Week 8 CFB betting report: Public has clear side in Mississippi State-LSU
College football's Week 8 card rolls on Saturday with a handful of marquee games. Will Bernanke, the lead analyst at CG Technology in Las Vegas, provided insight as to how the betting action is shaping up.
Michigan at Michigan State
Opening odds: Michigan -7 (-110) / 41
Current odds: Michigan -7 (-115) / 41
Michigan and Michigan State battle it out for the Paul Bunyan Trophy, with both clubs coming off their biggest wins of the season. In Week 7, the Wolverines covered easily as 9.5-point favorites over Wisconsin in a 38-14 rout, while the Spartans won outright at Penn State as 13.5-point underdogs.
Michigan State has taken four of the last five in the rivalry, most recently taking down Michigan in the Big House last season, 14-10.
"About 56 percent of all dollars are on Michigan," Bernanke said. "We're starting to see bettors take a side with the Wolverines."
Oregon at Washington State
Open: Oregon -1 (-110) / 67.5
Current: Washington State -3 (-110) / 68
College GameDay will be on hand in Pullman to preview Oregon-Washington, a matchup featuring a pair of teams both 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-12 North.
The Ducks netted their biggest win of the season in Week 7, edging Washington in overtime as 3.5-point underdogs. Washington State's lone slip-up was a Week 4 loss at USC, but the Cougars have covered all six games against the spread this season.
"About 62 percent of all dollars are on Washington State, (which triggered a) four-point line move that crossed over early in the week," Bernanke said.
Mississippi State at LSU
Open: LSU -7 (-110) / 45
Current: LSU -6 (-110) / 45
Mississippi State headed into 2018 as a potential candidate in the SEC West to unseat Alabama. The Bulldogs, however, enter Week 8 with two losses and will travel to face the team that's now most likely to make noise in the conference.
LSU suffered its first loss of the season in Week 6 at Florida, but regrouped in time last Saturday to punish Georgia, 36-16. The upcoming game will be the third straight crucial matchup for the Tigers, who have the Crimson Tide on deck.
Given LSU is coming off a home win against Georgia and has the No. 1 team next week, perhaps it’s why the public is backing the road side.
"About 79 percent of all dollars are on Mississippi State," Bernanke said. "Bettors are all over the 'dog as they must be expecting an LSU letdown."