College Football Odds Week 8: Opening lines and sharp money

College football odds for Week 8 are on the betting board and already getting action, with the Big Ten finally joining the 2020 party. No. 5 Ohio State kicks off with a home game against Nebraska, while in the SEC, Alabama is a hefty favorite at Tennessee.

FanDuel Sportsbook provided insights on college football Week 8 opening lines, early line movement, sharp money and public betting for this week's matchups. Covers will update this action report with college football sharp picks vs. public bets and line movement throughout the week.

College football Week 8 odds

These are the current College football Week 8 odds for the premier games on the schedule, as of October 19. Click on each matchup in the table below to get updated in-depth information on the opening lines, sharp money, public betting and odds movement as we get closer to kickoff.

Illinois at (14) Wisconsin odds

Opening line

Wisconsin -23.5, Over/Under 51.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 7:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Thirty minutes before kickoff, FanDuel has the Badgers -20.5, down from the opener of -23.5 a week ago, but up two points from Wednesday's low of -18.5. Still, Illinois is attracting 58 percent of tickets and 56 percent of money on the spread, and there are plenty of bettors taking fliers on the Illini moneyline. The total opened at 51.5, bottomed out at 49.5 early in the week and is now back to the opener, with 60 percent of bets on the Over, but 54 percent of money on the Under.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET FRIDAY: A few hours before the Big Ten kicks off its season, the Badgers are 20.5-point home favorites at DraftKings, up a couple points from Monday's -18.5, though this game opened last Friday at -23.5. As such, the betting splits are interesting on this sizable spread: Wisconsin is taking 57 percent of tickets, but Illinois is getting 70 percent of the money. The total opened at 51.5, dipped to 50.5 and returned to the opener today, with tickets running 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.

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This line made a big jump at FanDuel on Monday, opening at Wisconsin -23.5 in the morning and dropping to -19.5 by the evening. The early betting splits bear out that move, with 81 percent of tickets/89 percent of money on Illinois.

(3) Notre Dame at Pittsburgh odds

Opening line

Pittsburgh +9.5, Over/Under 50.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 1:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Notre Dame opened -9.5 and got to -11 at DraftKings, but that line is now back to the opener. The Fighting Irish are taking 60 percent of tickets, but the Panthers are landing 61 percent of money on the spread.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This line bounced around throughout the week at DraftKings, with the Fighting Irish moving from -9.5 to -11, then back to the opener this morning. The betting splits reflect that back-and-forth, with Notre Dame taking 64 percent of tickets and Pittsburgh landing 67 percent of the money. The total tumbled from 48.5 to 42.5, with 85 percent of bets actually on the Over, but money going both ways with a lean to the Over, at 53 percent.

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The Fighting Irish jumped to -11.5 by Monday afternoon, then receded to -10.5 at FanDuel. Early ticket count is almost 3/1 and early money almost 4/1 on Notre Dame. The total dropped from 50.5 to 47.5, thanks to 53 percent of tickets and 79 percent of money flowing to the Under.

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(2) Alabama at Tennessee Odds

Opening line

Tennessee +19.5, Over/Under 64.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 1:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings is up to Alabama -22, with ticket count and money both running about 9/1 on the Crimson Tide. And as was the case Friday at DK, the Over continues to get strong play, 88 percent of tickets/86 percent of money. The total opened 61.5 and is at 66.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Crimson Tide opened -20.5 and are up to -22 at DraftKings, with point-spread tickets and money running about 9/1 on Alabama. The Over is also drawing heavy consensus, with 91 percent of bets/94 percent of money on the Over, driving the total from 61.5 to 66.

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At FanDuel, the initial move on this game was to 'Bama -18.5, but there was a quick correction, and the Crimson Tide were up to -21.5 by mid-Monday afternoon. That's because almost everything is on Alabama through Monday night, at 97 percent of point-spread tickets and 99 percent of spread money. The total dropped from 64.5 to 61.5, then crept back to 62.5, with tickets and money still more than 9/1 on the Over.

(22) NC State at (13) North Carolina odds

Opening line

North Carolina -14.5, Over/Under 65.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 11:55 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Just before kickoff, FanDuel has North Carolina at -15.5, with 55 percent of tickets on North Carolina State and 58 percent of money on the Tar Heels. 

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: North Carolina opened -16.5 at BetMGM Nevada and is down to -15, thanks to sharp play on North Carolina State. "Tickets almost 2/1 on North Carolina State, but there's actually a little more money on North Carolina," BetMGM's Scott Shelton said. "And the total is getting peppered. Money is 10/1 on the Over."

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET FRIDAY: North Carolina moved out to -17.5 by Tuesday, but the number has since returned to the opener of -14.5 at DraftKings. In fact, North Carolina State is attracting 60 percent of bets/63 percent of money on the spread. The total dropped from 64.5 to 60, with 82 percent of tickets on the Over, but 52 percent of money on the Under. 

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North Carolina opened beyond a two-touchdown chalk and is already up to -16.5 at FanDuel, getting 62 percent of early bets. But point-spread money is two-way, with a lean toward the Tar Heels at 52 percent. The total is down to 63.5 from 65.5, despite almost all the bets/money on the Over through Monday night.

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Syracuse vs (1) Clemson Odds

Opening line

Clemson -44.5, Over/Under 59.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 11:55 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Clemson is out to -47.5 at FanDuel, although 53 percent of tickets and money are on the massive underdog Syracuse. The Over is also getting hammered, with practically every ticket and dollar, as the total moved to 63.5.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: BetMGM opened Clemson at a massive -45 and just ticked to 46.5. "Tickets are pretty close, but all the money is on Clemson," BetMGM's Shelton said.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The top-ranked Tigers went from -44.5 to -46.5 by Tuesday and have settled in at -46 since Wednesday at DraftKings. Even at that massive number, ticket count and money are both in the 2/1 range for Clemson. The total moved from 59.5 to 62.5, then backed up a bit to 61.5, but the Over is getting practically every ticket and every dollar, at 95 percent and 98 percent, respectively.

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When you're favored by 44.5, there probably aren't a lot of early bettors laying the number, so it's no surprise this line hasn't moved through Monday night at FanDuel. That said, in what's likely very limited betting, there is two-way play here, with Clemson taking 60 percent of bets and 55 percent of money. The total went from 59.5 to 61.5, with tickets and money running 9/1 on the Over.

(7) Penn State at Indiana odds

Opening line

Indiana +7.5, Over/Under 57.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 1:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Penn State remains -6.5 at DraftKings, as it was Friday, after opening -7.5 and going as low as -5.5. Tickets and money are both running 4/1 on the Nittany Lions. The total, up to 62 from 56.5, is seeing 66 percent of bets and 92 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Nittany Lions opened -7.5 at DraftKings and dropped to -5.5 by Thursday, but are starting to climb back up, reaching -6.5 this afternoon. Penn State is drawing 84 percent of tickets/83 percent of money on the spread. The total rocketed from 56.5 to 62, with bet count running 8/1 and money more than 9/1 on the Over.

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The Nittany Lions dipped to -6.5 Sunday at FanDuel, but this game is all Penn State early, with tickets and money both running more than 9/1 on the favorite.

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Nebraska at (5) Ohio State odds

Opening line

Ohio State -24.5, Over/Under 64.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 11:55 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Ohio State is up to -27.5 at FanDuel, with tickets and money both running beyond 4/1 on the Buckeyes as kickoff looms.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: The Buckeyes opened -26 and moved to -27 at BetMGM. "There are a lot of tickets on both sides, but 3/1 Ohio State, and money is 10/1 Ohio State," Shelton said. "That'll probably be one of our biggest early decisions."

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. FRIDAY: There was a time when Nebraska was on the favorite's side of these kinds of point spreads, but the Huskers are far removed from those days. Ohio State opened -23.5 at DratKings and stretched to -27.5, before receding to -26. Ticket count is 3/1 and money more than 4/1 on the Buckeyes. The total opened at 64.5 and peaked at 68.5, and it's now 67.5, with 74 percent of bets/91 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: PointsBet USA opened Ohio State -26 and nudged to -27, and it's now back to the opener, but it's all Buckeyes. "As expected, heavy action on Ohio State early. The Buckeyes are accounting for 85 percent of spread bets and 87 percent of spread handle," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said.

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Justin Fields and Ohio State open the 2020 campaign at home, and bettors are already on the Buckeyes, who are up to -27.5 Monday night at FanDuel. The Buckeyes are attracting 75 percent of bets/84 percent of money on the spread. 

(10) Cincinnati at (16) Southern Methodist odds

Opening line

SMU +1.5, Over/Under 56.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Southern Methodist opened -2.5 at BetMGM Nevada and fell to -1, but is now -1.5, a couple of hours out from kickoff. "We actually need Cincinnati for a very small amount," BetMGM Nevada's Jeff Stoneback said. "Tickets are 2/1 Cincinnati and money 3/2 SMU."

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET SATURDAY: The Bearcats opened -1.5 and the line quickly flipped to Mustangs -2.5, and it's now at SMU -1.5. Tickets and money are both running about 2/1 on visiting Cincinnati in one of the final games of the day, with a 9 p.m. ET kickoff. The total bounced between 56.5 and 57.5 several times and was at 55.5 from Wednesday morning to Friday afternoon. Ticket count and money are both running about 3/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Cincinnati opened -1.5 at DraftKings, but this line jumped the fence SMU -2.5 by Monday morning and has remained there ever since. However, that runs counter to the current betting splits, as the Bearcats are landing 82 percent of tickets/86 percent of money.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: PointsBet USA quickly went from Cincinnati -1 to SMU -3, and the Mustangs are currently -2. "Great two-way action so far on this game, with 52 percent of the spread bet count on SMU, yet 51% of the spread handle on Cincinnati. We took some sharp action on Cincy at +2.5," Eichner said.

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It's a battle of unbeatens in the American Athletic Conference, and this line has already jumped the fence at FanDuel. Cincinnati (3-0) opened -1.5, but by mid-Monday morning, SMU (5-0) was at -2.5. Through Monday night, the Bearcats are taking 73 percent of bets, but the Mustangs are drawing 57 percent of money on the spread. The total went from 56.5 to 57.5 and back to 56.5 on some interesting splits: 83 percent of bets are on the Over, but a whopping 92 percent of cash is on the Under.

(18) Iowa State at (6) Oklahoma State odds

Opening line

Oklahoma State -3.5, Over/Under 54.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 1:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: At FanDuel, Oklahoma State went from -3.5 to -2.5 and back to -3.5, before returning to -2.5 this afternoon. Iowa State is attracting 58 percent of tickets/55 percent of money. The total opened 54.5 and dropped to 51.5 early in the week, but it's up two points today to 53.5, with 79 percent of bets/72 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Cowboys ticked down to -2.5 this afternoon at FanDuel, after spending all week at -3.5. It's two-way action on this Big 12 tilt, with Oklahoma State taking 53 percent of tickets and 52 percent of money on the spread. The total moved from 54.5 to 51.5, although the bet count is 4/1 and money about 2/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: This line is stuck on Cowboys -3.5 at PointsBet USA. "We took some sharp action on Iowa state +3.5 and then juiced that side to -120 from a -110 opener," Eichner said. "Fifty-six percent of spread bets on Oklahoma State, but 76 percent of the handle – mostly sharp action – is on Iowa state. This is shaping up to be a Pros vs Joes matchup." 

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Through Monday night, this line remains at Cowboys -3.5 at FanDuel, where 51 percent of early bets are on Oklahoma State, but 64 percent of dollars are on the Cyclones.

(17) Michigan at (21) Minnesota odds

Opening line

Minnesota +1.5, Over/Under 55.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Michigan moved from -2.5 to -3.5 at BetMGM Nevada, but just ticked back to -3. "No decision. We're a winner all the way around," BetMGM Nevada's Jeff Stoneback said. "There are 16 more tickets on Minnesota, and $64 more on Minnesota. It's total two-way action, and a lot of tickets. By far, this is the biggest-bet game of the games left."

UPDATE 4 P.M. ET SATURDAY: At FanDuel, Michigan moved from -1.5 to -3.5, backed up to -2.5 and is now at -3.5 again. But it's Minnesota getting the majority of play, with 61 percent of bets and 62 percent of money on the spread. The total dropped from 55.5 to 52.5, but it's almost dead-even two-way play, with the Over getting 52 percent of tickets and money. 

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Michigan was -3.5 at DraftKings on Sunday, quickly dropped to -2.5, but is now back to the opener. This game is also seeing good two-way action, with 56 percent of bets on the Wolverines and 57 percent of money on the Golden Gophers.

UPDATE 3 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Michigan opened -2.5 at PointsBet USA and got to -3.5 quickly on heavy early action. "We saw some sharp action come back for Minnesota at +3.5, and we moved back to 3," PointsBet's Eichner said, noting tickets are running 2/1 and money 3/1 on Michigan. The total is down to 54 from 55.5, with the Under attracting 60 percent of bets/56 percent of money.

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Michigan is already up to -3.5 at FanDuel, though the book didn't have a breakdown of betting splits on Monday night.

Where can I bet on college football?

Whether it’s in Las Vegas or online, every sportsbook under the sun offers college football point spreads, plus a cornucopia of other NCAA odds. College football lines tend to be posted shortly after the previous week's schedule is completed, so check out the college football odds at the best sportsbooks available where you live.

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