College football Week 6 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: a Big Ten battle that will certainly have ramifications on College Football Playoff odds, with No. 4 Penn State traveling to No. 3 Iowa.
Multiple sportsbook insiders provided insights on opening/current lines and action in the college football Week 6 betting market. Check back throughout the week for action updates.
College Football Week 6 Odds
| Matchup | Time | Spread | Over/Under |
| Penn State at Iowa | 4 p.m. ET Saturday | Iowa -2.5 | 41 |
| Georgia at Auburn | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Georgia -14.5 | 46 |
| Oklahoma vs Texas | Noon ET Saturday | Oklahoma -3 | 63.5 |
| Alabama at Texas A&M | 8 p.m. ET Saturday | Alabama -18 | 50.5 |
| Arkansas at Mississippi | Noon ET Saturday | Mississippi -5.5 | 66.5 |
| Michigan at Nebraska | 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Michigan -2.5 | 50 |
| Notre Dame at Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Pick | 47 |
| Stanford at Arizona State | 10:30 p.m. ET Friday | Arizona State -13.5 | 53 |
| Michigan State at Rutgers | Noon ET Saturday | Michigan State -4.5 | 49 |
Odds via PointsBet USA (updated as of 12:45 p.m. ET Saturday)
No. 4 Penn State at No. 3 Iowa
Opening line: Iowa -2.5; Over/Under 42.5
UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Iowa rebounded to -2.5 today at TwinSpires, from an opener of -2.5, an early high point of -3 and a low point of -1.5. The Hawkeyes are attracting 60% of spread tickets and 69% of spread money. “We’ve seen money come in on Iowa these last few days. We’ll need the short road ‘dog in this matchup.” The total fell from 42.5 to 40.5, then inched up to 41 today, with the Under getting 58% of tickets/74% of cash. That includes sharp play on Under 42.5 and 42.
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Caesars Sportsbook has Iowa at -1.5 or -2, depending on what state you’re shopping in tonight, after opening this game at Hawkeyes -1.5. The lack of movement is interesting, given that Iowa is taking 82% of spread tickets and 73% of spread dollars. The total opened at 41, spent a chunk of time from Thursday into Friday at 40.5 and returned to 41 Friday afternoon.
UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Iowa landed on DraftKings’ odds board as a 2-point home favorite and got to -3 within a few hours Sunday. That number has since dialed down to Iowa -1.5, with the Hawkeyes taking 65% of tickets and 60% of money. The total dipped to 40.5 by Tuesday from a 42.5 opener, with 70% of tickets/59% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Two teams will go in, but it’s likely that only one will come out with its CFP hopes intact. Penn State and Iowa are both 5-0 straight-up, and they’re also cash machines for bettors, going 4-1 ATS.
Early action at TwinSpires has 57% of tickets on the Nittany Lions and 56% of money on the Hawkeyes, who briefly inched up to -3 before returning to -2.5.
“So far, great two-way action. It feels about as even a matchup as you can get,” Lucas said.
The total dipped to 42, with 55% of bets/74% of money on the Under.
“We saw sharp money on Under 42.5,” Lucas said.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 18 Auburn
Opening line: Georgia -14; Over/Under 45
UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: The Bulldogs are up to -15 at TwinSpires, after opening -14 and spending time at -14.5. Ticket count is 4/1 and money beyond 5/1 on Georgia. “Money has flooded in all week on Georgia. A mix of public/sharp action on Georgia -14 and -14.5,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said. The total is up to 46.5 from a 45 opener, with a modest edge to the Over, at 54% of tickets/58% of money.
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Georgia opened -14 and spent a couple of days this week at -15.5 before peeling back to -15 tonight. Bettors are on the Bulldogs, to the tune of 80% of tickets and 83% of money. The total rose from 45 to 47, the dipped to 46.5.
UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Georgia went from -15 to -14 early at DraftKings, but is now out to -15.5 for this SEC contest. It’s pretty much all Bulldogs on the point spread, at 86% of tickets and 88% of money. The total initially fell from 45.5 to 45, then rebounded to 46.5, with about 60% of tickets and money on the Over.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: In the event there was any doubt, the Bulldogs (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) showed they mean business in Week 5. Arkansas drew sharp play early and a public pile-on late, but Georgia–which went off as a 16.5-point home favorite–waxed the Razorbacks 37-0.
Auburn (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) has a more-than-respectable loss at Penn State on its résumé, which was followed by a lackluster effort in a come-from-behind home win over Georgia Southern. In Week 5, though, the Tigers went to LSU as 3-point underdogs and rallied for a 24-19 upset victory.
The Bulldogs are already up to -14.5, with early tickets running 3/1 and money nearly 5/1 on Georgia.
“We’ve already seen money flood in on Georgia, a mix of public and sharp action,” Lucas said.
The total is stable, with the Over taking 62% of tickets/57% of cash.
No. 6 Oklahoma vs No. 21 Texas
Opening line: Oklahoma -3.5; Over/Under 63.5
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Sooners opened -3.5 at Caesars books, spent most of the week at -3 and returned to -3.5 this afternoon. “The betting has been level on the spread,” Caesars VP of trading Craig Mucklow said, noting the Sooners are taking 52% of tickets and 51% of money. The total was at 63.5 all week before rising a full point to 64.5 Friday. “We are seeing some Over money for this game, which is no surprise, because this is usually a shootout,” Mucklow said.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened Oklahoma at -3.5 and made a couple trips to -3, where the line currently rests. Ticket count is almost dead even, while Texas is nabbing 61% of early point-spread dollars. The total is down a tick from 64 to 63.5, although ticket count is almost 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Oklahoma is getting it done on the scoreboard, but not at the betting counter, sitting at 5-0 SU and 1-4 ATS. That includes giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns at Kansas Statein Week 5, with the Sooners winning 37-31 but failing to cover as 12-point favorites.
Texas (4-1 SU and ATS) has won and cashed three straight since getting rolled 40-21 at Arkansas as a 5.5-point fave. The Cotton Bowl in Dallas hosts this annual Red River Rivalry game.
“So far, the money has come in on the ‘dog,” Lucas said, noting tickets and money are both in the 2/1 range on Texas. Oklahoma briefly dipped to -3, then returned to -3.5. “Small sharp buy on Oklahoma -3,” Lucas said.
The total is stable, with 70% of bets/61% of cash on the Over.
No. 1 Alabama at Texas A&M
Opening line: Alabama -17; Over/Under 51.5
UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: BetMGM Nevada spent most of the week at Alabama -17.5 and on Friday moved to -18, where the line remains a couple of hours before kickoff. “It’s a 10/1 ticket count on Alabama, and money is 20/1 ‘Bama,” BetMGM Nevada’s Randy Madayag said, while noting Alabama is on everyone’s parlays, moneyline parlays and teasers tonight, along with Michigan. Also, Alabama first-half spread is again incredibly popular, with 99% of money and dollars on the Crimson Tide, who opened -11.5 and moved to -12.
UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Alabama is up to -18 from a -17 opener at DraftKings, where practically all the tickets and dollars are on the Crimson Tide. ‘Bama is attracting 94% of early bets and 97% of early money. The total rose from 50 to 51.5, then backed up to 50.5 by this morning. Updated splits weren’t available.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Alabama (5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS) is the king of the hill until someone proves otherwise, and Mississippi certainly didn’t prove otherwise in Week 5. The Crimson Tide led 35-0 early in the third quarter and were kind enough to pump the brakes in a 42-21 bashing as 15-point favorites.
A couple of weeks ago, Texas A&M (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS) was thought to be a top-10 and maybe top-five outfit. Losses from the favorite’s role at Arkansas and against visiting Mississippi State the past two weekends squelched those thoughts.
Led by Heisman Trophy frontrunner Bryce Young at quarterback, Alabama is attracting 85% of early spread bets and 89% of early spread dollars, pushing the line to -17.5 at TwinSpires.
“Like every week, it’s been all Alabama money. No buyback on A&M yet. It’s already shaping up to be a big liability for us,” Lucas said.
The total saw sharp money on Under 51.5 and moved to 50.5, with 72% of bets on the Over/56% of money on the Under.
No. 13 Arkansas at No. 17 Mississippi
Opening line: Mississippi -5; Over/Under 66
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Caesars books pegged Mississippi a 5-point chalk at Sunday night’s outset, stretched to -6.5 a couple of times early in the week, then receded to -5.5 Thursday. The Rebels are netting 58% of tickets, while money is almost dead even. The total ticked from 66 to 66.5 midweek.
UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Mississippi opened -4 and hopped to -6 in a hurry on its way to -7 Monday at DraftKings. But the number then dropped back to -5 by late Tuesday night and is now Rebels -5.5. Ole Miss is drawing 72% of bets and 62% of cash on the spread. The total is out to 67 from a 65.5 opener, although the Under is seeing 52% of bets/67% of dollars.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Arkansas (4-1 SU and ATS) was a 16.5-point dog at Georgia in Week 5, and bettors loved them some Razorbacks. But the Hawgs got sliced and diced 37-0. Similarly, Mississippi (3-1 SU, 2-1-1 ATS) ran into the Alabama buzzsaw, falling into a 35-0 hole in a 42-21 loss as 15-point road pups.
Ole Miss is already out to -6.5 at TwinSpires, while taking 62% of bets and 74% of money.
“The public is on Ole Miss minus the points,” Lucas said.
The total is down a tick to 65.5, although early action is on the Over, at 88% of bets/60% of dollars.
No. 9 Michigan at Nebraska
Opening line: Michigan -3; Over/Under 52.5
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: As with other books, this game is very popular at BetMGM Nevada. Michigan is down to -2 from a -3.5 opener in a Pros vs Joes matchup. The public is on Michigan, with a 5/1 ticket count, but “money is pretty even, slightly more on Michigan,” BetMGM Nevada’s Randy Madayag said, noting sharp Nebraska play drove this line down.
UPDATE 10:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This is quite the interesting game at Caesars Sportsbook, which is seeing more point-spread handle for this matchup than any other Week 6 college football contest. Michigan moved from -3.5 to -3, then to -4 by Tuesday, dropped back to -3 Thursday night.
“The public is high on Michigan and the sharps are attacking Nebraska, so there’s a clear divide between the two,” Caesars VP of trading Craig Mucklow said this afternoon. “I don’t think this line is going to move off 3 unless we see something really significant from now until kickoff.”
Apparently, something significant happened, because the line moved to Michigan -2.5 at Caesars on Friday night. The Wolverines are attracting 80% of tickets, but just 57% of money on the spread. The total opened at 52, bottomed out at 49.5 and is now 50.
UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Michigan is unbeaten and inside the top 10, yet only laying 3.5 points this week in Lincoln. That said, all the early activity is on the Wolverines, who are grabbing 91% of spread bets and money. The total is at 51 from a 53 opener and 50 low point, with 69% of bets/82% of money on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: So far, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) are getting it done on the field and at the betting window. In Week 5, the Wolverines were 2-point dogs at Wisconsin and throttled the Badgers 38-17.
Nebraska (3-3 SU, 4-1-1 ATS) has been awful for years and already has three losses this season, but is definitely getting some oddsmaker respect as a short home ‘dog this week. That’s likely due to a solid showing in a 23-20 loss as a 3-point road pup to Michigan State, followed by last weekend’s where-did-this-come-from 56-7 home hammering of Northwestern as 11-point chalk.
Still, the first move at TwinSpires was to Michigan -3.5, with 84% of bets/90% of cash on the Wolverines.
“It’s been all Michigan money. And Michigan moneyline has 12/1 tickets and 14/1 money,” Lucas said. “Nebraska will be a big need on Saturday.”
The total is stable on two-way action thus far.
No. 14 Notre Dame at Virginia Tech
Opening line: Notre Dame -2; Over/Under 46.5
UPDATE 5:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: This line jumped the fence at BetMGM Nevada, from Notre Dame -1.5 to Virginia Tech -1 by Thursday. “Sharp play on Virginia Tech flipped the favorite,” BetMGM Nevada’s Randy Madayag said. Ticket count and money are 2/1 on the Fighting Irish.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened Notre Dame -3 and dropped to -1 within a couple of hours Sunday, and on Wednesday the line briefly flipped to Virginia Tech -1. The Fighting Irish are currently -1 while taking 86% of tickets and 73% of cash. The total at DK is down a point at 46, with ticket count 4/1 on the Over but money running almost dead even.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Notre Dame (4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) may have seen its CFP hopes go up in smoke in Week 5. The Fighting Irish tumbled to now-No. 5 Cincinnati 24-13 as a 2.5-point home underdog. Cincy is a more-than-respectable outfit this season, but Notre Dame doesn’t have a conference championship game to shore up its hopes.
For that matter, oddsmakers aren’t terribly enthralled with the Irish this week, as Brian Kelly and Co. opened as very slim chalk at VaTech (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS). The Hokies are coming off a bye.
TwinSpires shortened Notre Dame to -1.5 early, with 70% of tickets on the Irish but 58% of money on the Hokies.
“This has a Pros vs Joes feel to it early on,” ” Lucas said. “The public is on Notre Dame and sharps took Virginia Tech +2.”
The total hasn’t moved, with the Over netting 60% of bets/69% of cash.
Stanford at No. 22 Arizona State
Opening line: Arizona State -9.5; Over/Under 52
UPDATE 10 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Shortly before this Friday night kickoff, Arizona State is out to -13.5 at BetMGM Nevada, after opening -10.5. But the betting is interesting, to say the least.
“Tickets are roughly 1.5/1 in favor of Stanford, money is almost dead even, a couple thousand more dollars on Stanford,” BetMGM Nevada’s Scott Shelton said. “All the sharp play is on ASU. Stanford is a public ‘dog. It’s a pretty heavily bet game, a lot of tickets on both sides.”
The total moved from 51.5 to 53.5, with ticket count 4/1 and money 3/1 on the Over for this Pac-12 After Dark clash.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Arizona State is all the way out to -13.5 at DraftKings, after opening -9.5 for a Friday night Pac-12 After Dark matchup. However, point-spread betting splits aren’t indicative of such a big move. In fact, Stanford is netting 69% of bets, while ASU is getting 56% of money. The total moved from 52 to 52.5, then fell back to 51 by Tuesday afternoon, though the Over is drawing 85% of bets/68% of money.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Stanford (3-2 SU and ATS) probably blew up Oregon’s–and by extension the Pac-12’s–CFP chances with last week’s 31-24 overtime victory as an 8.5-point home underdog. Meanwhile, Arizona State (4-1 SU, 2-3 ATS) crept into the rankings by wrecking UCLA 42-23 as a 3-point road ‘dog.
The Sun Devils already surged past -10 and on to -11 in this matchup, with ticket count 2/1 Stanford and money 2/1 ASU.
“Sharp money on ASU -9.5 and -10,” Lucas said. “The public is jumping on and overreacting to Stanford after its upset win vs. Oregon. A lot of things had to go right for Stanford to take that game into OT.”
The total backed up to 51.5, but 68% of early bets/61% of early dollars are on the Over.
No. 11 Michigan State at Rutgers
Opening line: Michigan State -5; Over/Under 50
UPDATE 11 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Spartans opened -5 at Caesars books, spent a couple days at -5.5, then returned to -5 early this afternoon on the way to -4.5 later in the afternoon. Still, Michigan State is a popular play, with ticket count running about 5/1 and money 3/1 on Sparty. The total moved from 50 to 51 and back to 50.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings was at Michigan State -6 earlier today and is now at -5, but it’s pretty much all Sparty on the spread. The Spartans are grabbing well beyond 80% of tickets and money. The total is at 51.5, with ticket count 4/1 on the Over but money almost dead even.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Michigan State (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) aims to keep flying under the radar this week, while hoping Big Ten brethren beat each other up. The Spartans’ big issue is that their schedule is heavily backloaded: The final month of the season includes home dates with Michigan and Penn State, and a roadie against Ohio State.
Rutgers (3-2 SU, 4-1 ATS) is in the midst of a three-game grind, having drawn Michigan and Ohio State the past two weeks. After a solid showing at Michigan (20-13 loss as 20.5-point underdogs), the Scarlet Knights welcomed the Buckeyes last week and got drubbed 52-13 catching 15 points, the first time this season Rutgers didn’t cover.
Neither the spread nor the total moved early at TwinSpires. Michigan State is drawing 58% of tickets/64% of money on the spread, while tickets and money are running about 4/1 on the Over.
