Favorites ruled the day on New Year’s in college football, something that was unusual for the majority of the college football season.
Favorites were 5-0 ATS on New Year’s and it wasn’t even close. The only game that was even near single digits in comparison to the spread was Ohio State’s 16-point victory against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes were favorite by 4.5 points, meaning it won by 11.5 points compared to the spread.
The worst was Florida, which entered Friday’s game against Michigan as only 3.5-point underdogs. The Gators ended the day losing 41-7, losing by 30.5 points to the spread.
Despite the trend toward favorites on New Year’s, it isn’t always that way in college football. Underdogs covered 356 times in 2015, compared to favorites covering 283 times.
For the season, college football teams that were underdogs covered 56 percent of the time. That’s actually a better percentage than NFL underdogs, which have for years been perceived as a sure bet. With one week remaining, NFL underdogs have covered 123 times, good enough for a 53 percent rate.
But underdogs haven’t been the choice during this postseason. Favorites are 23-13 against the spread in bowl season, including that 5-0 mark on New Year’s.
With only five games remaining, favorites will not only rule New Year’s, but the whole postseason.
