College football upsets fuel big weekend for underdog bettors
College football Week 7 delivered a wave of upsets, including top-ranked Georgia losing at home to Auburn and No. 2 Notre Dame falling to BYU. Texas also lost to Florida, and Tennessee knocked off Alabama, leading BetMGM to note that many parlays were ruined by outright underdog wins. The betting recap also touched on the NFL, but the campus results drew most of the attention.
Week 7 of the college football season produced several outright wins by underdogs, reshaping betting results. Georgia, ranked first, led Auburn early but lost at home; second-ranked Notre Dame fell to BYU; seventh-ranked Texas dropped a game to Florida; and sixth-ranked Alabama was beaten by Tennessee. BetMGM’s Seamus Magee said those four outright winners ruined many parlays.
Bookmakers also reported that BYU’s win over Notre Dame was especially significant for their bottom line. Caesars’ Joey Feazel called it the day’s biggest decision, while Borgata’s Tom Gable said underdog supporters fared well. The NFL added its own upset when Arizona, a 12.5-point road underdog, beat the Rams 18-16 on a last-second field goal.
The weekend’s underdog results could heighten attention on college football and sports betting, especially among casual fans and bettors who follow ranked teams. Many may have lost parlay wagers, which could shape short-term spending and attitudes toward gambling risk. Sportsbooks and media outlets may benefit from increased engagement, live-betting interest, and debate about upsets. At the same time, the outcomes may remind audiences that unpredictable results are central to the appeal—and the financial danger—of betting on sports.