Week 1 College Football Line Moves: Memphis vs. Mississippi State, Pitt vs. West Virginia Lead Popular Bets
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The biggest early-season college football line move for Week 1 is also a rematch from last year: Memphis vs. Mississippi State.
The Tigers (+3) defeated the Bulldogs in Week 3, 31-29. But the action at Caesars indicates the public's expecting a rebound from the SEC club when the two clash Sept. 3.
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Caesars reported nearly eight of every 10 spread bets have landed on Mississippi State, which is also collecting 97% of the total handle (or dollars wagered).
The Bulldogs opened -8, but they've been pounded by bettors and are on the cusp of reaching -17.
“This was the line we definitely opened up too low,” the shop's lead CFB trader, Joseph Feazel, told Caesars' Max Meyer. “We were the first ones to have this opener, and it was immediately bet up to 11. Then it remained stale at 11 until the rest of the market opened it up, and then it went up to 14. Now we’re up to 16.5."
The most attractive game across Week 0 and 1 at Caesars, meanwhile, is Pitt vs. West Virginia on Sept. 1
The shop took early money on Pitt -7 at open, but buyback and respected West Virginia coin at -9.5 drove the number back down through -7 to -6.5.
The Panthers are currently seven-point chalk, with a total of 54 at Caesars (view and shop all college football odds here).
"This game’s action has been very back-and-forth," Feazel said. "I think Pitt’s going to do well this year with Kedon Slovis. This is his time to shine, and Pitt has a great defense. We have high expectations for them still. That’s why we opened them as high as we did.”
Lastly, the most lopsided bet in Week 1 is another nonconference showdown in Ball State vs. Tennessee. The Volunteers opened -28.5, but a deluge of money pouring in triggered a move to as high as -31.5.
There's little to no support for the MAC affiliate — Caesars reported 97% of spread bets and 99% of money on the Vols.
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