CFP Playoffs 1st Round Betting Handles: Bettors Like Indiana To Cover

As we sit just days away from the NCAA's elimination season, BetMGM has dropped us their College Football Playoff betting handles.

There are four games on the slate this weekend, and Indiana vs Notre Dame is the most bet-on game, per BetMGM. In that contest, bettors are savvy on underdog Indiana to cover the spread, though it's not a super decisive number, as Indiana +7.5 makes up 58% of the handle.

Below, I'll highlight where the betting action is for the first round of fun and what we can learn from the College Football playoff betting handles:

Indiana vs Notre Dame Betting Handle

Dec. 20, 8:00 pm ET

Indiana vs Notre Dame Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Indiana	+7.5	56%	58%	O51.5	49%	43%
Notre Dame	-7.5	44%	42%	U51.5	51%	57%

SMU vs Penn State Betting Handle

Dec. 21, 12 pm ET

SMU vs Penn State Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
SMU	+8.5	49%	44%	O54.5	65%	51%
Penn State	-8.5	51%	56%	U54.5	35%	49%

Clemson vs Texas Betting Handle

Dec. 21, 4:00 pm ET

Clemson vs Texas Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Clemson	+11.5	57%	48%	O51.5	41%	54%
Texas	-11.5	43%	52%	U51.5	59%	46%

Tennessee vs Ohio State Betting Handle

Dec. 21, 8:00 pm ET

Tennessee vs Ohio State Betting Handle
Team	Spread	% Bets	% Handle	Total	% Bets	% Handle
Tennessee	+7.5	77%	76%	O46.5	49%	37%
Ohio State	-7.5	23%	24%	U46.5	51%	63%

Our Expert Fading the public in Indiana-Notre dame

While the money is on Indiana to cover, our NCAAF expert Josie Costigan likes the Fighting Irish and the points.

Notre Dame has been dominant since its early-season stumble against Northern Illinois, covering six straight spreads of 14 points or more and leading the nation with a +26.3 win margin. The Irish defense, ranked in the top 10 nationally, allows under 300 yards per game and just 157 passing yards, setting up a tough challenge for Indiana's offense. While Indiana boasts the nation’s best rush defense, their numbers are inflated against weaker competition, and they’ll struggle to contain QB Riley Leonard and RB Jeremiyah Love.

To Josie, Notre Dame -7.5 feels like the play, especially with the home-field boost in South Bend.

Totals are the play in Tennessee vs OSU

Ohio State’s defensive dominance is the key to this matchup, ranking No. 1 in scoring defense and allowing just 241.5 total yards per game, with opponents surpassing two touchdowns only three times all season. Tennessee brings an impressive resume, but their offense faces a tough test against a Buckeyes unit that has hit the UNDER in five of its last six games.

With the Volunteers also cashing the UNDER in four of their last five matchups against top-25 scoring defenses, the under 47.5 points feels like the safest play in this one.