Sharps pounce, move lines of college football’s Week 1
South Point sees eight games adjust at least four points
The college football season is a little more than three months away, but sharp bettors wasted no time wagering on Week 1 lines posted Monday at the South Point sports book.
For the first hour after the lines were unveiled, betting was allowed only at the windows at the South Point. Bet- tors were permitted to make three bets of up to $1,000 each before heading to the back of the line.
Each limit bet of $1,000 moved the line between one-half point and 2 points and when the action settled, there were eight line moves of at least four points.
“Whatever I put up, I think is the right number. But I certainly respect the guys playing us,” sports book director Chris Andrews said. “These are all pretty smart guys betting us and I like to see what the sharp guys think. It helps me with my power ratings and with whatever adjustments we make.”
Fading Irish
The biggest line move was on Notre Dame-michigan.thestoriedrivalry that ended in 2014 will resume Sept. 1 at Notre Dame Stadium. The Fighting Irish opened as 7-point favorites beforeactiononthewolverinesmoved the number to 1.
Notre Dame went 10-3 last season after finishing 4-8 in 2016. Michigan went 8-5 in Jim Harbaugh’s third year at the school following 10-3 finishes in his first two seasons.
Raising Alabama
Bettors are expecting Alabama to opendefenseofitsnationaltitleby blowing out Louisville by four touchdowns Sept. 1 in Orlando, Florida.
The Crimson Tide opened as 20-point favorites over the Cardinals but the line quickly shot up to 25.
“I really think that’s more of a knock on Louisville because we all knew Alabama was going to be pretty good,” Andrews said.
Oklahoma-florida Atlantic
Under coach Lane Kiffin, Florida Atlantic was a cover machine last season, finishing 10-4 against the spread. But bettors expect Oklahoma to cruise past the Owls on Sept. 1. The Sooners, who will have to replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield, are 21-point favorites after the line opened at 17.
“I’m OK with that. I think Florida Atlantic is going to be OK,” Andrews said. “There will be a new quarterback, obviously,foroklahomaandthat’sa ’dog that can easily cover that number.”
Florida State-virginia Tech
Florida State is a 4-point favor- ite over Virginia Tech after the line opened at pick’em for the Sept. 3 showdown in Tallahassee, Florida.
“Thatonereallydidsurpriseme,” Andrews said. “Florida State certainly had a pretty bad year last year and has a new coach coming in. I think the Virginia Tech program is back on track and might be in the national title picture.”