Kiffin’s Decision Analyzed; Underdogs Shine in NFL Thanksgiving Games
Lane Kiffin’s departure from Ole Miss has significantly impacted the betting landscape as oddsmakers reassess the team’s prospects. Following his announcement about taking a position at LSU, sportsbooks swiftly reacted by adjusting the Rebels’ national championship odds. Previously, Ole Miss was listed at 25-1 but has now fallen to 40-1.
Kiffin’s Impact on Ole Miss Odds
Several sportsbooks have speculated on how much Kiffin’s exit affects Ole Miss. The consensus among oddsmakers is that he may be worth about four points in terms of team rating. Chris Bennett, director at Circa in Las Vegas, emphasized Kiffin’s significant role for the Rebels.
Joey Feazel from Caesars Sportsbook noted the uncertainty surrounding the true impact of Kiffin’s departure. He stated that the effects could vary based on which personnel might follow Kiffin to LSU. Changes in the coaching staff could lead to shifts in offensive efficiency, particularly if a defensive-minded coach steps in.
Other oddsmakers have expressed differing views. Chris Andrews from South Point plans only a minor adjustment to the power ratings, suggesting a decrease of 1 to 1.5 points. Meanwhile, Ed Salmons from SuperBook anticipated a substantial drop, placing Ole Miss 12th in his rankings without Kiffin.
Thanksgiving Underdogs Make Headlines
The NFL recently witnessed a remarkable Thanksgiving week, where every underdog won in both the Thursday and Friday games. This is the first occurrence since 2006, when the league expanded to three Thanksgiving games. Additionally, it marked the inaugural outright win by an underdog on Black Friday.
- Teams include Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, and Chicago Bears.
- The victory resulted in significant losses for bettors, contributing to a chaotic survivor contest in Las Vegas.
- Only 49 of the original 898 entries in the Circa Survivor contest survived after the Bears’ win.
The Thanksgiving week upsets had a massive impact on a high-stakes survival contest, as the remaining contestants divided a $6.9 million prize pool.
Other Notable NFL Outcomes
In addition to the Thanksgiving results, the Carolina Panthers achieved a crucial victory as 9.5-point underdogs against the Los Angeles Rams, marking one of the season’s most significant upsets. This win continues the Panthers’ streak of winning as underdogs, a record within the Super Bowl era.
Through Sunday, underdogs showed strength against the spread, going 9-5 with a mixed bag of straight wins and losses. The betting community remained attentive as the season progresses, with significant implications for playoff forecasts and team odds.
College Football Betting Landscape
As conference championship games loom, odds have been released for various matchups. Here is a summary of consensus opening lines:
| Conference | Matchup | Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUSA | Kennesaw State vs. Jacksonville State | -1.5 | 57.5 |
| Sun Belt | Troy at James Madison | -21 | 47.5 |
| SEC | Georgia vs. Alabama | -1.5 | 47.5 |
| ACC | Duke vs. Virginia | -2.5 | 57.5 |
| Big Ten | Indiana vs. Ohio State | -5.5 | 48.5 |
As discussions around these matchups and the impact of coaching changes continue, betting enthusiasts are watching closely for trends and insights into team performances this season.
