Sooners

[Dabo's Weenie]

Opened as 5.5 point favorites over USC.

FWIW, they were 7 point favorites over UK.

 

[KingWard]

That's a "ways away".

 

[18IsTheMan]

There is not a lot of rhyme or reason to some of the spreads we are seeing. We definitely should not be favored over Tennessee. And I don’t see why Oklahoma should be favored by that much over us.

 

[Swifty]

It's all about the money and which team it's currently being bet on. College is such a crapshoot, though. NFL games are usually frighteningly close to what the spreads are.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

It's all about the money and which team it's currently being bet on. College is such a crapshoot, though. NFL games are usually frighteningly close to what the spreads are.

Pro vs Semi-Pro

 

[18IsTheMan]

I don't gamble, but doesn't Vegas shift lines in order to force money one way or the other?

 

[Piscis]

I don't gamble, but doesn't Vegas shift lines in order to force money one way or the other?

Yes. People mistakenly think the lines represent some sort of careful analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the teams playing. While there is some analysis of team's strength, injuries, game location, etc., the lines are set for no reason other than trying to balance the bets placed at 50/50 for each team. Vegas doesn't care who wins or loses, they make their money off of the "juice", usually 10% of the amount bet. If too much money is going to one team, Vegas will move the line to entice people to bet on the other team.