Wondering what the lines are for the SEC’s bowl games this holiday season? Here’s an updated look and, yes, the Vegas bookmakers know full well that betters will be plunking down big cash on SEC teams based on their reputation. That’s why every single team from Mike Slive’s league opened as a favorite:
Music City Bowl in Nashville
Vanderbilt vs NC State
Opened: VU -5
Current: VU -6.5
Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta
LSU vs Clemson
Opened: LSU -3
Current: LSU -4
Gator Bowl in Jacksonville
Mississippi State vs Northwestern
Opened: MSU -2
Current: MSU -2
Outback Bowl in Tampa
South Carolina vs Michigan
Opened: USC -4.5
Current: USC -5
Capital One Bowl in Orlando
Georgia vs Nebraska
Opened: UGA -8.5
Current: UGA -10
Sugar Bowl in New Orleans
Florida vs Louisville
Opened: UF -15
Current: UF -14
Cotton Bowl in Arlington
Texas A&M vs Oklahoma
Opened: A&M -3
Current: A&M -4.5
BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham
Ole Miss vs Pittsburgh
Opened: UM -2
Current: UM -3.5
BCS Championship Game
Alabama vs Notre Dame
Opened: UA -9.5
Current: UA -9.5
As you can see, in every game the line has either held or moved in favor of the SEC team. As we’ve discussed before, Las Vegas oddsmakers set their lines to bring in an even amount of cash on both teams. They set the lines based on what they believe the perception of Vegas-bound gamblers will be once they arrive in the local casinos.
When bowl season rolls around, that SEC reputation plays a big role in gamblers’ minds and the boys in the desert know it.
