Alabama vs. Oklahoma Betting Splits: Top CFB Picks for December 19
As the College Football Playoff starts, Alabama faces Oklahoma in a crucial matchup at Memorial Stadium in Norman. Both teams are entering this game with varying expectations and contrasting last performances.
Matchup Overview: Alabama vs. Oklahoma
Alabama, holding a record of 10-3, is seeded 9th and recently suffered a loss to Georgia, with a score of 28-7 in the SEC Championship. That game concluded with Alabama failing to cover the spread as they were 1.5-point underdogs.
On the other side, Oklahoma, with a 10-2 record, is the 8th seed. The Sooners narrowly defeated LSU, 17-13, yet also failed to cover their spread as 12.5-point favorites. This week, the opening line favored Alabama by 1.5 points.
Betting Insights
With the betting landscape close to evenly matched, public sentiment is split, causing uncertainty among bettors. At DraftKings, the betting is almost 50/50 between the two teams. However, a significant line shift has occurred, moving Oklahoma from a 1.5-point underdog to a 1.5-point favorite.
- Oklahoma has garnered 42% of spread bets but accounts for 86% of the wagering dollars at Circa Sports.
- This indicates a strong preference for Oklahoma among professional bettors, despite the ticket count suggesting balanced action.
Several betting experts are leaning towards Oklahoma on the moneyline at -115, with the Sooners receiving 47% of moneyline bets and achieving 61% of the moneyline dollars, indicating a favorable betting environment.
Recent Performances and Defensive Stats
Oklahoma enters this contest with a notable rest advantage, having last played on November 29, while Alabama’s last game was on December 6. Defensively, Oklahoma shows superiority, allowing only 14.9 points per game, compared to Alabama’s 18.8 points.
An earlier matchup between these teams this season resulted in an Oklahoma victory, with a score of 23-21 when they were 6.5-point road underdogs.
Game Total and Weather Conditions
The total for this game opened at 40.5 points, peaked at 41.5, and settled back to 40.5 on game day. Current betting trends suggest:
- At DraftKings, 30% of bets are on the under, representing 38% of the total dollars wagered.
- At Circa, 52% of bets support the under, translating to 54% of the total dollars, indicating a “low bets, higher dollars” trend.
The weather forecast predicts conditions in the high 40s with clear skies, but wind gusts ranging from 30-35 MPH. These factors may contribute to a generally lower scoring game.
CFP Championship Odds Snapshot
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ohio State | +210 |
| Indiana | +290 |
| Georgia | +550 |
| Texas Tech | +800 |
| Oregon | +900 |
| Texas A&M | +2000 |
| Ole Miss | +2500 |
| Miami | +2500 |
| Alabama | +2500 |
| Oklahoma | +5000 |
| James Madison | +70000 |
| Tulane | +80000 |
This matchup signifies more than just a game; it’s a critical moment for both teams in the pursuit of CFP glory. As they step onto the field, all eyes will be on the performance of these elite squads.