Wild Wagering Trends for the College Football National Championship Game

Before the New Years Eve College Football Playoff semifinals went down, we shared some of the most noteworthy betting trends from the last several years specific to the first two games since the CFP began back in 2014-2015.

Now, with No. 3 Georgia set as a 3-point favorite at WynnBET Sportsbook over No. 1 Alabama for Monday night at 8 p.m. EST, there's even more trends coming together as both teams rematch from the Crimson Tide's 41-24 stomping over the Bulldogs back in early December.

For bettors expecting another upset, Alabama is +125 on the moneyline to defeat Georgia (-150) for the second time this season. The total currently sits at 52.

Here are three of my favorite betting trends to consider ahead of Monday night's SEC Championship rematch.

College Football Playoff National Championship Betting Trends: Alabama vs. Georgia

Take the Underdogs and Overs in the National Championship

There have been seven title games in the current format of the College Football Playoff, and only once has the under hit.

Back in 2014-15, the No. 4 seeded Ohio State Buckeyes put up 42 points on the No. 2 Oregon Ducks, winning as a 9.5-point underdog 42-20; failing to cover the 72.5 point spread.

Here are the last six final scores along with the closing total:

• 2015-16: Alabama 45, Clemson 40 (53.5)
• 2016-17: Clemson 35, Alabama 31 (51.5)
• 2017-18: Alabama 26, Georgia 23 in OT (45.5)
• 2018-19: Clemson 44, Alabama 16 (57.5)
• 2019-20: LSU 42, Clemson 25 (66.5)
• 2020-21: Alabama 52, Ohio State 24 (75.5)

Meanwhile, favorites are just 2-5 vs. the spread in the final game of the playoff. Underdogs covered the first five years of the CFP, as well as won the title game outright in every year but 2017-17

A No. 3 Seed Has NEVER Won the College Football National Championship

If you're holding a betting ticket on the current favorite, you better hope the Bulldogs are good enough to win despite history saying otherwise.

Since the College Football Playoff began, No. 3 seeds are 0-3 in National Championship games.

Here are the results of those matchups:

• 2020-21: Alabama (1) over Ohio State (3): 52-24
• 2019-20: LSU (1) over Clemson (3): 42-25
• 2017-18: Alabama (4) over Georgia (3): 26-23 (OT)

Sure enough, the Georgia Bulldogs were the first ever No. 3 seed to lose in a College Football Playoff National Championship game courtesy of Tua Tagovailoa to DeVonta Smith on second and 26 in overtime!

Alabama is the Only Team to Not Cover as an Outright Winner

Via ESPN Chalk, outright winners have gone 17-4 vs. the spread in the college football playoff (now 19-4) following Alabama and Georgia's victories on December 31st.

In the history of the College Football Playoff, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the only team to win in the playoff; semifinals or championship game, but not cover the spread.

This has happened four different times:

• 2020-21 Rose Bowl: Alabama (-19) 31, Notre Dame 14
• 2018-19 National Championship: Alabama (-5.5) 16, Clemson 44
• 2018-19 Orange Bowl: Alabama (-14.5) 45, Oklahoma 34
• 2017-18 National Championship: Alabama (-3.5) 26, Georgia 23 - OT