Alabama vs. Michigan odds & betting lines: Opening point spread and total for CFP semifinal
Alabama's dream season continues in the College Football Playoff with a much-anticipated matchup against Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Opening betting lines have the Wolverines as a short favorite on the point spread. Odds for the CFP semifinal including the OVER/UNDER are available at top-rated sportsbooks.
CFP betting lines: Michigan opens on odds boards as short favorite vs. Alabama
Michigan (13-0) rolled over Iowa, 26-0, in the Big Ten Championship Game. Alabama (12-1) defeated Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, 27-24.
Here are live betting lines for the Crimson Tide vs. Wolverines on the best sports betting apps:
Alabama won its most recent national championship in 2020. Michigan and Nebraska were co-national champions in 1997.
Alabama Crimson Tide betting trends and ATS record
The Crimson Tide are among the best college football teams ATS this season with a 9-4 record. QB Jalen Milroe preserved Alabama's CFP hopes with a 31-yard TD pass to Isaiah Bond on fourth down in the last minute of a 27-24 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
The Crimson Tide then defeated Georgia by the same score in the SEC title game. Alabama snapped Georgia's 29-game winning streak in the process. Those two schools have combined to win the last three national championships.
The lone blemish on Alabama's schedule came in a 34-24 loss to Texas in Week 2. Texas faces Washington in the other CFP semifinal game.
- 4-1 ATS vs. ranked opponents
- 1-0 ATS as an underdog
- 8-4 ATS as a favorite
- 7-2-0 ATS in conference games
- 1-0 ATS in neutral site games
Michigan Wolverines betting trends and ATS record
The Wolverines are 7-5-1 ATS this season after laying double digits as a favorite in 11 of 13 games. They've yet to be an underdog this season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh returned to the sidelines in the Big Ten title game vs. Iowa after serving a three-game suspension in connection to Michigan's sign stealing controversy.
Michigan won its third straight game over arch-rival Ohio State, 30-24, prior to shutting out Iowa. The only other victory of note on an overall soft schedule came at Penn State, 24-15.
Here are key betting trends for the Wolverines:
- 3-0 ATS vs. ranked opponents
- 7-5-1 ATS as a favorite
- 7-2-1 ATS in conference games
- 1-0 ATS in neutral site games
- 0-3-0 ATS in non-conference games
Alabama vs. Michigan odds and betting analysis
Michigan is the top-rated team in the College Football Playoff, but the Wolverines received a difficult draw in Alabama.
Undefeated Florida State, which was was left out of the CFP after a 16-6 win against Louisville in the ACC Championship Game, would have been more preferable without starting QB Jordan Travis.
Perhaps that was the CFP committee's way of punishing Michigan after the sign-stealing incident came to light. In any case, the Wolverines face an Alabama team brimming with confidence.
The Crimson Tide held Georgia to a season-low 24 points. Alabama will be an underdog for just the second time all season after getting 5.5 points they didn't need against Georgia.
We'll have a full betting preview with official picks prior to the Rose Bowl, but there's a definite lean to what seems to be the underdog of destiny here.
In early wagering at BetMGM, Albama has attracted the most handle (26%) to win the CFP with odds moving from an opener of +700 to +190. Michigan's being dealt as the +170 favorite.
“Alabama is our biggest liability to win the College Football Playoff," BetMGM Trading Manager Seamus Magee said. "Anyone winning but 'Bama would be a great outcome for the sportsbook.”
