College Football Week 8 Opening Odds Report
College football Week 8 odds feature a battle of ACC unbeatens, with surprising Syracuse traveling to face Clemson. The outcome could impact College Football Playoff championship odds, and the CFP rankings themselves, which debut Nov. 1.
Also, Alabama looks to rebound and stay relevant in the CFP odds market, playing host to Mississippi State.
Let's dive into Week 8 college football odds and action, with insights from multiple oddsmakers and sportsbooks. Check back regularly for updates.
College Football Week 8 Odds
No. 24 Mississippi State vs No. 6 Alabama
Opening line: Alabama -21.5; Over/Under 62
Time: 7 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPN)
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Thirty minutes pre-kick, Alabama is laying 21 points in WynnBet's college football Week 8 odds market. The line has stuck there pretty much all week, after opening at -22 and falling to -21 bny Monday morning.
Point-spread tickets and money are both running about 2/1 on Alabama. WynnBet said it will need the big 'dog Bulldogs to cover tonight.
The total opened at 61, sat at 62 early in the week, dipped to 60.5 by Wednesday, then rose to 61 Thursday and 62 again earlier this evening. It's currently 61.5, with ticket count 4/1 on the Over, but money running dead even.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Caesars Sports opened the Crimson Tide as 21.5-point faves on the college football Week 8 odds board. Monday morning, 'Bama backed up a tick to -21, and the number hasn't moved since.
Alabama is seeing a modest majority 56% of early spread bets, though that's translating into 79% of spread dollars.
The total opened at 62, dipped to 61 by Tuesday morning and has been steady at 60.5 since Wednesday afternoon at Caesars. Ticket count is 4/1 and money just shy of 2/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Alabama dug itself into a 28-10 second-quarter hole at Tennessee in Week 7, then rallied to turn the SEC clash into a scoring bonanza. However, the Crimson Tide (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) – 9-point favorites – ultimately lost 52-49 on a final-seconds field goal.
Mississippi State (5-2 SU, 4-2-1 ATS) had a chance to bolster its status in Week 7 at Kentucky, but couldn't get the job done. The Bulldogs went off as 3.5-point favorites and lost outright, 27-17.
Alabama opened -21.5 at TwinSpires, dialed back to -20.5, returned to -21.5 and is now splitting the difference at -21. Big underdog Mississippi State is drawing 57% of early spread tickets/59% of early spread dollars.
"The public is also on the 'dog here early. Not a surprise with how Alabama has looked lately," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total is stable at 62, with 69% of early bets/63% of early cash on the Over.
No. 17 Kansas State at No. 8 TCU
Opening line: Texas Christian -4.5; Over/Under 59
Time: 8 p.m. ET Saturday (TV TBD)
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Ninety minutes before kickoff, WynnBet has TCU at -3.5, where the number has been since Monday morning. The Horned Frogs opened -5 Sunday afternoon, quickly went to -4 and right back to -5, then Monday morning went to -4.5/-4/-3.5.
Since then, the line has been at various iterations of TCU -3.5, and it's currently -3.5 flat. Spread ticket count is approaching 2/1 on Kansas State, and spread money is much more lopsided at 7/1 Wildcats.
Plus, 72% of moneyline wagers are on Kansas State, which is currently +145. WynnBet said this game is one of the day's bigger decisions, and the book will need the Horned Frogs in pretty much all ways.
WynnBet opened the total at 59 (Over -115), dipped to 58.5 and back to 59 Sunday afternoon, then fell to 58 by Tuesday morning. That was just the beginning of the decline, though, as the total steadily dropped until bottoming out at 53 Thursday night.
It's been at 54.5 since Friday night, with 74% of tickets on the Over/63% of money on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Caesars Sports opened the Horned Frogs as 6-point home favorites Sunday afternoon, and the number quickly adjusted to TCU -4.5. The line spent Sunday night and Monday morning toggling between TCU -4.5 and -5, then late Monday morning dipped to -3.5.
There's been no movement since, with early spread ticket count running 2/1 and early spread money 3/1 on road underdog Kansas State.
Caesars' total tumbled from 59 Sunday to 54 by Wednesday morning, with stops at several points in between. It's been at 55 since Wednesday evening. The Over is seeing 54% of tickets, but 68% of cash is on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: TCU is yet another unexpected unbeaten at this point of the season, sitting 6-0 SU/4-1-1 ATS. The Horned Frogs took a big step in the Big 12 race by knocking off previously unbeaten Oklahoma State 43-40 in overtime. But TCU closed as 5.5-point home chalk, taking its first ATS loss of the season.
Kansas State (5-1 SU, 4-1-1 ATS) could've entered this game unbeaten, as well, were it not for a shocking Week 3 outright home loss to Tulane. However, the Wildcats responded by bouncing Oklahoma – as 13.5-point road 'dogs, no less – Texas Tech and Iowa State.
In Week 6 against the Cyclones, K-State notched an ugly 10-9 road victory, pushing as a 1-point road favorite. The Wildcats had a bye in Week 7.
TCU is already down a point to -3.5 at TwinSpires, while taking 67% of early spread bets and a nominal majority 52% of early spread money.
"Sharp play on Kansas State +4.5," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total went from 59 to 59.5, then dipped to 58.5. Splits aren't available at the moment.
No. 7 Mississippi vs LSU
Opening line: Ole Miss -1; Over/Under 64
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (CBS)
UPDATE 2:15 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Seventy-five minutes ahead of kickoff, this line is now a pick 'em at DraftKings, after a week of bouncing around. Ole Miss opened -1 Sunday afternoon and went to -1.5 shortly thereafter, but on Monday afternoon, the line jumped the fence to LSU -1 and then -1.5.
LSU went to -2 Wednesday afternoon, -2.5 Thursday and -3 briefly on Friday. The number then made its way to pick by this afternoon. Ole Miss is taking 62% of spread tickets/53% of spread cash.
DraftKings opened the total at 64, steadily climbed to 68 by Wednesday afternoon, then by Friday afternoon plunged to 64.5. It's now back at the 64 opener, with the Under getting 64% of tickets/53% of money.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: This line has seen significant movement in Caesars Sports' college football Week 8 odds market. Ole Miss opened as a 2.5-point chalk and within about 30 minutes late Sunday afternoon dipped to -1.5. By Monday morning, the line was at pick 'em, and by Monday afternoon, the number jumped the fence to LSU -1.5.
But it didn't stop there. On Wednesday afternoon, the unranked Tigers got to -2.5, and early this afternoon, the Bayou Bengals went to -2.5, where they sit now. Mississippi is actually seeing 62% of early spread tickets, but spread money is almost dead even, at 51% on the Rebels.
"The sharps have been all over LSU, with it now leaning in the direction of LSU -2.5/-3,” Caesars lead college football trader Joey Feazel said. “LSU has quietly been playing good football — they’ve had two big losses, but they beat a good Mississippi State team at home, and last week they handled Florida. I would say they’ve exceeded expectations in Brian Kelly’s first year.
"On the other side of it, I don’t think Ole Miss has played anybody that great yet. They don’t have that signature win. It’s always interesting to see the line going the opposite way of the highly ranked team, and we’re going to need LSU here, even with the sharp action on them.”
The total opened at 64 and steadily made its way to 68 by Wednesday afternoon. However, it's fallen back to 66.5 today. The Under is getting 59% of tickets, while money is running dead even.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Ole Miss is perfect on the field, at 7-0 SU, but sub-average at the betting window, at 3-4 ATS. In Week 7, the Rebels topped Auburn 48-34, barely failing to cover as 15-point home faves.
Meanwhile, LSU (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) has won five of its last six, after a season-opening loss at Florida State. The Tigers closed as 1.5-point pups at Florida in Week 7 and took it to the Gators. LSU outscored Florida 35-7 over the second and third quarters to take a 42-21 lead, then made it stand up in a 45-35 victory.
This line has already seen noteworthy movement at TwinSpires. After opening Mississippi -1 and initially moving the Rebels to -1.5, TwinSpires jumped the fence this afternoon to LSU -1.5. Ole Miss is getting 56% of early spread bets, but 63% of early spread cash is on LSU.
"Sharp play on LSU," TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.
The total is out to 66.5 from the 64 opener, with early tickets 2.5/1 and early money 3/1 on the Over.
No. 9 UCLA vs No. 10 Oregon
Opening line: Oregon -6; Over/Under 71.5
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (FOX)
UPDATE 2 P.M. ET THURSDAY: With kickoff 75 minutes out, Oregon is laying 7 points in DraftKings' college football Week 8 odds market. That's up a point from Sunday's -6 opener, where the line spent almost all week, at various prices. This morning, the number went to Ducks -6.5 and quickly followed to -7.
That said, point-spread tickets and money are both in the 3/1 range on UCLA at DK. It's a matchup that several books have described as Pros vs Joes throughout the week, with sharp play on the Ducks and the public on the Bruins.
The total opened at 70.5, bottomed out at 69.5 Tuesday and peaked at 72 Wednesday. Since then, it's been at 71, 70.5 and 70, and it's now 70.5. The Over is getting 58% of tickets/74% of money.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Oregon opened as a 4.5-point favorite at Caesars Sports and quickly jumped to -6 and briefly to -6.5 Sunday night. The Ducks have since been at -6, with opinion split: UCLA is netting 74% of early spread tickets, while 55% of early spread cash is on Oregon.
"This is an interesting matchup, with both teams coming off a bye,” Caesars lead college football trader Joey Feazel said. “When we see tickets on one side and money on the other, it tends to be sharp vs. public, and the sharps really like Oregon here. Bo Nix has looked the best he’s ever looked, in my opinion. UCLA has two really big wins against Washington and Utah, but both came at home. The fact that this is only [UCLA's] second road game of the season, that may be a factor [in] why Oregon has been getting sharp money.
"Whoever wins this game is going to be the clear Pac-12 favorite.”
Caesars opened the total at 70.5 and backed up to 69.5 by Tuesday morning. But by Wednesday night, the number climbed to 72, where it stands now. Contrary to the climb, 57% of tickets/56% of dollars are on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Like Syracuse, UCLA is another surprise unbeaten. The Bruins (6-2 SU, 4-2 ATS) are coming off a bye week, after rolling past Utah 42-32 as 3-point home underdogs in Week 6.
Oregon is also well-rested for this key Pac-12 showdown, having a Week 7 bye. In Week 6, the Ducks (5-1 SU, 4-2 ATS) razed Arizona 45-22 laying 13.5 points on the road. Oregon is 5-0 SU/4-1 ATS since getting shellacked vs. Georgia 49-3 in the season opener.
TwinSpires' opening line of Ducks -6 is stable, though early tickets and money are both running beyond 2/1 on the Bruins.
"This looks to be the game of the week," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said. "The majority of bets are on the undefeated Bruins. It's early, but it would not surprise me if we need Oregon here."
The total dipped from 71.5 to 70.5, with the Over getting 74% of early tickets/53% of early money.
No. 14 Syracuse vs No. 5 Clemson
Opening line: Clemson -13.5; Over/Under 51.5
Time: Noon ET Saturday (ABC)
UPDATE 11:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Forty-five minutes pre-kick, WynnBet's college football Week 8 odds board has Clemson as a 14-point home chalk. The Tigers opened at -13.5 Sunday and initially fell back to -12.5, then spent most of the week at -13.5. On Friday, the line went to Clemson -14.
Syracuse is taking 60% of spread tickets at WynnBet, while 70% of spread money is on Clemson.
The total is down to 50 from a 51.5 opener and a low point of 49.5. The Over is getting 72% of tickets, but 72% of cash is on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Clemson is a 13.5-point chalk at Caesars Sports, after opening -14, briefly touching -12.5 Sunday night and climbing to -14 Monday morning. The number has been steady at Tigers -13.5 since Monday afternoon.
Early action is leaning toward nearly two-TD underdog Syracuse, which is taking 59% of spread tickets/57% of spread money.
After opening at 51.5, the total bottomed out Wednesday at 49.5, where it remains now. The Over is drawing 61% of tickets, while 66% of cash is on the Under.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: At 6-0 SU, Syracuse is the upstart among the nine unbeaten teams in the AP poll. And the Orange are getting it done for bettors each week, too, standing 5-1 ATS. In Week 7, the 'Cuse closed as 3-point home chalk against North Carolina State and had little trouble in a 24-9 victory.
Clemson (7-0 SU, 4-3 ATS), which missed the CFP last year but is pretty much always in the conversation, has covered in its last three games. The Tigers traveled to Florida State in Week 7, took a 34-14 lead midway through the third quarter, then held on for a 34-28 win as 4.5-point favorites.
TwinSpires Sportsbook opened Clemson -13.5 and remains there this afternoon. Syracuse is taking 60% of early spread tickets/58% of early spread money.
"The public is on the 'dog early in the week," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
TwinSpires opened the total at 51.5 and receded a notch to 51, with 63% of tickets on the Over/79% of cash on the Under.
"Sharp play on the Under," Lucas said.
Iowa at No. 2 Ohio State
Opening line: Ohio State -29.5; Over/Under 49
Time: Noon ET Saturday (FOX)
UPDATE 11:30 A.M. ET SATURDAY: The Buckeyes are laying 30 points at WynnBet, after opening -28.5 Sunday and spending much of the week at -29.5. Ohio State is netting 60% of spread tickets and 88% of spread money.
The total rose from 48.5 to 49 right out of the gate, and it's been at 50 since Thursday. The Over is netting 73% of tickets, but just 54% of money.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET THURSDAY: Ohio State opened -28 in Caesars' college football Week 8 odds market, spent the early part of the week at -29, went to 29.5 Wednesday and 30 this morning. Iowa is seeing 57% of early spread tickets, taking that huge number, but 73% of early spread money is on the big favorite Buckeyes.
The total went from 49 to 49.5 Sunday, back to 49 Tuesday, then returned to 49.5 this morning. Ticket count is close, with a slight lean to the Under, but 77% of money is on the Over.
UPDATE 4 P.M. ET MONDAY: Coming off a Week 7 bye, Ohio State (6-0 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) will be rested and ready for what's expected to be an easy contest against scoring-challenged Iowa. In Week 6, the Buckeyes went to Michigan State as massive 27-point favorites and coasted to a 49-20 victory.
While Ohio State has put up 45 or more points in five of six games, Iowa (3-3 SU and ATS) has scored 14 or less in four of its six outings. That includes three games scoring 7 points or less, among them a total dud of a Week 6 contest. The Hawkeyes lost 9-6 loss at Illinois, though they cashed as 3.5-point pups.
Like Ohio State, Iowa had a bye in Week 7.
The Buckeyes dipped a point early on at TwinSpires, to -28.5, and they're now at -29. Iowa State is taking 62% of early bets/58% of early money.
"The public is grabbing Iowa and the points," TwinSpires' Zachary Lucas said.
The total went from 49 to 49.5 and back to 49 on two-way play, with 52% of bets/54% of cash on the Over.
College Football News
-
COLLEGE-FOOTBALL NOV 12, 2024College Football Odds Week 12: Lines, Betting Trends on Biggest Games
- COLLEGE-FOOTBALL NOV 10, 2024
2024 Heisman Trophy Odds, Betting Trends: Everything You Need To Know
- COLLEGE-FOOTBALL NOV 10, 2024
College Football Playoff Odds Report, Trends 2024-25: Everything You Need To Know
- COLLEGE-FOOTBALL OCT 22, 2024
2024 Heisman Trophy Odds
- COLLEGE-FOOTBALL AUG 14, 2024
College Football Playoff Odds: Expansion Will Impact Betting Strategy
- COLLEGE-FOOTBALL AUG 3, 2024
Big 12 Football Championship Odds: Oklahoma State Draws Lopsided Action
