And then there were four. The College Football Playoff has seen major shakeups, and now only four teams remain, creating a field that has surprised nearly everyone. Indiana came out of nowhere and earned the top seed after humiliating Alabama. Ole Miss is pulling off magic despite not having its head coach and also knocked off an SEC stalwart. Miami looks like it is truly back, with Michael Irvin fueling belief behind a dominant, big-time defense. Oregon silenced every doubter and finds itself in a familiar position, but the question remains whether the Ducks can finally capitalize this time.
The shakeup and uncertainty surrounding this year’s field is great for fans, but it creates a dangerous landscape for sports bettors. Outside of Indiana, there is very little trust in any of the remaining teams. The Hoosiers lack the traditional pedigree of college football’s blue bloods, but they have the coach, the Heisman winner, and the most complete roster in the playoff. That combination is why they opened as a four-point favorite to reach the title game.
Oregon has also drawn plenty of attention, which kept the line from climbing as high as some expected. What the Ducks just did to Texas Tech’s offense cannot be ignored, and the number has been viewed as fishy by many bettors. Miami opened as a small favorite as well. The Hurricanes are a public team, and the SEC has largely no-showed during these playoffs, signaling that bettors may be selling a coachless Ole Miss and a struggling conference.
However, Ole Miss was also expected to lose this past week, so caution is advised. Regardless of the outcome, it is refreshing to see new blood competing for a championship. For bettors, though, this is a week to tread carefully, read the market closely, and navigate these intriguing lines wisely.