Welcome aboard for the 2025 college football season. We are so thrilled to have you with us here at Action Network for another year of sweating bets together.
For those new to the party this season, my favorite futures market on the college football betting menu are regular-season win totals. I see a lot of opportunity in this market when it comes to finding value early in the summer when these plays get widely released by all of the major sportsbooks.
We stress shopping around for the most favorable odds, no matter the sport or market, but you'll see significant variation in the odds offered up in the college football win total market from shop to shop.
I cannot stress this enough to anyone entering these markets: Get the best odds every time. This is the quickest and easiest way to improve your ROI and move toward profitability in this venture, which is the ultimate goal for everyone.
Many of the win totals I'm personally betting have moved significantly either in the number being offered or the juice that corresponds with the play. However, there are three plays still available at relatively comparable odds to take a look at while constructing your regular-season wins and futures portfolio.
Let's dive into my college football win totals and NCAAF futures for the 2025 season.
Kansas Under 7.5 Wins
-160 · FanDuel
The Jayhawks are seeking to rebound from a troubling 5-7 season that saw this group miss out on a bowl game for the first time since Lance Leipold’s first season in Lawrence.
The Kansas faithful are also excited about the return of electrifying quarterback Jalon Daniels for his senior campaign, along with the opening of a new-look Memorial Stadium.
While this could end up being a fun season for KU with some success on the field, there are reasons to pause on this being a truly special season where the Jayhawks see the wins pile up.
Kansas loses 38 seniors and has holes at every position group except quarterback.
All-time program leading rusher Devin Neal has to be replaced, along with the top six pass-catchers from last season.
On the other side, nine of the top 11 tacklers are gone from a defense that wore down against the run late in the season, and the losses in the secondary are massive. Losing two All-American cornerbacks and both starting safeties is going to be nearly impossible to replace.
The schedule is also one that provides some tests. I have KU as a significant underdog (+7 or more) in five games this season — at Missouri, at Texas Tech, vs. Kansas State, at Iowa State and vs. Utah.
Meanwhile, bouts with Cincinnati, UCF and Arizona are projected coin-flips.
I think the goal for this group is to fight, scratch and claw their way to a bowl game to continue positive momentum for this rising program.
There's a chance Kansas secures its sixth victory with a road win over Arizona on Nov. 8. The Jayhawks would then likely be 7+-point 'dogs in the final two contests, needing to win both straight up for this wager not to cash.
That's not something I'm banking on, so I'm diving under on this win total that's still reasonably priced.
Akron Under 4.5 Wins
-150 · bet365
Akron has such a unique set of circumstances surrounding the program, which leads me to question the motivation of this group as the Zips work through their 2025 schedule.
Akron is barred from postseason play in 2025, the result of low academic scores tied to Academic Progress Reports (APRs). The Zips have no bowl game hopes, no conference championship hopes and a tricky schedule to navigate this season.
Last season, Akron saw some progress on the field, with its defense often keeping this team in closely contested MAC games. Many of those contributors are gone, including defensive lineman CJ Nunnally, linebacker Bryan McCoy and linebacker Antavious Fish.
Now, a full defensive rebuild is in order.
The schedule is one that provides some unique challenges. In addition to having to overcome tougher opponents at the front end of the schedule, Akron doesn't have a traditional bye week this year. Not one legitimate bye.
The Zips end their season Nov. 18, earlier than any FBS team. The “bye” comes Nov. 1, with a game the following Tuesday, Nov. 4. I look for this team to wear down and for depth to be an issue later in the year.
I expect a 1-6 start for Akron with losses in nonconference play to Wyoming, Nebraska and UAB, followed by three tricky conference opponents in Toledo, Central Michigan and Miami (OH).
At this point in the season, Akron will face back-to-back road spots against Ball State and Buffalo. I'm really struggling to find motivation for this team to give max effort, but the wheels might just fall off.
The last three opponents provide chances for more competitive games, and the Zips may grab a win over UMass or Kent State.
However, for this team to exceed their win total, they have to win two games as significant underdogs and two on the road, where the Zips are 3-33 over their last 36. Not something I want to bet.
San Diego State Over 4.5 Wins
-130 · bet365
Year 2 of the “Aztec Fast” offense gets rolled out this season, and the addition of two dual-threat signal-callers — Jayden Denegal and Bert Emanuel Jr. — will be welcomed in this locker room for 2025.
It could be argued that no team in the Mountain West received worse quarterback play last season than SDSU, with Aztec quarterbacks throwing for just 206 yards per game and 15 total touchdown passes.
More surprising than that was the inconsistency of the offensive line, which surrendered 31 sacks and 95 tackles for loss while only achieving sporadic success in the ground game.
There was a reason for pause last season. San Diego State made a complete 180-degree change in offensive philosophy without having adequate personnel to execute the offensive game plan. Third-down success was rare, and red-zone possessions were often reduced to kicking a field goal.
Quarterback play unlocks a lot for this offense, and Year 2 in the system should look a little more familiar for head coach Sean Lewis.
Denegal transfers in from Michigan, and some unique packages will be installed for Emanuel, who comes in from Central Michigan. Both are dynamic runners who will add explosiveness to the offense.
The defense held in there at times last season despite being left out on the field a ton. Ten significant contributors return on this side of the ball, including nine of the top 11 tacklers and three full-time starters in the secondary.
Top to bottom, this SDSU group looks much improved, and the schedule provides additional reasons for optimism.
The Aztecs should bag an easy win in the opener against FCS Stony Brook. Then, they play three descending programs in Washington State, California and Northern Illinois. Winning two out of three would not surprise me there.
Conference play also offers up winnable games against Colorado State, Nevada, Wyoming, Hawaii and New Mexico.
This is an emerging team that will make significant strides offensively and defensively, with a head coach who knows how to get programs turned around.
When I assessed FBS schedules in the spring before any win totals were posted, I assumed this would come out at 5.5 or even 6. We have a number here that's a full win too low, in my opinion. There's value on the over, even at the current price.
