The college football playoff semifinals are set to take place on Monday, January 1, 2024, and sportsbooks are expecting a record-breaking amount of bets on the games. The two matchups feature some of the most popular and successful teams in the nation, as well as some intriguing storylines and rivalries.
Michigan vs. Alabama: A Clash of Titans
The first semifinal game will pit the No. 1 seed Michigan Wolverines against the No. 4 seed Alabama Crimson Tide at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted by ESPN.
Both teams are coming off impressive conference championship wins, as Michigan dominated Iowa 26-0 in the Big Ten title game, while Alabama edged out Georgia 33-18 in the SEC title game. The Wolverines and the Crimson Tide have a combined record of 25-1 this season, with their only losses coming against Michigan State and Texas, respectively.
The game will feature a contrast of styles, as Michigan relies on a balanced offense led by quarterback Cade McNamara and running back Hassan Haskins, and a stout defense that ranks first in the nation in points allowed per game (10.3). Alabama, on the other hand, boasts a high-powered offense led by Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Jamison Williams, and a defense that has improved throughout the season.
The betting line for this game opened with Michigan as a 1.5-point favorite, but has since moved to Michigan -2.5, according to VegasInsider.com. The total for the game is set at 46.5 points. The public betting is split evenly between the two teams, with 50% of the bets on Michigan and 50% on Alabama, according to TheSpread.com.
Washington vs. Texas: A Battle of Unbeatens
The second semifinal game will feature the No. 2 seed Washington Huskies against the No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will start at 8:45 p.m. ET and will also be broadcasted by ESPN.
Both teams are undefeated this season, with Washington going 13-0 and Texas going 12-0. The Huskies won the Pac-12 championship by defeating Oregon 34-21 for the second time this season, while the Longhorns won the Big 12 championship by beating Oklahoma State 27-24.
The game will showcase two of the most explosive offenses in the country, as Washington averages 43.8 points per game and Texas averages 42.3 points per game. The Huskies are led by quarterback Dylan Morris and running back Sean McGrew, while the Longhorns are led by quarterback Casey Thompson and running back Bijan Robinson. Both teams also have solid defenses that rank in the top 20 in the nation in points allowed per game.
The betting line for this game opened with Texas as a 4-point favorite, but has since moved to Texas -4.5, according to VegasInsider.com. The total for the game is set at 63.5 points. The public betting is slightly leaning towards Texas, with 54% of the bets on the Longhorns and 46% on the Huskies, according to TheSpread.com.
Why the College Football Playoff Semifinals Could Set Betting Records
The college football playoff semifinals are expected to attract a huge amount of bets from fans and gamblers alike, as they offer some of the most exciting and competitive games of the season. According to Jay Kornegay, the sportsbook director at Westgate in Las Vegas, the semifinal games could set betting records for college football.
Some of the reasons why the semifinal games could generate such a high volume of bets are:
- The popularity and prestige of the teams involved. Michigan, Alabama, Washington, and Texas are some of the most storied and successful programs in college football history, with a combined 38 national championships and 182 conference titles. They also have large and loyal fan bases that span across the country and the world.
- The quality and competitiveness of the matchups. The semifinal games feature four of the top five teams in the nation, according to the final college football playoff rankings. The games are also expected to be close and exciting, as the betting lines indicate. The games could go either way, depending on the performance of the players and coaches, and the outcome of the key plays and moments.
- The interest and excitement of the fans and the media. The semifinal games have generated a lot of hype and attention from the fans and the media, as they offer some intriguing storylines and rivalries. For example, Michigan and Alabama have never met in the college football playoff era, and have only played four times in their history, with the last meeting being in 2012. Washington and Texas have also never met in the playoff era, and have only played five times in their history, with the last meeting being in 2001. The games also feature some of the best players and coaches in the nation, such as Heisman Trophy finalist Bryce Young, Big Ten coach of the year Jim Harbaugh, Pac-12 coach of the year Jimmy Lake, and Big 12 coach of the year Steve Sarkisian.
The college football playoff semifinals are set to be some of the most thrilling and memorable games of the season, and possibly of all time. The games will also be some of the most betted on events of the year, as fans and gamblers look to cash in on the action and excitement. The games will kick off on Monday, January 1, 2024, and will determine who will advance to the national championship game on Monday, January 8, 2024.
