Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the notable exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma face-off, wagerers aren't precisely rushing to place wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.


The existence of two Group of Five agents - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are substantial underdogs has taken a lot of the radiance 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 interesting as it has been in years prior," said Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I'm 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 number of blowouts.


"We're still waiting for a bulk of the action to come through," BetMGM trading supervisor Seamus Magee stated.


FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the champion trophy after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game versus Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)


The most awaited match today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game against No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has recovered and forth in between which group is the preferred.


The Sooners were preferred by 1 1/2 points at BetMGM since Thursday afternoon in their 3rd meeting in 13 months. Oklahoma won the first 2 games and will be at home for this matchup.


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall kept in mind both offenses have significant enigma. Bama's running game has actually not fared great against leading 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 bit here, however I do not understand they appear 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 need to play a lot much better than they have in the last month, definitely a lot much 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 may have lost the Big Ten title video game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, but the odds 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 film. Ohio State entered into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, but then rolled through the postseason to win the national championship. Each victory was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a wide margin, however their price has been so short all year," Magee said. "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, 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 nationwide champion contenders under Kiffin, however other than an anticipated victory in the very first round, how far the Rebels go is far from particular. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind 8 other groups.


Marshall said quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' growth under Kiffin might be hard to replicate.


"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his lack) may actually harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It could work both ways. They could actually galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, but I believe the specifics without Kiffin the play caller could hurt Chambliss a little 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 significant downside of getting the bye is waiting about 3 weeks to take the field for a game and possibly not being as sharp.


Feazel, nevertheless, didn't buy that theory.


"That's describing an one-year trend," Feazel stated. "We're speaking about (just) four video games where that took place in 2015. ... I believe it still is an advantage to get a bye, specifically simply the time to prepare depending on the coach."


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Alabama running back Dre Washington (20) runs versus Georgia during the very first half of a Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)