Intro by Doug Kezirian
Like it or not, the College Football Playoff rankings have an impact. And oddsmakers are part of that reach.
"We're probably going to have to keep an eye on the Cincinnati line because of motivation," Caesars Sportsbook vice president of trading Craig Mucklow told ESPN. The undefeated Bearcats are ranked No. 6, which is a far cry from being second-ranked in the voter polls. "[The CFP release] made them more motivated."
Similarly, there is also a negative to getting recognition and perhaps earning a bigger bull's-eye. The committee ranked Michigan State at No. 3, and Mucklow is considering the potential of the lights being too bright.
"If there can be a slip-up, it will be Michigan State," Mucklow said about the Spartans, who are three-point favorites at Purdue. "If any other number than -3, you'd probably move it. If we don't see anything, we might juice it to get some Michigan State money.
