When national championship betting lines were released following Saturday's semifinal games, there was a bit of disagreement around the market. Alabama -6.5 served as a sort of consensus opening number.
And despite an early majority of bets and money hitting the Tide, that number was down to -6 within a day.
Now, four days later, 'Bama still boasts a 56% backing that accounts for 67% of the money, but this line has continued to fall toward Clemson.
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Late Wednesday morning, two key books dropped Alabama off the key number of -6 down to -5 for the first time.
While we're waiting for the first confirmation of sharp action to hit either side, at least by way of a Sports Insights' Bet Signal, the reverse line movement toward the Tigers, especially at the specific sportsbooks mentioned, can certainly serve as an indication that sharper bets are taking the points.
Interestingly, each championship game since the inception of the College Football Playoff has seen reverse line movement — when the line moves away from the popular side. For what it's worth, the contrarian sides have gone 3-1 against the spread in those games.
