College Football Odds Week 16: Opening Lines and Sharp Money
Patrick Everson
Quarterback Ian Book and Notre Dame look to beat Clemson for the second time this season when the two teams meet Saturday in the ACC title game. But with Trevor Lawrence healthy, Clemson is -9.5.
College football odds for Week 16 are up and drawing dollars, with conference championship games dotting the schedule. Clemson gets a shot at revenge against Notre Dame in the ACC title tilt, while COVID issues forced Washington out of, and Oregon into, the Pac-12 finale against USC.
FanDuel Sportsbook provided insights on college football Week 16 opening lines, early line movement, sharp money and public betting for this week's matchups.
UAB at (21) Marshall Odds
Opening line
Marshall -5.5, Over/Under 41.5
Why the line moved
FanDuel opened the Thundering Herd 5.5-point home favorites in the Conference USA championship game, and the number is still Marshall -5.5 Monday night. Marshall is taking 86 percent of early tickets and 74 percent of early money. The total bounced from 41.5 to 42.5 and back to 41.5, but FanDuel's betting splits aren't yet available.
Ball State vs Buffalo Odds
Opening line
Buffalo -11.5, Over/Under 66.5
Why the line moved
Buffalo is already up two points Monday night at Fanduel, sitting at -13.5 for the Mid-American Conference title game at Detroit's Ford Field. The Bulls are drawing 86 percent of tickets and 97 percent of money. The total is steady at 66.5, though practically all the tickets and dollars through Monday night are on the Over.
(23) Oregon at (13) USC Odds
Opening line
Southern Cal -3.5, Over/Under 62.5
Why the line moved
Oregon is a substitute invitee to Friday night's Pac-12 championship game, after Washington had to withdraw Monday due to COVID issues within the program. Host USC opened -3.5 and remains there late Monday evening on some interesting early betting splits: 78 percent of tickets are on the Trojans, while 79 percent of money is on the Ducks.
The total is down a point to 61.5, though the early splits don't reflect that, with 87 percent of tickets and pretty much every dollar on the Over.
(14) Northwestern vs (4) Ohio State Odds
Opening line
Ohio State -20.5, Over/Under 58.5
Why the line moved
FanDuel posted the Big Ten title game on Thursday, and it's bounced around a bit since then. Ohio State first moved to -21.5, then dipped to -19.5, and on Monday night, this line is back to the opener of -20.5. The Buckeyes are attracting 78 percent of early tickets and 89 percent of early dollars on the spread.
The total first ticked up to 59.5, then dialed down to 57.5, though tickets are 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over for this neutral-site game at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.
(10) Oklahoma vs (6) Iowa State Odds
Opening line
Iowa State +4.5, Over/Under 59.5
Why the line moved
Oklahoma gets a shot at revenge in the Big 12 title game, having lost at Iowa State 37-30 on Oct. 3. FanDuel opened the Sooners -4.5 for the rematch, taking place Saturday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The line jumped to -6.5, then receded to -5.5, and as of Monday night, 53 percent of tickets are on Iowa State and 60 percent of money is on Oklahoma.
The total initially dipped two points to 57.5, and it's at 58.5 Monday night, with 88 percent of tickets/96 percent of cash on the Over.
(19) Louisiana at (12) Coastal Carolina Odds
Opening line
Coastal Carolina -3.5, Over/Under 53.5
Why the line moved
Coastal Carolina opened -3.5 at FanDuel for the Sun Belt championship game and stuck at that number through Monday night, with the exception of 15 minutes Sunday at -4.5. Tickets and money are running 9/1-plus on the host Chanticleers. The total is up a point to 54.5, with practically all the early tickets and money on the Over.
(3) Clemson vs (2) Notre Dame Odds
Opening line
Notre Dame +7.5, Over/Under 61.5
Why the line moved
On Nov. 7, Notre Dame beat visiting Clemson 47-40 in overtime, but the Tigers didn't have star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, due to COVID. Lawrence is good to go for a neutral-site game in Charlotte, N.C., and Clemson rose up to -10.5 from a -7.5 opener at FanDuel and is currently -9.5. However, the Fighting Irish are attracting 69 percent of spread bets and 59 percent of spread money through Monday night.
The total fell from 61.5 to 60.5, though the Over is taking 85 percent of tickets and 78 percent of money.
(23) Tulsa at (9) Cincinnati Odds
Opening line
Cincinnati -14.5, Over/Under 46.5
Why the line moved
Host Cincinnati opened -14.5 in the American Athletic Conference title game, initially fell to -13.5, rose to -15.5 and is back at the opener of -14.5 Monday night at FanDuel. It's two-way action with a lean toward the Bearcats, who are landing 55 percent of tickets and 53 percent of cash through Monday night.
The total went from 46.5 to 47.5 and back to 46.5, though the ticket count is beyond 6/1 and money 5/1 on the Over.
(1) Alabama vs (7) Florida Odds
Opening line
Alabama -13.5, Over/Under 71.5
Why the line moved
A lot of the air went out of the balloon for the SEC championship game when Florida, a 23-point home chalk against LSU last weekend, lost outright 37-34. But the Gators can certainly give the College Football Playoff committee a headache with an upset of Alabama in Saturday's contest in Atlanta.
The Crimson Tide initially ticked up to -14 at FanDuel, dipped to -12.5, then rocketed up to -17.5, where the line is Monday night. However, FanDuel doesn't yet have betting splits available. The hefty total opened at 71.5, got to 74.5 and is 73.5 late Monday night.
Boise State vs (24) San Jose State Odds
Opening line
San Jose State +7.5, Over/Under 54.5
Why the line moved
San Jose State is the home team for the Mountain West Conference championship game, but the game will be at a neutral site, because local COVID regulations won't allow the game to be played in San Jose, Calif. Rather, the game will be at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
Boise State is down a point to -6.5 at FanDuel, where through Monday night, San Jose State is drawing 51 percent of bets and 57 percent of dollar on the spread. The total is stable at 54.5 on what must be light early action, as practically all the tickets and dollars are on the Over.
Patrick Everson
Quarterback Ian Book and Notre Dame look to beat Clemson for the second time this season when the two teams meet Saturday in the ACC title game. But with Trevor Lawrence healthy, Clemson is -9.5.
College football odds for Week 16 are up and drawing dollars, with conference championship games dotting the schedule. Clemson gets a shot at revenge against Notre Dame in the ACC title tilt, while COVID issues forced Washington out of, and Oregon into, the Pac-12 finale against USC.
FanDuel Sportsbook provided insights on college football Week 16 opening lines, early line movement, sharp money and public betting for this week's matchups.
UAB at (21) Marshall Odds
Opening line
Marshall -5.5, Over/Under 41.5
Why the line moved
FanDuel opened the Thundering Herd 5.5-point home favorites in the Conference USA championship game, and the number is still Marshall -5.5 Monday night. Marshall is taking 86 percent of early tickets and 74 percent of early money. The total bounced from 41.5 to 42.5 and back to 41.5, but FanDuel's betting splits aren't yet available.
Ball State vs Buffalo Odds
Opening line
Buffalo -11.5, Over/Under 66.5
Why the line moved
Buffalo is already up two points Monday night at Fanduel, sitting at -13.5 for the Mid-American Conference title game at Detroit's Ford Field. The Bulls are drawing 86 percent of tickets and 97 percent of money. The total is steady at 66.5, though practically all the tickets and dollars through Monday night are on the Over.
(23) Oregon at (13) USC Odds
Opening line
Southern Cal -3.5, Over/Under 62.5
Why the line moved
Oregon is a substitute invitee to Friday night's Pac-12 championship game, after Washington had to withdraw Monday due to COVID issues within the program. Host USC opened -3.5 and remains there late Monday evening on some interesting early betting splits: 78 percent of tickets are on the Trojans, while 79 percent of money is on the Ducks.
The total is down a point to 61.5, though the early splits don't reflect that, with 87 percent of tickets and pretty much every dollar on the Over.
(14) Northwestern vs (4) Ohio State Odds
Opening line
Ohio State -20.5, Over/Under 58.5
Why the line moved
FanDuel posted the Big Ten title game on Thursday, and it's bounced around a bit since then. Ohio State first moved to -21.5, then dipped to -19.5, and on Monday night, this line is back to the opener of -20.5. The Buckeyes are attracting 78 percent of early tickets and 89 percent of early dollars on the spread.
The total first ticked up to 59.5, then dialed down to 57.5, though tickets are 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over for this neutral-site game at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.
(10) Oklahoma vs (6) Iowa State Odds
Opening line
Iowa State +4.5, Over/Under 59.5
Why the line moved
Oklahoma gets a shot at revenge in the Big 12 title game, having lost at Iowa State 37-30 on Oct. 3. FanDuel opened the Sooners -4.5 for the rematch, taking place Saturday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The line jumped to -6.5, then receded to -5.5, and as of Monday night, 53 percent of tickets are on Iowa State and 60 percent of money is on Oklahoma.
The total initially dipped two points to 57.5, and it's at 58.5 Monday night, with 88 percent of tickets/96 percent of cash on the Over.
(19) Louisiana at (12) Coastal Carolina Odds
Opening line
Coastal Carolina -3.5, Over/Under 53.5
Why the line moved
Coastal Carolina opened -3.5 at FanDuel for the Sun Belt championship game and stuck at that number through Monday night, with the exception of 15 minutes Sunday at -4.5. Tickets and money are running 9/1-plus on the host Chanticleers. The total is up a point to 54.5, with practically all the early tickets and money on the Over.
(3) Clemson vs (2) Notre Dame Odds
Opening line
Notre Dame +7.5, Over/Under 61.5
Why the line moved
On Nov. 7, Notre Dame beat visiting Clemson 47-40 in overtime, but the Tigers didn't have star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, due to COVID. Lawrence is good to go for a neutral-site game in Charlotte, N.C., and Clemson rose up to -10.5 from a -7.5 opener at FanDuel and is currently -9.5. However, the Fighting Irish are attracting 69 percent of spread bets and 59 percent of spread money through Monday night.
The total fell from 61.5 to 60.5, though the Over is taking 85 percent of tickets and 78 percent of money.
(23) Tulsa at (9) Cincinnati Odds
Opening line
Cincinnati -14.5, Over/Under 46.5
Why the line moved
Host Cincinnati opened -14.5 in the American Athletic Conference title game, initially fell to -13.5, rose to -15.5 and is back at the opener of -14.5 Monday night at FanDuel. It's two-way action with a lean toward the Bearcats, who are landing 55 percent of tickets and 53 percent of cash through Monday night.
The total went from 46.5 to 47.5 and back to 46.5, though the ticket count is beyond 6/1 and money 5/1 on the Over.
(1) Alabama vs (7) Florida Odds
Opening line
Alabama -13.5, Over/Under 71.5
Why the line moved
A lot of the air went out of the balloon for the SEC championship game when Florida, a 23-point home chalk against LSU last weekend, lost outright 37-34. But the Gators can certainly give the College Football Playoff committee a headache with an upset of Alabama in Saturday's contest in Atlanta.
The Crimson Tide initially ticked up to -14 at FanDuel, dipped to -12.5, then rocketed up to -17.5, where the line is Monday night. However, FanDuel doesn't yet have betting splits available. The hefty total opened at 71.5, got to 74.5 and is 73.5 late Monday night.
Boise State vs (24) San Jose State Odds
Opening line
San Jose State +7.5, Over/Under 54.5
Why the line moved
San Jose State is the home team for the Mountain West Conference championship game, but the game will be at a neutral site, because local COVID regulations won't allow the game to be played in San Jose, Calif. Rather, the game will be at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
Boise State is down a point to -6.5 at FanDuel, where through Monday night, San Jose State is drawing 51 percent of bets and 57 percent of dollar on the spread. The total is stable at 54.5 on what must be light early action, as practically all the tickets and dollars are on the Over.