Smart money is against a college football playoff

Barack Obama isn't done campaigning — for a college football playoff. On Sunday, he discussed the topic with CBS-TV's "60 Minutes" (video above). He first brought it up during a halftime interview on "Monday Night Football" the day before he was elected.

So will it happen?

The Wiz of Odds gathered several reactions here, but nobody seems to be chanting "yes we can" quite yet. The Times' Chris Dufresne says no way, no how — certainly not in Obama's first term. And if you're the type to put your money where your mouth is, fellow gamblers are leaning against it.

BetOnline.com posted this exotic wager:

"Will Barack Obama see a college football playoff system incorporated during his presidency?"

As of Wednesday night, "no" was the popular pick, listed at -300 (for non-gamblers, that means you have to risk $300 to win $100). "Yes" paid out at +225 (risk $100 to win $225).

If the BCS isn't exciting enough this year, maybe betting on its downfall is.

Skeptics could have jumped on at -250 before the public started betting it up. "People don't think it's going to happen," said Stan Simmons, who helps set lines for the site. "The line, in my opinion, is still pretty low. Even though you probably have four to eight years ... I don't believe there'll be a playoff system."

Unlike more common bets like point spreads and over/unders, the experts had to think outside the box to come up with an opening line on this one. "There are a lot of variables that go with it," Simmons said.

One of the things his company discussed Wednesday was the real and perceived authority of government, including what happened with the recent congressional hearings on steroids.

"You have to factor in that Obama's a politician. Is he saying it because he wants to say all the right things, or is he actually going to press on with this?" Simmons said. "We've heard a lot of people say this sort of thing, but nobody with the type of power that this guy has."

Regardless of Obama's influence, keep in mind that he doesn't have to make it happen personally; a playoff just has to happen while he's in office. People who bet "yes" may wind up with an unusual incentive to vote for a second term.

If you make your way over to BetOnline.com, go to the future/prop bets and make sure to check out the exotics. Here are some of the other unconventional wagers you'll find (as of Wednesday night):

Will a team from the state of Texas win the BCS Championship? If you think so, they're paying 5-to-1. If you think not, you can risk 8-to-1.
Will any of the big three U.S. automakers (GM, Ford, Chrysler) merge with each other before Dec. 31, 2009? "Yes" is at -400, while "no" is the underdog at +300.
Who will win Miss World? Miss Ukraine is the favorite with 7-to-1 odds, followed by Miss Spain at 8-to-1. Miss USA is 30-to-1. Miss Mongolia is 200-to-1.
Who will be the next pope? Oscar Rodriguez Maragiaga of Honduras is the favorite with 7-to-1 odds. The best hope for an American is Francis George at 80-to-1.

—Adam Rose