What is a point spread in college football betting?

If you're just getting into betting and reading content about it, you'll see the phrase "point spread" mentioned over and over. It's the most popular type of bet in U.S. sports betting, and it's essentially a wager on the margin of victory or defeat in a game. It's especially important within the college football gambling world given the sheer amount of blowouts, especially early in the season. It was invented decades ago to deal with that exact problem: If you're betting on the margin, games can be exciting in the fourth quarter even if a team is up by 30 points. The lines are pretty easy to understand: A sportsbook will list a spread for a game, and the underdog will have a plus sign while the favorite will own a minus sign. If Ohio State was -14 vs. Minnesota, the Buckeyes would "cover" the game if they won by 15 or more points. The Gophers would cover if they won the game or just lost by 13 or fewer points. If Ohio State won by exactly two touchdowns, it would be deemed a push, which triggers a refund.

What is a total or over/under bet in a college football game?

If you don't believe in either team in a game, but you're confident there will be a shootout given poor defenses or some other factor, totals or over/unders are right up your alley. These are bets on how many points will be scored in a game by both teams. Sportsbooks will list a number, and you can bet "over" or "under" that number to win. Sportsbooks list totals for individual teams, too, and you can also bet different timeframes, like the total for just the first half of a matchup.

How do moneylines work in college football betting?

Moneyline bets are also quite popular, and they're extremely simple, too. With these, you're just wagering on which team will win. It doesn't matter how many points are scored or the margin of victory -- just a win at the end of the game. The odds can be tricky at first, but think of American odds in terms of $100 payouts. If Wisconsin is -190 vs. Penn State, you would have to wager $190 to profit $100 if the Badgers were to win. On the Penn State side, the odds might be +150, which means a $100 bet would profit $150. If mental math isn't your thing, check out our betting calculator, where we'll highlight your potential payout for any bet.

Where Can I Bet on College Football?

If you’re in a U.S. state with legal, online sports betting, there are many choices for any given Saturday college football slate. The bet365 promo code and welcome offer are among the best in the sports betting market. By combining reliable tech and reasonably priced odds — notably, the best moneyline and spread pricing on average on the market — bet365 continues to grow. DraftKings is a household name at this point. They started off as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) company a decade ago, and since sports betting launched in 2018 they've quickly established themselves as one of the top sportsbooks in the country. Sign up using the DraftKings promo code ! FanDuel is the other DFS-turned-sportsbook giant. They're a trusted name in the space, and they really excel with futures markets. If you're a first-time bettor looking to sign up, take advantage of the FanDuel promo code ! BetMGM is a big name because of its hospitality wing and hotels in Vegas, and they also excel as a sportsbook, offering odds in most legal U.S. states. You can sign up for the first time using the BetMGM bonus code ! ESPN launched in late 2023 and is a stellar new sportsbook option for prospective users. Get started by registering with the ESPN BET promo code ! If you'd like to try out a social sportsbook, consider signing up with Fliff and using the Fliff promo code ! Flliff allows users to place bets using virtual currency called "Fliff Coins" and "Fliff Cash." Unlike traditional sportsbooks, Fliff has a sweepstakes model that makes it accessible in regions where traditional sports betting is restricted. Check out our sportsbook reviews for more information on what’s available in your state and exclusive sign-up bonuses and promo codes.

NCAAF Public Betting & Money Percentages

Odds Settings

FREEMoney Percentages

4:00 PM

54%46%

62%38%

+8%

+14.5-110

-14.5-108

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4:00 PM

32%68%

+7-110

-6.5-110

$Texas Team Icon$

4:00 PM

67%33%

+1.5-110

PK-113

4:00 PM

65%35%

+16.5-105

-17-105

4:00 PM

63%37%

+38.5-108

-38.5-105

4:00 PM

37%63%

+13.5-108

-13.5-110

4:00 PM

40%60%

+4.5-106

-4.5-110

VMI

Navy

NAVY

4:00 PM

47%53%

+40.5-105

-42-108

4:00 PM

61%39%

-14.5-105

+14-105

4:45 PM

35%65%

+10.5-113

-10-105

Fordham

FOR

Boston Col

6:00 PM

85%15%

+34.5-108

-34-110

6:00 PM

80%20%

+38-110

-38.5-105

6:00 PM

81%19%

+27-110

-25.5-110

6:30 PM

43%57%

+23.5-105

-24.5-102

7:00 PM

+37.5-108

-36.5-110

Holy Cross

N. Illinois

NIU

7:30 PM

21%79%

+13.5-112

-12.5-105

7:30 PM

67%33%

+42-109

-42.5-105

7:30 PM

77%23%

-14-110

+13.5-102

7:30 PM

27%73%

+16.5-113

-14.5-110

7:30 PM

86%14%

+31.5-105

-31.5-110

7:30 PM

51%49%

+38.5-108

-38.5-105

7:30 PM

81%19%

-2-105

+3-110

Maine

Liberty

LIB

8:00 PM

83%17%

+25.5-110

-25.5-110

8:00 PM

39%61%

+27.5-110

-26.5-110

8:15 PM

80%20%

+46.5-110

-46.5-109

8:30 PM

81%19%

+28.5-110

-28.5-108

Illinois St

ILS

Oklahoma

10:00 PM

53%47%

+36.5-105

-35.5-110

10:00 PM

50%50%

+13.5-108

-13.5-110

10:00 PM

75%25%

+38.5-105

-39.5-108

Weber State

WEB

JMU

10:00 PM

66%34%

+26.5-102

-27.5-110

11:00 PM

70%30%

+37-109

-38.5+105

11:00 PM

+15.5-110

-14.5-110

11:00 PM

+45.5-110

-45.5-109

11:00 PM

88%12%

+29.5-110

-28.5-109

11:00 PM

42%58%

+22.5-105

-23.5-108

11:00 PM

+28.5-110

-28.5-109

11:00 PM

48%52%

+25.5-110

-25.5-106

11:00 PM

+13.5+100

-12.5-113

11:00 PM

78%22%

+20.5-105

-20.5-110

11:30 PM

57%43%

+4.5-114

-4-110

11:30 PM

50%50%

+36.5-108

-35.5-110

11:30 PM

60%40%

+34.5-105

-34.5-110

11:30 PM

+49.5+105

-52.5-110

SE Louisiana

SEL

LA Tech

11:30 PM

+14.5-110

-14.5-106

11:30 PM

36%64%

+5.5+100

-6-110

11:45 PM

61%39%

+33.5-105

-34.5-105

12:00 AM

57%43%

+10.5-105

-11.5-105

12:00 AM

+13.5+100

-14-105

12:00 AM

+5-105

-4-108

Portland State

PRST

BYU

12:00 AM

72%28%

+43.5-105

-44-109

12:00 AM

60%40%

+24.5-105

-24.5-105

E TA&M

ETAM

SMU

1:00 AM

70%30%

+50.5-110

-49.5-106

1:00 AM

83%17%

+19.5-110

-19.5-110

1:30 AM

-1.5-110

+2.5-110

2:00 AM

57%43%

+28.5-105

-28.5-110

2:00 AM

26%74%

+14.5+100

-14.5-110

2:30 AM

48%52%

+16.5+100

-17-110

2:30 AM

40%60%

+2-110

-1.5-110

3:00 AM

51%49%

-5.5-109

+5.5-110

3:00 AM

65%35%

+21.5-108

-21.5-110

7:00 PM

23%77%

+8-114

-7-115

11:30 PM

73%27%

-3-109

+2.5+110

12:00 AM

44%56%

-3.5-108

+3.5-109

Final

41%59%

+2.5+102

-3-105

Idaho State

IDS

UNLV

Final

30%70%

+30.5-110

-30.5-108

Final

27%73%

+13.5-102

-14-108

Final

54%46%

+10-110

-10.5-102

Final

47%53%

+2.5-112

-1.5-118

Final

58%42%

-4-110

+6-110

Final

52%

+15.5-108

-15.5-110

Final

9%91%

+21.5-110

-21.5-105

Final

41%59%

-4.5-110

+5.5-114

Final

9%91%

+30.5-110

-31-108

Final

88%12%

+13.5-104

-13.5-110

Final

81%19%

+20.5-110

-6.5-121

Final

40%60%

+30.5-105

-30.5-110

Final

20%80%

+26.5-105

-25.5-110

Final

9%91%

+36.5-105

-36.5-110

Final

90%10%

+37.5-108

-38.5-108

Final

31%69%

+23.5-105

-24.5-105

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Final

84%16%

83%17%

+1%

+16.5-104

-16.5-105

Alabama St

ALAST

UAB

Final

46%54%

+21.5-105

-21-108

Final

49%51%

-6-108

+6.5-109

Final

79%21%

+18.5-110

-18.5-106

Final

7%93%

+20.5-110

-18.5-113

Final - 2OT

28%72%

+14-105

-7.5-105

Final

69%31%

+19-110

-18.5-108

Final

58%42%

-3-110

+3.5-115

B-Cookman

BCU

FIU

Final

84%16%

+26.5-106

-24.5-110

Final

69%31%

+21.5-108

-21.5-110

Wagner

WAG

Kansas

Final

84%16%

+45.5-110

-45.5-105

Final

81%19%

+42.5-115

-42.5-115

Final

40%60%

+6.5-120

+3.5-106

Final

36%64%

+2.5-105

+1.5-110

Final

46%54%

-8.5-112

+9.5-108

Final

36%64%

+14+100

-14.5-104

Scheduled	Open	Best Odds	% of Bets	% of Money	Diff	Bets
FREEMoney Percentages
4:00 PM FL Atlantic FAU 183 Maryland UMD 184	+16.5 -16.5	+14.5-110 -14.5-108	54% 46%	62% 38%	+8%	14,727
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4:00 PM Merrimack MC Kent State KENT	+8.5 -8.5	+7-110 -6.5-110	32% 68%
4:00 PM $Texas Team Icon$ Texas TEX 187 Ohio State OSU 188	+3 -3	+1.5-110 PK-113	67% 33%
4:00 PM Ball State BALL 169 Purdue PUR 170	+16.5 -16.5	+16.5-105 -17-105	65% 35%
4:00 PM Duquesne DUQ Pittsburgh PITT	+33.5 -33.5	+38.5-108 -38.5-105	63% 37%
4:00 PM Syracuse SYR 181 Tennessee TENN 182	+12.5 -12.5	+13.5-108 -13.5-110	37% 63%
4:00 PM Northwestern NW 203 Tulane TULN 204	+6.5 -6.5	+4.5-106 -4.5-110	40% 60%
4:00 PM VMI VMI Navy NAVY	+38.5 -38.5	+40.5-105 -42-108	47% 53%
4:00 PM Mississippi St MSST 205 Southern Miss USM 206	-12.5 +12.5	-14.5-105 +14-105	61% 39%
4:45 PM Toledo TOL 191 Kentucky UK 192	+10.5 -10.5	+10.5-113 -10-105	35% 65%
6:00 PM Fordham FOR Boston Col BC	+37.5 -37.5	+34.5-108 -34-110	85% 15%
6:00 PM Robert Morris RMU West Virginia WVU	+34.5 -34.5	+38-110 -38.5-105	80% 20%
6:00 PM Central Conn CCSU UConn UCONN	+25.5 -25.5	+27-110 -25.5-110	81% 19%
6:30 PM Old Dominion ODU 175 Indiana IU 176	+23.5 -23.5	+23.5-105 -24.5-102	43% 57%
7:00 PM E. Kentucky EKU Louisville LOU	+40.5 -40.5	+37.5-108 -36.5-110
7:30 PM Holy Cross HC N. Illinois NIU	+10.5 -10.5	+13.5-112 -12.5-105	21% 79%
7:30 PM Nevada NEV 173 Penn State PSU 174	+45.5 -45.5	+42-109 -42.5-105	67% 33%
7:30 PM Alabama BAMA 211 Florida St FSU 212	-12.5 +12.5	-14-110 +13.5-102	77% 23%
7:30 PM South Dakota SDAK Iowa State ISU	+16.5 -16.5	+16.5-113 -14.5-110	27% 73%
7:30 PM Bucknell BUCK Air Force AFA	+30.5 -30.5	+31.5-105 -31.5-110	86% 14%
7:30 PM Marshall MRSH 189 Georgia UGA 190	+39.5 -39.5	+38.5-108 -38.5-105	51% 49%
7:30 PM Temple TEM 179 UMass MASS 180	-1.5 +1.5	-2-105 +3-110	81% 19%
8:00 PM Maine ME Liberty LIB	+26.5 -26.5	+25.5-110 -25.5-110	83% 17%
8:00 PM Montana St MOS Oregon ORE	+27.5 -27.5	+27.5-110 -26.5-110	39% 61%
8:15 PM Alabama A&M AAM Arkansas ARK	+40.5 -40.5	+46.5-110 -46.5-109	80% 20%
8:30 PM Chattanooga CHT Memphis MEM	+23.5 -23.5	+28.5-110 -28.5-108	81% 19%
10:00 PM Illinois St ILS Oklahoma OU	+35.5 -35.5	+36.5-105 -35.5-110	53% 47%
10:00 PM Coastal Car CC 185 Virginia UVA 186	+12.5 -12.5	+13.5-108 -13.5-110	50% 50%
10:00 PM Albany ALB Iowa IOWA	+32.5 -32.5	+38.5-105 -39.5-108	75% 25%
10:00 PM Weber State WEB JMU JMU	+21.5 -21.5	+26.5-102 -27.5-110	66% 34%
11:00 PM Charleston So CCH Vanderbilt VAN	+35.5 -35.5	+37-109 -38.5+105	70% 30%
11:00 PM SE Missouri SEM Arkansas St ARST	+11.5 -11.5	+15.5-110 -14.5-110
11:00 PM Long Island LIU Florida FLA	+45.5 -45.5	+45.5-110 -45.5-109
11:00 PM N Alabama UNA W. Kentucky WKU	+27.5 -27.5	+29.5-110 -28.5-109	88% 12%
11:00 PM UTSA UTSA 213 Texas A&M TA&M 214	+20.5 -20.5	+22.5-105 -23.5-108	42% 58%
11:00 PM Morgan State MGN S. Alabama USA	+28.5 -28.5	+28.5-110 -28.5-109
11:00 PM North Dakota UND K State KSU	+30.5 -30.5	+25.5-110 -25.5-106	48% 52%
11:00 PM Austin Peay APSU Middle Tenn MTSU	+10.5 -10.5	+13.5+100 -12.5-113
11:00 PM Nicholls St NIC Troy TROY	+22.5 -22.5	+20.5-105 -20.5-110	78% 22%
11:30 PM LSU LSU 219 Clemson CLEM 220	+3 -3	+4.5-114 -4-110	57% 43%
11:30 PM Missouri St MOST 217 USC USC 218	+32.5 -32.5	+36.5-108 -35.5-110	50% 50%
11:30 PM New Mexico UNM 177 Michigan MICH 178	+34.5 -34.5	+34.5-105 -34.5-110	60% 40%
11:30 PM AR-Pine Bluff APB Texas Tech TTU	+52.5 -52.5	+49.5+105 -52.5-110
11:30 PM SE Louisiana SEL LA Tech LT	+14.5 -14.5	+14.5-110 -14.5-106
11:30 PM UTEP UTEP 193 Utah State USU 194	+3.5 -3.5	+5.5+100 -6-110	36% 64%
11:45 PM Georgia State GAST 207 Ole Miss MISS 208	+36.5 -36.5	+33.5-105 -34.5-105	61% 39%
12:00 AM Rice RICE 215 Louisiana UL 216	+14.5 -14.5	+10.5-105 -11.5-105	57% 43%
12:00 AM E. Michigan EMU 209 Texas St TXST 210	+14 -14	+13.5+100 -14-105
12:00 AM Ab Christian ACU Tulsa TLSA	+4.5 -4.5	+5-105 -4-108
12:00 AM Portland State PRST BYU BYU	+28.5 -28.5	+43.5-105 -44-109	72% 28%
12:00 AM Lamar LAM North Texas UNT	+23.5 -23.5	+24.5-105 -24.5-105	60% 40%
1:00 AM E TA&M ETAM SMU SMU	+46.5 -46.5	+50.5-110 -49.5-106	70% 30%
1:00 AM Bryant U BRY N. Mexico St NMSU	+19.5 -19.5	+19.5-110 -19.5-110	83% 17%
1:30 AM GA Southern GASO 199 Fresno State FRES 200	+2.5 -2.5	-1.5-110 +2.5-110
2:00 AM N. Arizona NAZ Arizona St ASU	+28.5 -28.5	+28.5-105 -28.5-110	57% 43%
2:00 AM Idaho IDHO Washington St WSU	+11.5 -11.5	+14.5+100 -14.5-110	26% 74%
2:30 AM Hawaii HAW 197 Arizona ARI 198	+13.5 -13.5	+16.5+100 -17-110	48% 52%
2:30 AM California CAL 221 Oregon St ORST 222	+2.5 -2.5	+2-110 -1.5-110	40% 60%
3:00 AM Utah UTAH 201 UCLA UCLA 202	-4.5 +4.5	-5.5-109 +5.5-110	51% 49%
3:00 AM Colorado St CSU 195 Washington WASH 196	+19.5 -19.5	+21.5-108 -21.5-110	65% 35%
7:00 PM VA Tech VT 229 S. Carolina SC 230	+9.5 -9.5	+8-114 -7-115	23% 77%
11:30 PM Notre Dame ND 231 Miami (FL) MIA 232	-3 +3	-3-109 +2.5+110	73% 27%
12:00 AM TCU TCU 233 UNC UNC 234	-3 +3	-3.5-108 +3.5-109	44% 56%
Final Iowa State ISU 305 K State KSU 306	+3.5 -3.5	+2.5+102 -3-105	41% 59%
Final Idaho State IDS UNLV UNLV	+21.5 -21.5	+30.5-110 -30.5-108	30% 70%
Final Fresno State FRES 309 Kansas KU 310	+14 -14	+13.5-102 -14-108	27% 73%
Final Sam Houston SHSU 307 W. Kentucky WKU 308	+9.5 -9.5	+10-110 -10.5-102	54% 46%
Final Stanford STAN 311 Hawaii HAW 312	-1.5 +1.5	+2.5-112 -1.5-118	47% 53%
Final Boise State BOISE 143 S. Florida USF 144	-9.5 +9.5	-4-110 +6-110	58% 42%
Final Ohio OHIO 149 Rutgers RUT 150		+15.5-108 -15.5-110	52%
Final Lafayette LAF Bowling Green BGSU	+16.5 -16.5	+21.5-110 -21.5-105	9% 91%
Final Wyoming WYO 147 Akron AKR 148	-8.5 +8.5	-4.5-110 +5.5-114	41% 59%
Final Delaware St DLS Delaware DEL	+32.5 -32.5	+30.5-110 -31-108	9% 91%
Final E. Carolina ECU 141 NC State NCST 142	+12.5 -12.5	+13.5-104 -13.5-110	88% 12%
Final Jax State JVST 145 UCF UCF 146	+16.5 -16.5	+20.5-110 -6.5-121	81% 19%
Final St. Francis (PA) STF LA-Monroe ULM	+21.5 -21.5	+30.5-105 -30.5-110	40% 60%
Final TN-Martin TNM OK State OKST	+22.5 -22.5	+26.5-105 -25.5-110	20% 80%
Final Elon ELO Duke DUKE	+29.5 -29.5	+36.5-105 -36.5-110	9% 91%
Final C. Arkansas CARK Missouri MIZ	+36.5 -36.5	+37.5-108 -38.5-108	90% 10%
Final Stephen FA SFA Houston HOU	+23.5 -23.5	+23.5-105 -24.5-105	31% 69%
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Final Buffalo BUFF 153 Minnesota MINN 154	+17.5 -17.5	+16.5-104 -16.5-105	84% 16%	83% 17%	+1%	43,716
Final Alabama St ALAST UAB UAB	+17.5 -17.5	+21.5-105 -21-108	46% 54%
Final Nebraska NEB 151 Cincinnati CIN 152	-6.5 +6.5	-6-108 +6.5-109	49% 51%
Final Miami (OH) M-OH 155 Wisconsin WIS 156	+17.5 -17.5	+18.5-110 -18.5-106	79% 21%
Final Stony Brook SBK San Diego St SDSU	+12.5 -12.5	+20.5-110 -18.5-113	7% 93%
Final - 2OT Tarleton TAR Army ARMY	+18.5 -18.5	+14-105 -7.5-105	28% 72%
Final Kennesaw St KENN 161 Wake Forest WF 162	+17.5 -17.5	+19-110 -18.5-108	69% 31%
Final App State APP 159 Charlotte CHA 160	-8.5 +8.5	-3-110 +3.5-115	58% 42%
Final B-Cookman BCU FIU FIU	+30.5 -30.5	+26.5-106 -24.5-110	84% 16%
Final W. Michigan WMU 171 Michigan St MSU 172	+17.5 -17.5	+21.5-108 -21.5-110	69% 31%
Final Wagner WAG Kansas KU	+46.5 -46.5	+45.5-110 -45.5-105	84% 16%
Final W. Illinois WIL Illinois ILL	+39.5 -39.5	+42.5-115 -42.5-115	81% 19%
Final GA Tech GT 167 Colorado COLO 168	-4.5 +4.5	+6.5-120 +3.5-106	40% 60%
Final Auburn AUB 163 Baylor BAY 164	-2.5 +2.5	+2.5-105 +1.5-110	36% 64%
Final UNLV UNLV 165 Sam Houston SHSU 166	-13.5 +13.5	-8.5-112 +9.5-108	46% 54%
Final C. Michigan CMU 157 San Jose St SJSU 158	+10.5 -10.5	+14+100 -14.5-104	36% 64%

Because of its popularity and sheer volume of games, there are fewer sports in the world that have as much money bet on them every year than college football. That will only continue to grow, too, as sports betting works itself into the mainstream and more states legalize betting and come online.

With more public money entering the market, there's more opportunities to spot edges on bets using The Action Network's data and tools.

How to Use Public Betting and Money Percentages in College Football Betting

We house betting data from numerous U.S. online sportsbooks, including "percentage of bets" and "percentage of money" on every college football game and major bet type.

Percentage (%) of bets: The percentage of wagers on a particular side of a game. For example, if Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt had 20,000 total bets that we've tracked and 12,000 of those are on the Vols, we'd say that Tennessee has received 60% of the bets.
Percentage (%) of money: This is the same thing except for the money. If we know the total handle, we can then calculate the percentage of money on one side or another of a bet.

Combining those two factors can help college football bettors eye bets that might be worth making. The reason is because not all bets are the same amount of money. Some bettors might place just $10 on a game, while professional bettors -- sometimes called "sharps" -- might wager $10,000.

Thus, the difference between the percentage of money and the percentage of bets can often highlight the games in which pro bettors are getting down action. And, well, they're professional and bet high amounts for a reason: It could be a good bet to take those sides.

It's also important to look at the total number of bets we're tracking, which you can see on the far right of the table above. The reason is that you don't want to put too much stock in a money vs. bet difference that has a small sample of bets. Utilizing all four factors -- bet percentage, money percentage, bet vs. money percentage (the delta), and total bets -- is recommended when using betting data to gain an advantage.