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How to Bet on College Football

While the NFL odds and the Super Bowl odds are the king of online sports betting, NCAA football betting isn’t far behind. Saturdays are almost as busy as Sundays at most betting sites as players wager on the Top 25 and beyond. Here are the easiest ways to get started in college football betting.  

What are college football spreads?

The most popular way to bet on college football is spread betting. You have a favorite and an underdog, so let’s say LSU and Alabama are playing. Alabama might be favored by 6.5 points at home, so they would be -6.5, while LSU would be +6.5. Alabama would have to win by over 6.5 points to cover their bet – which means seven or more – while LSU could lose by less than 6.5 points or win outright in order to win their end of the wager. A lot of spreads will have a half-point at the end to make sure there is no tie; for example, if the spread is -6, and the final margin of victory is six points. That makes for a push, and all money is given back like nothing ever happened.

What are college football moneylines?

You can also bet on college football via the moneyline, meaning you’re betting on who will win the game outright. Take the matchup between LSU and Alabama, for example. Alabama is the home team. Alabama might be the favorite at -175, while LSU comes in at +150. The negative sign before the odds shows you that Alabama is the favorite, and what it also means is that you would have to bet $175 to win $100. LSU, on the other hand, is the underdog, as the positive sign shows, and you would stand to win $150 if you bet $100.

What are college football teasers?

One popular option for NCAA football betting is using teasers. This is a parlay that allows you to move the spread in your favor on multiple games. If you like three games on the day and played a normal parlay, it might be tough to win all three spreads. However, if you play a teaser, you’ll have a smaller payout if you win your three-team teaser, but the benefit is that you increase your chances of winning by getting points for each game. Let’s say you played a six-point teaser on your college football picks, you would be able to move the line six points in your favor for each of your three games. So if a team was originally -9.5, now your new line would be -3.5, which is much easier to cover.

What are college football totals?

You can also bet on the total amount of points that can be scored in a game and basically, you’re betting on whether the actual total will be over or under the posted total from the sportsbook. For example, you could see LSU and Alabama with a total of 57.5 points, again with the half-point to avoid a push. You would bet on the total being over or under, and here is where it pays off to research each team’s offense and defense, while also paying attention to things like weather.

What are college football futures?

Finally, you have future betting, which is where you’re wagering on things that might not happen for a while. An example of future betting is wagering on the National Championship. You can also bet on conferences (and divisions if a conference has them). You can also wager on player props like who will win the Heisman Trophy, which is given to the best player in college football. If you do your research, you might be able to find the best prices early on.

College football betting tips & strategies

When it comes to betting on college football, here are some tips and strategies to consider:

  1. Research teams and players: Stay informed about the teams and individual players. Analyze statistics, injury reports, and previous matchups to make informed betting decisions.
  2. Understand the odds: Familiarize yourself with different types of bets, odds, and betting lines. This includes moneyline bets, point spreads, Over/Under totals, and prop bets. Understanding the odds helps you make informed decisions.
  3. Shop for the best odds: Different sportsbooks might offer slightly different odds for the same game or bet. Shop around to find the best odds and maximize potential profits.
  4. Focus on value bets: Look for bets where the odds seem more favorable than you expected. Assess whether the potential payout justifies the risk, and focus on finding value rather than simply betting on favorites.
  5. Manage your bankroll: Set a budget for your bets and stick to it. Don't bet more than you can afford to lose. Avoid chasing losses by making impulsive bets to recover money.
  6. Stay updated: Stay updated with college football news, coach changes, player injuries, and other factors that might influence the game's outcome.
  7. Avoid emotional betting: Don't let personal biases or team loyalties influence your betting decisions. Make objective assessments based on research and analysis rather than emotions.

Remember, there's no guaranteed strategy for success in sports betting. It's essential to do thorough research, analyze the data, and make well-informed decisions to improve your chances of success.

Examples of college football bets

There are various types of bets you can place on college football games. Some common ones include:

  1. Moneyline bet: This is a straightforward bet on which team will win the game. For example, Team A might have a moneyline of -150, meaning you'd need to bet $150 to win $100 if they win. Meanwhile, Team B might have a moneyline of +200, indicating a potential profit of $200 on a $100 bet if they win.
  2. Point spread bet: In this type of bet, the sportsbook sets a margin by which one team is favored to win over the other. For instance, if Team A is favored by 7.5 points, they would need to win by eight or more points for bets on them to win. Conversely, if you bet on Team B and they lose by less than 7.5 points or win the game, your bet will succeed.
  3. Over/Under bet (total points): This bet involves predicting whether the total points scored by both teams will be Over or Under a specific number set by the sportsbook.
  4. Prop bets: These are bets made on specific events or occurrences within a game that may not affect the final outcome. For college football, prop bets could include things like the first team to score, the total number of touchdowns, or individual player performances.
  5. Futures bets: These are bets made on events that will happen in the future, like betting on a team to win the National Championship before the season starts or predicting the Heisman Trophy winner.

Remember, the types of bets available can vary depending on the sportsbook and the specific college football game or event. Always ensure you understand the odds and how the bets work before placing them.

Where to bet on college football

Here are our best college football betting sites: