Betting Interest Wanes As 1st Round Of College Football Playoff

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


The existence of 2 Group of Five agents - 11th-seeded Tulane and 12th-seed James Madison - in matchups in which they are significant underdogs has taken a great deal of the luster off the preliminary.


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 .


"It's not as hyped up and amazing as it has 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 amass a lot of manage there."


The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a number of intriguing matchups, but there is a genuine possibility this weekend will end with a couple of blowouts.


"We're still waiting on 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 championship NCAA college football video game against Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)


The most expected match this week is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game versus No. 9 seed Alabama. The wagering line has 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 3rd conference in 13 months. Oklahoma won the very first 2 games and will be at home for this match.


CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall kept in mind both offenses have significant enigma. Bama's running game has actually not fared fantastic versus leading competitors and had minus-3 lawns in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually struggled to discover a rhythm since returning from injury.


"The rematch thing kind of makes you like Alabama a little bit here, but I don't know they look like they're a hazard to go any much deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They may manage this one, however they're going to have to play a lot 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 remained in that video game."


Second-seeded Ohio State might have lost the Big Ten title game to Indiana, ceding the leading seed to the Hoosiers, however the odds still prefer the Buckeyes.


BetMGM notes the Buckeyes at +225 to win the nationwide championship; 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, but then rolled through the postseason to win the championship game. Each success was by double digits.


"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet group by a broad margin, however their price has actually 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, but you see what this group can come playoff time."


Lane Kiffin wished to remain Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU task, but was told his services were no longer required in Oxford.


What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is hard to know. They were considered borderline championship game contenders under Kiffin, however other than an anticipated victory in the first round, 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 said quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' development under Kiffin could be tough to replicate.


"Kiffin was so associated with the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) might really harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall said. "It might work both ways. They might really 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 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 three 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 a 1 year trend," Feazel said. "We're speaking about (just) four 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 upon the coach."


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