumers can expect from the show and how it will impact them.

So to that end, heres why you should pay attention to Apples WWDC.

The most anticipated and perhaps most up-in-the-air announcement at WWDC is the debut of Apples realityOS and accompanying headset.

Apple has reportedly been working on the software powering its AR/VR headset for years, and with competitors like Meta already in the market, Apple could finally give us a look at what it has up its sleeves when it comes to its AR/VR plans.

Yep, your iPhone is getting an updated look thanks to some big changes coming via iOS 16. According to Bloombergs Mark Gurman, who seemingly lives in the walls of Tim Cooks office, iOS 16 will feature upgrades to the iPhones lock screen and new widgets.

Android phones have offered similar features for some time, so its not exactly a new capability, but iPhone owners tired of having to unlock their devices to check out their latest notifications or look up the weather will likely enjoy it. That said, the lock screen update may only be something available to iPhone 14 users.

Gurman also points to improvements to iOSs Messages app, including more social media-style updates, as well as changes to the systems notifications.

CEO Tim Cook speaks at an Apple event at their headquarters in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

Back in January, Twitter user @LeaksApplePro showed off some of the larger widgets that Apple will bring to the iPhone with iOS 16, and they certainly look like theyll be rather useful, allowing users to access multiple app features at once including changing music and using the camera flash as a light..

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Apples iPadOS 16 is also said to get new multitasking capabilities that could make the iPad even more of a laptop competitor. Its still not as useful as using a full-on MacBook in certain situations, and its unlikely Apple will ever bring the two into direct competition, so dont expect to be able to open and move around a multitude of different app windows.

The Apple Watch is the worlds best-selling smartwatch, and for good reason. It marries a stellar design with fitness tracking and messaging capabilities. Apple is expected to show off its latest version of the software that powers the watch, watchOS 9, during WWDC with the hope that it will improve the wearables battery life.

According to Gurman, watchOS 9 should include a new low-power mode, which sounds like its different than the Apple Watchs current Power Reserve mode, which turns off all of the watchs features except for the time.

As usual, Apple is likely to add new workouts to the watch, as well as new watch faces. Theres also a chance that the company will improve its Health app for the Apple Watch and iPhone. That could introduce a medication management tool as well as better womens health features.

Apples M1 chip has been a smash hit for the company providing exceptional power and battery performance in a single package. As a result, the chips have found their way into a slew of Apple devices ranging from MacBooks to Macs and iPads.

Now, according to Gurman, Apple is preparing to launch its next generation chip: the M2. Expect to see Apple show off the chips performance gains over the M1, not to mention how it compares to rivals from the likes of Intel and AMD.

Whats more, Apple could debut a new MacBook Air alongside the M2 as the first of its computers to get the chip. Apples latest MacBook Air with the M1 chip offered far better battery life than its Intel-powered predecessor, and it only follows that an M2-powered Air will one up that.

Well be following all of the news out of WWDC as it happens. Stay tuned to Yahoo Finance for more.

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(Bloomberg) -- Mark Spitznagel is paid to be prepared for when the markets weakest links are exposed in a big way.

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Right now, the Universa Investments founder, whose fund aims to protect clients during black swan events, says the financial system is most vulnerable to the greatest credit bubble of human history.

If this credit bubble ever pops, its going to be the most catastrophic market failure that anyone has ever read about -- but lets hope that doesnt happen, Spitznagel, Miami-based Universas chief investment officer, said Thursday in a telephone interview. Weve gotten ourselves into a tough spot.

Spitznagel, 51, insists hes not a doom and gloomer. Hes long been critical of central banks keeping interest rates near-zero or even negative, which he says has propped up asset values and encouraged excessive borrowing. Officials around the world are now tightening monetary policy to combat elevated inflation.

His warning follows other cautious remarks this week from JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon, who told investors to prepare for an economic hurricane, and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. President John Waldron, who said hes seen an unprecedented number of shocks and expects tougher economic times ahead.

Traditional flight-to-quality assets like US Treasuries and gold are failing investors this year, adding to the pain, Spitznagel said. In his 2021 book Safe Haven, he argued both were inconsistent at mitigating risks.

Universa, founded in 2007 and advised by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, is a hedge fund in the purest sense, specializing in risk mitigation. It aims to protect against the biggest market crashes by preserving capital over those periods. It told clients its options trades returned 3,612% in March 2020, according to a letter obtained by Bloomberg at the time.

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At a time when hedge funds like Chase Colemans Tiger Global Management are caught in the middle of a rout in technology stocks, and Gabe Plotkins Melvin Capital Management is shuttering after a string of losses, Spitznagel reiterated his criticism of the industry at large.

What purpose do hedge funds play in anyones portfolio? Ive never been able to answer that question, he said. Hedge funds have created a solution for the wrong problem.

Popular hedge fund strategies, such as risk parity and lowering volatility, do little to improve returns as they search for havens when markets go south, Spitznagel said. In fact, they may lose money over the long term.

Youre making a market call, he said. To make your portfolio either more or less defensive today, that would be an extraordinary forecast to make today that were all going to get wrong.

Those who tactically try to mitigate risk are going to get churned and burned, thats what the market does to people, Spitznagel said.

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Black Swan Investor Is Watching for Greatest Credit Bubble to Pop - Yahoo Finance

Future NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady has faced plenty of talented defensive backs over his career. Brady faced Charles Woodson, Rod Woodson and Aeneas Williams and a number of other standout players.

Of all those big names, there's one defensive back that really made an impact on Brady. That would be Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, who Brady named as the toughest defensive back he faced during his career.

Brady revealed that tidbit during The Match on Wednesday. Brady and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers triumphed over Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes at the event.

All four of the quarterbacks were asked which defensive back they hating facing the most, and Brady chose Reed. The three faced off four times in the regular season when Reed was a member of the Ravens. Brady and the Patriots won three of those contests, though Reed did manage an interception off Brady. They also played three times in the postseason. Reed and the Ravens came out ahead in those games 2-1, and Reed picked up another interception against Brady in the Ravens' playoff win over the New England Patriots in 2010.

The three other quarterbacks also chimed in on their least favorite defensive backs to face. Rodgers named Charles Woodson, Allen named Tre'Davious White and Mahomes said Jalen Ramsey.

All of those players have made at least one All-Pro team during their careers. Rodgers' answer was the most interesting, as he was teammates with Woodson for years. The two only faced each other once in their careers. Rodgers and the Packers won that game. Allen also named a teammate. The two have never faced each other in a game, but have competed many times in practice.

Reed and Woodson are retired and in the Hall of Fame. Ramsey and White are still building their Hall of Fame cases. Watching them frustrate opposing quarterbacks for years to come should be a highlight for most sports fans ... unless they are rooting for the opposing team.

Tom Brady did not enjoy facing Ed Reed. (Photo by Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

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Tom Brady says this Hall of Famer is the best defensive back he's ever faced - Yahoo Sports

(Bloomberg) -- Bonds in almost every corner of the $63 trillion global debt market are bouncing back as investors begin to see value once again in fixed-income assets.

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Global investment-grade debt has returned almost 1% in May, the first monthly gain since July, while US Treasuries are heading for their best month since November, according to Bloomberg indexes. A gauge of global corporate debt is set for its biggest advance since July, while emerging-market sovereigns from Mexico to Malaysia are also in the green.

Investors point to a bevy of reasons for the recovery. These include signs the global economy is in danger of recession, speculation the rush of central-bank interest-rate hikes are now largely priced in, and the simple fact yields have risen enough to make them attractive.

I expect global bonds to deliver positive returns for the rest of this year, said Akira Takei, a global fixed-income money manager at Asset Management One Co. in Tokyo, who has been buying Treasuries. Yields have fallen from their peaks because more and more investors see value in bonds. The worst of the bond market is behind us.

Asset managers including pension funds and insurers last week ramped up bullish wagers on Treasuries to the highest levels since April 2020. At the same time, JPMorgan Asset Management, Morgan Stanley and Pacific Investment Management Co. have all gone on record saying the worst of the global debt selloff looks to be over.

The rally in bonds has already pushed U.S. 10-year yields down to 2.80% from a three-year high of 3.20% set in early May. Yields on similar-maturity German bunds have dropped to 1.04% from a peak of 1.19% three weeks ago.

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Its a good time to increase your allocation to fixed income, said Tai Hui, chief Asia market strategist in Hong Kong at JPMorgan Asset, which oversees $2.5 trillion. With the valuation de-rating in fixed income -- if you look at credit spreads, if you look at risk-free rates -- the fixed income world is starting to look attractive again.

Still, renewed inflation concerns may derail the bond recovery. Record German inflation spurred a selloff in bunds on Monday, while similar-maturity U.S. yields jumped 10 basis points on Tuesday after Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said he wants to keep raising borrowing costs in half point steps until price pressures ease back to target.

There are also laggards in the broader fixed-income market.

Investors remain skittish on Chinese debt as Covid-linked lockdowns and uncertainties over the nations troubled property market deter buyers. While returns have generally been picking up, credit spreads have still widened in some areas, including Asian investment-grade bonds, amid skepticism about whether the fixed-income recovery will last.

Read More: China Contagion Fears Return as Greenland Stress Hits SOE Bonds

Credit investors should position for a potentially bumpy ride over the foreseeable time horizon, said Paul Lukaszewski, head of corporate debt for Asia Pacific at abrdn in Singapore. We continue to see China as our biggest source of credit risk in Asia.

Just last week, a surprise proposal by state-backed Greenland Holdings Corp. to delay a bond repayment sparked fears of wider contagion risks among even higher-rated Chinese developers. Meanwhile in sovereign markets, Sri Lanka has fallen into default, while concerns are mounting over Pakistan.

Others are more optimistic, even on China. Asian corporate bonds will soon be attractive for investors who believe an economic slowdown remains a way off, said Neeraj Seth, head of Asian credit at BlackRock Inc. in Singapore.

If you arent worried about recession right now, you are getting closer to the point where its an attractive entry point in the market from the credit or fixed income side, he said in an interview on Bloomberg Television. We are positive on investment grade credit and selectively on high yield in Asia, he said.

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Bonds Rally Everywhere in May With Bulls Saying Selloff Is Over - Yahoo Finance

On Friday, the S&P 500 broke a 7-week losing streak, the index's longest since 2001.

Concerns about a slowing economy and tighter monetary policy from the Federal Reserve have been at the center of this decline. Last week's rebound likely has some investors wondering if the worst is over for stocks, and asking if we're set to see a comeback similar to what followed the pandemic-induced bear market of 2020.

One strategist, however, doesn't see the ingredients for this kind of rebound in the current environment.

"There's no V-shaped bottom here," Michael Antonelli, managing director and market strategist at Baird told Yahoo Finance Live on Friday.

"V-shaped bottoms are completely comprised of the Fed getting really super friendly, putting a tailwind [behind the market], [or] some sort of fiscal impulse," Antonelli said. "Neither of those are happening."

Last week, the minutes from the Fed's latest policy meeting suggested that after raising its benchmark interest rate by 0.50% in early May, the central bank is set to do the same in both June and July.

And if history is any guide, expect the current near-bear market to last roughly a year, Antonelli says.

"If you're looking peak-to-trough, the average bear market is about 338 days, so a little bit less than a year," Antonelli told Yahoo Finance. "If youre talking peak, to trough, [and] back to peak, thats about 600 days, so a little over a year and a half. It is going to take us some time to get through this."

Year-to-date, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) is down nearly 13%, the Nasdaq (^IXIC) is down more than 22%, and the Dow (^DJI) is off more than 8%.

Over the long-term, however, history suggests U.S. stocks tend to remain resilient and bounce back after sharp declines. Following all 11 of the worst years in history, Antonelli notes, the index was higher five years later.

Ines is a markets reporter covering equities. Follow her on Twitter at @ines_ferre

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There won't be a 'v-shaped bottom' in this market: Strategist - Yahoo Finance

Whether hot inflation persists or were heading towards a bear market, Suze Orman, personal finance expert, says you should still lean on stocks for the long haul.

Over the long-term stocks have produced the best gains after factoring in inflation, writes Orman in a blog post. Bonds and cash struggle to keep pace with inflation; only stocks have a track record of earning more than inflation.

Orman's advice is sound. But some areas of the stock market perform better than others during periods of high inflation.

Whether youre looking to invest thousands of dollars or just a bit of savings, the following three sectors might give you an extra boost for the rest of 2022.

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In her blog post, Orman says investors should be prepared for stocks to go through periods where their value dips.

But that also offers the chance to snap up more top-shelf stocks at bargain-bin prices. When the next pullback happens (and it will happen), theres one place investors might want to look to first: banks.

Unlike the vast majority of other industries, banks actually fare well when the Fed tightens up because of their asset-sensitive nature. When interest rates rise, bank assets like bonds and loans tend to climb higher than their liabilities such as deposits.

Rising rates also mean that banks can earn a wider spread between what they pay out in savings account interest and what they earn from Treasuries.

Another great thing about buying bank shares is its a bit like shooting fish in a barrel.

Just pick two or three of the countrys largest banks, like Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo, and you should have all the positive exposure to rising interest rates you need.

Even when people slash their budgets to help offset rising prices, we know those auto and life insurance premiums will keep rolling in no matter what.

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Which means although insurance may not be the most exciting industry, its a defensive business that can provide plenty of portfolio protection especially since insurers typically earn better returns on their float when rates rise.

And on top of that, insurers often pay their shareholders dividends, which means you can count on a little extra cash a few times a year.

For those interested in investing in insurance, Chubb, Allstate and MetLife are some of the big, blue-chip names in the industry.

When it comes to investing in precious metals, these stock picks can be worth their weight in gold.

Gold and silver have long been considered safe haven assets, meaning when all else fails, their value doesnt really tarnish.

You can always buy precious metal bullion or coins, but mining stocks and ETFs allow you to invest in the space at a low cost and without needing to find storage.

Moreover, large diversified mining companies like Rio Tinto and Freeport-McMoRan also dig up metals like copper, which is currently experiencing booming demand due to its role in electric vehicle production.

Historically, the best time to make money from metals is when inflation is poised to keep increasing like right now.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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Suze Orman: This is the only asset class with a track record of 'earning more than inflation' here are 3 simple ways to get exposure for the rest of...

Chevrolet Bolt EV

The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt will be the cheapest EV you can buy in America with a caveat.

Earlier this week General Motors (GM) revealed pricing for the 2023 version of the Bolt EV. The base 1LT and better equipped 2LT models are now priced at $26,595 and $29,795 respectively, which GM says is a price cut of $5,900 per model compared to last year.

The larger Bolt EUV is getting an even bigger price cut, at least nominally speaking, of $6,300.

For the regular Bolt EV, that price represents a massive 18.5% price cut from a year ago, at a time when everything from components to labor costs are rising considerably in this country.

GM says even with the big price cut, no features have been removed or trimmed compared to last years model.

"Nothing has been removed," GM product specialist Shad Balch told the Detroit Free Press. "This reflects our ongoing desire to make sure Bolt EV/EUV is competitive in the marketplace. As weve said, affordability has always been a priority for these vehicles."

Though 2023 pricing hasn't been announced yet, the 2022 Nissan Leaf, which was the cheapest EV offered in the U.S., starts at $27,400. If you dont include the $7,500 federal tax credit (that Nissan still qualifies for, but GM does not), the 2023 Bolt EV is the cheapest car in America.

So technically the Bolt EV is the cheapest EV in America when it goes on sale in 2023, not including the federal tax credit (which brings the Nissan Leaf down to a whoppingly low $19,900). The bad news for Nissan (7201.T) is the Leafs cumulative total sales in the U.S. are around 175,000 units, and when the 200,000 threshold is reached the federal tax credit is halved.

TANGERANG, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 12: Nissan Leaf electric car displayed during the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) at Indonesia Convention Exhibition on the outskirt of Jakarta, Tangerang, Indonesia on November 12, 2021. This first auto exhibition during pandemic COVID-19 organized by the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries GAIKINDO open for the public from 12 to 21 November and joined by more than 300 brands in the supporting industries and highlighted around 150 new vehicles. (Photo by Anton Raharjo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Also on the con side for the Nissan Leaf is that it only has 149 miles of range (EPA rated), whereas the cheapest Bolt EV has GM-estimated 259 miles. A buyer needs to step up to the Nissan Leaf S Plus to get 226 miles of range (EPA rated), but that model starts at $32,400.

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The big point here is GM is doing what it can to bring an affordable, mass market EV option with decent electric range to middle-class buyers who want to go electric. This is a part of the market with a dearth of options, with only the Nissan Leaf S Plus as its only competitor, though Fisker (FSR) is promising that its Ocean EV SUV will start under $40,000 when it arrives sometime next year.

If the country is to hit the White Houses goal of having 50% of vehicle sales be all-electric by 2030, U.S. buyers will need many more cheaper EV options.

Pras Subramanian is a senior autos reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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GM slashes price of 2023 Chevy Bolt, making it the cheapest EV in America - Yahoo Finance

We're just over 12 weeks away from Week 0 of the college football season on Aug. 27. While we still have almost an entire summer to get through before our Saturdays return to being filled with college football, BetMGM has already posted its season win totals and conference odds for the upcoming season.

Right off the bat, you'll notice that the highest projected win total for any team this season is just 10.5 wins. This is in stark contrast to last season, when Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma all had win totals listed at 11 or higher. This year, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson are tied for the highest win total in the country at 10.5.

In case this is your first year betting on college football win totals, there is some important information you need to be aware of.

First and foremost, you must place your bets before the season starts and your money will be held until the regular season is over in late November. Your bet is locked in at the odds you get when you place your bet, for better or worse.

Also, only regular-season games count. Almost every team plays 12 games. Out of conference games do count toward the win total, but conference championship games, bowl games and the college football playoff do not.

The third thing to be aware about is the juice required on some of these bets. Unlike a normal football game where the spread is set and both sides are juiced at -110, the juice varies greatly on win totals. Due to the fact each win means so much, oddsmakers will adjust the juice rather than moving a team's win total up or down.

A good example of this is in the SEC. Florida, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee all have win totals of 7.5. However, Ole Miss and Tennessee's over side is juiced at -175, while LSU and Florida's juice is much lower at -105 and -110 respectively. While the win total might be the same, the oddsmakers are telling you that they think it's much more likely Ole Miss and Tennessee reach eight wins than the two other schools.

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Most would view Clemson's 2021 season as a disaster, but even in a disastrous season, the Tigers went 9-3 and won a bowl game. Dabo Swinney lost both coordinators this offseason and there's still plenty of questions about D.J. Uiagalelei at quarterback, but Clemson is back in the favorite role in the ACC. The Tigers are -140 to win the conference and their projected win total is set at 10.5, tied for highest in the country.

Miami and North Carolina State are viewed as the biggest threats to Clemson to win the conference, as both schools sit at +700 to win the ACC. Those two schools, along with Wake Forest and Pittsburgh, have projected win totals of 8.5. Syracuse (4.5 wins), Georgia Tech and Duke (3.5 wins) are projected to finish at the bottom of the conference.

Alabama and Georgia met in the national championship game last season, and they're the two current favorites to win it all in 2022. Georgia took home the hardware this past January, but Alabama is the slight favorite ahead of the Bulldogs in both the national championship odds and odds to win the SEC.

Bryce Young and Alabama are projected to be near the top of college football once again. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

It's a two-horse race in the SEC, as the Crimson Tide are -125 to win the SEC while Georgia is +150. Both teams are eye-popping -200 favorites to go over 10.5 wins in the regular season as oddsmakers view it rather unlikely that either team drops two games before the SEC championship game.

Outside of the two powerhouses, the rest of the SEC is pretty compacted in terms of projected win totals:

8.5 wins: Texas A&M, Kentucky

7.5 wins: Ole Miss, Tennessee, Florida, LSU

6.5 wins: Arkansas, Mississippi State

5.5 wins: South Carolina, Auburn, Missouri

Of course, Vanderbilt is projected to finish at the very bottom of the conference and their projected win total is just 2.5 wins.

USC made a big splash when it lured Lincoln Riley from Oklahoma, and oddsmakers are expecting that move to potentially pay immediate dividends. Joining Riley in Southern California will be former Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams, along with a swarm of other transfers, including Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison. USC is a +200 favorite to win the conference, and it has the highest win total in the conference at 9.5.

However, the Trojans will face some serious competition. Utah is +250 to win the conference, and Oregon is +300. Both teams have projected win totals of 8.5. UCLA (8 wins, 10-to-1) and Washington (7.5 wins, 12-to-1) are also in the picture. It's worth noting that the Pac-12 is taking a page out of the Big 12's book and will now send the two best teams in the conference to the championship game, regardless of which division they're in.

In 2021, Michigan put an end to a run of four straight Big Ten championships for Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes are right back in the favorite role for 2022. Ohio State is a prohibitive -250 favorite to win the conference this upcoming season, and it is a -200 favorite to go over 10.5 wins during the regular season. CJ Stroud, the quarterback for Ohio State, is the current Heisman favorite at +200.

Coming off a college football playoff appearance and Big Ten championship, Michigan is +900 to repeat as conference champion this upcoming season. It has the second-highest win total in the conference at 9.5. Wisconsin and Penn State are both 14-to-1 to win the Big Ten, and both teams have projected win totals of 8.5.

Michigan State, Purdue, Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska all have their preseason win totals set at 7.5. Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana and Northwestern are all projected to be at best fighting for bowl eligibility, as their win totals range from 3.5 to 5.5 wins.

Despite losing their coach and starting quarterback during the offseason, the Oklahoma Sooners have opened as the favorites to win the Big 12. Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams have been replaced by Brent Venables and Dillon Gabriel, and Oklahoma looks to return to the top of the conference. Baylor won the conference in 2021, marking the first time since 2014 that the Sooners didn't end the year calling themselves Big 12 champions.

Oklahoma is +175 to win the conference, and its 9.5 projected wins are the highest in the Big 12. Texas is right on its heels, as the Longhorns look to rebound from an embarrassing season. Texas is +230 to win the Big 12 and -200 favorites to go over 8.5 wins.

Behind those two, Oklahoma State is +700 to win the conference. Last year's champion, the Baylor Bears, are +900 to repeat the feat. TCU, West Virginia and Iowa State are all between 10-to-1 and 18-to-1 to win the conference. As usual, Kansas brings up the rear with a projected win total of 2.5 wins and 100-to-1 odds to win the conference.

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College football betting: Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State top projected win totals - Yahoo Sports