Learn How to Bet on College Football
NCAAF Betting Guide: Tips, Terms, and Sportsbooks
Introduction to College Football Betting
There's no contest that the football -- as in both the NFL and college football -- rule sports in the United States. While the NFL has more of a global reach, it could be argued (probably not well though) that college football has a larger fan base across America. There are way more teams -- over 350 to be exact -- in just Division-I alone, and a large chunk of fans actually got to attend the schools they root for, or live/lived near the campus. The game is already at the peak of possible growth as we watch these college kids battle each and every weekend, while a lucky few are playing in preparation for the NFL.
Now where we'd like to see it grow is through your wallet.
Football can be a complicated sport to understand, especially with all the penalties and rules that put big plays in jeopardy.
But what's even more important than knowing how the game works? How to bet on it. Use the information below to get a grasp of the game and how to effectively bet on college football.
Jump Ahead: NCAAF Betting 101 | Best Sportsbooks to Bet NCAAF | NCAAF Futures Odds | NCAAF Betting Tools | NCAAF Team Odds | FAQs
NCAAF Betting 101: The College Football Betting Basics
There are three different answers you may want when trying to figure out how to bet on college football:
- “I see Clemson -180 and Syracuse +160. What on earth does that mean?
- “I know how to bet and what all those numbers mean, but I don’t know where to bet.”
- “I know how to bet, but I want to sharpen my handicapping skills and become a more profitable college football bettor.”
Let’s start with the basics.
How Do Moneyline Odds Work?
A popular bet in college football is the moneyline, which requires you to pick the winner of the game. But it’s not a 50-50 proposition in most cases – you won’t get paid the same for taking Alabama to beat Vanderbilt at home as you would for taking the Alabama to beat Georgia on the road, given the ability of each team.
So each team is assigned moneyline odds by the sportsbook based on their ability, and bettors have to pay a corresponding price. Here’s how they work:
- Michigan -300
- Michigan State +250
American odds like these are centered around $100. So if you bet $300 on Michigan at -300, you’d win $100 if they wins. If you bet $100 on Michigan state at +250 and they win, you’d win $250.
You don’t have to bet $100, of course. If you bet $3 on Michigan, you’d win $1. Bet $1 on Michigan State, win $2.50.
Are There Point Spreads in College Football?
In football and basketball (both in the pros and college), the most popular betting option is the point spread – it’s a bet on the margin of victory in that game.
Let’s use that same example from above.
- Ohio State -18.5 (-110)
- Rutgers +18.5 (-110)
Because Ohio State is so much better than Rutgers, sportsbooks are saying it’s about a 50-50 chance that they win by 19 points or more.
What About Over/Unders?
Another popular betting option in college football is wagering on the total (aka the over/under).
You’re betting on the total points scored by both teams going over or under the number set by sportsbooks.
With college football scoring on the rise over the last two decades, most totals in 2022 are set at over 55 points, with each team expected to average out scoring at least 27.5 points points every game.
The Alabama-Georgia National Championship total on Jan. 10, 2022 was 52.5. Georgia won 33-18. That means anyone who took the under cashed their bet because only 51 points were scored.
But depending on the teams and situation, you may have to risk a different amount on the over or under.
Alabama vs. Georgia
- Total: 52.5
- Over odds: -115
- Under odds: -105
Like the moneyline example above, you have to pay more for betting the over than the under. Sportsbooks and bettors have determined the game going over 52.5 is more likely than it going under.
For every $1.15 risked, you’d win $1. For every $1.05 risked on the under, you’d win $1.
Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State
- Total: 55
- Over odds: -105
- Under odds: -115
Sportsbooks believe it’s more likely the game goes under than over, so you have to pay a bit more to take the under.
Totals are not just limited to the full game. You can bet the first quarter over/under, alternate totals, and more.
For additional explanation, you can explore the articles below.
Best Sportsbooks for College Football Betting
Different sportsbooks provide different odds when it comes to games lines, player props, futures and more. Take a look at our options and picks on where to go for your different NCAAF bets to find those best odds, so you can make the most profit.
NCAAF Futures Betting Odds
Futures betting lets you select champions, awards and more across different parts of NCAAF ahead of time, meaning you'll get huge odds and the potential to win big at a smaller risk margin. Futures can be bet on at nearly any point in a season, but you'll find the best odds during the preseason -- which also makes predicting things like who will win the College Football Playoff or be named the Heisman Trophy winner even more fun when you make the call before the season's even started.
NCAAF Team Odds
While the NFL rules Sundays in the fall, college football does the same on Saturdays. Tons and tons of football is played between colleges throughout the fall and into the winter until we hit bowl season and the College Football Playoff. From there, we see the Top 4 teams in the nation duke it out in a 1-4, 2-3 matchup before the National Championship decides who is the best in the country.
Find your favorite team's odds for the upcoming season below:
NCAAF Betting Tools & Utility
Betting Calculators
Figuring out the correct wager you want to place on a straight bet can be tough based on the odds, and gets even harder when you want to create one of your favorite 10-leg parlays. The Action Network's got you covered with out betting calculator that will do the math for you!
NCAAF Against The Spread
With football's scoring coming in increments of 1,2,3 and 6, figuring out spreads to bet on can be tough. Check out our standings for NCAAF teams records against the spread to see which teams look like the best options to place bets on.
NCAAF Public Betting
It's always a good idea to check out what the public consensus is on a particular game you're thinking of betting on. The Action Network has you covered here as well. Side with the public or fade them to get an edge. Win or lose, make your choice.
NCAAF Picks
Sometimes, having experts share their insights on a game can help you take a side in a game you're undecided on. The Action Network has a panel of experts that share their takes and picks on every game being played on the field each day. Take a look at their records and history, and see who you'd like to follow or fade as the season moves forward.
NCAAF Odds
You want to get the best bang for your buck when betting on a game, but it's tough to tap through each sportsbook on your phone to find the best line. The Action Network's Odds page will show you all the lines available for the biggest sportsbooks out there, as well as the two best options on each side of a game.
NCAAF Injuries
Injuries are a part of any sport, and besides for the implications they have on the field, they can also effect betting lines and how you should wager on a game. Keeping track of injuries every day can be tough, so check out The Action Network's Injury Report each day to make sure you don't suffer a bad beat that could've been avoided.
