How to Bet on College Football

College football is one of the most exciting sports out there. Every Saturday, teams across the US compete in front of passionate fan bases. You are looking to get into college football. Here’s a guide on how to bet on college football. A rundown of the best college football betting sites, bet types, understanding odds, the college football season, and more.

College Football Games and Season

The NCAA football season is an exciting time for sports fans across the country. The season usually starts in late August and runs through the beginning of January. During this time, there are hundreds of games to watch and bet on. These include the regular season, bowl games, conference championships, and national championship games.

The regular season is the longest part of the college football season, spanning over about 15 weeks. Each team typically plays around 12 regular season games, with some conferences having an extra game or two. The regular season determines which teams will qualify for the postseason, including the playoff and college football bowl games.

The playoff, which began in 2014, is the most prestigious event in college football. The playoff consists of four teams chosen by a selection committee based on their performance throughout the season.

How to Read College Football Odds

When it comes to college football betting, understanding the odds is crucial. Odds are used to determine the payout of a winning bet. Typically, odds for college football are displayed using the American odds format, where the negative number indicates the favorite and the positive number represents the underdog.

For instance, let’s say USC is playing against Texas in the College Football Playoff. USC has moneyline odds of -160. That means that they are the favorite, and a bettor would have to risk $160 to win $100. On the other side, Texas has odds of +200. That means they are the underdog, and a bettor would win $200 for every $100 they wager if Texas wins.

Another important aspect to consider when reading odds in college football is the point spread. The point spread is used to level the playing field by giving the underdog a virtual head start. Let’s say USC is a -7.5 point spread favorite. This means that USC needs to win by eight points or more to cover the spread.

On the other hand, if the point spread is Texas +7.5, Texas bettors need the team to win the game or lose by seven points or less. Understanding the point spread can be essential in making informed betting decisions on college football games.

Popular Types of College Football Bet Types at Sportsbooks

Sportsbooks have a long list of bet types and odds for all the Division I college football games. Here are a few of the bet types you will see as you start scanning sportsbooks for college football odds, lines, and more.

Moneyline Bet

Moneyline betting is the simplest form of betting, where you pick the team you think will win the game outright. The odds for each team will be presented as a positive or negative number. If a team has a negative number, they are the favorite, and you would need to bet that amount to win $100.

For example, if USC has odds of -150 against Texas, you would need to bet $150 to win $100. On the other side, if Texas has odds of +200, you would win $200 if you bet $100 and they win the game outright.

Point Spread Bet

Point spread betting involves betting on a team to win by a certain number of points, or to not lose by more than a certain number of points. The point spread is essentially a handicap given to the underdog team to make the bet more even. Point spreads are one of the most popular wagers in NCAA football betting and all of college sports.

For example, if USC is favored by 7.5 points against Kansas, they would need to win by eight or more points for a bet on them to win. On the other hand, if Kansas loses by six points or less, or wins the game outright, a bet on them would win.

Total Bet

Total bets in college football betting refer to the total number of points scored in a game by both teams. The sportsbook will set a line for the total number of points, and the bettor can wager on whether the actual total score will be over or under that line. Totals are another extremely popular bet amongst bettors.

For example, if the total line for a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines is set at 50.5 points, a bettor can wager on whether the total points scored in the game will be over or under that line. If the final score is Ohio State 28, Michigan 24, the total points scored would be 52, and anyone who bet the over would win.

Prop Bet

Prop bets, short for proposition bets, are wagers on specific events that may or may not happen during a game or season. These bets can be based on anything from the outcome of a coin toss to the number of rushing yards a specific player will have.

For example, a prop bet for a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers might be whether Alabama’s star quarterback will throw for over or under 250 yards. Prop bets can add excitement to a game and can be a fun way to wager on aspects of the game beyond the final outcome.

Futures Bet

College football futures bets are wagers on future events, such as which team will win the national championship, conference championships, or Heisman Trophy. They are usually placed before the start of the season and offer long-term betting opportunities. 

For example, a futures bet on a team to win the college football national championship might have odds of +500, meaning a $100 bet would win $500 if that team goes on to win the championship. 

Futures bets can be risky, but they offer potentially high payouts for those willing to take the risk. Before placing a futures bet, it’s important to do research on the teams and the potential outcomes of the season.

Parlay Bet

A parlay bet is a type of bet that combines multiple wagers into one bet. The more bets that are included in the parlay, the higher the potential payout, but also the higher the risk.

All bets in the parlay must be correct in order to win the bet. For example, you might want to bet on three different games by picking the winner in each game. If all three games are correctly picked, the bettor would win a larger payout than if they had placed individual bets on each game.

However, if even one team ends up going on to lose the game, the entire parlay bet is lost. 

Live Betting on College Football

Live betting on college football is a popular and exciting way to engage in the sport. Sportsbooks offer live betting options that allow bettors to place wagers during the game.

With live betting, you can bet on outcomes such as who will score next, what the next play will be, and whether the current drive will result in a score.

Live betting also allows bettors to take advantage of odds that can shift quickly based on the game’s flow, such as when a team is mounting a comeback. With the ability to bet in real-time, live betting provides a unique and dynamic betting experience for college football fans.

College Football Betting Tips

You are looking to bet college football but are unsure where to start. There is still more you need to learn and you want to know how to bet as smartly as possible. Here are a few tips and strategies for betting on a game.

Compare Odds and Lines

One of the benefits of online betting is that you can compare odds and lines from multiple sportsbooks. Take a look at what each sportsbook is offering and get the best value as a bettor.

For example, you check a few legal college football betting sites and see Alabama is a -175 favorite vs Georgia. As you scan, you find one site that has Alabama as a -155 favorite. The -155 is a higher payout.

Rivalries

College football is known for its intense rivalries that fans eagerly await each season. Some of the most popular rivalries include the Iron Bowl featuring Alabama versus Auburn, the Egg Bowl featuring Ole Miss versus Mississippi State, and The Red River Rivalry featuring Oklahoma versus Texas.

There is also the Apple Cup featuring Washington State versus Washington, The Game featuring Ohio State versus Michigan, Bedlam featuring Oklahoma versus Oklahoma State, and many others. 

These matchups often lead to close games, making it difficult to predict the winner for moneyline bets. Fans can expect both teams to put up a strong fight to secure the win in these highly anticipated rivalry games.

Injuries

Physicality is inherent in football, making injuries a common occurrence in college football matches. These injuries can have a significant impact on the betting odds and outcome of games.

It is important to keep track of any injuries to key players before placing your bets. It is also wise to evaluate the injury history of players before making future bets that cover the entire season. By doing so, you can avoid potential losses caused by unexpected injuries to important players.

Timing of Your Bets

As soon as the current weekend’s college football games are over, online sportsbooks release the odds for the following weekend’s matchups. This allows bettors to place their bets right away. However, keep in mind that odds may change throughout the week due to new information on injuries and weather conditions.

If you prefer to have all the available information before placing your wager, it can sometimes be best to wait until game day. By waiting, you may have a better idea of the teams’ current conditions and be able to make a more informed decision.

Common NCAAF Sports Betting Mistakes

There are several mistakes that new bettors make when they place a bet on a college football game. these include placing your money on moneyline favorites. In college football, moneyline favorites can have odds that require a lot of money to be risked for a small return.

Another mistake in betting on college football and the NFL is betting on your favorite teams. Fans will place wagers on teams they support without doing any research or having a strategy. This is a recipe to lose. Betting with online sportsbooks is more than just going with your favorite teams.

Finally, stay away from trying to compensate for losses. Throwing money at a sportsbook is not one of the best ways to bet on college football. Have a strategy in mind and a certain bet size that you stick to. Don’t start wagering more because you lost a bet.

College Football Betting Apps and Sportsbook Options

If you are looking for sportsbook options for online sports betting, there are several ways to get in on the action as a college football bettor. Here’s a look at some of the popular sportsbooks if you are looking to bet on college football teams, games, and more.

BetMGM

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BetMGM is a popular sportsbook known for its range of features, including live betting and the ability to edit bets. It is a great option for beginners in college football betting. BetMGM also offers exclusive promotions and many college football odds for new users.

FanDuel

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FanDuel is a well-regarded and trustworthy sportsbook with outstanding live betting options, making it one of the industry’s best. It’s an excellent option for college football novices who want to learn how to bet, as the sportsbook provides users with the chance to wager on top college football games and teams.

DraftKings

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DraftKings is a widely-used and reputable sports betting platform that offers a variety of features, including a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, promotions, and odds boosts. Additionally, DraftKings provides users with plenty of betting markets and o options for college football.

Caesars

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Caesars is known for having one of the best VIP reward programs in the sports betting industry. The rewards system helps bettors earn valuable rewards from each wager they place. In addition to this program, the sportsbook offers live betting, promotions, odds boosts, and other features.

Betfred

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Betfred is a reputable sportsbook with a variety of features, including live betting and the ability to edit bets. The sportsbook offers many college football odds and promotions for new users.

Tipico

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Tipico is a trusted sportsbook that offers a range of features, including live betting and a rewards program. Additionally, the sportsbook provides users with exclusive college football odds and promotions.

BetRivers

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BetRivers is a popular sportsbook with outstanding live betting options and exclusive college football odds. The sportsbook also offers a rewards program that allows users to earn bonuses, promotions, and odds boosts.

How to Bet on College Football FAQs

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