As the excitement builds for the opening round of the College Football Playoff (CFP), bookmakers anticipate that approximately 90% of the betting action will take place this week. The much-anticipated games, beginning Friday, include a local showdown featuring the underdog Indiana Hoosiers and a key redemption opportunity for the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday night at their home turf, the Horseshoe.

With the CFP bracket now released, point spreads saw their introduction last week, remaining largely unchanged. Top teams, including the Texas Longhorns, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Ohio State Buckeyes, opened as favorites, each by at least a touchdown. The Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs, and a couple of long shots—Boise State Broncos and Arizona State Sun Devils—are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the initial games.

Betting Storylines Heating Up!

The upper bracket of the CFP presents a significant challenge, showcasing top contenders such as Oregon, Texas, and Ohio State. According to seasoned oddsmaker Ed Salmons from the Westgate SuperBook, it’s almost certain that whoever emerges from this fiercely competitive half will enter the championship game favored to win.

Oregon and Texas are co-favorites at around +350 to clinch the national championship, with Georgia close behind at +400. Meanwhile, Ohio State holds +500 odds, primarily due to the Bulldogs facing an easier path to the title, especially with their current quarterback injury woes.

Georgia's Quarterback Dilemma

Georgia's struggles are compounded by injuries to starter Carson Beck, who, following an elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game, is expected to be replaced by backup QB Gunner Stockton. Although the Bulldogs managed a victory, questions remain about their offensive consistency without Beck. Oddsmakers have responded by pricing Georgia as a slight underdog against Notre Dame in the second round, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding Beck's recovery.

"As it stands, we're treating Georgia with a doubtful outlook for Beck," stated Joey Feazel, who manages college football odds for Caesars Sportsbook. Despite the quarterback concerns, Georgia still boasts the best odds of reaching the championship game, sitting at +130 on ESPN BET.

Ohio State is a Fan Favorite Despite Recent Setbacks

Interestingly, the betting public has shown overwhelming support for Ohio State. After suffering an unexpected loss to Michigan—a stunning upset considering they were three-touchdown favorites—Ohio State nevertheless continues to attract a significant amount of betting activity. Reports indicate that within 24 hours of their loss, Ohio State registered more bets than any other team for the CFP, showcasing their enduring appeal and formidable talent.

Salmons notes that Ohio State's performance against Michigan seemed overly cautious and potentially cost them the game, but he is optimistic about their potential for rebound in the playoffs. With the Buckeyes set as 7-point favorites against Tennessee in their first-round matchup, sharp action already indicated a confident backing for Ohio.

Indiana's Underdog Status Gaining Traction

Bettors are also leaning towards the underdog Indiana Hoosiers in their matchup against Notre Dame. Initially opening as 7-point favorites, Notre Dame has seen an influx of bets backing the Hoosiers, especially in local Indiana sportsbooks. Early acquisitions indicate that about 70% of bets were placed on Indiana to cover the spread, with strong enthusiasm from the betting community.

In a surprising move, one big spender placed a $40,000 bet on Indiana at +7.5 early on, and though it's still early in the betting cycle, sportsbooks are bracing for more action leading up to the games—expected to peak on Friday and Saturday.

Conclusion: Hang on Tight as the CFP Approaches!

As the College Football Playoff unfolds, Ohio State seems to be the talk of the town, commanding the attention of bettors everywhere, while intriguing matchups like Indiana against Notre Dame are set to create shockwaves through the betting landscape. With so much at stake, expect the lines to move and the excitement to build as we countdown to kickoff. Don't miss out on the action!