2011 BCS National Championship Game odds are only starting to trickle in, but it looks like the Oregon Ducks will start out as a very slight favorite over the Auburn Tigers. ESPN's gambling guy, Chad Millman, says the Hilton's line opened at Oregon -3 but has already slipped to Oregon -1.
Vegas probably started out with the line in the Ducks' favor because their offense has been even more explosive than Auburn's and they've only had one close call all year. Auburn has won six games by a single score, including a 24-point comeback, four by three or less, and an overtime win. Oregon's only single-score win came by two points over the California Golden Bears.
Early bettors moved the line down, likely because of (1) Cam Newton and (2) the SEC. Oregon's offense is one of the best ever, and its defense is very good too, but Newton might be the best college football player in decades. And the SEC has won four straight BCS title games -- that alone could swing them into being favorites within the first week of betting.