College Football Odds Week 14: Looking At Line Moves
Bettors Taking a Stand on Several Games This Week
It’s a light schedule in college football this week. But it’s huge in determining the college football playoff field and the college bowl matchups, as the conference championship are on tap. Most of the moves have been relatively minor, with quarterback injuries built into the opening lines. Both SMU and Florida State will be without their starting quarterbacks, although the Seminoles have had a few weeks to get Tate Rodemaker ready to go. We’ll look at a few of the college football odds Week 14 line movements and what they mean to bettors here.
Ducks vs Huskies 
Date & time:
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Line: Oregon -10
Total: 65.5
Streaming: ABC
The Oregon Ducks have moved from 9-point favorites to 10-point favorites in this one. Despite Washington beating the Ducks 36-33 earlier in the season, the belief among most people is that the Ducks are the superior team. That’s evident when looking at this week’s CFB lines. But do the No. 5 Ducks deserve to be double-digit favorites over the No. 3 Huskies?
In the first meeting, the Ducks had a 541-415 yardage advantage and missed a 43-yard field goal that would have tied the game on the final play. The Ducks were also stopped on downs three times. So Oregon had its chances, but just couldn’t capitalize.
These were easily the best two NCAAF teams in the Pac-12 Conference, according to the NCAA football standings. It was also obvious to anybody who followed the conference. After their first meeting, you had a feeling the two teams would be meeting again, so at least it’s the NCAAF matchup most college football fans wanted.
Ducks Roll Over Opposition
Despite the loss to Washington, the Ducks were a machine on the field, out-scoring foes 45.3-15.9 this season. Oregon was also the college football equivalent of an ATM machine, going 9-2-1 against the scores and odds NCAAF this year. The only game the Ducks weren’t favored in is the game with the Huskies, which was played in Seattle. The Ducks were 5-7 in totals, primarily due to the best defense Oregon has had in quite some time.
The Ducks rolled-up 542.7 total yards per game during the year. Oregon rushed for 189.8 yards per game and 6.0 yards per attempt, while throwing for 352.8. Bo Nix went from whipping boy at Auburn to one of the contenders for the Heisman Trophy in his time with the Ducks. You can certainly make a case for Nix, who has thrown for more than 3,900 yards with 37 touchdowns and just two interceptions.
The Oregon defense held teams who averaged 27.3 points per game to 15.9 points. The Ducks are tough against the run, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry. Oregon’s pass defense was pretty solid, but they’ll be tested in this game.
Washington winning, but not impressively
You have to go all the way back to Sept. 23 to find the last time the Huskies won a game by more than 10 points. That isn’t what you expect out of the No. 3 team in the country. But the bottom line is they did win. But it also puts Washington in a must-win situation tonight in order to advance to the college football playoffs. Georgia can afford to lose and will still likely make it in. Possibly Michigan. But the Huskies and Florida State can’t afford a loss.
The Huskies averaged 38 points and allowed 23 points per game. Both of those are a fair amount worse than the numbers the Ducks put up. But, at least for now, Washington holds the edge in the only stat that matters, the win vs loss column.
Michael Penix threw for 3,899 yards and 32 touchdowns, while being intercepted eight times. He doesn’t have the supporting cast Nix has, but the Huskies are a solid team.
Who to Bet On?
The college football odds Week 14 line of Oregon -10 is a bit surprising. But it also makes a lot of sense from the sportsbook’s perspective. Bettors love the Ducks, but then again, bettors are going to love any team that goes 9-2-1 against the point spread.
Obviously, this is a huge revenge game for the Ducks. But the Huskies are going to have some motivation in the point spread. Oregon’s motivational edge isn’t going to be as big as some believe. While Washington is tempting in this one, the best bet is probably going to be the under 65.5.
Bulldogs vs Crimson Tide 
Date & time:
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Georgia
Line: Georgia 5.5
Total: 54.5
Streaming: CBS
Let the conspiracy theories begin. The Bulldogs are most likely going to be playing in the college football playoffs regardless of what happens here. An Alabama victory could very well see two SEC teams in the playoff field and bring in a lot of additional revenue and expose for the conference. But that’s all it is – a conspiracy theory. Both teams are entering this game to win.
The Bulldogs have been given the best chance of winning. The college football odds Week 14 have moved from Georgia -4.5 to Bulldogs -5.5. The total on the game is 54.5.
It’s no surprise to see the Bulldogs climb a little bit on the point spread. Georgia is a definite public team and bettors have been down on Alabama a little bit all NCAAF season. Despite all of this, Georgia is 4-7-1 against the spread, while the Crimson Tide is 8-4. The Bulldogs are 6-6 in totals, while Alabama is 8-2-2, which at least has to make over bettors happy.
You can give Georgia the slightest of edges for the game being played in their home state. But Alabama fans are going to be there full force to support their team.
This should be a great game no matter how you look at it. It could come to the final possession of the game and when that’s the case, you’re better off grabbing the underdog in the contest. Take Alabama +5.5 to keep this one close and possibly spring the upset.
For NCAA Football news, odds, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
