Early Spread Lines for First-Round College Football Playoff Matchups

    The early spread lines are here for the opening round of the College Football Playoffs -- which side are you going to bet in the first round?

    The College Football Playoff bracket is here and we’re just getting started with what should be the most exciting postseason in college football history. As such, with the matchups being announced on Sunday, let’s take a look at the early line value for your betting pleasures.

    CFN CFB Playoff Predictor
    College Football Network’s College Football Playoff Predictor is a tool that allows you to play out various weekly scenarios to see how the CFP picture changes with each scenario.

    Indiana vs. Notre Dame Odds

    The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got the No. 7 seed in the rankings, but actually landed with a top-five finish overall in the selection committee’s final top 25. That being said, the CFN FPM actually likes the Indiana Hoosiers to keep this one closer than the opening line from Vegas.

    • CFN FPM Spread
      Notre Dame -3
    • Vegas Line
      Notre Dame -8.5
    • Moneyline
      Notre Dame -305, Indiana +245
    • Total
      51.5 points

    SMU vs. Penn State Odds

    The SMU Mustangs snuck in and will have to travel north to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions. SMU lost the ACC Championship on last-second field goal to Clemson but were able to stay above Alabama in the final rankings. Now, however, the CFN FPM and Vegas don’t like the Mustangs by at least a touchdown in this one.

    • CFN FPM Spread
      Penn State -6.5
    • Vegas Line
      Penn State -8
    • Moneyline
      Penn State -298, SMU +240
    • Total
      53 points

    Clemson vs. Texas Odds

    Getting in only after a near-collapse in the second half of the ACC Championship, the Clemson Tigers won the ACC and punched their automatic ticket as such. Still, Clemson finished ranked outside the top 16 teams in the committee’s eyes, only nabbing the 12th seed due to conference championship stipulations.

    They’ll now head to Austin to face off against the Texas Longhorns as the largest underdogs of the opening round.

    • CFN FPM Spread
      Texas -9.5
    • Vegas Line
      Texas -10.5
    • Moneyline
      Texas -380, Clemson +300
    • Total
      52.5 points

    Tennessee vs. Ohio State Odds

    A night game at The Shoe is the scene for the No. 9 ranked Tennessee Volunteers against the No. 8 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State will have some atoning to do following their loss to Michigan in Week 14 while Tennessee barely missed out on hosting a first-round game in the rankings.

    • CFN FPM Spread
      Ohio State -5.5
    • Vegas Line
      Ohio State -7.5
    • Moneyline
      Ohio State -270, Tennessee +220
    • Total
      46.5 points

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