Bettors hit Clemson early, but buying back Alabama odds on eve of national championship

Both Superbook USA and MGM Resorts sportbooks are seeing even betting action prior to Monday's national championship between Clemson and Alabama.

Patrick Everson
Jan 7, 2019 • 01:38 ET

It’s a little more than 24 hours out from the College Football Playoff championship game, and sportbooks are getting a better idea of how this contest sets up. Covers checks in on the action and line movement, with insights from Eric Osterman, manager at The SuperBook at Westgate, and Jeff Stoneback, director of trading for MGM Resorts sportsbooks.

No. 2 Clemson vs No. 1 Alabama – Open: -6.5; Move: -5.5; Move: -6; Move: -5; Move: -4.5; Move: -5

Clemson is in the midst of its fourth straight CFP appearance, and Dabo Swinney’s troops have faced Alabama every year – previously splitting two title games, then losing in last year’s semifinals. The Tigers (14-0 SU, 9-5 ATS) had no issues in this season’s semis, bouncing Notre Dame 30-3 as 10.5-point Cotton Bowl favorites.

Defending national champion Alabama is seeking its third title in the five years of this playoff format. In the CFP semis, the Crimson Tide (14-0 SU, 9-5 ATS) roared out to a 28-0 lead, then staved off an Oklahoma rally for a 45-34 Orange Bowl victory as 14.5-point faves.

“We were only at 6.5 for a short amount of time,” Osterman said of The SuperBook’s opening line. “Money initially came in on Clemson, sharp money at +6. And we took a very large five-figure play on Clemson +5. I think it’s fair to call it one of the largest bets I’ve seen all college football season.”

That wager got The SuperBook to ‘Bama -4.5 for the past couple of days, but the line ticked back to -5 on Sunday for this 8 p.m. ET Monday night clash.

“We’ll probably end up needing ‘Bama for a little but,” Osterman said. “But by the time this kicks off, I think we’ll have minimal liability on the game, and we do well to both teams in the futures book. So, we’ll collect on the futures book.”

MGM books, including Stoneback’s home base at The Mirage, are also set up well at this point. Alabama opened -6.5 and has been steady at -5.5 since Wednesday.

“Right now, not much of a decision. We’re a four-way winner unless the game falls on Alabama by exactly 6,” Stoneback said. “The futures book is better with Alabama, but on the game and the futures, both sides are close to us winning the same amount.”

For those who don’t find either side appealing, Stoneback said there are plenty of proposition options, including a couple that are drawing one-sided action so far.

“Bettors always like the alternate pointspread props. They’re on Clemson -3.5. They like to take the plus money on that,” Stoneback said, noting the Tigers laying 3.5 is priced at +270. “They’re also betting that there will be a score within the first 5.5 minutes.”

That prop has Yes at even money and No at -120.

Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.

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