College Football Week 4 Opening Odds Report
College Football Week 4 odds feature a neutral-site matchup in the SEC. Texas A&M, which can ill afford another loss, tangles with Arkansas at Jerry World, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Among other noteworthy games is a battle of ranked unbeatens in the ACC, with Clemson traveling to Wake Forest.
Let's dive into Week 4 college football odds and action, with insights from multiple oddsmakers and sportsbooks. Check back regularly for updates.
College Football Week 4 Odds
No. 7 USC vs Oregon State
Opening line: USC -6.5; Over/Under 68
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET Saturday (PAC-12)
UPDATE 8 P.M. ET SATURDAY: With 1.5 hours to go until kickoff, Southern Cal is a 6-point chalk at WynnBet. The Trojans opened -7, quickly dipped to -6, then stabilized at -6.5 Sunday night. USC returned to -6 on Thursday.
Southern Cal is seeing 79% of spread bets, but a more modest 62% of spread dollars. USC is also getting 85% of moneyline tickets, but moneyline cash is split 50/50.
The total went from 68.5 to 67.5 in short order Sunday, then by Thursday rose to 70.5, where it sits now. The Under is seeing 61% of tickets, but money is almost even, with 51% of cash on the Over.
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Perhaps surprisingly, this line continues to trend toward home underdog Oregon State. PointsBet USA opened USC -7 and dipped to -6 within just a few minutes Sunday afternoon, then rebounded to -7 Sunday evening.
From late Sunday night until Wednesday afternoon, the Trojans were stable at -6.5. USC then dipped to -6 again, on the way to -5.5 Thursday afternoon. USC remains -5.5, even though ticket count is 7/1 and money 4/1-plus on the Trojans.
"Some reverse line movement here, with more than 80% of tickets and handle on the Trojans' side," PointsBet sports analyst Mike Korn said.
The total opened at 68.5, initially fell to 67.5, then climbed to 71 by mid-Tuesday morning. It's been fairly stable at 70.5 the past two days, with 62% of tickets/60% of money on the Under.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This Pac-12 matchup is becoming quite the betting attraction at Caesars Sports, with underdog Oregon State getting a lot of early attention. Caesars aggressively opened Southern Cal at -12.5 Sunday afternoon, and within 30 minutes, that number plunged to -7. By Sunday evening, the Trojans were down to -6.5, where they spent most of Monday/Tuesday.
USC hit -7 and -6 a couple of times each Wednesday/today, and the Trojans are currently -6. Ticket count is almost 2/1 and money approaching 9/1 on the home 'dog Beavers. Spread money is skewed in part by a $110,000 Oregon State +7 wager. As of noon ET today, Caesars Sports' Max Meyer reported that:
- There's more money on Oregon State spread than any of the 16 NFL Week 3 spreads.
- Oregon State has seen three times more spread money than any other college football Week 4 side.
- The Beavers have more spread tickets than 29 of the 32 teams in NFL Week 3 matchups.
"We opened up a little higher on USC than the rest of the market,” Caesars lead college football trader Joey Feazel said. “After conversations with the team, we think USC is much better than Oregon State, and we went against the grain on the sharps. Having the best number on the board will certainly drive up that action, but I didn’t expect as much action as we got. We’ve done this earlier this season with Arizona State vs. Oklahoma State, with what the standard would be. And also with Idaho State-UNLV, we opened up higher than the market and went against the sharps. Those two panned out for us, but it doesn’t compare to the level of action we’ve seen here."
Indeed, Feazel continued: "This will easily be a top-5 game for us this regular season in terms of handle. It’s interesting to see that the public isn’t on USC with us. ... There’s some excitement around this Oregon State program, too, and that’s also drawing some action. It’s going to be a great game. This is the one I’m most looking forward to this week."
Scoring is certainly expected in this matchup, with Caesars' total now at 70.5. It opened at 68 and peaked at 71 Tuesday. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Southern Cal (3-0 SU and ATS) aims to make some waves in the College Football Playoff odds market, too. The Trojans have gotten there for bettors all three weeks this season, most recently in a 45-17 victory as 11.5-point home favorites against Fresno State.
But based on this week's spread, Oregon State will be USC's toughest challenger so far. The Beavers are also 3-0 SU and ATS. In Week 3, facing FCS foe Montana State on a neutral field in Portland, Ore., the Beavers rolled 68-28 giving 17.5 points.
USC is stable at -6.5 on TwinSpires' college football Week 4 odds board. Spread tickets and money are both running 2/1 on the Trojans.
"Not much in the way of action so far. I'm expecting plenty of parlay liability tied to USC moneyline," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.
The total is up a point to 69, with 52% of tickets on the Under/54% of dollars on the Over.
No. 10 Arkansas vs No. 23 Texas A&M
Opening Line: Texas A&M -1.5; Over/Under 48
Time: 7 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN)
UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: WynnBet pegged Texas A&M a 2-point favorite on Sunday night, quickly went to -2.5 and stayed there throughout the week. Then late this morning, the Aggies returned to -2, and they're now down to -1.
Arkansas is attracting 71% of spread tickets, while 54% of spread dollars are on A&M.
The total opened at 48 and peaked today at 51, where it remains now. The Over is getting 53% of tickets/64% of money.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Texas A&M hit Caesars Sports' college football Week 4 odds board as a 2.5-point favorite Sunday afternoon. The line then toggled between -2.5 and -2 over the next two days, before dipping to A&M -1.5 Tuesday night. Caesars followed with a couple of moves to Aggies -2, which is where the number sits now.
Ticket count and money are both in the 2/1 range on short underdog Arkansas.
Caesars opened the total at 48, got to 49 Monday evening and peaked at 49.5 Wednesday night. It's now at 48.5. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: In Week 3, Texas A&M rebounded from its shocking outright home loss as an 18-point chalk against Appalachian State. The Red Raiders (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) welcomed No. 13 Miami to College Station and notched a 17-9 win laying 6.5 points.
Arkansas is out of the gate 3-0 SU (2-1 ATS), but had its hands full with FCS foe Missouri State in Week 3. The Razorbacks trailed 24-17 entering the fourth quarter, then battled back for a 38-27 win as 25.5-point home faves.
The Arkansas-A&M line is already on the move for a prime-time Saturday clash, rising to Aggies -2.5 at TwinSpires Sportsbook. Texas A&M is taking 52% of early bets/65% of early money on the spread.
"Early sharp play on A&M -1.5," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total is stable at 48, with ticket count almost dead even and 59% of cash on the Over.
Wisconsin vs No. 3 Ohio State
Opening line: Ohio State -18; Over/Under 56
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ABC)
UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Ohio State opened as a 17.5-point favorite in WynnBet's college football Week 4 odds market. On Thursday, the Buckeyes leapt to -19, but in the past hour, the line dialed down to -18. Part of that is likely due to Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba sitting out tonight with an injury.
Ohio State is taking 74% of spread tickets at WynnBet, but 54% of spread cash is on hefty underdog Wisconsin.
The total opened at 56, peaked at 57.5 Thursday and is now 56.5. The Over is taking 60% of tickets, while 67% of money is on the Under.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: On Sunday afternoon, Ohio State opened as a 17-point chalk at Caesars Sports, and within a few hours, the Buckeyes were up to -18. The number then bounced between -17.5 and -18 a few times before going to -18.5 Tuesday and -19 this morning.
Ohio State is currently -19, with point-spread ticket count running 3/1-plus and spread money 4/1 on the Buckeyes.
The total opened at 56 and has spent most of the week at 57. Caesars' splits on the total aren't available today
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Ohio State aims to stay on an unencumbered path to the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes (3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS) got their first spread-cover of the season by blasting Toledo 77-21 as 31-point home faves. Week 4 marks Ohio State's first road game of the season.
Wisconsin (2-1 SU and ATS) rebounded from a stunning upset home loss to Washington State. With a very willing opponent in New Mexico State, the Badgers rumbled to a 66-7 home win giving 38 points.
This line has bounced around early in TwinSpires' college football Week 4 odds market. Ohio State initially nudged down to -17.5, then climbed to -18.5. The Buckeyes are taking 62% of bets/74% of money on the spread.
"Money is coming in on Ohio State early and often. It's early, but we'll likely need Wisky," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total inched up to 56.5, then returned to 56, with tickets and money just shy of 2/1 on the Over.
No. 20 Florida vs No. 11 Tennessee
Opening line: Tennessee -9.5; Over/Under 62
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Thirty minutes before kickoff, Tennessee is at its peak as an 11-point home chalk at WynnBet. The Vols opened -9.5, got to -10 quickly on Sunday and went to -11 Thursday afternoon. Early today, the line ticked back to -10.5, before returning to -11.
Ticket count is dead even on the spread, but 65% of spread money is on Tennessee.
The total is at 63.5, from a 63 opener that quickly dropped to 61.5 Sunday evening. By late Sunday night, it was back at 63, and it went to 63.5 Thursday. It's two-way play on the total, with 52% of bets on the Under/59% of money on the Over.
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Tennessee opened -9.5 in PointsBet USA's college football Week 4 odds market. The Vols quickly moved on to -10 Sunday evening, then -10.5 Monday morning and -11 Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday afternoon, Tennessee dipped to -10.5, and the line hasn't moved since. Florida is actually getting the bulk of spread action, with tickets running 2/1 and money 2.5/1 on the Gators.
The total opened at 63 and quickly began bouncing around Sunday, spending time at 63.5, 62.5 and 62. Since Monday, the number toggled between 62.5 and 62 a couple of times, sitting at 62.5 since Thursday evening. Early ticket count is 4/1 and early money beyond 9/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Vols opened as 7.5-point favorites at Caesars Sports and quickly spiked to -10 by Sunday evening. By Monday afternoon, Tennessee was up to -11, and the Vols stabilized at -10.5 Tuesday afternoon.
Florida is actually landing 56% of early spread bets, but Tennessee is taking 65% of early spread cash.
"A lot of the Tennessee money came in when they were at single digits,” Caesars lead college football trader Joey Feazel said. “After the big win against Utah, Florida lost to Kentucky and almost lost to South Florida, I think that’s what drove up the line. Some people also think that Tennessee may still be underrated compared to where they’re at now. But it’s still an SEC matchup, so some people may see Florida getting double digits now and thinking that this will be more competitive than the line suggests."
The total opened at 62.5, topped out at 63.5 Sunday night and spent most of Monday/Tuesday back at the opener. On Wednesday, the total dipped to 62, where it sits now. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 9:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Tennessee is off to a 3-0 SU and ATS start, including a solid Week 2 road overtime win vs. Pittsburgh. In Week 3, the Vols boatraced Akron 63-7, easily cashing as 47.5-point home favorites.
Florida (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) opened the season with an impressive home win over then Top-10 outfit Utah. But the Gators then fell flat at home in Week 2, losing to Kentucky. And things almost got a whole lot worse in Week 3 against South Florida. Closing as a 23-point home chalk, Florida needed a TD with five minutes left to eke out a 31-28 victory.
Tennessee moved straight from -9.5 to -10.5 early on at TwinSpires, and the Vols then moved up to -11. The line is now Vols -10.5 again, with Florida getting 58% of early bets, while 63% of early cash is on Tennessee.
"Sharp play on the Vols. I'd expect some buyback later in the week on Florida," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total opened at 62 and inched up to 62.5, with early tickets and money running 2/1 on the Over.
No. 5 Clemson vs No. 21 Wake Forest
Opening line: Clemson -7; Over/Under 56.5
Time: Noon ET Saturday (ABC)
UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Clemson is now an 8-point favorite on DraftKings' college football Week 4 odds board. That's after opening -8.5 and quickly dropping to -7 on Sunday, then toggling between -7 and -7.5 throughout the week. The line returned to -8 a short time ago.
Point-spread ticket count and money are in the 2/1 range on Clemson.
The total dipped from 57 to 55.5 early in the week, but rebounded to 57 by this morning. Ticket count is 3/1 and money 4/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 7 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Clemson has been pretty much painted to -7 all week at PointsBet USA, save for a couple of short early stints at -7.5. Point-spread tickets and money are both running 3/1-plus on the road favorite Tigers.
The total opened at 57 and dropped to 55.5 by Monday morning, then spent time Wednesday/Thursday at 56. It's been stable at 55.5 since Thursday morning, although 81% of early bets and 93% of early dollars are on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Clemson spent Sunday and Monday toggling between the -7.5 opener and -7 in Caesars Sports' college football Week 4 odds market. The Tigers have been stable at -7 since late Monday night. Early point-spread ticket count is approaching 4/1 and early spread money is 7/1 on the Tigers.
The total opened at 57, dialed down to 55.5 by Monday morning, rebounded to 56 Wednesday evening and is now 55.5 again. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Clemson is hoping to remain in the CFP conversation too, as it preps for its sternest test so far. The Tigers (3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS) had no trouble with Louisiana Tech in Week 3, winning 48-20, but they failed to cash laying a hefty 33.5 points.
Wake Forest (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) got all it could handle from Liberty in Week 3. The Demon Deacons actually trailed 23-20 entering the fourth quarter. But Wake scrambled to escape with a 37-36 home win as a 17-point chalk.
Clemson stuck at -7 for much of today, then moved out to -8 this evening in TwinSpires' college football Week 4 odds market. Wake is taking 53% of spread bets, while 55% of spread cash is on Clemson.
"Two-way action early in the week," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total is down a point to 55.5, with Lucas noting sharp play on Under 56.5. The Over is seeing 63% of early tickets, and 71% of early dollars are on the Under.
Maryland vs No. 4 Michigan
Opening line: Michigan -17; Over/Under 62
Time: Noon ET Saturday (FOX)
UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings pegged Michigan an 18.5-point chalk, quickly went to -19.5, then backed up to -17.5 Sunday afternoon. By Sunday evening, the Wolverines were at -17, and they dipped to -16.5 Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday, Michigan returned to -17, and in the past half hour, the number ticked up to -17.5. It's all Wolverines on the spread, with ticket count 9/1 and money running 6/1.
The total climbed from 62.5 to 65.5 early in the week, backed up to 64 by this morning and is now 64.5. The Over is seeing 64% of tickets/72% of money.
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Michigan opened and has spent most of the week as a 17-point chalk in PointsBet USA's college football week 4 odds market. The line bounced down to -16.5 a couple of times from Monday until Wednesday.
Still, the public can't get enough of the Wolverines. Point-spread ticket count and spread dollars are both beyond 9/1 on Michigan.
"This is one of our most lopsided games in terms of action," PointsBet sports analyst Mike Korn said. "That being said, the line has held pretty much steady at -17. We'll have a close eye on the Wolverines vs. the Terps in the early slate Saturday."
PointsBet opened the total at 62, inched to 62.5 Monday morning, then shot to 65.5 Tuesday morning. By Wednesday afternoon, the total receded to 64.5 where it sits now. The Over is taking 64% of tickets/58% of money.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Caesars Sports moved the Wolverines from -17 Sunday afternoon to -16.5 Monday morning. Since then, the line has bounced between Michigan -16.5 and -17 multiple times.
Michigan is currently -17, and it's all Wolverines on the point spread. Michigan is netting 92% of early spread tickets and 86% of early spread dollars.
The total shot from 62 to 65.5 by late Tuesday morning and pretty much stuck at 65.5 until Wednesday evening, when it peeled back to 64.5. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Michigan (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS), which reached the CFP semifinals last year, has three blowouts to its credit this season. In Week 3, the Wolverines blanked UConn 59-0 laying a massive 47.5 points at home.
Maryland is out of the blocks 3-0 SU, too (2-1 ATS), but this week is a big step up against a Big Ten heavyweight. The Terrapins needed two fourth-quarter TDs to hold off SMU 34-27 as 2.5-point Week 4 home faves.
Michigan moved from -17 to -17.5 and back to -17 Monday in TwinSpires' college football Week 4 odds market.
"The majority of the action is already coming in on Michigan," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said, noting the Wolverines are seeing 70% of spread bets/77% of spread money.
The total initially ticked down to 61.5, but it's now at 62.5. The Over is seeing 63% of tickets/52% of money.
No. 17 Baylor vs Iowa State
Opening line: Iowa State -1; Over/Under 44.5
Time: Noon ET Saturday (ESPN2)
UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Shortly before kickoff, Iowa State is a 2.5-point favorite at DraftKings, which opened Baylor a 1.5-point road fave. The Cyclones touched -3 midweek. Baylor is seeing 56% of spread bets, while 55% of spread money is on Iowa State.
The total opened at 45, dipped to 44.5, rose to 46 and is now 45. The Over is taking 72% of tickets and 55% of money.
UPDATE 7 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Iowa State opened as a 1-point home favorite at PointsBet USA and stretched out to -2.5 by Monday morning. The Cyclones advanced to -3 late Tuesday afternoon and have been stable at -2.5 since Wednesday afternoon.
It's two-way action on the spread at PointsBet, with Baylor taking 60% of tickets, while money is running almost dead even.
The total opened at 45, inched down to 44.5, then peaked at 46 Tuesday morning. The number spent the past couple of days at 45.5, then went to 45 late this afternoon. Ticket count and money are both about 3/2 on the Over.
UPDATE 3 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This number has bounced around a bit in Caesars Sports' college football Week 4 odds market. After opening Baylor -1 Sunday afternoon, the line initially went to pick, then back to Baylor -1.
But Sunday night, the line jumped the fence to Iowa State -2, then Monday morning went to Cyclones -2.5 and -3. It's since toggled between Cyclones -3 and -2.5 a couple of times and is currently -2.5. That said, Baylor is netting 60% of early spread bets/65% of early spread money.
Caesars opened the total at 45, bottomed out at 44.5 Sunday night, peaked at 46 Tuesday morning and is now at 45.5. Betting splits on the total aren't available today.
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET MONDAY: Iowa State (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) puts its early-season perfect mark on the line in a Big 12 clash. In Week 3, the Cyclones rolled over Ohio 43-10 giving 19.5 points at home.
Baylor (2-1 SU and ATS), coming off an overtime loss at BYU, had little trouble in Week 3. The Bears closed as 29.5-point home favorites against Texas State and coasted 42-7.
TwinSpires stretched the unranked Cyclones out to -2.5 by this afternoon, and it's now Iowa State -2. Baylor is seeing 53% of spread bets, while Iowa State is netting 61% of spread money.
"This has a similar feeling to Michigan State-Washington, with the sharp money coming in on the unranked favorite," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total nudged up from 44.5 to 45, with 55% of bets/58% of cash on the Over.
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