On a blazing hot Saturday morning in Las Vegas, South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews rolled out odds for his 2026 College Football Games of the Year.
It’s an annual late-summer tradition for Andrews, but often leads some bettors to ask: Why now, when national sportsbooks posted these matchups a month or two ago?
The answer: Andrews and his risk room don’t just go with the flow on college football odds. South Point’s numbers aren’t merely replicas of what DraftKings or FanDuel are offering at the moment.
Every year, there’s value on the board. Andrews sticks by his numbers, lets the sharps take their shots, then moves the line.
There were multiple examples of that Saturday.
2026 College Football Odds
Holy War Bonds
Utah hosts BYU, but not until Nov. 7.
So bettors who fired Saturday are looking at three-plus months to see how the Holy War turns out.
That protracted wait didn’t stop well-known sharp bettor Bill Krackomberger from investing in Utah, which opened as a 2.5-point home underdog.
Krackomberger made a $2,200 max bet on the Utes +2.5, and Andrews moved the number to +1.5. Then Krackomberger punched in another $2,200 on Utah +1.5.
“I think they’ve got the wrong team favored. But maybe they’re right,” Krackomberger said.
That noted, other professional players hit Utah, as well. By the time the sharps got done – either at the window or on the mobile app, which allowed $1,000 max bets – Andrews moved Utah from a 2.5-point ‘dog to a 2-point favorite.
“I guess DraftKings had Utah favored,” Andrews said, and that was indeed the case, with the Utes -3 at DK. “But I try not to let that influence me too much. That’s what makes betting interesting. There are a lot of different opinions.”
Chris Andrews (@andrewssports) just posted @southpointlv sportsbook’s CFB Games of the Year.
And bettors definitely found some value plays, at the counter and on the app.
Let’s go LIVE ON X to discuss early movers and more.https://t.co/qFu40t2EEv
— Patrick Everson (@PatrickE_Vegas) August 1, 2026
Miami Price
Also on Nov. 7, Miami visits Notre Dame, in a matchup certain to have College Football Playoff ramifications. The Hurricanes reached the title game last season, losing to Indiana.
In fact, Miami making the CFP is what kept Notre Dame out of the 12-team playoff.
Andrews opened Notre Dame as a 7-point home favorite. Once again, though, it was ‘dog action early.
“They bet Miami +7,” Andrews said, noting he moved the number to 6.5. “That’s gonna be a really good game. Both teams are very good.”
More Movers & Shakers
Rivalry games seemed to get a lot of attention Saturday. Along with BYU-Utah, Kansas vs. Kansas State saw sharp play on the visiting Jayhawks.
Krackomberger, among others, put $2,200 on Kansas +9 and fired another $2,200 on Kansas +7.5. That helped move the Jayhawks to 6.5-point road pups for the Oct. 17 game.
“By game time, I think I’ll have the best of it at 7.5,” Krackomberger said.
On the flip side, Andrews hopes his initial instincts prove correct.
“I’m kind of high on Kansas State this year. They might be a tad underrated,” Andrews said.
Also in the Big 12, Houston opened +15.5 at Texas Tech. Bettors hit the Cougars early, as that line dipped to 14 for a Sept. 18 contest.
“Texas Tech is the even-money favorite to win the Big 12. I’m not sure the Red Raiders are that good, and Houston is a program that’s improving,” Andrews said.
In the Big Ten, Nebraska makes the short trek to Iowa in the regular-season finale, on Nov. 27. The Hawkeyes opened as double-digit favorites at -10.
“They took Nebraska +10 and +8.5, so I’m down to 8,” Andrews said.
Aram Tolegian terms himself more a recreational bettor. But he pays attention to numbers, and he liked seeing Texas -3 at Texas A&M, in another Nov. 27 contest.
“Right now, Texas laying a field goal or less to anybody feels like a value,” Tolegian said.
Other notable early line moves:
- Texas from pick ‘em to -1.5 vs. Ohio State (Sept. 12)
- California from +2.5 to +1 at UNLV (Oct. 3)
The Waiting Game
From now until the regular season ends, Andrews and his team will see if the early numbers hold up. The longtime Vegas oddsmaker is tempering his expectations.
“If we make a dollar at the end of the year, I’m happy,” he said, while noting his reverence for the bettors who plowed into his opening numbers. “Who do you think is betting me? Guys put up a couple thousand dollars and might not see the return for a few months."
“It’s not the typical bettor. These people are serious handicappers. I have a lot of respect for these guys when they make a play with me. And it’s a good thing for South Point, too. We get ourselves out there.”
