Heading into a weekend loaded with high-profile matchups in the NFL and college football, no game had drawn more money from bettors this week than the SEC matchup between Alabama and Tennessee.
More money had been wagered on the Crimson Tide and Volunteers at Caesars Sportsbook than on any other football game, including the highly-anticipated NFL matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sportsbook operator BetMGM reported Friday morning that the underdog Volunteers had drawn more bets than any other college team. But the action—and the point spread—began to shift toward the Tide on Friday afternoon.
The line moved from Alabama -7 to -8.5 at various sportsbooks on Friday. Caesars Sportsbook reported that 65% of point bets and 63% of money wagered were on the Vols.
“The action in this game was very intense [the Volunteers] to this point,” Caesars Sportsbook college football leader Joey Feazel told ESPN. “The crowd and the punters love Tennessee in this game. We only made a few professional bets on this featured game, both in Tennessee.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban said on his radio show Thursday that the availability of quarterback Bryce Young was still up in the air. Young missed last week’s game against Texas A&M with a shoulder injury.
Feazel said Friday’s line movement “shows optimism that Bryce Young will start tomorrow afternoon.”