When we first checked in on the line for the College Football Playoff national championship game, we knew Ohio State would be a pretty significant underdog. And, upon first release of the line from BetMGM, that proved to be true. The Buckeyes opened as a 7.5 point dog to Alabama.
What I also find interesting is how that line moves throughout the week. News of player availability and money being put down significantly on one side can make the odds fluctuate. There isn’t normally a huge run either way, but it can go up or down a little.
That appears to be the case as we get closer to game time in Miami as well. In the latest odds on BetMGM’s website, Ohio State is now an 8.5 underdog to the Crimson Tide, meaning things moved a whole point in favor of Nick Saban’s crew.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
To tell you the truth, the Buckeyes would have it no other way. It’s not often OSU can use the underdog card, but when they can, they seem to embrace it as Ohio against the world (look up last Friday).
Oh, and in case you are wondering, Alabama was favored by more than that when the two last met in the Sugar Bowl at the end of the 2014 season. Like I said, Ohio State embraces these moments.
Ohio State football’s national championships through the years
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