Betting Interest Wanes As First Round Of College Football Playoff

LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the noteworthy exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma face-off, bettors aren't exactly hurrying to place 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 considerable underdogs has actually taken a lot 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 remained 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 great deal of deal with there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a number of intriguing matches, however 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 manager Seamus Magee said.


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


The most anticipated match this week is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The betting line has bounced back and forth in between which team 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. Oklahoma won the first 2 games and will be at home for this matchup.


handicapper Bruce Marshall kept in mind both offenses have significant question marks. Bama's running video game has not fared excellent versus leading competitors and had minus-3 yards in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually had a hard time to discover a rhythm given that returning from injury.


"The rematch thing type of makes you like Alabama a bit here, however I do not know they look like they're a threat to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall said. "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 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 were 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 chances still favor the Buckeyes.


BetMGM notes the Buckeyes at +225 to win the championship game; Indiana is right 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, however then rolled through the postseason to win the national champion. Each success was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a large margin, but their cost has been so short all year," Magee said. "My forecast 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 wished to stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job, but was told his services were no longer required in Oxford.


What that indicates to the Rebels' fortunes is difficult to understand. They were thought about borderline championship game competitors under Kiffin, however aside from an expected victory in the preliminary, how far the Rebels go is far from specific. They are noted at 25-1 at BetMGM to win the title - behind 8 other groups.


Marshall stated quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' development under Kiffin could be tough to duplicate.


"Kiffin was so included in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his lack) may really hurt Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It could work both ways. They could really galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, however I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller might hurt Chambliss a little 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 drawback of getting the bye is waiting about three weeks to take the field for a video game and perhaps not being as sharp.


Feazel, nevertheless, didn't purchase that theory.


"That's referring to a 1 year pattern," Feazel said. "We're talking about (only) four games where that took place in 2015. ... I think it still is a benefit to get a bye, particularly simply the time to prepare depending upon the coach."


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