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Ohio State most popular bet to win national title; Michigan given 5th-best odds

Rick Osentoski / USA TODAY Sports

A month away from the kickoff of the college football season, the most popular bet to win the national title at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook remains, unsurprisingly, defending champion Ohio State.

But, as David Purdum of ESPN reports, sitting fifth in that race is another Big Ten program, one most respectable prognosticators have dismissed: Michigan.

Call it the Jim Harbaugh effect.

Alabama has attracted the second-most money as a national title bet, followed by Auburn, Notre Dame and Harbaugh's Wolverines.

Michigan's emergence as a popular betting option remains all the more shocking considering the long odds they face in most matchups this season against FBS opponents.

In the Wolverines' home game against the Buckeyes on Nov. 28, Ohio State is a 14-point favorite at the SuperBook.

Meanwhile, Michigan is a 6-point underdog in its season opener at Pac-12 South dark horse Utah.

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