Bettors back Indiana as Week 1 favourites against North Texas
The Hoosiers opened as approximately 40-point home favourites after an unbeaten championship season, while Caesars reported heavy early support.
Indiana will open College Football Week 1 as a heavily backed home favourite against North Texas, with bettors wagering on the Hoosiers to carry their form from last season into the new campaign.
Fox Sports reported that Caesars opened Indiana at -40.5 before the line moved to -41.5, eased to -39.5 and stood at -40 on Wednesday afternoon. Caesars head of football trading Joey Feazel said betting activity was heavily favouring Indiana and was expected to increase before kick-off.
Indiana reportedly finished last season 16-0 straight up and won the College Football Playoff championship 27-21 against Miami. The Hoosiers also went 19-10 against the spread over the past two seasons, according to the report.
North Texas went 12-2 straight up and 10-4 against the spread last season, but Fox Sports reported that coach Eric Morris and much of the team have since moved to Oklahoma State. The contrasting records and roster changes have helped shape the large opening line.
The report also detailed movement in the Clemson–LSU market. LSU opened as a 9.5-point home favourite, moved to -10.5 and settled at -10, while Caesars reported early sharp interest in the under, with the total falling from 51.5 to 50.5.
Fox Sports also discussed the Week 1 meeting between Louisville and Ole Miss, although the supplied report is truncated and does not provide complete details of that market. Betting lines and activity may change before the games begin.
