Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, wagerers 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 agents - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matches in which they are considerable underdogs has actually taken a great deal of the radiance off the preliminary.


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 interesting as it has been in years prior," said 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 number of interesting matchups, however there is a real possibility this weekend will end with a couple 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 championship trophy 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 expected matchup this week is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game against No. 9 seed Alabama. The wagering line has actually bounced back and forth between which team is the favorite.


The Sooners were favored by 1 1/2 points at BetMGM as of Thursday afternoon in their 3rd conference in 13 months. Oklahoma won the first 2 video games and will be at home for this match.


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have significant enigma. Bama's running game has actually not fared terrific versus top competition and had minus-3 lawns 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 kind of makes you like Alabama a little bit here, but I do not understand they appear like they're a danger to go any deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They may get by this one, however they're going to need to play a lot much 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 reason for them to be as flat as they remained in that video game."


Second-seeded Ohio State may have lost the Big Ten title video game to Indiana, delivering the top seed to the Hoosiers, but the chances still favor the Buckeyes.


BetMGM lists the Buckeyes at +225 to win the nationwide champion; Indiana is best behind at +275. Third-seeded Georgia is the next closest at +500.


Bettors have actually seen this motion picture. 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 triumph was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet group by a wide margin, however their price has actually 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 team is capable of come playoff time."


Lane Kiffin wished to stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU task, however was told his services were no longer required in Oxford.


What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to know. They were considered borderline nationwide champion contenders under Kiffin, however aside from an anticipated triumph in the 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 under Kiffin might be challenging to duplicate.


"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) might really harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It could work both methods. They might really galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might 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 first time.


The significant drawback of getting the bye is waiting about three weeks to take the field for a video game and perhaps not being as sharp.


Feazel, nevertheless, didn't buy that theory.


"That's referring to an one-year trend," Feazel said. "We're speaking about (only) 4 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 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)