Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff
LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the notable exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, gamblers aren't precisely rushing to place wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.
The presence of 2 Group of Five representatives - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matches in which they are substantial underdogs has actually taken a great deal of the appeal off the preliminary.
Sixth-seeded Mississippi is preferred by 17 1/2 points at BetMGM Sportsbook over Tulane, and No. 5 Oregon is a 20 1/2-point favorite over James Madison.
"It's not as hyped up and exciting as it has actually remained in years prior," stated Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I make sure when we get to the next round, it will be exciting and we'll gather a lot of deal with there."
The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of interesting matches, but there is a real possibility this weekend will end with a number of blowouts.
"We're still awaiting a bulk of the action to come through," BetMGM trading supervisor Seamus Magee stated.
FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the champion prize after the Big Ten champion NCAA college football video Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The most awaited matchup this week is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has actually gotten better and forth in between which team is the preferred.
The Sooners were preferred by 1 1/2 points at BetMGM as of Thursday afternoon in their third meeting in 13 months. Oklahoma won the very first 2 games and will be at home for this matchup.
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have significant concern marks. Bama's running video game has actually not fared excellent against top competitors and had minus-3 yards in the Southeastern Conference title video game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has struggled to find a rhythm since returning from injury.
"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a little bit here, however I don't understand they appear like they're a hazard to go any deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They might manage this one, but they're going to have to play a lot much better than they have in the last month, definitely a lot better than they did against Georgia. That effort didn't make any sense. There was no factor for them to be as flat as they were in that video game."
Second-seeded Ohio State might have lost the Big Ten title video game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, however the chances still prefer the Buckeyes.
BetMGM notes the Buckeyes at +225 to win the championship game; Indiana is best behind at +275. Third-seeded Georgia is the next closest at +500.
Bettors have actually seen this film. Ohio State went into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, but then rolled through the postseason to win the championship game. Each triumph was by double digits.
"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet group by a large margin, however their cost has been so short all year," Magee said. "My prediction is Ohio State over Indiana. You saw it last year Ohio State losing to Michigan, they lose to Indiana this year, however you see what this team is capable of come playoff time."
Lane Kiffin desired to stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU task, however was told his services were no longer needed in Oxford.
What that suggests to the Rebels' fortunes is difficult to know. They were thought about borderline championship game competitors under Kiffin, however besides an expected victory in the preliminary, how far the Rebels go is far from certain. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind eight other groups.
Marshall stated quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' growth under Kiffin might be challenging to replicate.
"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his lack) may in fact hurt Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It might work both ways. They might really galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, but I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might hurt Chambliss a bit."
All four schools with a first-round bye lost in the quarterfinals last season when the CFP went to a 12-team format for the very first time.
The major disadvantage of getting the bye is waiting about three weeks to take the field for a video game and possibly not being as sharp.
Feazel, nevertheless, didn't buy that theory.
"That's describing a 1 year pattern," Feazel stated. "We're speaking about (only) four video games where that occurred last year. ... I believe it still is a benefit to get a bye, particularly just the time to prepare depending upon the coach."
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Alabama running back Dre Washington (20) runs against Georgia during the first half of a Southeastern Conference champion NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)