Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, bettors aren't precisely hurrying to position 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 matches in which they are substantial underdogs has taken a great deal of the appeal off the 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 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 interesting and we'll amass a lot of manage there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals might have a variety of appealing matches, however there is a genuine possibility this weekend will end with a number 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 championship prize 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 this week is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home game against No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has actually bounced back and forth in between which group is the favorite.


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


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have major question marks. Bama's running video game has not fared great versus top competitors and had minus-3 lawns in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually had a hard time to find a rhythm since returning from injury.


"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a bit here, however I don't know they appear like they're a risk to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall stated. "They might get by this one, but they're going to have to play a lot 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 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, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, but the odds still prefer the Buckeyes.


BetMGM notes the Buckeyes at +225 to win the national championship; Indiana is best behind at +275. Third-seeded Georgia is the next closest at +500.


Bettors have actually seen this movie. Ohio State entered into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, however then rolled through the postseason to win the national champion. Each triumph was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a wide margin, however their price has actually been so short all year," Magee stated. "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 stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU task, however was informed his services were no longer needed in Oxford.


What that indicates to the Rebels' fortunes is difficult to know. They were considered borderline nationwide champion competitors under Kiffin, however other than an anticipated victory in the preliminary, how far the Rebels go is far from particular. They are noted at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind 8 other teams.


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


"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his lack) might actually injure Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It might work both ways. They might actually galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I believe the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might hurt Chambliss a 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 drawback 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 pattern," Feazel stated. "We're speaking about (just) 4 games where that occurred in 2015. ... I think it still is a benefit to get a bye, particularly 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 Championship game NCAA college football video game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)