It’s mid-October, the seasons are changing, the leaves are falling and – for once – so are Alabama’s ranking and national championship odds. But not by much. And college football Week 7 odds certainly point to a quick Crimson Tide rebound.
SEC rival Georgia is the new No. 1 and favorite on the College Football Playoff odds board, and the Bulldogs are a massive chalk this week against fellow unbeaten Kentucky.
Multiple sportsbook insiders provided insights on opening/current lines and action in the college football Week 7 betting market. Check back throughout the week for action updates.
College Football Week 7 Odds
| Matchup | Time | Spread | Over/Under |
| Kentucky at Georgia | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Georgia -22.5 | 44.5 |
| Alabama at Mississippi State | 7 p.m. ET Saturday | Alabama -17.5 | 59.5 |
| Oklahoma State at Texas | Noon ET Saturday | Texas -3.5 | 61 |
| Michigan State at Indiana | Noon ET Saturday | Michigan State -3.5 | 48.5 |
| Central Florida at Cincinnati | Noon ET Saturday | Cincinnati -22 | 56.5 |
| TCU at Oklahoma | 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Oklahoma -12.5 | 65 |
| California at Oregon | 10:30 p.m. ET Friday | Oregon -13.5 | 54 |
| Auburn at Arkansas | Noon ET Saturday | Arkansas -4 | 54.5 |
| BYU at Baylor | 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday | Baylor -5 | 52 |
Odds via The SuperBook (updated as of 6:55 p.m. ET Saturday)
No. 11 Kentucky at No. 1 Georgia
Opening line: Georgia -23.5, Over/Under 44.5
UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: TwinSpires opened Georgia a hefty 23.5-point chalk and is down to -21.5 three hours before kickoff, with Kentucky taking 62% of tickets and 59% of money on the spread. “The public is on Kentucky,” TwinSpires trading analyst Zachary Lucas said. The total went from 44.5 to 43.5 to 44, with 62% of tickets on the Over/53% of cash on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Georgia landed on Caesars Sports’ odds board as a 22.5-point chalk and advanced to -23.5 early in the week, but the line is now down to -21.5. Big ‘dog Kentucky is attracting 69% of spread tickets and 64% of spread money.
“We thought Kentucky money would arrive at some stage, since [the Wildcats are] undefeated,” Caesars Sports VP of trading Craig Mucklow said. “I just don’t think Georgia will be complacent after seeing Alabama lose last week. I also wonder if the Arkansas blowout is on bettors’ minds when seeing all of these points against Georgia.”
The total has been stable at 44.5.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings opened Georgia as a healthy 22.5-point favorite and quickly went to -23.5 Sunday afternoon, but this line has bounced around quite a bit since then. By Sunday evening, it was back at the opener, returned to -23.5 Monday morning, then twice got as low as -21.5. The Bulldogs are now laying 23 points, and the big underdog Wildcats are netting 78% of tickets and money. The total is rock-steady at 44.5, although the Over is getting 85% of tickets/69% of cash.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Georgia (6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS) is pounding opponents every week and, just as important, covering the number at almost the same frequency. The Bulldogs went on the road in Week 6 and ripped Auburn 34-10 as 14.5-point favorites. Kentucky is also 6-0 SU/5-1 ATS following a 42-21 home rout of LSU as a 2-point home favorite, but oddsmakers aren’t buying what the Wildcats are selling.
On the other hand, bettors are buying it (at least early in the week), as Kentucky is taking 67% of early bets and 57% of early money at TwinSpires. The Wildcats are the only FBS team that is 5-0 ATS in games against FBS opponents (their only non-cover was against Tennessee-Chattanooga).
“The public is on Kentucky so far,” Lucas said. “Bettors are seeing two undefeated teams and grabbing the points. Great handle on this one.”
The total is down a point to 43.5, with 67% of bets on the Over/55% of money on the Under.
No. 5 Alabama at Mississippi State
Opening line: Alabama -17, Over/Under 59
UPDATE 6:45 P.M. SATURDAY: Shortly before kickoff, Alabama is a 17.5-point favorite at BetMGM Nevada, returning to the opening number after a stretch at -17. Ticket count and money are both extremely lopsided at BetMGM’s Vegas books, with spread bets running 15/1 Alabama and spread money 10/1 ‘Bama. Plus, the Crimson Tide are in everybody’s parlays, moneyline parlays and teasers.
“Everything is keyed to Alabama,” BetMGM’s Randy Madayag said.
And per usual, Alabama first-half -10.5 is getting slammed, creating need in Vegas and nationwide.
“We’d prefer Mississippi State to cover first half and game, but it is not as day-defining as it was against Texas A&M last Saturday,” BetMGM vice president of trading Jason Scott said.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Alabama opened -17.5 at Caesars, bottomed out at -16.5 Wednesday and went to -17 Thursday. Ticket count is huge on the Crimson Tide, at 89%, though that’s translating into just 58% of spread money. But Caesars Sports VP of trading Craig Mucklow expects that latter percentage to grow significantly by kickoff Saturday night.
“We’ll see an avalanche of money for Alabama this weekend coming off a loss,” Mucklow said. “This will be one of the biggest public sides this week. They always love betting good teams off a loss. Even laying all these points on the road, that won’t slow the action down for Alabama.”
The total went straight from 59 to 57.5 early in the week, then ticked to 58 Thursday.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Crimson Tide moved from -17 to -17.5 in short order at DraftKings, then returned to -17 Wednesday. Bettors aren’t backing off Alabama much in the wake of its loss at Texas A&M, with 94% of spread bets and 75% of spread money on the Tide. The total went from 58.5 to 59, then dipped to 57 Monday and stuck there. Still, the Over is seeing 95% of early bets/72% of early money.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Alabama went to Texas A&M as an 18.5-point chalk and exited with a stunning 41-38 outright loss. But bookmakers see this as an anomaly, installing the Crimson Tide (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) as big road favorites against Mississippi State (3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS). And that’s despite the Bulldogs coming off a bye after going on the road and beating … Texas A&M.
Early tickets and money are running about 2/1 on ‘Bama at TwinSpires, where the number has risen to -17.5. The total dropped to 57.5, with tickets 3/1-plus and money 5/1 on the Under.
“The public is still on Alabama, but it’s not as strong as we’ve seen these last few weeks. We’ll still likely need Mississippi State by kickoff, though,” Lucas said, before turning to the total. “Sharp money came in at the open on Under 59 and brought us down.”
No. 12 Oklahoma State at No. 25 Texas
Opening line: Texas -5.5, Over/Under 60.5
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Texas made a significant dip over the past 48 hours or so at Caesars, moving from -5.5 to -3.5, from an opener of -5 and a peak of -6 early in the week. Point-spread ticket count is almost dead even, but underdog Oklahoma State is snagging 90% of spread dollars. The total has been stable at 60 most of the week, after opening 60.5.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Texas opened -5.5 at DraftKings and has spent most of the week at -5, with tickets and money both running about 2/1 on the Longhorns. The total opened at 59.5, peaked at 61 Monday, bottomed out at 59 Tuesday and is now 60.5. Ticket count is 3/1-plus and money 4/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Texas (4-2 SU and ATS) built a 28-7 first-quarter lead against Oklahoma and led 38-20 at halftime last weekend at the Cotton Bowl. But alas, the game turned into a massive shootout, and the 4-point-underdog Longhorns were ultimately outgunned 55-48 on a final-seconds touchdown.
Still, the spread shows more faith in twice-beaten Texas than unbeaten Oklahoma State (5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS), which is coming off a bye. The Longhorns are taking 55% of early bets and the Cowboys 56% of early money at TwinSpires.
“Great two-way action so far,” Lucas said, noting the line is stable, but the total is up a a tick to 61. “Everyone saw Texas-Oklahoma last week put up 103 combined points. The public is hammering the Over.”
No. 10 Michigan State at Indiana
Opening line: Michigan State -3.5, Over/Under 51.5
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Caesars books pegged Michigan State a 3.5-point favorite at the outset, reached -5 Monday, then spent the rest of the week at-4.5. It’s all Sparty on the spread in this contest, with 92% of bets and 88% of cash on Michigan State. The total is down to 48.5 from a 51.5 opener.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: DraftKings initially dipped from Spartans -3.5 to -3, but by lunch hour Monday, this line stretched to Michigan State -4.5 and stuck there. The Spartans are attracting 89% of bets and 93% of dollars on the spread. The total tumbled from 52 to 47.5 by this morning, then nudged up to 48.5. The Over is getting 77% of bets, but the Under is drawing 82% of money.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Michigan State (6-0 SU, 4-0-2 ATS) continued to take care of business with the weak part of its schedule in Week 6, rolling Rutgers 31-13 as a 4-point road fave. If the Spartans can get through this weekend at Indiana (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS), they get a bye before a tough final stretch that begins at home against Michigan.
Point-spread ticket count is 4/1 and money 6/1 on Michigan State at TwinSpires, which moved the Spartans to -4.5 before backing up to -4.
“This is already shaping up to be our biggest liability of the early [Saturday] kickoffs,” Lucas said. “Michigan State straight bets/parlay liability is growing by the hour.”
The total is stable, with 57% of tickets/61% of money on the Under.
Central Florida at No. 3 Cincinnati
Opening line: Cincinnati -20, Over/Under 56
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET FRIDAY: There’s noteworthy variation under the Caesars umbrella here, with several jurisdictions at Cincinnati -21.5, while in Nevada the Bearcats are -22.5. Regardless, Cincy is on the rise after opening -20, with ticket count 3/1 and money beyond 9/1 on the favorite.
“I’m scratching my head with this one,” Caesars VP of trading Craig Mucklow said. “We’ve seen all the sharp accounts all on Cincinnati, first half and full game. It started earlier in the week when we were laying 20.5, then we laid 21.5 again [Thursday]. We saw significant money on Cincinnati last week [vs. Temple], so the sharps are in love with them right now. To make the playoff, they have to win, and they have to win in style.”
The total opened at 56, reached 58.5 Monday and dipped to 56.5 by Thursday.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Cincinnati is out to -21 from a -19 opener at DraftKings, where 80% of tickets and 88% of dollars are on the Bearcats. The total rose from 55 to 58, then dipped to 57.5, with the Over taking 84% of bets, but just 54% of money.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: This game wouldn’t even be mentioned in this space were it not for the fact Cincinnati has its highest ranking ever as it looks to crash the College Football Playoff party. More of the same is expected when the Bearcats (5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS) host UCF (3-2 SU, 1-4 ATS).
Despite the big spread at TwinSpires, tickets and money are running 2/1 on Cincinnati, sending the Bearcats up to -20.5. The total is up a point to 57, with 58% of tickets/78% of cash on the Over.
“Sharp money on Over 56,” Lucas said.
TCU at No. 4 Oklahoma
Opening line: Oklahoma -12.5, Over/Under 65.5
UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: BetMGM Nevada opened Oklahoma -11.5, dipped to -10.5 early, then made its way up to Sooners -13.5. Just before kickoff, though, the line is down to -12.5. “It’s 1.5/1 tickets on Oklahoma, but money is almost dead even. One bet could change it all,” BetMGM’s Randy Madayag said of action at Vegas MGM books.
UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Oklahoma opened -12 and initially headed due south, going to -10.5 by Tuesday morning. But by Tuesday night, the Sooners jumped up to -13.5, where the number remains. Tickets and money are practically dead even for this matchup, with 51% of bets on Oklahoma and 51% of cash on Texas Christian. By late Thursday afternoon, the total had dropped to 64 from a 67 opener.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This number has been around the block at DraftKings, opening Oklahoma -12, dipping to -10.5, then rebounding to -13.5, all by Tuesday afternoon. The Sooners are nabbing 71% of spread bets, but spread money is almost dead even. The total moved from 65 to 66.5 and back, with 79% of bets/75% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Oklahoma might be the least-impressive fourth-ranked team since whenever the Sooners were last ranked fourth. Head coach Lincoln Riley and Co. seem to find themselves constantly scrambling for wins, never more so this season than in Week 6. The Sooners (6-0 SU, 2-4 ATS) trailed Texas 28-7 at the end of the first quarter and 38-20 at recess. Yet they returned from the locker room, switched quarterbacks, and rallied for a 55-48 victory on a final-seconds TD to cash as 4-point favorites.
TCU (2-3 SU, 1-3-1 ATS) shouldn’t be much of a match in Norman, but who knows with the Sooners, who play down to their level of competition each week? To that point, TCU is taking 53% of early tickets and Oklahoma 54% of early dollars at TwinSpires. The line ticked to Sooners -12, then returned to -12.5.
“Evenly split here so far. Sharp money on both sides,” Lucas said, before noting the total jumped to 66, with 79% of tickets/87% of cash on the Over. “The public is on the Over.”
California at No. 9 Oregon
Opening line: Oregon -15, Over/Under 55.5
UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Oregon spent much of the week as a 14-point favorite at Caesars, then inched down to -13.5 Thursday afternoon. The Ducks are taking 75% of spread bets, but the Golden Bears are netting 62% of spread money. The total dipped from a 55.5 opener to 53.5 by this afternoon.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Oregon has been at -13.5 since Monday morning at DraftKings after opening -14.5. Contrary to the dip, the Ducks are landing 90% of tickets and 77% of money for this Friday night Pac-12 After Dark clash. The total fell from 55.5 to 54, with the Over netting 80% of tickets and the Under 57% of dollars.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Oregon stepped on a duck, so to speak, by losing at Stanford 31-24 in overtime as an 8.5-point favorite two weeks ago. Coming off a bye, the Ducks (4-1 SU, 1-4 ATS) hope to find their way back into the CFP picture Friday night against lowly Cal (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS).
The line quickly dropped to Oregon -13.5 at TwinSpires, with the Ducks getting 74% of bets but just 54% of money.
“Sharp money on Cal +15 and +14.5,” Lucas said.
The total crept to 56, with 60% of bets/57% of cash on the Over.
Auburn at No. 17 Arkansas
Opening line: Arkansas -3.5, Over/Under 53
UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Razorbacks reached -5 today from a -3.5 Sunday opener at Caesars books. Ticket count is running 3/1 and money 6/1 on Arkansas. The total is up a tick, from 53.5 to 54.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Arkansas opened -3.5 at DraftKings and by Wednesday afternoon was up to -5.5. The Razorbacks are grabbing 82% of point-spread bets and 71% of spread money so far. The total is up a point to 53.5, with 92% of bets/81% of cash on the Over.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Two weeks ago, Arkansas was a Cinderella story in the making. Then came a 37-0 butt-kicking at Georgia and a 52-51 shootout loss at Ole Miss, which dropped the Razorbacks to 4-2 SU (5-1 ATS). Auburn had its own problems with Georgia last week, getting blitzed 34-10 as a 14.5-point home ‘dog.
Arkansas briefly got to -4, then returned to -3.5 at TwinSpires, with 65% of bets and 58% of money on the Hogs. The total ticked to 53.5, but it’s two-way action early.
No. 19 BYU at Baylor
Opening line: Baylor -4.5, Over/Under 48
UPDATE 12:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Baylor initially moved from -5 to -4.5, then stretched to -6.5 by Tuesday night at PointsBet USA. The line backed up to Bears -5 by lunch hour Friday, with 69% of spread tickets/70% of spread dollars on Baylor. The total rose from a 48 opener to 52 by this morning, with ticket count 4/1 and money 2/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 4:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Caesars books stretched Baylor from -5 to -6.5 by midweek, then backed up to -5 by earlier today. Baylor is getting 62% of spread tickets, but BYU is landing 75% of spread money. The total is up to 51.5 from a 48 opener.
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Baylor hit DraftKings’ odds board as a 5-point chalk and by Tuesday was up to -6.5, where the line remains. Interestingly, point-spread ticket count is practically dead even, but point-spread money is beyond 5/1 on the Bears.
UPDATE 5 P.M. ET MONDAY: Brigham Young hoped to make some hay in either the CFP conversation, or at least get into position to earn an invite to a big New Year’s game. But the Cougars (5-1 SU, 3-3 ATS) tumbled in Week 6, falling to Boise State 26-17 as 6-point home favorites. Baylor (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) enters off a 45-20 road wipeout of West Virginia as a 1-point chalk.
Baylor is already out to -6 at TwinSpires, on a 3/1 ticket count and 4/1 money count.
“Sharp and public money on Baylor,” Lucas said. The total is up to 49, with 72% of tickets and 55% of money on the Over.