College football Week 5 odds are on the betting board and surely on a mobile app near you. As is the case every week, some bettors aren’t wasting any time backing their opinions with some cash.
Among the noteworthy matchups: an SEC battle between surprisingly unbeaten Arkansas and Georgia, with a point spread showing little respect for the Razorbacks.
Multiple sportsbook insiders provided insights on opening/current lines and action in the college football Week 5 betting market. Check back throughout the week for action updates.
College Football Week 5 Odds
Matchup | Time | Spread | Over/Under |
Arkansas at Georgia | Noon ET Saturday | Georgia -16.5 | 49 |
Cincinnati at Notre Dame | 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Cincinnati -2 | 50 |
Mississippi at Alabama | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Alabama -15 | 79.5 |
Iowa at Maryland | 8 p.m. ET Friday | Iowa -3 | 47.5 |
Michigan at Wisconsin | Noon ET Saturday | Wisconsin -2 | 43.5 |
Oklahoma at Kansas State | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Oklahoma -12.5 | 53 |
Baylor at Oklahoma State | 7 p.m. ET Saturday | Oklahoma State -4 | 47.5 |
Florida at Kentucky | 6 p.m. ET Saturday | Florida -7.5 | 56.5 |
Oregon at Stanford | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Oregon -8.5 | 57.5 |
Louisville at Wake Forest | 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Wake Forest -7 | 64 |
Odds courtesy of PointsBet USA (updated as of 11:55 a.m. Saturday)
No. 11 Arkansas at No. 2 Georgia
Opening line: Georgia -19.5; Over/Under 48.5
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Georgia opened as a 19.5-point favorite and is now down to -17.5 at WynnBet, with underdog Arkansas getting a landslide of early attention. The Razorbacks are attracting 86% of bets and 93% of money heading into the weekend. In fact, this spread is taking the most action of all Week 5 games at WynnBet, and Arkansas is the book’s biggest college football liability this weekend.
“We’ve seen some sharp action on Arkansas +18.5 and +18,” WynnBet trader Sawyer Johnson told Props.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened this game at Georgia -18 and got out to -19.5 in fairly short order, but the line has been at -18.5 most of the week. Underdog Arkansas is getting the big bulk of action so far, at 87% of tickets/88% of money on the spread. The total opened at 49, bottomed out at 47 and is now 48, with 56% of tickets on the Under/53% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Both teams are 4-0 SU and doing well for bettors, too, with Georgia 3-1 ATS and Arkansas being the only team that is 4-for-4 against the number in games against other FBS squads. That includes the Razorbacks’ 20-10 outright upset of Texas A&M as a 4.5-point neutral-site underdog Saturday. Early bettors are taking the points at TwinSpires, with Arkansas getting 63% of tickets and 68% of the money, and the line dipping to Georgia -18.5.
“This feels like too many points, and our players agree. We’ve seen a mix of public and sharp action on Arkansas,” Lucas said while noting the total inched up to 49 on two-way action.
No. 8 Cincinnati at No. 7 Notre Dame
Opening line: Cincinnati -1.5; Over/Under 52
UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: BetMGM Nevada opened Cincinnati-2.5, dipped to -1.5 during the week, and the number is now Cincy -2. “Public ‘dog, just over 3/1 tickets and 2/1 money in favor of Notre Dame,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said, while also noting sharp moneyline play and lopsided tickets and money on the Fighting Irish. “Tickets are 5/1 and money almost 7/1 on Notre Dame moneyline.”
Nationwide at BetMGM–all locations, including Las Vegas–it’s a similar story, with point-spread ticket count and money about 2/1 on Notre Dame. On the moneyline, the Bearcats are taking 52% of tickets, but Notre Dame is attracting 73% of dollars.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: WynnBet pegged Cincinnati a 2-point fave at the outset and the number is Cincy -2 right now. However, point-spread ticket count is running 2/1-plus and money 4/1-plus on the Fighting Irish, surely a public play as a rare home ‘dog this week.
“We moved Cincinnati down to -1.5, and then the sharps bet that right back to -2. We’ve seen pretty good two-way action since then,” WynnBet trader Sawyer Johnson said.
Further, bettors are more than happy to eschew the points and take the Irish +110 on the moneyline, to the tune of 88% of bets/95% of cash. In fact, Notre Dame moneyline is WynnBet’s third-largest college football liability this week.
The total opened and is currently at 50.5, with 75% of bets/71% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Cincinnati opened -2 Sunday afternoon at DraftKings, peaked a few hours later at -3, then backed up to -1 a couple of times. The Bearcats are currently -1.5, with ticket count running 3/1-plus and money 2/1-plus on the Fighting Irish as short home ‘dogs. The total saw modest movement, from 50.5 to 51 early in the week, then back to 50.5 today, with the Over getting 72% of bets/53% of cash.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: This is an interesting number, no question, with Notre Dame (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) a growing (albeit short) home underdog. Cincinnati (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) went to -2 in fairly short order at TwinSpires and is now -2.5 while taking 59% of early tickets and 72% of early dollars.
“Sharp money on Cincy -1.5 and -2,” Lucas said. “No buyback yet on Notre Dame, but I imagine if we reach 3, we’ll see some.”
The total saw a much bigger early move, dipping 3 points to 49, with 60% of bets/82% of cash on the Under.
“Sharp money is on Under 52 and Under 51,” Lucas said
No. 12 Mississippi at No. 1 Alabama
Opening line: Alabama -15.5; Over/Under 74.5
UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: Alabama has been pinned to -14.5 all week at BetMGM Nevada, where the line went up Monday. “Tickets and money both 2/1 in favor of the ‘dog Mississippi,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: It’s a week of trendy big SEC underdogs at this point, with Mississippi joining Arkansas in that category. WynnBet has been stable at Alabama -14.5, but the Rebels are landing 57% of spread tickets and 83% of spread dollars. The total is out to 79.5 from a 77 opener on more balanced action, with 57% of bets on the Under/58% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Alabama opened as a 15.5-point favorite at DraftKings, quickly dipped to -14 and has spent most of the week at -14.5. Bettors are intrigued by underdog Mississippi, with ticket count running 2/1 and money 4/1 on the Rebels. The total has gone wild, opening at 76.5 and peaking at 81 Wednesday before backing up to 79 today. The Under is taking 60% of bets, while the Over is getting 68% of money.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Mississippi QB Matt Corral is now the . That and a cup of coffee will still get you listed as a two-touchdown-plus underdog against Alabama (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS). But the number shortened in the early going at TwinSpires. ‘Bama dipped as low as -14 before rising to -14.5, with Ole Miss (3-0 SU, 2-0-1 ATS) netting 70% of bets and 54% of cash.
“Another big-time matchup where our players think the favorite is too high. Sharps grabbed Ole Miss +15.5 and +14.5,” Lucas said while noting the total shot up to a hefty 77.5, with ticket count 3/1 and money 6/1 on the Over. “The public is hammering the Over.”
No. 5 Iowa at Maryland
Opening line: Iowa -4; Over/Under 46.5
UPDATE 7:15 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Shortly before kickoff, Iowa is a 3-point favorite at TwinSpires Sportsbook, after opening -4, dropping to -3 early, then rising to -4.5. There’s sharp play on both sides of this spread, at Maryland +4.5 and Iowa -3, and the public is on the Hawkeyes, who are netting 70% of tickets and 84% of money. “Iowa is our biggest liability of the day,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said.
The total is at 47.5 from a 46.5 opener, with 57% of tickets on the Under and 64% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: A few hours ahead of this Big Ten clash, Iowa is a 3-point favorite at PointsBet USA, down from the -3.5 opener and -4 high point. However, the Hawkeyes are attracting 80% of spread bets and 87% of spread cash. “The book is certainly rooting for Maryland tonight,” PointsBet’s Wyatt Yearout said.
The total rose from 45.5 to 48 by Thursday afternoon, then went to 47.5 Thursday evening, with the Under actually getting 61% of bets/79% of money.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: In a Friday night Big Ten battle, Iowa is a 3-point favorite at DraftKings, after opening -4, dipping to -3 and stretching to -4.5. Tickets and money are both running about 4/1 on the Hawkeyes. The total initially dropped from 47 to 45.5, then climbed to 49 before backing up to 48 midweek. Tickets and money are practically dead even on the Over/Under.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: It’s a battle of Big Ten unbeatens, with Iowa (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) looking to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation and Maryland (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) trying to crack the Top 25 media poll. This line saw a lot of early movement at TwinSpires, dipping to Iowa -3, then rebounding to -4 on the way to -4.5.
Maryland is taking 55% of early bets and Iowa 56% of early dollars.
“Great two-way action so far, with sharp money on both sides,” Lucas said. “It’s a bit of a tug-of-war battle right now.”
Meanwhile, the total fell to 45.5, with 64% of bets/54% of money on the Under.
No. 14 Michigan at Wisconsin
Opening line: Wisconsin -1; Over/Under 43.5
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Badgers hit WynnBet’s odds board as the slimmest of favorites at -1 and are now -2. However, ticket count is 2/1 and money approaching 4/1 on the short road ‘dog Wolverines. Further, much like with Notre Dame, moneyline bettors are taking the modest plus money (+110) on Michigan, with 80% of moneyline bets/84% of cash on the Wolverines outright. That has Michigan moneyline as WynnBet’s second-largest college football liability this weekend.
The total is steady at 43.5, with 65% of bets on the Over and 60% of money on the Under.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: In a matchup that opened at pick, Wisconsin is out to -2.5 at DraftKings, although Michigan is getting about 70% of early bets and dollars. The total slid from 44 to 43.5, with the Over getting 55% of bets/61% of cash.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Wisconsin (1-2 SU and ATS) got bounced from the Top 25 after its 41-13 neutral-site blowout loss to Notre Dame. Meanwhile, Michigan–to the degree it can–is flying under the radar at 4-0 SU (3-1 ATS). The line briefly flipped to Michigan -1, then went to pick ’em and is now Wisconsin -1 at TwinSpires.
“The public is all over Michigan. With how Wisconsin has looked, I can’t imagine we’ll see much support coming its way,” Lucas said. “The Wolverines are shaping up to be a big liability for us.”
The total is stable, with 69% of early bets/58% of early cash on the Under.
No. 4 Oklahoma at Kansas State
Opening line: Oklahoma -10.5; Over/Under 52.5
UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: In a lightly bet game, Oklahoma is up a point to -11.5 at BetMGM Nevada. “Very little interest in this game. Tickets and money almost even, but not much of either,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Oklahoma is out to -12 at WynnBet, after opening -10.5, but the betting splits have an interesting dichotomy. The Sooners are drawing 74% of spread tickets, while the Wildcats are landing 70% of spread money. The total is at 52.5 from a 52 opener, with 83% of tickets/89% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Oklahoma moved from -10.5 to -11 Wednesday at DraftKings, but there’s split opinion on this Big 12 contest. The Sooners are are getting 59% of early bets, while the Wildcats are taking 60% of early money. The total opened at 53 and has been at 52.5 pretty much all week, with 83% of bets/86% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: This is just the type of game Oklahoma has lost outright in recent years. Last season, the Sooners (4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS) fell at home to Kansas State (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS), then tumbled the following week at Iowa State. Two years ago, Oklahoma lost at K-State.
So perhaps it’s no surprise that this line first dipped a point to Sooners -9.5 before going to -10 and then returning to the opener at TwinSpires. Kansas State is drawing 60% of early tickets and Oklahoma 54% of early money.
“Sharps grabbed K-State +10.5, and we saw some buyback on Oklahoma -9.5,” Lucas said. He added that the total was stable, with tickets 2/1 and money 3/1 on the Over.
No. 24 Baylor at No. 18 Oklahoma State
Opening line: Oklahoma State -4; Over/Under 50
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Oklahoma State opened -4 at BetMGM Nevada, dipped to -3.5 Tuesday and returned Friday to -4, where the number sits now. “We need Baylor here for a decent-size decision, even though there’s not a lot of tickets,” BetMGM Nevada’s Jeff Stoneback said. “Tickets are 3/2 on Oklahoma State, but money is 10/1 Oklahoma State.” That includes a $30,000 bet on the Cowboys -4. The total has been stable all week at 47.5.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Caesars Sportsbook took a hefty underdog bet, with a Nevada customer plunking down $275,000 on Baylor +3.5. So while the Bears are taking a relatively nominal majority 57% of spread bets, that major wager has them getting 89% of spread money. Oklahoma State opened -4 and has been at -3.5 since Monday morning.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings on Monday moved Oklahoma State from -4 to -3.5 and has stuck there since, with ticket count almost dead even, but 82% of early cash on underdog Baylor. The total is down to 47 from a 49.5 opener and 50.5 peak, on rather intriguing splits: 91% of tickets are on the Over, but 92% of money is on the Under.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: Baylor (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) notched a nice home upset in Week 4, fending off Iowa State 31-29 as a 6.5-point pup. Oklahoma State (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) didn’t look all that great in Weeks 1 and 2, but is coming off solid wins and covers at Boise State and vs. Kansas State.
“Money so far has come in on the ‘dog, but nothing of significance,” Lucas said, noting Baylor is getting 55% of tickets/58% of money, though the line hasn’t moved. The total dropped to 49.5, with 58% of bets on the Under/56% of cash on the Over.
No. 9 Florida at No. 23 Kentucky
Opening line: Florida -8.5; Over/Under 55
UPDATE 6 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Just before kickoff, Florida is a 7.5-point favorite at BetMGM Nevada, down a point from the -8.5 opener. However: “We need Kentucky for a little bit here. It’s a 2.5/1 ticket count and 2.5/1 money on Florida. The public is on Florida,” BetMGM Nevada’s Jeff Stoneback. The total is up a point to 56, but Stoneback said the decision isn’t noteworthy.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This line is currently Florida -7.5 at WynnBet, right where it began early in the week. But the Gators are grabbing 72% of tickets and 84% of money on the spread. The total is up a point to 56, with ticket count and money both in the 3/1 range on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Gators moved from -8 to -8.5 shortly after DraftKings posted this matchup Sunday, and the line dipped to -7.5 late this morning. Despite the dip, ticket count and money are beyond 3/1 in favor of Florida. The total moved from 54.5 to 55 on Sunday, with ticket count about 2/1 on the Over, but money running almost dead even.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: There’s no shame in the lone loss for Florida (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS), a hard-fought home setback to No. 1 Alabama, from which the Gators rebounded nicely by shellacking Tennessee in Week 4. Kentucky is perhaps a little surprising, sitting at 4-o SU while cashing three times.
The initial move at TwinSpires was from Florida -8.5 to -8, although the Gators are taking 58% of early bets/62% of early dollars.
“We’ve simply moved with the market,” Lucas said. “Not a ton of volume, but I expect we’ll see it pick up later in the week.”
The total is up to 55.5 on modest Over interest, at 63% of bets/57% of money.
No. 3 Oregon at Stanford
Opening line: Oregon -7, Over/Under 58
UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: Oregon is now an 8.5-point favorite at BetMGM Nevada, after opening -7, and the public is backing the Ducks today. “All Oregon, 8/1 tickets and 3/1 money,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Ducks are up a point to -8 at WynnBet, with the Ducks accounting for 82% of point-spread tickets and 84% of spread dollars. The total is down a half-point to 57.5, even though the Over is getting 77% of early tickets/85% of early cash.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Oregon opened -7.5 at DraftKings and initially backed up to -7, but by Monday morning, the Ducks rose to -8 and stuck there. Practically all the tickets and money–95% on each–are on the favorite at this point. After opening at 59, the total has spent most of the week at 58, with ticket count 2/1 on the Over and money almost 2/1 on the Under.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: There’s a long way to go, but maybe the Pac-12 finds a path to the College Football Playoff via the Oregon Trail. Of course, the Ducks (4-0 SU, 1-3 ATS) could surely lose a wagon wheel, as Pac-12 teams are wont to do. But early activity at TwinSpires shows some faith in Oregon, as ticket count is almost 4/1 and money 3/1 on the Ducks (even though this line dropped from -8 to -7)
“All public money on Oregon so far,” Lucas said. “This is already shaping up to be one of our higher-volume games. We’re going to likely need the home ‘dog in this spot.”
The total ticked from 58 to 57.5, with 55% of tickets/68% of cash on the Under.
“Small sharp buy on Under 58,” Lucas said.
Louisville at No. 25 Wake Forest
Opening line: Wake Forest -7; Over/Under 60.5
UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: BetMGM Nevada hasn’t budged off Wake Forest -7 all week. “It’s 3/1 tickets and money just over 5/1 on Wake Forest. No sharp play, just public,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Wake Forest is a fairly stable 7.5-point chalk at WynnBet, where 70% of tickets and 77% of dollars are on the Demon Deacons. The total is up to 62 from a 60 opener, with practically all the tickets and money on the Over.
UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened Wake Forest -6.5, moved to -7 within a couple of hours Sunday, then Monday morning returned to -6.5 and stuck there. The Demon Deacons are drawing 72% of bets/62% of dollars on the spread. The total moved from 61 to 60.5 to 61.5 on very lopsided splits: 89% of early bets/94% of early dollars are on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET MONDAY: With Clemson peeing down its leg already and North Carolina also apparently not as good as advertised, perhaps there’s an ACC opening for both these teams. This line dipped to Wake Forest -6.5 at TwinSpires, with 61% of tickets on the Demon Deacons (4-0 SU, 2-2 ATS) and 57% of cash on Louisville (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS).
“We saw sharp money come in on Louisville +7,” Lucas said.
The total is stable, although 79% of early bets/70% of early dollars are on the Over.