LAS VEGAS (AP) - With the significant exception of Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown, gamblers aren't exactly hurrying to position wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff.
The existence 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 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 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 make certain when we get to the next round, it will be exciting and we'll garner a lot of manage there."
The New Year's Eve and Day quarterfinals could have a variety of appealing matchups, however there is a real possibility this weekend will end with a couple of blowouts.
"We're still awaiting 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 championship NCAA college football game against Ohio State in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
The most awaited matchup today is eighth-seeded Oklahoma's home video game against 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 games and will be at home for this matchup.
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall kept in mind both offenses have significant enigma. Bama's running game has actually not fared excellent against leading competition and had minus-3 backyards in the Southeastern Conference title game loss to Georgia. Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has actually had a hard time to find a rhythm considering that returning from injury.
"The rematch thing type of makes you like Alabama a bit here, however I do not know they appear like they're a hazard to go any deeper than this round," Marshall said. "They might get by this one, but they're going to have to play a lot much better than they have in the last month, certainly a lot much 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, ceding the leading seed to the Hoosiers, but the chances still favor the Buckeyes.
BetMGM notes the Buckeyes at +225 to win the nationwide championship; Indiana is ideal 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, however then rolled through the to win the championship game. Each victory was by double digits.
"Ohio State is the No. 1 most-bet team by a wide margin, however their rate has 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, but you see what this team can come playoff time."
Lane Kiffin desired to stay Ole Miss' coach in the playoff after taking the LSU job, but was informed his services were no longer needed in Oxford.
What that means to the Rebels' fortunes is tough to know. They were considered borderline championship game competitors under Kiffin, but aside from an expected 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 teams.
Marshall stated quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' growth under Kiffin could be difficult to duplicate.
"Kiffin was so involved in the mechanics of that and the play calling, (his absence) may really harm Ole Miss a bit," Marshall stated. "It could work both methods. They might truly galvanize and circle the wagons around (coach Pete) Golding, but I think the specifics without Kiffin the play caller could harm 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 3 weeks to take the field for a game and possibly not being as sharp.
Feazel, nevertheless, didn't purchase that theory.
"That's referring to an one-year pattern," Feazel stated. "We're discussing (only) 4 games where that happened in 2015. ... I believe it still is an advantage 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 throughout the very first half of a Southeastern Conference champion NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
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