Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff

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


The presence of 2 Group of Five representatives - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are considerable underdogs has actually taken a lot of the radiance off the 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 interesting as it has actually been in years prior," stated Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I'm sure when we get to the next round, it will be amazing and we'll garner a great deal of manage there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of intriguing matches, but 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 stated.


FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the championship 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 awaited match today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has bounced back and forth between which team is the preferred.


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


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


"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a little bit here, but I do not know they appear like they're a danger 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 better than they have in the last month, definitely 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 game."


Second-seeded Ohio State may have lost the Big Ten title game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, but the chances still favor 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 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 champion. Each triumph was by double digits.


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


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


What that implies to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to know. They were thought about borderline national champion competitors under Kiffin, however aside from an anticipated triumph in the first round, how far the Rebels go is far from specific. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind eight other groups.


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


"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) might really injure Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It might work both methods. They might truly 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 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 drawback of getting the bye is waiting about three weeks to take the field for a game and maybe not being as sharp.


Feazel, nevertheless, didn't purchase that theory.


"That's referring to an one-year trend," Feazel stated. "We're discussing (just) 4 video games where that took place last year. ... I think it still is a benefit to get a bye, specifically simply the time to prepare depending upon 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 game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)