Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma face-off, gamblers aren't precisely hurrying to place wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.


The presence of two Group of Five agents - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are substantial underdogs has taken a great deal of the appeal 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 amazing 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 interesting and we'll garner a lot of deal with there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of intriguing matchups, but 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 champion prize 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 today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The wagering line has actually bounced back and forth between which group is the preferred.


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


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


"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a little bit here, but I do not understand they look like they're a hazard to go any deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They may manage 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 against Georgia. That effort didn't make any sense. There was no reason for them to be as flat as they were in that game."


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


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


Bettors have actually seen this film. Ohio State entered into last season's playoffs off a loss to Michigan, however then rolled through the postseason to win the nationwide championship. Each victory was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet group by a broad margin, but their price has been so short all year," Magee stated. "My prediction is Ohio State over Indiana. You saw it last year Ohio State losing to Michigan, they lose to Indiana this year, but you see what this team is capable of come playoff time."


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


What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is difficult to know. They were thought about borderline nationwide championship competitors under Kiffin, however besides an anticipated triumph in the very first round, how far the Rebels go is far from particular. They are listed at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind eight other teams.


Marshall said quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' development under Kiffin might be hard to replicate.


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


The major disadvantage of getting the bye is waiting about 3 weeks to take the field for a game and maybe not being as sharp.


Feazel, nevertheless, didn't buy that theory.


"That's referring to a 1 year pattern," Feazel said. "We're speaking about (only) four games where that took place last year. ... I believe it still is a benefit to get a bye, specifically simply the time to prepare depending on the coach."


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Alabama running back Dre Washington (20) runs versus Georgia throughout the first half of a Southeastern Conference champion NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)