Everything that happens in sports has additional context when viewed from a sports betting perspective. From season-changing injuries to record-setting moments and so much more, the sports news cycle will constantly and significantly affect the sports betting industry.
Our college football betting buzz file, with contributions from David Purdum and Doug Greenberg, aims to provide fans a look at the sports betting stories that are driving the conversation throughout each week of the season.
Key links: Sports betting home | DraftKings
Sept. 12: Michigan, Oklahoma State pummel bettors
By David Purdum
All week, the betting public couldn't get enough of two college football road favorites that were facing teams coming off ugly performances. In fact, by the time Saturday's noon Eastern Time games kicked off, more money was riding on Oklahoma (at Michigan) and Oregon (at Oklahoma State) than any other teams at multiple sportsbooks.
That money is staying with the bookmakers.
Bets poured in on the Sooners this week ahead of their game against a Michigan team that lucked out in a win over Western Michigan seven days ago. The Wolverines were small favorites over Oklahoma in the early lines released by some sportsbooks over the summer, but perceptions changed after their struggle with Western Michigan. When the new point spread was released last Sunday, the Sooners were 5.5-point favorites, and the betting public loaded up on Oklahoma.
On Friday, DraftKings reported that 96% of the money that had been wagered on the spread was on the Sooners. The sportsbook also noted that a Michigan outright victory would be one of their most lucrative decisions of the day.
Those familiar with the betting public's track record should've known what was coming next. Michigan never trailed and took down Oklahoma 17-10. It was only the beginning of a challenging start to Saturday for bettors.
On Saturday morning, BetMGM reported that Oklahoma had attracted more bets and more money than any other team. The second most popular bet? Oregon -23.5 against lowly Oklahoma State, losers of 21 straight games to FBS opponents, including last week to Tulsa. The Ducks were around -2400 favorites to win the game outright. Bettors didn't shy away from laying the hefty price.
A bettor with Caesars Sportsbook in Louisiana placed a $100,000 money-line bet on Oregon at -2,500, per Ben Fawkes of Yahoo Sports, for a chance to win a net $4,000 if the Ducks prevailed. At BetMGM, 95% of the money wagered on the outright winner was on Oregon, which was 57-0 straight-up as a favorite of 24 or more points since 1978.
Oklahoma State upset the Ducks 39-31.
"Solid results," one bookmaker told ESPN.
