Las Vegas Money on Alabama, USC for College Football National Championship

Posted on: August 4, 2017, 03:00h. 

Last updated on: August 4, 2017, 03:17h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Alabama is once again the leading money getter at Las Vegas sportsbooks for the College Football Playoff National Championship. According to William Hill, the Tide has received the most money wagered at its Nevada sportsbooks, with USC, Ohio State, Florida State, and Michigan rounding out the top five.

Alabama college football odds
William Hill has taken more money on Alabama than any other team in college football. (Image: Jon SooHoo/UPI)

In the Coaches Poll released this week, those who know the game best also think Alabama is the team to beat. Of the 65 coaches, 49 put the Tide at the top.

Ohio State is ranked second and garnered five first-place votes. Florida State is ranked third, with USC four and defending champion Clemson five.

Alabama has appeared in the last two CFP National Championship games (as has Clemson), winning the 2015 title. Since 2009, Nick Saban’s team has competed in five national championships, winning all but last January’s contest to Clemson.

The BCS National Championship was reformatted into the College Football Playoff for the 2013 season.

Most Bets on USC

The Westgate SuperBook has Alabama at 3-1 to win its fifth championship since 2009. Ohio State and USC (15-2), Florida State (8-1), Oklahoma (10-1), and Michigan (14-1) trail.

While the Crimson Tide are the undisputed preseason favorites and the most money wagered in Las Vegas is on them winning it all, there’s more bettors backing the USC Trojans. In fact, Alabama isn’t even in the top three in terms of tickets issued.

William Hill reports that USC, Michigan, and Ohio State have taken in the most slips, then followed by Alabama.

The most dominant program in the 2000s, labeled the “Team of the Decade” by sports outlets, the Trojans fell on tough times after coach Pete Carroll left town for the NFL. His successor Lane Kiffin failed to keep the program in elite status.

But coming off a 10-3 campaign by first-year coach Clay Helton, and a Rose Bowl win over Penn State (ranked #6 in Coaches Poll), there’s much enthusiasm in Southern California.

Online sportsbook Bovada has USC at +700 to win the CFP National Championship, the third-best line in the country. A $100 wager would net the bettor $700 should the Trojans win their first title since 2004.

Underdog Attractions

Alabama, Ohio State, USC, Florida State: it’s a familiar group of teams getting the most play at sportsbooks, which means there’s plenty of other schools that provide a substantially bigger reward with only a little more risk.

The defending champs are getting little respect by oddsmakers after losing Deshaun Watson, the program’s greatest player in team history. The team’s 2017 success will rely heavily on Kelly Bryant’s play at the quarterback position. He’ll be supported by a strong returning offensive line and deep crop of receivers.

Bovada has Clemson long at +2800 to repeat, an attractive offering to Tiger faithful.

Penn State might also appeal to the school’s passionate fanbase. The Nittany Lions return Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley, two preseason Heisman candidates, and are coming off an 11-win season.

Bovada has the Lions at +1400 to win their first title since 1986.