College football betting has become a massive industry across the United States. Billions of dollars get wagered on games every season, making it one of the most popular sports betting markets.
The Sporting News has compiled this guide to help new bettors understand the basics of college football wagering.
Key Differences in College Football Betting
Some states don’t allow you to bet on your home state’s teams. Most jurisdictions also restrict player prop betting on college athletes, though certain states permit these wagers.
These rules vary significantly by location, so check your local regulations before placing any bets.
Understanding College Football Odds
Three basic bet types dominate college football wagering:
• Moneyline: Pick which team wins straight up
• Spread: Bet on the margin of victory
• Over/under total: Wager on total points scored
These represent sportsbooks’ projections for game outcomes, winners, and final scores.
Moneyline Betting
A moneyline bet is the simplest wager available. You’re picking which team wins the game outright. The final score margin doesn’t matter.
Odds determine your potential profit or risk. They’re listed as American odds with positive (+) or negative (-) numbers.
Consider a game between Ohio State and Michigan:
• Ohio State: -200
• Michigan: +170
Betting on Ohio State (favorite): You risk $200 to win $100 profit.
Betting on Michigan (underdog): You risk $100 to win $170 profit.
Point Spreads
Spread betting levels the playing field between mismatched teams. You’re wagering on the margin of victory rather than just the winner.
The favorite must win by more than the spread number. The underdog covers by losing by fewer points than the spread or winning outright.
When Georgia plays Miami with Georgia favored by 7 points:
Georgia must win by 8 or more to cover the spread. Miami covers by losing by 6 or fewer, or by winning the game.
Over/Under Totals
Total bets focus on combined scoring from both teams. Sportsbooks set a projected point total, and you bet whether the actual total goes over or under that number.
If the projected total is 52.5 points and the final score is 28-21 (49 total points), the under wins. A 35-24 game (59 total points) would hit the over.
Best College Football Sportsbooks
Major sportsbooks offer competitive odds and new user promotions. Setting up accounts with multiple books helps you find the best lines and take advantage of welcome bonuses.
Always shop around for the best odds before placing your bets.
Parlay Betting
Parlays combine multiple bets into one wager for bigger potential payouts. All selections must win for the parlay to cash out.
You need at least two legs to create a parlay. Most popular parlays contain 3-5 selections. More legs mean higher risk but larger potential rewards.
Sportsbooks typically allow between two and 12 games in football parlays. Some books let you add player props or game props to your parlay tickets.
Calculating Parlay Payouts
Here’s how to calculate a parlay payout manually:
For a $100 parlay on:
• Texas Longhorns (-150)
• JMU Dukes (+170)
• Penn State Nittany Lions (-120)
Texas: -150 odds = 1.6666 multiplier
JMU: +170 odds = 2.7 multiplier
Penn State: -120 odds = 1.8333 multiplier
Multiply the numbers: 1.6666 x 2.7 x 1.8333 = 8.25
Your $100 bet would return $825 total ($725 profit) if all three teams win.
Most sportsbooks calculate parlay odds automatically. Online parlay calculators are also widely available.
Player Prop Betting
Player props focus on individual statistics rather than game outcomes. Common props include passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, and anytime touchdown scorers.
NOTE: College player prop betting is illegal in many states.
Legal with no restrictions: Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota
Legal for out-of-state teams only: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Washington D.C.
Popular prop bet categories include:
• Passing props: Quarterback yards, touchdowns, interceptions
• Rushing props: Running back yards, attempts, longest rush
• Receiving props: Yards, receptions, targets for receivers
• Scoring props: First, last, or anytime touchdown bets
• Defensive props: Tackles, sacks, interceptions by defenders
If you bet Arch Manning over 249.5 passing yards and he throws for 275 yards, you win the bet.
Same Game Parlays
Same-game parlays let you combine multiple bets from one game onto a single ticket. You can mix player props with team bets like moneylines or spreads for multiplied odds.
These have become extremely popular among new bettors learning college football wagering.
Futures Betting
Futures markets let you bet on long-term outcomes. Popular college football futures include:
• Conference championship winners
• Season win totals
• National Championship odds
• Heisman Trophy winner
• Individual player awards and milestones
These bets typically offer longer odds and higher potential payouts since they’re harder to predict far in advance.
Common Sports Betting Terms
• Action: Any wager or bet
• Book: Short for sportsbook
• Chalk: The favorite in a game
• Cover: Winning a spread bet
• Dog: The underdog team
• Handle: Total money wagered on an event
• Hook: A half-point in the spread
• Juice: Commission built into odds (also called “vig”)
• Line: Current odds or point spread
• Long shot: Team with little chance to win
• Off the board: Game not accepting bets
• Pick ’em: Game with no favorite
• Push: Tie result, bets refunded
• Units: Standardized betting amounts based on bankroll percentage
Frequently Asked Questions
What do plus (+) and minus (-) signs mean?
Plus signs indicate underdogs and potential profit amounts. Minus signs show favorites and required risk amounts to win $100.
What’s a “unit” in sports betting?
A unit represents a percentage of your total bankroll, usually 1%. If you have a $1,000 bankroll, one unit equals $10.
This system helps bettors manage their money regardless of bankroll size.
What’s the 2-5 rule in betting?
The Kelly Criterion suggests never risking more than 2-5% of your bankroll on any single wager. This helps protect your funds during losing streaks.
With a $500 bankroll, your maximum bet would be $25 under this system.
Where is college football betting legal?
More than 30 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized online sports betting. However, restrictions on in-state college teams and player props vary by jurisdiction.
Always check your local laws before placing any college football bets.
What’s a good return on investment?
Professional bettors consider any profit a positive result. Some prefer high-risk, high-reward wagers while others focus on consistent 10-20% returns.
Remember that sports betting should be treated as entertainment rather than a primary income source.
