Hot Starts, National Rankings Can’t Keep Michigan, Michigan State National Title Odds From Dropping

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Written By Matt Schoch on September 23, 2021
College Football National Title Odds September 2021

To gauge the thriving state of college football in Michigan, one simply needs to observe the inflated egos and prideful displays of fans on social media platforms.

Michigan and Michigan State, being favored in their respective home games against lesser teams from the Big Ten Conference, have a good chance of going undefeated in September. With impressive wins under their belts, both teams can potentially finish the month with a 4-0 record.

The path to the Oct. 30 meeting in East Lansing may be relatively easy, considering that Wisconsin will be hosting the Wolverines next weekend. This will be the only matchup between ranked teams from the Great Lakes State in the upcoming month.

With all the buzz and enthusiasm in the air, it seems like our aspirations are growing even bigger each week. Don’t you think a trip to Indianapolis and even the possibility of winning a national championship are becoming more plausible?

Hold on a moment, my friends, as Lee Corso from “College GameDay” would famously say.

According to a prominent Michigan sports betting operator, the impressive starts of both Michigan and Michigan State football teams have not improved their chances of winning the national title. Despite winning three games each and generating positive energy within the state, both teams are considered even less likely to win the championship.

Michigan, MSU futures odds have both bumped back

Both football programs from within the state commenced the season with numerous uncertainties.

Mel Tucker made significant progress in his first season, evident from the notable victory against their rivals in Ann Arbor. However, there were also setbacks, including a 2-5 record and a considerable number of transfers joining the team.

Naturally, the persistent lack of significant achievements under Jim Harbaugh has been a major concern for Michigan. Adding to their disappointment was the equally dreadful 2020 season, where they finished with a disappointing record of 2-4.

It came as no shock that both teams were considered unlikely contenders for the national title before the season began. According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Michigan had odds of +5000, while Michigan State had odds of +10000.

Following Michigan’s dominant performances against their opponents at the Big House and MSU’s impressive victories on the road, it’s safe to assume that the numbers have considerably narrowed.

No way. This week, BetMGM had Michigan listed at +6600 odds, whereas Michigan State has now shifted to +15000 odds.

Best College Football National Title Odds

Teams down south skewing all the natty title odds

While the moniker “team down south” is commonly used to mockingly refer to the despised Ohio State Buckeyes, the odds of its application have risen due to the actions of a few other southern teams.

Despite the impressive performances by Michigan and Michigan State this season, the attention of the nation has been captured by two dominant teams from the Southeastern Conference.

According to Darren Darby, a sports trader at BetMGM, the odds for Michigan and Michigan State have increased as Alabama and Georgia emerge as the undeniable frontrunners in the College Football Playoff.

Once again, Alabama showcases its brilliance with an impressive roster filled with talented professionals. Notably, they have already secured victories against highly ranked Miami and Florida teams.

In its season opener, Georgia secured the most remarkable win by defeating Clemson.

The teams are scheduled to face each other only in the SEC Championship on Dec. 4. It is logical to assume that if both the Tide and Bulldogs remain undefeated until then, they would both secure a spot in the playoff.

BetMGM initially gave Alabama odds of +300 to win the championship, but they have now improved to +175. Meanwhile, Georgia’s preseason odds of +800 have significantly shortened to +350 this week.

Unlikely runs by Michigan, Michigan State would hurt BetMGM

Sportsbooks may face negative consequences if the local teams continue to achieve success.

Due to the significant volume of operations in Michigan compared to other states, BetMGM’s balance sheets are significantly influenced by the local teams. According to the company, Michigan State represents their highest liability for the national championship, while Michigan holds the third position.

However, when considering the overall perspective, it has become evident that there exists a dominant group in the college football realm. While Ohio State occasionally finds itself among this elite tier, it is usually an SEC team or two that takes the lead.

Oddsmakers have swiftly adapted to the current reality, making it evident that this year is no exception.

Despite the positive sentiment surrounding the Wolverines and Spartans lately, it remains to be seen if these teams can reach the same caliber as the game’s top contenders.