Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

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


The presence of two Group of Five representatives - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are substantial underdogs has actually taken a lot of the luster off the first round.


Sixth-seeded Mississippi is 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 remained in years prior," said Joey Feazel, head of football at Caesars Sportsbook. "But I make certain when we get to the next round, it will be exciting and we'll gather a lot of handle there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals might have a number of interesting matchups, but there is a real possibility this weekend will end with a number of blowouts.


"We're still waiting on a bulk of the action to come through," BetMGM trading supervisor Seamus Magee said.


FILE - Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti holds up the championship trophy after the Big Ten champion NCAA college football video game versus Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)


The most awaited matchup today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The wagering line has actually recovered and forth in between which group is the favorite.


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


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


"The rematch thing sort of makes you like Alabama a bit here, but I do not know they look like they're a threat to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall stated. "They might 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 versus 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 game to Indiana, ceding the front runner to the Hoosiers, but the chances still prefer the Buckeyes.


BetMGM lists the Buckeyes at +225 to win the nationwide championship; 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, but then rolled through the postseason to win the national championship. Each victory was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team 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 group is capable of come playoff time."


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


What that implies to the Rebels' fortunes is difficult to know. They were thought about borderline nationwide champion contenders under Kiffin, however other than an expected triumph in the very 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 teams.


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


"Kiffin was so associated with the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) might actually hurt Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It could work both ways. They might truly galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I believe the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might 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 disadvantage of getting the bye is waiting about 3 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 pattern," Feazel stated. "We're talking about (only) four games where that occurred in 2015. ... I think it still is a benefit to get a bye, specifically simply the time to prepare depending upon the coach."


Get poll informs and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Register here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football


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