Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff
LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the significant exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, gamblers aren't exactly rushing to position wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.
The existence of 2 Group of Five representatives - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matches in which they are substantial underdogs has taken a lot of the appeal off the very first round.
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 amazing as it has actually been 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 amass a great deal of deal with there."
The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of appealing matches, however there is a genuine possibility this weekend will end with a couple of blowouts.
"We're still waiting on a bulk of the action to come through," manager Seamus Magee said.
FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the championship trophy after the Big Ten champion NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The most awaited match today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has actually gotten better and forth between which group is the favorite.
The Sooners were preferred by 1 1/2 points at BetMGM as of Thursday afternoon in their 3rd conference in 13 months. Oklahoma won the very first 2 video games and will be at home for this match.
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have major question marks. Bama's running game has not fared great versus top competition and had minus-3 yards in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has had a hard time to find a rhythm considering that returning from injury.
"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a bit here, but I don't know they look like they're a threat to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They might get by this one, but they're going to have to play a lot much better than they have in the last month, certainly a lot better than they did against Georgia. That effort didn't make any sense. There was no reason for them to be as flat as they were in that video game."
Second-seeded Ohio State may have lost the Big Ten title game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, however the chances still favor the Buckeyes.
BetMGM lists the Buckeyes at +225 to win the championship game; Indiana is ideal behind at +275. Third-seeded Georgia is the next closest at +500.
Bettors have actually seen this movie. Ohio State went into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, however then rolled through the postseason to win the nationwide champion. Each success was by double digits.
"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a wide margin, however their cost has been so short all year," Magee stated. "My forecast 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 group is capable of come playoff time."
Lane Kiffin wanted to remain 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 difficult to understand. They were thought about borderline nationwide champion contenders under Kiffin, but besides an expected victory in the first round, how far the Rebels go is far from specific. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind eight other teams.
Marshall stated quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' growth under Kiffin might be tough to replicate.
"Kiffin was so associated with the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his lack) might actually harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It might work both methods. They might truly galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, but I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might injure 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 first time.
The significant downside of getting the bye is waiting about 3 weeks to take the field for a video game and perhaps not being as sharp.
Feazel, however, didn't purchase that theory.
"That's referring to a 1 year trend," Feazel stated. "We're discussing (just) 4 video games where that happened last year. ... I think it still is an advantage to get a bye, especially simply the time to prepare depending upon the coach."
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Alabama running back Dre Washington (20) runs against Georgia during the very first half of a Southeastern Championship game NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)