College Football Odds Week 16: Opening Lines and Sharp Money

College football odds for Week 16 are up and drawing dollars, with conference championship games dotting the schedule. Clemson gets a shot at revenge against Notre Dame in the ACC title tilt, while COVID issues forced Washington out of, and Oregon into, the Pac-12 finale against USC. 

Multiple oddsmakers provided insights on college football Week 16 opening lines, early line movement, sharp money and public betting for this week's matchups. Covers will update this action report with college football sharp picks vs. public bets and line movement throughout the week.

College Football Week 16 Odds

These are the current College football Week 16 odds for the premier games on the schedule. Click on each matchup in the table below to get updated in-depth information on the opening lines, sharp money, public betting and odds movement as we get closer to kickoff.

UAB at (21) Marshall Odds

Opening line

Marshall -5.5, Over/Under 41.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Marshall is down to -3.5 from a -5.5 opener at FanDuel, even though ticket count is beyond 5/1 and money about 4/1 on the host Thundering Herd for tonight's CUSA title tilt. The total is up two points to 43.5, with ticket count approaching 5/1 and money about 3/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Marshall ticked from -5.5 to -5 Thursday at William Hill US, and the number remains -5 now. The host Thundering Herd are taking 76 percent of point-spread bets, but spread money is much more two-way action, with 56 percent on Marshall.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: DraftKings moved from Marshall -5.5 to -5 and back by Tuesday morning, and that's where the number is now, with 85 percent of bets and 70 percent of money on the Thundering Herd. The total has ping-ponged between 42.5 and 42 countless times already, though 90 percent of bets and 68 percent of dollars are on the Over.

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FanDuel opened the Thundering Herd 5.5-point home favorites in the Conference USA championship game, and the number is still Marshall -5.5 Monday night. Marshall is taking 86 percent of early tickets and 74 percent of early money. The total bounced from 41.5 to 42.5 and back to 41.5, but FanDuel's betting splits aren't yet available.

Ball State vs Buffalo Odds

Opening line

Buffalo -11.5, Over/Under 66.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Buffalo is up to -13.5 from a -11.5 opener at FanDuel, where 83 percent of tickets and 89 percent of cash on the spread is landing on the Bulls. The total is up three points to 69.5, with 80 percent of tickets/88 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Buffalo opened -13.5 at William Hill US and stuck there all week before dipping to -13 this afternoon, on splits similar to the UAB-Marshall tilt. The Bulls are getting 80 percent of spread bets, but just 52 percent of spread cash for tonight's MACtion championship contest.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: The Bulls are up to -14 from a -12.5 opener at DraftKings, where Buffalo is landing nearly 90 percent of tickets and money. The total is up a point to 67.5, with 90 percent of bets/87 percent of money on the Over.

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Buffalo is already up two points Monday night at Fanduel, sitting at -13.5 for the Mid-American Conference title game at Detroit's Ford Field. The Bulls are drawing 86 percent of tickets and 97 percent of money. The total is steady at 66.5, though practically all the tickets and dollars through Monday night are on the Over.

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(23) Oregon at (13) USC Odds

Opening line

Southern Cal -3.5, Over/Under 62.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 7:55 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Shortly before the Pac-12 championship game kickoff, USC dipped from -3.5 to -2.5 at FanDuel, back where the number opened. However, just minutes later, it went back to Trojans -3.5, with 63 percent of tickets and 61 percent of money on USC. The total moved from 62.5 to 61.5, then up to 65.5, with tickets and money in the 5/1 range on the Over.

UPDATE 4:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: USC went from -3.5 to -4, then down to -3 at DraftKings, where 75 percent of spread tickets and 59 percent of spread dollars are on the Trojans. The total moved from 62.5 to 61.5 early, got to 63.5 midweek and is now up to 65.5, with 84 percent of tickets/92 percent of cash on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The first Power 5 conference championship game, with an 8 p.m. ET kickoff tonight, saw USC go from -2.5 to -3.5, then spend much of the week at -3 at William Hill US. Ticket count and money are in the 4/1 range on the Trojans.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Trojans opened -3.5 at PointsBet USA on Monday afternoon, and the line has been stable at -3 since Tuesday afternoon, with 68 percent of tickets on USC and 53 percent of money on Oregon. The total upped from 62 to 64. "Overwhelming early action on the Over in this one, with nearly 90 percent of the tickets and handle," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Southern Cal is a fairly stable 3.5-point chalk at DraftKings, save for a few minutes Tuesday morning at -4. The Trojans are taking 92 percent of tickets, but just 63 percent of money on the spread. The total initially dipped from 62.5 to 61.5 at DK, but it's now up to 63.5, though the betting splits aren't yet available.

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Oregon is a substitute invitee to Friday night's Pac-12 championship game, after Washington had to withdraw Monday due to COVID issues within the program. Host USC opened -2.5 and quickly went to -3.5, which is where the line remains Monday evening on some interesting early betting splits: 78 percent of tickets are on the Trojans, while 79 percent of money is on the Ducks.

The total is down a point to 61.5, though the early splits don't reflect that, with 87 percent of tickets and pretty much every dollar on the Over.

(14) Northwestern vs (4) Ohio State Odds

Opening line

Ohio State -20.5, Over/Under 58.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 11:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Less than an hour before kickoff, Ohio State is dropping rapidly, now sitting -16.5 at FanDuel. However, tickets and money are still running more than 3/1 on the Buckeyes. The total moved from 59.5 to 55.5 to 56.5, with 70 percent of bets/74 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Covers Consensus, often indicative of where the public stands, has 57 percent of picks on Ohio State. So Northwestern is certainly getting its share of support at 43 percent and is now +18.5, after opening +20 and growing to +21. The total opened 59.5 and is down to 56, though Covers Consensus has a 2/1 count on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: William Hill US opened the Buckeyes -20, spent a couple of days at -20.5 and is now down to -19.5, although Ohio State is still attracting 70 percent of tickets and 88 percent of cash on the spread. "This one is interesting,” director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said. “I’m starting to see some lower lines out there. I do think, when push comes to shove, that they will bet Ohio State just because of years of Ohio State being dominant and Northwestern being vanilla. I do think we’ll need Northwestern, but I don’t know if it will be a huge decision."

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The line opened Buckeyes -20.5 and is currently -20.5 at PointsBet USA, with visits to -19.5 on the low end and 21 on the high end. "Most of the early action is coming in on the Buckeyes, with 80 percent of the spread tickets and handle," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said. "It will be interesting to see which side of the key number 21 this spread closes at." The total dipped from 59.5 to 56.5 to 57. "Good two-way action on the toal, with 64 percent of tickets on the Over, but 71 percent of handle on the Under."

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: The Buckeyes bounced from -20.5 to -21.5 and back at DraftKings, then settled in at 21 Tuesday, with Ohio State taking 70 percent of bets and 75 percent of cash on the spread. The total is down a couple of points to 57.5 at DK, with 81 percent of bets and 58 percent of money on the Over.

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FanDuel posted the Big Ten title game on Thursday, and it's bounced around a bit since then. Ohio State first moved to -21.5, then dipped to -19.5, and on Monday night, this line is back to the opener of -20.5. The Buckeyes are attracting 78 percent of early tickets and 89 percent of early dollars on the spread.

The total first ticked up to 59.5, then dialed down to 57.5, though tickets are 3/1 and money 2/1 on the Over for this neutral-site game at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.

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(10) Oklahoma vs (6) Iowa State Odds

Opening line

Iowa State +4.5, Over/Under 59.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 11:15 A.M. ET SATURDAY: Oklahoma is sitting -5.5 at FanDuel as kickoff looms, and Iowa State is taking 58 percent of tickets/59 percent of money on the spread. The total moved from 59.5 to 57.5 to 58.5, with 84 percent of tickets/90 percent of cash on the Over.

UPDATE 10 A.M. ET SATURDAY: In Covers Consensus, Oklahoma is up a point from -5 to -6, but Iowa State is garnering the bulk of the picks at 59 percent. The total went from 57.5 to 58.5, with 70 percent of plays on the Over. 

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Oklahoma opened -6 at William Hill US but has been -5.5 pretty much all week, with Iowa State taking 70 percent of tickets and 72 percent of money on the spread.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Sooners jumped from -5 to -6.5, then reverted to -5.5 at PointsBet USA, where Iowa State is attracting 54 percent of tickets and 71 percent of money on the spread. The total opened 58.5 and is now 58, though bettors are on the Over, to the tune of 85 percent of tickets and money.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: DraftKings opened the Sooners -5.5, dropped to 4.5 and is now back to the opener, with Oklahoma attracting 56 percent of bets/64 percent of money on the spread. The total opened 58.5 at DK and is now 57.5, though the Over is getting 92 percent of tickets/78 percent of cash.

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Oklahoma gets a shot at revenge in the Big 12 title game, having lost at Iowa State 37-30 on Oct. 3. FanDuel opened the Sooners -4.5 for the rematch, taking place Saturday at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The line jumped to -6.5, then receded to -5.5, and as of Monday night, 53 percent of tickets are on Iowa State and 60 percent of money is on Oklahoma.

The total initially dipped two points to 57.5, and it's at 58.5 Monday night, with 88 percent of tickets/96 percent of cash on the Over.

(19) Louisiana at (12) Coastal Carolina Odds

Opening line

Coastal Carolina -3.5, Over/Under 53.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 12:15 P.M. ET FRIDAY: The Sun Belt Conference on Thursday announced its conference championship game was canceled due to a positive COVID test within the Coastal Carolina program. It will not be rescheduled.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Coastal dipped from -3.5 to -3 this afternoon at DraftKings, where 80 percent of tickets are on the Chanticleers, but the Ragin' Cajuns are taking 68 percent of the money thus far. The total jumped around a bit, from 53.5 to 55.5 to 54.5, but tickets and money are both more than 9/1 on the Over.

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Coastal Carolina opened -3.5 at FanDuel for the Sun Belt championship game and stuck at that number through Monday night, with the exception of 15 minutes Sunday at -4.5. Tickets and money are running 9/1-plus on the host Chanticleers. The total is up a point to 54.5, with practically all the early tickets and money on the Over.

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(3) Clemson vs (2) Notre Dame Odds

Opening line

Notre Dame +7.5, Over/Under 61.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Clemson is now out to -11.5 at FanDuel, where the Tigers opened -7.5 Dec. 9. However, Notre Dame is grabbing 68 percent of bets and 62 percent of cash on the spread. The total dropped from 61.5 to 59.5, but tickets and money are running 6/1-plus on the Over.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings started Clemson at -7.5 and reached -10.5, then went to -10 a few times but is now back at -10.5. However, Notre Dame is drawing 69 percent of bets and 65 percent of money on the spread. The total ping-ponged from 60.5 to 60 a couple of times and is currently 60, with 87 percent of bets and 83 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: Clemson opened -7 on Dec. 9, spent the past week at -10.5, then ticked to -10 Friday night at PointsBet USA. "Good two-way action here," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said. "Seventy percent of spread tickets are on Notre Dame, but 63 percent of spread handle is on Clemson, including a $40,000 bet on Clemson -10.5." The total dipped from 61.5 to 59.5, with 91 percent of tickets on the Over, but just 61 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: William Hill US posted this game Sunday at Clemson -10.5 and stuck there all week, even though Notre Dame is drawing 62 percent of bets and 67 percent of money. "I think this one will be a two-way game," director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said. "Handle-wise, Clemson-Notre Dame and Alabama-Florida will be by far the biggest. Notre Dame is undefeated, and (the Irish) already draw a lot of money. I think we’ll end up needing the favorite to win. There will be plenty of underdog moneyline bets.”

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Tigers opened -7 on Dec. 9, got to -9.5 by Friday and are now -10.5 at PointsBet USA, where 65 percent of tickets are on Notre Dame, but 66 percent of money is on Clemson. "Another game with great two-way action," PointsBet's Patrick Eichner said. "It will be interesting to see if Notre Dame moves onto the key number 10 or if the number pushes out further than -10.5." The total from 61.5 to 59.5, with 71 percent of tickets on the Over and 53 percent of money on the Under.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Clemson opened -7.5 at DraftKings and is up to -10.5, but Notre Dame is drawing 65 percent of spread bets and 58 percent of spread money. The total is nailed to 60.5 so far, despite tickets and money running more than 5/1 on the Over.

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On Nov. 7, Notre Dame beat visiting Clemson 47-40 in overtime, but the Tigers didn't have star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, due to COVID. Lawrence is good to go for a neutral-site game in Charlotte, N.C., and Clemson rose up to -10.5 from a -7.5 opener at FanDuel and is currently -9.5. However, the Fighting Irish are attracting 69 percent of spread bets and 59 percent of spread money through Monday night.

The total fell from 61.5 to 60.5, though the Over is taking 85 percent of tickets and 78 percent of money.

(23) Tulsa at (9) Cincinnati Odds

Opening line

Cincinnati -14.5, Over/Under 46.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Cincinnati moved from -14.5 to -13.5 initially at FanDuel, then scooted out to -15.5, but is now back to -14.5. Tulsa is landing 54 percent of tickets and 69 percent of money on the spread. The total moved from 46.5 to 47.5, then dipped to 44.5, although 73 percent of tickets/83 percent of dollars are on the Over.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET SATURDAY: DraftKings went from Cincinnati -13.5 to -14.5, then back to the opener this morning, with tickets and money just shy of 2/1 on the favored Bearcats. The total opened 47.5 and is down to 44.5, with 80 percent of tickets on the Over, but money split right down the middle.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Cincinnati is down a point at William Hill US. from -15.5 to -14.5, with 51 percent of bets on the Bearcats, but 60 percent of cash on the underdog Golden Hurricane.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Cincinnati moved from -13.5 to -14.5 to -14 at DraftKings, with tickets 3/1 and money more than 4/1 on the Bearcats. The total is down two points to 45.5 on quite diverse betting splits: 89 percent of tickets are on the Over, but 73 percent of money is on the Under.

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Host Cincinnati opened -14.5 in the American Athletic Conference title game, initially fell to -13.5, rose to -15.5 and is back at the opener of -14.5 Monday night at FanDuel. It's two-way action with a lean toward the Bearcats, who are landing 55 percent of tickets and 53 percent of cash through Monday night.

The total went from 46.5 to 47.5 and back to 46.5, though the ticket count is beyond 6/1 and money 5/1 on the Over.

(1) Alabama vs (7) Florida Odds

Opening line

Alabama -13.5, Over/Under 71.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 6:45 P.M. ET SATURDAY: FanDuel started 'Bama at -13.5 back on Dec. 6 and got to -14.5 early, dipped to -12.5, then began the climb up to -17.5. Today, however, the number dialed down to Crimson Tide -15.5, even though Alabama is still taking 80 percent of tickets and 84 percent of money on the spread. The total bounced from 71.5 to 75.5 to 73.5, with 60 percent of tickets and 73 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE NOON ET SATURDAY: This line has bounced all around at PointsBet USA, from Alabama -14 to -14.5 to -13.5, then up to -17.5, and it's now -16. Still, tickets and money are in the 4/1 range on the Crimson Tide. The total moved from 72 to 75, then to 74.5, with 60 percent of bets/79 percent of money on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Alabama inched from -17 to -17.5 Tuesday at William Hill US and is still there now, despite overwhelming action on the Crimson Tide, who are landing 88 percent of tickets/95 percent of money on the spread. "This game will be our biggest decision for sure. It very well could be an NFL-sized decision," director of trading Nick Bogdanovich said. "It’s the 5 (p.m. PT) game, every parlay will have Alabama and/or the Over." Along with straight-bet action, Alabama is hugely popular on parlays, per usual. "I’m not sure why anyone would want to step in front of Alabama right now. Florida hasn’t shown (it) can stop anyone. Just look at LSU last weekend," Bogdanovich said, alluding to the Gators' upset loss at home.

UPDATE 1:30 P.M. ET THURSDAY: PointsBet USA opened the Crimson Tide -14, bottomed out late last week at -13.5 and has since risen to -17, with tickets and money running 4/1 on Alabama. The total opened at 72, peaked at 75 and is now 74.5, with tickets 2/1 and money approaching 4/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: Alabama initially dropped from -14.5 to -13.5 at DraftKings, then shot to -18 by late Tuesday morning before receding to -17. The Crimson Tide are taking 84 percent of spread tickets and 95 percent of spread money. The total moved from 73.5 to 72.5 to 74.5, with 69 percent of tickets/88 percent of cash on the Over.

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A lot of the air went out of the balloon for the SEC championship game when Florida, a 23-point home chalk against LSU last weekend, lost outright 37-34. But the Gators can certainly give the College Football Playoff committee a headache with an upset of Alabama in Saturday's contest in Atlanta.

The Crimson Tide initially ticked up to -14 at FanDuel, dipped to -12.5, then rocketed up to -17.5, where the line is Monday night. However, FanDuel doesn't yet have betting splits available. The hefty total opened at 71.5, got to 74.5 and is 73.5 late Monday night.

Boise State vs (24) San Jose State Odds

Opening line

San Jose State +7.5, Over/Under 54.5

Why the line moved

UPDATE 3:30 P.M. ET SATURDAY: FanDuel opened the Broncos -7.5, quickly moved to -6.5 and stuck there all week, with 64 percent of tickets and 57 percent of money landing on the underdog Spartans. The total jumped from 54.5 to 58.5, then receded to 57.5, with tickets and money about 4/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 1 P.M. ET SATURDAY: Boise State bounced around at DraftKings over the past week, opening -6.5, moving to -7, dipping to -6, getting back to -7 and now sitting at -6.5. San Jose State is actually getting more interest, witih 61 percent of spread tickets and 53 percent of spread money. The total initially dipped from 54.5 to 53.5, but it's now at 57.5, with tickets and money running more than 9/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: This line is pinned at Boise State -6.5, sitting there all week at William Hill US, where 65 percent of tickets and 60 percent of dollars are on underdog San Jose State.

UPDATE 5:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: This line is pinned to Boise State -6.5 at DraftKings, where 54 percent of bets/76 percent of dollars are on the Broncos.

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San Jose State is the home team for the Mountain West Conference championship game, but the game will be at a neutral site, because local COVID regulations won't allow the game to be played in San Jose, Calif. Rather, the game will be at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

Boise State is down a point to -6.5 at FanDuel, where through Monday night, San Jose State is drawing 51 percent of bets and 57 percent of dollar on the spread. The total is stable at 54.5 on what must be light early action, as practically all the tickets and dollars are on the Over.

Where Can I Bet on College Football?

Whether it’s in Las Vegas or online, every sportsbook under the sun offers college football point spreads, plus a cornucopia of other NCAA odds. College football lines tend to be posted shortly after the previous week's schedule is completed, so check out the college football odds at the best sportsbooks available where you live.

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