Deion Effect: The Public Still Loves Colorado

BetMGM Data

As I always say, some of the most important information a sports bettor can receive is the sportsbooks' betting splits, which tell us where the money and tickets are going in a certain market. This can let us see where the big money wagers are and where the sharps are placing their bets, and perhaps most importantly, the biggest liability for the book. Vegas keeps building casinos every year, and it isn't because they are losing on their biggest liabilities.

Taking a look at the "Odds to make playoffs" in the college football market, it is very easy to recognize where the public is betting once again. No team is getting more bets placed on them to make the playoffs than the Colorado Buffaloes, who are getting a whopping 6.8% of the total tickets in the market. The closest team to them is Alabama, getting 6.4%.

What is perhaps more telling is that only 4.5% of the total handle is on Colorado, so many of those tickets are just small casual bettors that buy into the "Coach Prime" hype. This same exact thing happened last season and the Buffs didn't even come close to making even a bowl game.

Meanwhile, despite being heavily juiced at -750 to make the playoff, Ohio State has gotten the most money wagered on them at 12.7% of the handle. That price is up from a -550 opener, showing how likely they are to make it.

Best Bet

So far, I have two bets placed on teams to make the CFP in 2025. I really like Texas A&M and their chances to make it, so I grabbed them at 3/1 odds a couple of weeks ago. That is now down to +240, but I still like it.

The other bet I have placed is on Clemson, who everyone seems to be down on now. This is still one of the most prestigious schools in the country and is loaded with talent. If I am getting 2/1 odds, I am going to take that for them to make the playoff. It's around +180 in the market now, and I still would be betting that.