Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff
LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma face-off, wagerers aren't exactly hurrying to put wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.
The presence of two Group of Five agents - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are significant underdogs has taken a great deal of the appeal off the very first round.
Sixth-seeded Mississippi is favored 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 remained in years prior," stated Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I make certain when we get to the next round, it will be exciting and we'll garner a lot of manage there."
The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals might have a number of interesting matches, however there is a genuine possibility this weekend will end with a number of blowouts.
"We're still waiting for a bulk of the action to come through," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee stated.
FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the champion prize after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football video game against Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The most awaited matchup today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game against No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has actually bounced back and forth between which group is the preferred.
The Sooners were favored by 1 1/2 points at BetMGM since Thursday afternoon in their 3rd conference in 13 months. won the very first 2 games and will be at home for this match.
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have major question marks. Bama's running video game has actually not fared terrific against leading competitors and had minus-3 yards in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually had a hard time to find a rhythm given that returning from injury.
"The rematch thing type of makes you like Alabama a bit here, however I do not understand they appear like they're a danger to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They might manage this one, however they're going to have to play a lot better than they have in the last month, certainly a lot better than they did versus Georgia. That effort didn't make any sense. There was no factor for them to be as flat as they were in that game."
Second-seeded Ohio State might have lost the Big Ten title game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, however the chances still prefer the Buckeyes.
BetMGM lists 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 seen this movie. Ohio State went into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, but then rolled through the postseason to win the national championship. Each success was by double digits.
"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a wide margin, but their cost has actually been so short all year," Magee said. "My forecast is Ohio State over Indiana. You saw it in 2015 Ohio State losing to Michigan, they lose to Indiana this year, however you see what this team can come playoff time."
Lane Kiffin wanted to stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job, but was told his services were no longer required in Oxford.
What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to understand. They were thought about borderline championship game contenders under Kiffin, but other than an anticipated triumph in the very first round, how far the Rebels go is far from particular. They are noted at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind eight other teams.
Marshall said quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' development under Kiffin might be difficult to duplicate.
"Kiffin was so included in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) might in fact harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It could work both methods. They could truly galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I believe the specifics without Kiffin the play caller could harm Chambliss a bit."
All 4 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 3 weeks to take the field for a game and maybe not being as sharp.
Feazel, nevertheless, didn't buy that theory.
"That's referring to a 1 year pattern," Feazel stated. "We're speaking about (only) four video games where that took place in 2015. ... I believe it still is a benefit to get a bye, particularly simply the time to prepare depending upon the coach."
Get poll signals and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Register here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Alabama running back Dre Washington (20) runs versus Georgia during the very first half of a Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football video game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)