College football’s rivalry week isn’t just big for the teams and fans.
Some of the most heavily bet games in Week 14 are historic feuds, highlighted by Saturday’s Michigan-Ohio State showdown.
“The Game” is getting a ton of action this week in Michigan vs. Ohio State predictions and picks, according to insights provided by sportsbooks.
In the most-bet game at BetMGM, No. 2 Ohio State is looking to avenge back-to-back losses to the team up North as a 19.5-point favorite. The Buckeyes are getting 60% of the bets and 51% of the handle.
The Wolverines are the most-bet team and underdog on the sportsbook’s board, and the over 42.5 is the most-bet total of the week.
This rivalry is getting the biggest handle among all Week 14 games listed at ESPN BET, which has seen 62.7% of the bets and 67.5% of the handle on the Buckeyes, despite the line falling three points to -19.5.
Other rivalry games
No. 5 Notre Dame is the second-most bet team and has the highest amount of money on them as a 7.5-point favorite at BetMGM in the annual rivalry game with USC. The Irish are getting 77% of the handle and 61% of the action.
ESPN BET has seen 85.1% of the tickets and 71.8% of the money come in on Notre Dame, which has won five of the last six meetings in the series.
No. 3 Texas plays No. 20 Texas A&M for the 119th time in the series on Saturday night in a rivalry that hasn’t taken place since 2011. Now with the Longhorns in the SEC, the renewal has the second-most money at ESPN BET backing the 5.5-point road favorite. However, the underdog Aggies are getting 84.9% of the handle.
The Palmetto State’s annual rivalry between No. 15 South Carolina and No. 12 Clemson offers big stakes as both teams are still alive in the College Football Playoff race. This game is also the fifth-most bet game in terms of handle at ESPN BET in Week 14. South Carolina is the second-most bet underdog on the moneyline at +125 at BetMGM.
Playoff push
The last week before conference championship games has several teams scrambling to impress the playoff committee and bettors looking to get action on the futures market.
BetMGM reported this week that Indiana to make the playoffs is the sportsbook’s biggest liability, despite the Hoosiers' loss last week at Ohio State that dropped them from fifth to 10th in the CFP rankings. Indiana went from -500 to be in the 12-team field to -3,000. Colorado, which still needs some help to get in, is the second biggest liability with Army coming in third.
No. 8 Tennessee fell from -135 last week to -500 this week and has 5% of the tickets at BetMGM, the highest among all teams. The Vols are hoping to be one of at least three SEC teams that look like they’re in solid shape to get in, but others could have big weeks that could take UT out of the mix.
