An Expert College Football Betting Guide | How to Bet on the NCAAF and Win

College football is an electrifying sport that is packed with exciting plays, huge crowds, and future NFL stars. With several games being played every week, there is always exciting betting action taking place across multiple sportsbooks.

This college football betting guide will teach you everything you need to know to get started betting on NCAAF games. We will go over the types of bets you have available, the biggest betting events of the college football season, and even tips for finding betting success along the way.

Best College Football Bets Today

Looking for some quick expert picks on the best college football bets to place today? Take a look at our picks below and get started!

Understanding NCAAF Betting

It’s well-known that the NFL is the most bet-on sport in the world. NCAA football is not far behind.

NCAAF betting is extremely popular and, similar to NFL betting, allows you to place wagers on your favorite teams and players. With so many big games and events throughout the season, there is a nearly endless amount of betting action available. 

In total, NCAA Division I football teams play 12 regular season games, plus any playoff games they qualify for. Unlike the NFL, the NCAA is not restricted to just 32 teams. In fact, there are 134 schools in the Division I football subdivision. Although not all of these teams will be well-known or televised, it provides over 1,000 total games to find betting action for.

Betting on college football works the same as betting on any other sport – simply find the bet you want to place, place your wager, and watch the game to track your results.

The good news is that betting on college football is legal in the United States in most areas. Be sure to check the laws for the state you live in before signing up for a sportsbook. 

Around 32 of the 50 states have some kind of regulated sports betting market, meaning you can place wagers at your local bookie or online. 

Types of NCAAF Bets

When you visit a sportsbook and peruse through the different bet types they have available, you will notice there are several to choose from. While some bet types are great for both beginners and experienced bettors, there are some that take significant research and experience to consistently be successful. 

Moneyline

A moneyline bet in college football is the most straightforward wager there is. You pick the team you think will win the game outright and place your stake. The total number of points and the point spread have no effect on the moneyline outcome. 

Each matchup has a favorite and an underdog. The favorite to win the game will have negative (-) odds and the underdog will have positive (+) odds. Wagers on the underdog have higher potential payouts, but with lower odds of winning your bet.

Point Spread

Betting on the point spread is placing a wager on the margin of victory within the game. For this bet type, the winner of the game is not relevant. Instead, you need to bet over or under on what the point difference will be between the two teams.

For example, a game between Alabama and LSU may have a point spread set at 3.5 points. You can wager on whether the point difference between the two teams will be more or less than 3 points. Similar to a moneyline bet, the over and under will be represented with positive and negative odds based on which is statistically more likely to occur. 

Totals

A total bet, also known as an over/under bet, is a wager on what the total number of points scored in the game will be. It’s called an over/under bet because you simply place your wager on whether the total score will be over or under the number set by the sportsbook.

If the points line for a game is set at 32.5, then you would bet on whether you think more or less than 32 points will be scored.

Total bets are great bets for beginners due to their simple and somewhat predictable nature. Becoming a successful total point bettor takes less time and research than other bet types, but may not be as profitable early on. 

Prop Bets

A prop bet, sometimes called a proposition bet, is a unique type of bet that lets you wager on a very specific outcome within the game. Prop bets typically focus on individual player and team performances rather than final outcomes of the game.

Some examples of prop bets include:

• Quarterback throwing for over/under 300 yards
• Running back to score 2 or more touchdowns
• Which team will score first

Futures

Futures NCAAF bets are wagers placed on events that happen in the future, typically at the end of the season. These bets are difficult to predict, but offer attractive odds that come with a significant payout if you bet correctly.

One of the most popular college football future bets is the Heisman winner. Before the season begins, sportsbooks post odds on the top-projected players who will be competing for the Heisman trophy. Other popular futures bets include wagering on the national championship winner, coach of the year, and conference champions.

Parlays

Parlay bets are multiple bets rolled into one bet slip. To win your bet, every leg of your parlay must be correct.

For instance, you may place a moneyline parlay for a week’s worth of matchups. If you choose the winner of 6 different games, you can roll this into one ticket. All 6 of your wagers must be won in order to win the parlay bet. If one of your bets is incorrect, you lose your entire wager.

Parlays are an exciting type of bet because they stack up quickly and offer attractive payouts for those lucky enough to hit on all their legs. We recommend doing plenty of research before placing a parlay bet. 

Live Bets

A unique way to bet on college football games is by placing live bets during the middle of the game. Some sportsbooks allow you to wager on things such as how the next drive ends, when the next points will be scored, and who will be the next player to score – all while the game is happening live.

Live betting is fast-paced and difficult to predict, but die-hard fans and analysts may find themselves finding success with it. The biggest thing to remember when live betting is to not chase your losses, as they can stack up rapidly throughout the course of the game. 

NCAAF Public Betting

One of the best ways to gain insight into the bets you should place is to look at the public betting statistics. This is a data set of information that shows you the percentage of bets placed for either side of a wager.

For example, let’s say that a game between Alabama and Auburn has nearly even odds for the moneyline. This makes it difficult to predict who the winner will be, and you may be looking for additional context into who you should bet on.

Public betting data is the additional context you need. It allows you to see what percentage of bettors are taking the Alabama moneyline and which are taking the Auburn moneyline. This doesn’t guarantee success, of course, but it can be extremely valuable for learning information you didn’t otherwise know about the matchup. 

There are many great services out there that offer college football public betting data. Be sure to do your research and choose a well-known and reputable provider. 

How to Bet on College Football

Betting on college football games goes far beyond signing up for a sportsbook, making a deposit, and placing a bet. If you’re looking to maximize your winnings and get the most enjoyment possible, then you need to follow a few core practices:

Search Multiple Sportsbooks

College football betting lines can be found at nearly every sportsbook you’ll use. This is a good thing for bettors because it means that you can always shop around for the best value possible.

Sportsbooks compete with one another to gain bettors. It’s highly likely that you’ll find different odds for the same bet when you look around at different sportsbooks. Use this to your advantage and find which sportsbook is offering the most valuable odds for the bet you want to place.

Keep in mind that betting lines are always shifting, so it’s important to check the sportsbooks regularly before placing a bet. 

Read Picks and Predictions

Never feel like it’s lazy or bad practice to read up on other bettors’ picks and predictions. In fact, this is a great way to gain additional insight into a wager and learn about other people’s strategy.

Some bettors prefer to follow the same picks that other experts make. This can prove effective at times, but it can take some time trying to find an expert with a winning percentage worth following. If someone is really successful, it’s likely that they charge for their expertise.

Aside from other bettors, it also never hurts to read the predictions of college football analysts for specific matchups. Although they may not be offering betting advice directly, they can offer helpful insight into specific team and player matchups that you can use to place your bets. 

Stay Up to Date on Player News

Perhaps the biggest mistake you can make as a bettor is not staying up to date on player and team news. Updates such as injuries, weather conditions, and even off-the-field issues can all have a dramatic effect on the teams’ and other players’ performances.

It’s easier than ever before to stay updated on this by subscribing to different social media accounts that were made with the purpose of breaking important information the moment they find out. Checking this frequently before making a bet is important to make sure you’re not getting bad value.

For example, if a team’s top wide receiver is going to miss the upcoming game, then you likely want to avoid betting on any passing prop bets, as the quarterback’s performance may be hindered by the receiver’s absence. 

Join an NCAAF Betting Forum

Thanks to social media platforms and user forums such as Facebook and Reddit, there are numerous forums that you can join where users discuss college football betting. This includes sharing helpful tips, articles, and even providing insight into the betting slips they’re building.

Communities like this can be extremely helpful for finding value and can save you some time from having to browse through numerous sportsbooks. They’re also great for learning about special promotions and bonuses that may be going on for a specific match, game, or league. 

NCAAF Events With Maximum Betting Appeal

Throughout the college football season, there are many big games and events that draw the most betting attention. Similar to the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl, these events have a lot at stake for all teams and players involved, and sportsbooks go above and beyond with the betting action they provide for bettors.

Some of the biggest NCAA football betting events include:

• NCAA National Championship
• Conference Championship Games
• Rivalry Games
• Bowl Games
• Heisman Trophy Award

NCAA National Championship

The college football National Championship is the biggest game of the year that determines which team will be crowned the national champion. Somewhat similar to the Super Bowl, this is the final game of the year and has a ton of betting action available.

The National Championship has a wide selection of prop bets, parlays and live bets that can be placed during the game. With an extremely high viewership, this event brings in more bettors than any other college football event.

Conference Championship Games

Conference championship games are highly anticipated games that give us teams to be crowned as the kings of their conference. There are several conference championships, such as:

• SEC championship
• Big Ten championship
• ACC Championship

The top 5 conference champion trams are automatically qualified for the 12-team CFP, which puts them one step closer to the National Championship.

Rivalry Games

Both fans and bettors eagerly await big rivalry games every season. Luckily, there is no shortage of rivalries in the NCAA. In fact, college football has rivalries that go back further than most NFL rivalries, and their games bring in a massive audience and betting crowd.

Sportsbooks anticipate rivalry games each season and offer extra betting action in the form of prop bets and special promotions. Bettors can find a ton of value for these games, which adds to the already high levels of excitement that comes with these games.

Bowl Games

Bowl games represent the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs and feature the best of the best teams from that season. These games are high stakes, where the winner moves on and the loser’s season comes to an end. 

There are a total of 6 different bowl games:

• Fiesta Bowl
• Sugar Bowl
• Orange Bowl
• Rose Bowl
• Cotton Bowl
• Peach Bowl

Heisman Trophy Award

The Heisman trophy is the NCAA’s equivalent of the league MVP. The winner of this prestigious award is considered to be the best player in college football that season, and the award is meant to demonstrate their athletic ability, perseverance, and hard work.

Bettors love to place futures bets on who will win the Heisman award. By the time the ceremony rolls around late in the season, bettors are eager to see who is given the title.

The odds for the Heisman winner tend to shift throughout the season. Some seasons this shift can be dramatic, other seasons the shift is very minor as the frontrunner for the award may dominate that entire season. Either way, this is easily one of the most anticipated and bet-on events in the college football season. 

Read More About NCAAF Betting

NCAAF Betting Tips

Betting on NCAA football isn’t always going to generate a profit right away. It takes time, practice, and a lot of patience to become a successful bettor. Luckily, there are simple tips we can offer that can help put you on the path to success. 

Know the Rivalries

College football has a long history of great rivalries. Michigan vs Ohio State; Alabama vs Auburn; and Army vs Navy are all rivalries you’ve likely heard of in the college football world. Not only do these games make for an exciting spectacle, but they get the attention of many sportsbooks and bettors.

Rivalry games are great for finding value. And the good news is that you get rivalry games every season, no matter what the schedule looks like. Circle these dates in your calendar and take advantage of the great betting lines that are provided for the matchup.

Bet Conservatively

Managing your betting budget and betting conservatively are important for getting the most enjoyable experience out of betting on college football. Never wager more than you’re prepared to lose, and never chase your losses. This can lead to bad betting habits that will affect your financial stability. 

Set a budget for yourself and track of all your wins and losses. Having this view of your total profit and loss is good for both managing your money and identifying your betting strengths and weaknesses. 

Remember that the NCAA Football is not the NFL

The NFL is the most popular sports league in the world. NCAA football is not far behind, but there are some major differences between the two leagues that are important to consider when betting.

For starters, it’s important to remember that the NFL’s players are all professionals. Although many college football players are great athletes, not nearly as many of them make it into the NFL. This results in more balanced matchups in the NFL that rarely result in extremely high-scoring games. On average, college football games score more points than NFL games. This is important to consider when betting on point totals and team performances. 

Another major difference between NCAA football and the NFL is the rules. While the majority of the rules are similar, there are a few key differences that lead to different game plans. For example, the completion rules are different in the NFL than they are in college football. In the NFL, a receiver must have possession of the ball and get two feet in bounds. In college football, the receiver only needs to get one foot down in order for it to be a completion. This helps contribute to higher-scoring games as well as increased passing and receiving yards. 

Use a Handicapping Service

Handicapping in betting can be a complex process, but the results can’t be argued with. This process of analyzing statistics, injuries, weather conditions, and player performance is great for identifying betting opportunities that offer favorable odds. 

If you don’t know how to handicap, then we highly recommend using a handicapping service. This is typically a paid service that is designed to provide bettors with the context and information they need to improve their betting win rate. 

See Money Touch Down in Your NCAAF Betting Account

Betting on college football is both exciting and advantageous for bettors. By following teams closely, keeping up on stats, and following the advice of professionals, you can find yourself on the path to profitability betting on NCAA football games.

If you’re looking to gain an extra advantage over the sportsbooks, then we highly recommend signing up for our premium handicapping service. Let us do the difficult research for you and provide you with everything you need to improve your win rate and become a successful and profitable bettor this college football season.