Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the significant exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma face-off, bettors aren't precisely hurrying to put 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 matchups in which they are substantial underdogs has taken a great deal of the luster 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 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 garner a great deal of manage there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of appealing matchups, but 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 said.


FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the champion prize after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football video game versus 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 game against No. 9 seed Alabama. The wagering line has actually recuperated and forth between which team 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 two games and will be at home for this matchup.


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall noted both offenses have significant question marks. Bama's running game has actually not fared terrific versus top competition and had minus-3 yards in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has struggled to discover a rhythm since returning from injury.


"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a bit here, but I do not know they appear like they're a hazard to go any deeper than this round," Marshall stated. "They might manage this one, however they're going to have to play a lot 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 might have lost the Big Ten title game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, but the odds still favor the Buckeyes.


BetMGM notes the 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 motion picture. Ohio State entered into last season's playoffs off a confounding loss to Michigan, but then rolled through the postseason to win the championship game. Each victory was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet group by a large margin, but their rate has actually been so short all year," Magee said. "My prediction 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 can come playoff time."


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


What that suggests to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to know. They were considered borderline national championship contenders under Kiffin, but other than an expected success in the first round, how far the Rebels go is far from certain. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind 8 other groups.


Marshall said quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' development under Kiffin could be difficult to duplicate.


"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) may actually injure Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It might work both methods. They might truly galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might injure 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 major disadvantage of getting the bye is waiting about 3 weeks to take the field for a game and perhaps not being as sharp.


Feazel, however, didn't buy that theory.


"That's referring to a 1 year pattern," Feazel stated. "We're speaking about (just) 4 video games where that happened last year. ... I believe 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 against Georgia throughout the very first half of a Southeastern Championship game NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)