The Sugar Bowl kicks off on Thursday with a new team favored.
The College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Notre Dame and Georgia was postponed on Wednesday after a man drove a truck into a Bourbon Street crowd in New Orleans, killing 15 people. Authorities were still investigating the attack throughout the day, so the previously scheduled night game was moved.
Once a revised time was set for 4 p.m. on Thursday, sports betting operators released a new spread for the game, going from Georgia -1.5 to making Notre Dame a slight favorite.
“While Notre Dame moved to -1, the moneyline is a pick'em,” a BetMGM spokesperson told Covers. “We are seeing good action on both teams.”
BetMGM reported that moneyline splits are nearly even, with 51% of the bets and 52% of the handle narrowly backing Notre Dame. As for the spread, Georgia is getting 54% of the tickets and 51% of the money.
Still popular?
At DraftKings, the Notre Dame vs. Georgia odds are listed at -110 each with 52% of the money and 55% of the wagers backing the SEC champion.
On Tuesday, DraftKings reported that the Bulldogs were the most-bet team by handle and tickets, receiving 77% of the money and 69% of the tickets.
Now a 1-point underdog with -115 odds, Georgia has accounted for 67% of the handle and 62% of the bets.
At ESPN BET, Notre Dame got as low as a 2-point underdog. Currently at -1, the Irish account for 50.04% of the tickets and 51.4% of the handle, while the Bulldogs account for 51.9% of the handle and 47.4% of the moneyline bets at -105.
Before the new line came out, a Nevada bettor wagered $100,000 at Caesars Sportsbook on the Notre Dame ML (+110) to net $110,000.
A bettor in Nevada placed $100K on the Notre Dame ML (+110) 🍀
— Caesars Sportsbook & Casino (@CaesarsSports) January 1, 2025
Potential Win: $110K pic.twitter.com/0RFbittPxa
Other Sugar Bowl markets
Wagers on the point total are also very close. DraftKings reported that 58% of the bets and 51% of the money is on the over 45.5. BetMGM has 52% of the bets and 46% of the handle on the under.
Also at BetMGM, the most-bet player prop is on Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard to go over 40.5 rushing yards at -130. Georgia receiver Arian Smith is the second-most popular wager to go over 38.5 receiving yards at -115 followed by Bulldog running back Trevor Etienne to go over 84.5 yards at -115.
Bettors are showing a lot of love for Jeremiyah Love. The Notre Dame rusher is the most-bet player to score an anytime touchdown at -150. Leonard is second at +125 followed by Etienne (-175), Georgia QB Gunner Stockton (+225), and receiver Dominic Lovett (+280).
National title change
Ohio State’s impressive 41-21 dismantling of Oregon in the Rose Bowl shifted the National Championship winner futures market at BetMGM. The Buckeyes went from +350 to +125, leaping Texas to become the new favorite.
The Longhorns, who narrowly escaped Arizona State 39-31 in overtime in the Peach Bowl, stayed at +300. The Sun Devils' elimination was key for the sportsbook, which had previously reported ASU as the biggest liability in the market.
Ohio State is getting 14.3% of the tickets and 22% of the handle to win the inaugural 12-team CFP.
