Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, bettors aren't precisely rushing to position wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.


The existence of two 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 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 actually remained in years prior," said Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I make certain when we get to the next round, it will be amazing and we'll amass a lot of deal with there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals might have a variety of intriguing matchups, but there is a genuine possibility this weekend will end with a couple of blowouts.


"We're still awaiting a bulk of the action to come through," BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said.


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


The most anticipated matchup today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has recovered and forth in between which group is the favorite.


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 first 2 video games and will be at home for this matchup.


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have major enigma. Bama's running video game has actually not fared great versus leading competitors and had minus-3 backyards in the Southeastern Conference title video game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually struggled to discover a rhythm because returning from injury.


"The rematch thing kind of makes you like Alabama a little 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 may manage this one, however they're going to have to play a lot much better than they have in the last month, definitely a lot much 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 game."


State may have lost the Big Ten title video game to Indiana, ceding the top seed to the Hoosiers, however the chances still prefer 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 seen this motion picture. 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 victory was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a broad margin, however their cost has actually been so short all year," Magee said. "My prediction is Ohio State over Indiana. You saw it in 2015 Ohio State losing to Michigan, they lose to Indiana this year, but you see what this group can come playoff time."


Lane Kiffin wished to remain Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job, but was informed his services were no longer needed in Oxford.


What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to understand. They were considered borderline nationwide championship competitors under Kiffin, but besides an expected victory in the 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 could be hard to duplicate.


"Kiffin was so associated with the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) may really hurt Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It might work both methods. They might really galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I believe the specifics without Kiffin the play caller could hurt Chambliss a little 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 possibly not being as sharp.


Feazel, however, didn't purchase that theory.


"That's referring to a 1 year pattern," Feazel said. "We're talking about (only) four video games where that took place last year. ... I believe it still is an advantage to get a bye, especially just 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 champion NCAA college football video game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)