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Week 13 betting report: Notre Dame, South Carolina seeing tons of action

Jeff Zelevansky / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Saturday's college football slate is rivalry week, loaded with marquee matchups and implications on the College Football Playoff picture. Will Bernanke, the lead analyst at CG Analytics in Las Vegas, offered some insight as to how bettors are approaching the games.

Michigan at Ohio State

Opening odds: Michigan -3.5 / 57.5

Current odds: Michigan -4.5 / 54.5

One of college football's most riveting rivalries will feature a pair of top-10 teams when No. 4 Michigan travels to Columbus to take on No. 10 Ohio State. Michigan opened as a 3.5-point favorite and topped out at -5 in some shops. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer has only been an underdog six times with the program, winning all six outright.

"Right now, 65 percent of the cash is on Michigan laying the points. About 85-86 percent on the moneyline, so right now it's all Michigan money," Bernanke told theScore on Friday.

Auburn at Alabama

Open: Alabama -24 / 52

Current: Alabama -24.5 / 53

The Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama has produced some classics in the past. Saturday isn't expected to be all that close, though, as the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide opened as 24-point favorites and have seen a slight bump to -24.5 in some places.

"There's a lower handle on this one than Michigan-Ohio State, but bettors are laying the points with 'Bama," Bernanke said. "A little more than 90 percent of all dollars on the Tide."

South Carolina at Clemson

Open: Clemson -25 / 58.5

Current: Clemson -26 / 58.5

Another rivalry game expected to get out of hand, No. 2 Clemson opened -25 over South Carolina and ticked up to -26 over the week. The undefeated Tigers nearly made it six straight games covering the spread last weekend, but ultimately saw the streak end after beating Duke 35-6 as 29.5-point favorites. The Gamecocks come into Saturday with outright victories in three of the last four and three consecutive wins against the spread.

"Another low handle here. Surprisingly, 81 percent of the cash is on South Carolina," Bernanke said. "It's still early, though."

Notre Dame at USC

Open: Notre Dame -10 / 53.5

Current: Notre Dame -11.5 / 54

There's plenty on the line when No. 3 Notre Dame travels to take on USC. If the Fighting Irish win, they're likely in the College Football Playoff; the Trojans sit with five wins and need a monumental upset to become bowl eligible.

"Pretty lopsided action here," Bernanke noted. "This could be one of the bigger games we need, with USC. About 78 percent of the cash here is on Notre Dame and the line went from 10 to 11.5."

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.

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