Bettors and sportsbooks are seeing red in the two most popular conference championship games in college football this weekend, but they're on different sides when it comes to the color’s shade.
Key Takeaways
- The Big Ten title game is the most-bet contest at multiple sportsbooks.
- Bettors are backing Georgia despite Alabama’s recent series success.
- BetMGM is rooting for Duke and potential playoff chaos.
No. 3 Georgia (-2.5) takes on ninth-ranked Alabama in Saturday’s SEC title game before 4-point favorite and No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana battle for the Big Ten championship.
“The theme this weekend is Crimson, but not red,” said Seamus Magee, BetMGM trading manager. “Georgia and Ohio State are garnering all the action, and we hope the Alabama Crimson Tide and Indiana Hoosiers (cream & crimson) can cover or steal one outright as an underdog.”
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Battle of the undefeateds
The most-bet game of the week at multiple sportsbooks is the Big Ten title match between the last two undefeated teams in college football. The Buckeyes chased 12-0 regular-season futures market tickets at +400, while the Hoosiers’ improbable run came with longer odds of +7,500, according to theScore Bet.
In Saturday’s pivotal showdown in Indianapolis that will undoubtedly play a major role in seeding for the College Football Playoff, Ohio State is getting the most tickets and handle at both BetMGM and theScore. However, Indiana at +4 is the second-most wagered team at theScore Bet, and the over 49.5 points is the most-bet total at BetMGM.
Ohio State has seen 84% of the spread money and 71% of the bets at BetMGM. DraftKings reported that 88% of the handle and 78% of the tickets have come in on the favorite. Indiana (+185) is the most popular moneyline underdog on BetMGM’s board this week and is getting a surprising 60% of the outright winner tickets.
Backing Bulldogs
Georgia is the second-most bet team this weekend despite Alabama winning nine of the last 10 meetings, including a 24-21 win this regular season.
In Saturday’s game in Atlanta, the Bulldogs are getting 77% of the wagers so far at BetMGM and 71% of the tickets at DraftKings. However, the handle splits are much more even, with Alabama getting 51% of the money at BetMGM and 45% at DraftKings.
The Crimson Tide have also seen action on the moneyline, getting over 40% of the tickets at DraftKings and BetMGM. However, the Bulldogs are dominating the moneyline handle with over 70% at both sportsbooks.
Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens over 30.5 rushing yards is the most-bet player prop this weekend at BetMGM, and the over 47.5 is the majority choice of bettors Saturday.
Two different sides
In a game that could greatly alter the postseason picture, No. 17 Virginia is a 4.5-point favorite over Duke in the ACC Championship Game on Saturday night, and bettors aren’t anticipating controversy.
The Cavaliers are getting 81% of the money and 82% of the tickets at BetMGM, and more than 90% of the moneyline handle is on the favorites.
“Duke pulling an upset would cause some chaos in the College Football Playoff and help start the bowl season off great for us,” Magee said.
In Saturday’s Big 12 title game, bettors are much more split. No. 4 Texas Tech (-12.5) is getting 61% of the spread handle, but BYU is the fourth-most popular spread team this week at theScore Bet.
With odds of +400 on the moneyline, plenty of bettors are taking their shot on an outright Cougars upset.
Friday action
BetMGM customers are hammering North Texas -2.5 in Friday’s American Athletic Conference title game against Tulane. The Mean Green are the second-most bet spread team by handle, and they’re getting 66% of the money. DraftKings reported 70% of the handle is one North Texas.
James Madison is another very popular favorite on Friday, even with a 23.5-point spread. The favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference has a whopping 90% of the handle to cover that large number against Troy.
Bettors are also all over the over in UNLV-Boise State and Kennesaw State-Jacksonville State on Friday.
