Texas: The Co-Favorite with Oregon
The fifth-seeded Longhorns have emerged as a co-favorite at BetMGM, along with unbeaten Oregon. At 7-2 odds, Texas has attracted a significant amount of betting money throughout the season. However, they face stiff competition from other schools like Boise State, Indiana, and Arizona State. These teams provide hope for bettors looking for a big payoff. As BetMGM trading manager Seamus Magee said, "These teams get hot and people just want to have a flyer on them."Texas has shown flashes of brilliance on the field, but they will need to stay focused and perform at their best to bring home the trophy. The Longhorns will face tough opponents in the playoffs and will need to rise to the occasion.
With Georgia right behind Oregon and Texas as the next favorite, the competition for the College Football Playoff title is fierce. BetMGM's odds reflect the uncertainty and excitement surrounding this year's postseason.
Boise State: The Underdog in the Quarterfinals
As the third seed with a first-round bye, Boise State enters the playoffs as an underdog. Despite being the highest-ranked Group of Five champion, they are not considered one of the nation's top 12 teams. According to DraftKings race and sports operations director Johnny Avello, "There are a lot of teams that aren't in the playoffs that would be favored."Boise State's quarterfinal matchup against Penn State or SMU will be a tough test. Avello noted that BYU, Colorado, and Miami, which did not make the playoff, would all be favored over them. The Broncos will need to play their best football to have a chance at advancing.
One of the notable disadvantages for Boise State is not being able to play at home on their blue carpet. Their quarterfinal game will be at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, which is a significant step up in class. But the Broncos are known for their resilience and will look to prove themselves on the big stage.
Weather and Home Field AdvantageThis year, instead of all the games being played in climate-controlled domes or warm-weather locales, three of the four first-round matchups will take place in the Northeast and Midwest. This presents a unique challenge for the teams, especially those used to playing in more favorable weather conditions.
For example, Tennessee will have to travel to Columbus to face Ohio State, where it can get really cold. SMU, on the other hand, will have to go from Dallas to Happy Valley. As BetMGM's Seamus Magee said, "You have to take the weather into account for some of these games. It's going to be really cool to see how the teams handle the different climates."
The home field advantage is expected to play a significant role in the first-round matchups. BetMGM favors all four home teams by more than a touchdown, highlighting the importance of playing in familiar surroundings.
SMU: The Last Team in the Field
SMU was the last team to make it into the playoff field, getting the benefit of the doubt over Alabama. The Mustangs had one fewer defeat than the three-loss Crimson Tide, who did not appear in the SEC title game. They lost to Clemson in the ACC championship on a 56-yard field goal.Despite being an underdog, SMU has shown that they can compete with the best. As DraftKings' Johnny Avello said, "SMU shows that they're pretty good on both sides of the football and pretty resilient as a team. Always in the game. Always finds ways to fight back."
The sportsbook operators predict that if SMU were to face Alabama on a neutral field, the Tide would be favored by 5-10 points. This shows the respect that other teams have for SMU and their ability to perform in the playoffs.
In conclusion, this year's College Football Playoff is shaping up to be a thrilling competition with plenty of betting opportunities. From the co-favorites Texas and Oregon to the underdogs Boise State and SMU, every team has a chance to make history. As the postseason unfolds, bettors and fans alike will be on the edge of their seats, waiting to see who will emerge victorious.