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

Sat 8/23, 4:00 PM

+3.5-110

-3-110

Fresno State

FRES

Kansas

Sat 8/23, 10:30 PM

+14-108

-13.5-110

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Sat 8/23, 11:00 PM

+9-110

-7.5-110

Sat 8/23, 11:30 PM

-2-110

+2.5-110

Thu 8/28, 4:00 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 9:30 PM

-9.5-110

+9.5-110

Thu 8/28, 10:00 PM

+10.5-108

-10.5-109

Thu 8/28, 10:00 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM

-8.5-110

+9.5-110

Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM

+12.5-110

-11.5-110

Jax State

JVST

UCF

Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM

+17.5-115

-16.5-110

Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM

N/A

Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM

N/A

Fri 8/29, 12:00 AM

N/A

Fri 8/29, 12:00 AM

+17.5-110

-17.5-105

Alabama St

ALAST

UAB

Fri 8/29, 12:30 AM

N/A

Fri 8/29, 1:00 AM

-6.5-110

+7-110

Fri 8/29, 1:00 AM

+18.5-110

-17.5-110

Fri 8/29, 10:00 PM

N/A

Kennesaw St

KENN

Wake Forest

Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM

+18.5-110

-17.5-110

Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM

-8.5-110

+9.5-110

B-Cookman

BCU

FIU

Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM

N/A

Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM

+18.5-110

-17.5-110

Wagner

WAG

Kansas

Fri 8/29, 11:30 PM

N/A

Fri 8/29, 11:30 PM

N/A

GA Tech

Colorado

COLO

Sat 8/30, 12:00 AM

-3.5-110

+4.5-110

Sat 8/30, 12:00 AM

-1.5-110

+2.5-110

UNLV

Sam Houston

SHSU

Sat 8/30, 1:30 AM

-12.5-110

+13.5-110

Sat 8/30, 2:30 AM

+11.5-110

-10.5-108

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

+17.5-110

-16.5-110

Merrimack

Kent State

KENT

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

N/A

$Texas Team Icon$

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

+3-107

-3-105

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

+16.5-110

-16.5-110

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

+13.5-110

-12-112

Northwestern

Tulane

TULN

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

+7-110

-7+100

VMI

Navy

NAVY

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM

-12-110

+13.5-105

Toledo

TOL

Kentucky

Sat 8/30, 4:45 PM

+11.5-110

-11.5-105

Fordham

FOR

Boston Col

Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM

N/A

Old Dominion

ODU

Indiana

Sat 8/30, 6:30 PM

+23.5-110

-23-113

Sat 8/30, 7:00 PM

N/A

Holy Cross

N. Illinois

NIU

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

+45.5-110

-45.5-110

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

-11.5-110

+13-112

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

+39.5-110

-38.5-108

Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM

+1.5-110

Maine

Liberty

LIB

Sat 8/30, 8:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 8:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 8:15 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 8:30 PM

N/A

Illinois St

ILS

Oklahoma

Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM

N/A

Coastal Car

Virginia

UVA

Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM

+13-112

-12.5-110

Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM

N/A

Weber State

WEB

JMU

Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

UTSA

Texas A&M

TA&M

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

+20.5-105

-20.5-110

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM

N/A

LSU

Clemson

CLEM

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

+3.5-110

-3-109

Missouri St

MOST

USC

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

+32.5-110

-32.5-110

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

+34.5-105

-34.5-110

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

N/A

SE Louisiana

SEL

LA Tech

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

N/A

UTEP

Utah State

USU

Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM

+4.5-110

-3.5-109

Sat 8/30, 11:45 PM

+37.5-110

-36.5-110

Rice

RICE

Louisiana

Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM

+14.5-110

-13.5-110

Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM

+14.5-110

-13-110

Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM

N/A

Portland State

PRST

BYU

Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM

N/A

Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM

N/A

E TA&M

ETAM

SMU

Sun 8/31, 1:00 AM

N/A

Sun 8/31, 1:00 AM

N/A

Sun 8/31, 1:30 AM

+2.5-110

-1.5-110

Sun 8/31, 2:00 AM

N/A

Sun 8/31, 2:00 AM

N/A

Sun 8/31, 2:30 AM

+13.5-105

-11-110

Sun 8/31, 2:30 AM

+2.5-106

-1.5-110

Utah

UTAH

UCLA

Sun 8/31, 3:00 AM

-4-110

+4.5-112

Sun 8/31, 3:00 AM

+18.5-110

-18.5-110

VA Tech

S. Carolina

Sun 8/31, 7:00 PM

+9.5-108

-9.5-110

Notre Dame

Miami (FL)

MIA

Sun 8/31, 11:30 PM

-2-112

+3-110

TCU

UNC

Tue 9/02, 12:00 AM

+2.5-110

+3.5-118

Scheduled	Open	Best Odds	Bets
FREEMoney Percentages
Sat 8/23, 4:00 PM Iowa State ISU K State KSU	+3.5 -3.5	+3.5-110 -3-110	N/A
Sat 8/23, 10:30 PM Fresno State FRES Kansas KU	+14.5 -14.5	+14-108 -13.5-110	N/A
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Sat 8/23, 11:00 PM Sam Houston SHSU W. Kentucky WKU	+7 -7	+9-110 -7.5-110
Sat 8/23, 11:30 PM Stanford STAN Hawaii HAW	-2.5 +2.5	-2-110 +2.5-110
Thu 8/28, 4:00 PM Stony Brook SBK San Diego St SDSU		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 9:30 PM Boise State BOISE S. Florida USF	-10 +10	-9.5-110 +9.5-110
Thu 8/28, 10:00 PM Ohio OHIO Rutgers RUT	+10.5 -10.5	+10.5-108 -10.5-109
Thu 8/28, 10:00 PM Lafayette LAF Bowling Green BGSU		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM Wyoming WYO Akron AKR	-9.5 +9.5	-8.5-110 +9.5-110
Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM Delaware St DLS Delaware DEL		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM E. Carolina ECU NC State NCST	+14 -14	+12.5-110 -11.5-110
Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM Jax State JVST UCF UCF	+16.5 -16.5	+17.5-115 -16.5-110
Thu 8/28, 11:00 PM St. Francis (PA) STF LA-Monroe ULM		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM TN-Martin TNM OK State OKST		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM Elon ELO Duke DUKE		N/A N/A
Thu 8/28, 11:30 PM C. Arkansas CARK Missouri MIZ		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 12:00 AM Stephen FA SFA Houston HOU		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 12:00 AM Buffalo BUFF Minnesota MINN	+18.5 -18.5	+17.5-110 -17.5-105
Fri 8/29, 12:30 AM Alabama St ALAST UAB UAB		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 1:00 AM Nebraska NEB Cincinnati CIN	-6.5 +6.5	-6.5-110 +7-110
Fri 8/29, 1:00 AM Miami (OH) M-OH Wisconsin WIS	+17.5 -17.5	+18.5-110 -17.5-110
Fri 8/29, 10:00 PM Tarleton TAR Army ARMY		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM Kennesaw St KENN Wake Forest WF	+17.5 -17.5	+18.5-110 -17.5-110
Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM App State APP Charlotte CHA	-8.5 +8.5	-8.5-110 +9.5-110
Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM B-Cookman BCU FIU FIU		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 11:00 PM W. Michigan WMU Michigan St MSU	+17.5 -17.5	+18.5-110 -17.5-110
Fri 8/29, 11:30 PM Wagner WAG Kansas KU		N/A N/A
Fri 8/29, 11:30 PM W. Illinois WIL Illinois ILL		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 12:00 AM GA Tech GT Colorado COLO	-3.5 +3.5	-3.5-110 +4.5-110
Sat 8/30, 12:00 AM Auburn AUB Baylor BAY	-1.5 +1.5	-1.5-110 +2.5-110
Sat 8/30, 1:30 AM UNLV UNLV Sam Houston SHSU	-13.5 +13.5	-12.5-110 +13.5-110
Sat 8/30, 2:30 AM C. Michigan CMU San Jose St SJSU	+10.5 -10.5	+11.5-110 -10.5-108
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM FL Atlantic FAU Maryland UMD	+17.5 -17.5	+17.5-110 -16.5-110
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Merrimack MC Kent State KENT		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM $Texas Team Icon$ Texas TEX Ohio State OSU	+3.5 -3.5	+3-107 -3-105
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Ball State BALL Purdue PUR	+16.5 -16.5	+16.5-110 -16.5-110
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Duquesne DUQ Pittsburgh PITT		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Syracuse SYR Tennessee TENN	+12.5 -12.5	+13.5-110 -12-112
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Northwestern NW Tulane TULN	+7.5 -7.5	+7-110 -7+100
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM VMI VMI Navy NAVY		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 4:00 PM Mississippi St MSST Southern Miss USM	-15.5 +15.5	-12-110 +13.5-105
Sat 8/30, 4:45 PM Toledo TOL Kentucky UK	+12.5 -12.5	+11.5-110 -11.5-105
Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM Fordham FOR Boston Col BC		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM Robert Morris RMU West Virginia WVU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 6:00 PM Central Conn CCSU UConn UCONN		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 6:30 PM Old Dominion ODU Indiana IU	+23.5 -23.5	+23.5-110 -23-113
Sat 8/30, 7:00 PM E. Kentucky EKU Louisville LOU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Holy Cross HC N. Illinois NIU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Nevada NEV Penn State PSU	+43.5 -43.5	+45.5-110 -45.5-110
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Alabama BAMA Florida St FSU	-11.5 +11.5	-11.5-110 +13-112
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM South Dakota SDAK Iowa State ISU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Bucknell BUCK Air Force AFA		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Marshall MRSH Georgia UGA	+38.5 -38.5	+39.5-110 -38.5-108
Sat 8/30, 7:30 PM Temple TEM UMass MASS	+1.5 -1.5	+1.5-110 +1.5-110
Sat 8/30, 8:00 PM Maine ME Liberty LIB		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 8:00 PM Montana St MOS Oregon ORE		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 8:15 PM Alabama A&M AAM Arkansas ARK		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 8:30 PM Chattanooga CHT Memphis MEM		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM Illinois St ILS Oklahoma OU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM Coastal Car CC Virginia UVA	+12.5 -12.5	+13-112 -12.5-110
Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM Albany ALB Iowa IOWA		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 10:00 PM Weber State WEB JMU JMU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM Charleston So CCH Vanderbilt VAN		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM SE Missouri SEM Arkansas St ARST		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM Long Island LIU Florida FLA		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM N Alabama UNA W. Kentucky WKU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM UTSA UTSA Texas A&M TA&M	+21 -21	+20.5-105 -20.5-110
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM Morgan State MGN S. Alabama USA		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM North Dakota UND K State KSU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM Austin Peay APSU Middle Tenn MTSU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:00 PM Nicholls St NIC Troy TROY		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM LSU LSU Clemson CLEM	+2.5 -2.5	+3.5-110 -3-109
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM Missouri St MOST USC USC	+31.5 -31.5	+32.5-110 -32.5-110
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM New Mexico UNM Michigan MICH	+34.5 -34.5	+34.5-105 -34.5-110
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM AR-Pine Bluff APB Texas Tech TTU		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM SE Louisiana SEL LA Tech LT		N/A N/A
Sat 8/30, 11:30 PM UTEP UTEP Utah State USU	+3.5 -3.5	+4.5-110 -3.5-109
Sat 8/30, 11:45 PM Georgia State GAST Ole Miss MISS	+35.5 -35.5	+37.5-110 -36.5-110
Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM Rice RICE Louisiana UL	+14.5 -14.5	+14.5-110 -13.5-110
Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM E. Michigan EMU Texas St TXST	+14.5 -14.5	+14.5-110 -13-110
Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM Ab Christian ACU Tulsa TLSA		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM Portland State PRST BYU BYU		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 12:00 AM Lamar LAM North Texas UNT		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 1:00 AM E TA&M ETAM SMU SMU		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 1:00 AM Bryant U BRY N. Mexico St NMSU		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 1:30 AM GA Southern GASO Fresno State FRES	+1.5 -1.5	+2.5-110 -1.5-110
Sun 8/31, 2:00 AM N. Arizona NAZ Arizona St ASU		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 2:00 AM Idaho IDHO Washington St WSU		N/A N/A
Sun 8/31, 2:30 AM Hawaii HAW Arizona ARI	+10.5 -10.5	+13.5-105 -11-110
Sun 8/31, 2:30 AM California CAL Oregon St ORST	+1.5 -1.5	+2.5-106 -1.5-110
Sun 8/31, 3:00 AM Utah UTAH UCLA UCLA	-2.5 +2.5	-4-110 +4.5-112
Sun 8/31, 3:00 AM Colorado St CSU Washington WASH	+18.5 -18.5	+18.5-110 -18.5-110
Sun 8/31, 7:00 PM VA Tech VT S. Carolina SC	+9.5 -9.5	+9.5-108 -9.5-110
Sun 8/31, 11:30 PM Notre Dame ND Miami (FL) MIA	-2.5 +2.5	-2-112 +3-110
Tue 9/02, 12:00 AM TCU TCU UNC UNC	+2.5 -2.5	+2.5-110 +3.5-118

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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.