College Football Betting Guide: Best Bets and NCAAF Betting Tips
By Eric Uribe,
The popularity of college football betting has never been higher. Almost no other sport comes close to matching the attention it receives. After NFL betting, there’s NCAA football betting. That’s the pecking order in North America. And the popularity is understandable. College football deals with a scarcity of games. Teams play only so many everywhere, so they will always be a hot-ticket item with meaningful consequences. And, of course, there are plenty of NCAAF betting odds.
-
EXCLUSIVE BONUS
50% bonus up to $250Play NowT&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
50% bonus up to $1000Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
EXCLUSIVE BONUS 125% up to $3,125Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
50% up to $500Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
-
100% up to $1,000Play Now
T&C apply, 18+, Play responsibly
The odds for the NCAAF 2024/25 title are below:
| 2024/2025 NCAAF Winners Odds |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | +350 | +330 | +350 |
| Texas | +360 | +360 | +360 |
| Georgia | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Ohio State | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Penn State | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Notre Dame | +700 | +700 | +700 |
| Tennessee | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Indiana | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| SMU | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Arizona State | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Clemson | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| Boise State | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
Last updated on: December 17, 2024
NCAAF 2024/25 key-dates
| Event | Date | Location |
| NCAA Football Regular Season | Aug 24 – Dec 14, 2024 | Various |
| Post-Season Start | Dec 15, 2024 | Various |
| National Championship | Jan 20, 2025 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Peach Bowl (College Football Playoff) | Jan 1, 2025 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Cotton Bowl | Jan 10, 2025 | AT&T Stadium, Arlington |
| Orange Bowl | Jan 10, 2025 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| Las Vegas Bowl | Dec 27, 2024 | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas |
For bettors, the season offers plenty of opportunities with enticing College Football Odds available. Promo offers and Bonus Bets will be plentiful, making it a great time to wager on teams like Duke, SMU, and Toledo. As the MLB, NBA, and NHL seasons overlap, sports fans will have an abundance of action to enjoy.
Latest Sports News
Best NCAAF Bets, December 2024
- Georgia is favored to take home the title at +500 odds with MyBookie.
- Ohio State has the second-lowest title odds at +500 with BetOnline.
- Texas (+350), Oregon (+360), Notre Dame (+700) and SMU (+4000) are also top contenders at Bovada
- Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck are co-favorites to win the Heisman Trophy at +750 odds with BetUS.
- Dillon Gabriel has the third-best Heisman odds at +1000 with Bovada.
Best Online Sportsbooks for NCAAF betting
We have examined hundreds of online sportsbooks looking for the best ones just for NCAAF bettors. Here we present the very best ones in terms of bonuses, college football betting odds, and variety betting options.
Best Available NCAAF Betting Promotions
When it comes to betting on NCAAF, finding the best promotions can make a significant difference. Here’s a roundup of the top betting bonuses available right now.
- MyBookie: 50% bonus up to $1000
- BetUS: 125% bonus up to $2,500
- BetOnline: 100% bonus up to $1000
- Bovada: 50% bonus up to $250
- Xbet: 100% bonus up to $500
Take advantage of these promotions to boost your betting experience and maximize your potential winnings.
Why do we recommend these sportsbooks?
When recommending sportsbooks for NCAAF betting, we prioritize several key factors to ensure that users have a safe, reliable, and enjoyable betting experience. Our selection process is guided by strict criteria that focus on quality and trustworthiness. Here’s how we choose the sportsbooks we recommend:
- Reputation: We only recommend sportsbooks with a strong reputation for fairness and reliability. These platforms have been in the industry for years and have consistently provided secure and trustworthy services to their users.
- User Experience: A user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, and responsive customer support are crucial. We ensure that the sportsbooks we recommend offer an easy and seamless betting experience.
- Betting Options: We look for sportsbooks that provide a wide variety of betting markets, including live betting, parlays, and props. The more options available, the better your betting experience.
- Competitive Odds: Getting the best possible odds is essential for maximizing potential returns. We recommend sportsbooks that consistently offer competitive lines and favorable odds.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Generous bonuses and promotions can enhance your betting experience, so we look for sportsbooks that offer attractive incentives to both new and existing users.
Offshore sportsbooks, based outside the U.S., operate under international licenses, offering broader betting markets and greater accessibility, especially in states where sports betting may be restricted. They also provide enhanced privacy and anonymity in transactions. Although not regulated by U.S. authorities, the offshore sportsbooks we recommend have been carefully vetted for security, fairness, and reliability, ensuring a safe and trustworthy betting experience.
In which states can I bet on the NCAAF?
Betting on NCAAF games is legal in many U.S. states, though the specifics can vary depending on local regulations. States like New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan have fully legalized sports betting, allowing you to place wagers on college football through both online and in-person sportsbooks. Additionally, states such as Colorado, Indiana, and Iowa also permit NCAAF betting, with accessible platforms for residents and visitors alike.
However, it’s important to note that some states restrict betting on in-state college teams or specific types of bets. Always check the specific rules in your state to ensure you are betting legally. If you’re in a state where sports betting is not yet legalized, offshore sportsbooks provide an alternative, allowing you to bet on NCAAF games from nearly anywhere in the country.
Bovada
Bovada is a top choice for its user-friendly interface, extensive betting markets, and competitive live odds, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced bettors. Known for its reliability and fast payouts, Bovada offers a wide range of college football betting options, including live betting, which adds excitement during game day. Its long-standing reputation in the industry, coupled with excellent customer service, makes Bovada a trustworthy and highly recommended sportsbook.
BetOnline
BetOnline stands out for its generous bonuses and promotions, which provide added value to bettors. With a vast array of betting options, including point spreads, parlays, and futures, BetOnline caters to serious college football enthusiasts. The sportsbook is also known for its early lines, giving bettors a head start in finding the best odds. Its strong security measures and commitment to customer satisfaction make BetOnline a top recommendation.
BetUS
BetUS is renowned for its extensive selection of betting markets and detailed analysis, helping bettors make informed decisions. The sportsbook offers competitive odds and attractive bonuses, particularly for new users. BetUS also excels in providing a smooth and seamless betting experience, backed by responsive customer support and a long history of reliability, making it a trusted choice for college football betting.
Xbet
Xbet is favored for its straightforward and intuitive platform, which makes betting on college football easy and enjoyable. The sportsbook offers a variety of betting options, including live betting and player props, appealing to a wide range of bettors. Xbet is also known for its responsive customer service and reliable payout system, ensuring that bettors can trust their experience from start to finish.
BetNow
BetNow is a popular choice for its user-friendly interface, competitive odds, and comprehensive coverage of college football games. The sportsbook offers a range of betting options, including parlays and teasers, catering to different betting strategies. BetNow is also praised for its quick and secure payment processing, making it a reliable and convenient option for both new and experienced bettors.
You may notice some big names like FanDuel and DraftKings missing from our list of recommended NCAAF betting sites. That’s because we do not just listen to the advertisements. Rather, we research the sportsbooks thoroughly, so the media blitzes from companies such as Unibet, BetMGM, Caesars, Fox Bet, PointsBet, and BetRiver. When we heard their advertisements, we already knew them. We already knew their expensive odds and stingy bonuses. Don’t listen to the adds. Read the detailed reviews of NCAAF sportsbooks and sign up at one of the recommended bookies above.
How to Bet on NCAAF Games?
Many people are asking “How to be bet on NCAAF games?” College football has become one of the biggest sports betting markets in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) governs collegiate athletics at both the Division I and II levels. There are currently over 2,500 colleges and universities participating in NCAA competition.
If you want to bet on NCAAF games, it can be a great way to earn extra income or even turn a profit. If you want to bet on college football, here are some things you should consider before you bet on NCAAF games:
- Who is the favorite and are they overvalued?
- Who is the underdog and are they actually more likely to win?
- Is this an intense rivalry that could affect the NCAAF betting markets?
- What is the best NCAAF game to bet on?
- What are the NCAAF betting trends?
- Which NCAAF bet is the best for this game?
Betting on NCAAF games is straightforward if you follow these simple steps:
- Choose a Sportsbook: Start by selecting a reputable sportsbook from our recommended list. Make sure it offers the betting options you’re interested in, such as point spreads, moneylines, and props for NCAAF games.
- Register and Open an Account: Once you’ve chosen a sportsbook, you’ll need to create an account. This usually involves providing some basic personal information and verifying your identity. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the registration process.
- Deposit Funds: After registering, deposit money into your account. Most sportsbooks offer a variety of deposit methods, including credit/debit cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. Choose the method that’s most convenient for you and follow the instructions to fund your account.
- Claim Bonuses: Many sportsbooks offer welcome bonuses or promotions for new users. Be sure to check for any available bonuses and claim them before placing your first bet. These bonuses can enhance your bankroll and provide additional value.
- Explore Betting Markets: Once your account is funded, navigate to the NCAAF section of the sportsbook. Browse through the available games and betting markets, including spreads, moneylines, over/under totals, and player props.
- Place Your Bet: When you’ve found a game and bet type you’re interested in, select your wager and enter the amount you wish to bet. Review your bet slip to ensure everything is correct, then confirm your bet.
- Monitor Your Bet and Withdraw Winnings: After placing your bet, you can track its progress in your account. If your bet is successful, you can withdraw your winnings using the sportsbook’s available withdrawal methods, following any applicable terms and conditions.
Popular college football bet types
It is important to know all of the different types of NCAAF wagers available. The more betting types you understand, the more betting options you will have. This will make you the best prepared bettor you can be.
NCAAF Futures
Betting on college football futures tends to be more lucrative. Granted, this isn’t all that true on the win-totals front. They pay out a return that’s similar to standard over/under wagers. But everything changes when you’re handicapping bowl-game and National Championship winners. If you make those picks during the preseason, before getting to watch any games, even the heaviest favorites will provide a nice payout. Maybe the University of Georgia is the overwhelming consensus pick to win it all in the upcoming season. Their odds won’t be as enticing as the average school’s, but they could still yield something like +500 or better.
Here’s the rub: Forecasting futures is extremely difficult. You’re basically committing to a loss if your team doesn’t win the national title. The field is safer for obvious reasons. But if you’re looking to maximize your winnings without having to bet lump sums on individual games, futures are a way to do it.
Single-Game NCAAF Wagers
Single-game wagers are the most popular type of college football betting. Does that also mean those wagers are the most profitable?
Not necessarily. There are more games than futures to bet on per team, but they’re seldom lucrative. Moneylines for favorites typically yield super low-end returns, and hitting on the spread or over/under bets usually only brings back between -105 and -115.
Investing in underdog moneylines can flip this narrative on its head, but that’s hardly foolproof. Teams are underdogs for a reason. And some games really are foregone conclusions. You’re not picking Appalachian State (+15000) to beat Alabama (-3500), because you know the former isn’t winning.
NCAAF Parlays
If you’re looking to elevate the stakes of your single-game bets without increasing your overhead, you’ll want to try your hands at parlay wagers. Looping three, four, five, or even more lines together significantly beefs up your prospective payout. Of course, it also comes with heightened risk. Parlays mandate you hit on every level of your wager. If you go 4-1 on your picks in a five-line parlay, you still lose.
Some gamblers swear by building step-ladder parlays. These are essentially a larger collection of lower-risk bets packaged together to increase prospective returns.
For example, instead of betting Boston University (-1100), Penn State University (-1500), Ohio State (-1000) or Oregon (-2100), you could combine all four of those lines into one parlay to drive up your payout without forking over a ransom as your initial investments.
Even in this scenario, you’re not looking at a 3-to-1 payout or anything crazy like that. But you’re getting closer, if not exceeding, even money when you package four or more heavy-favorite moneylines together. That should always be the goal.
NCAAF Prop Bets
NCAAF prop bets are all those bets that do not deal directly with the end result of the game. Instead, they ask you to be on all kinds of fun and whacky things that may or may not happen along the way. They are normally divided into two sections: NCAAF player props and NCAAF team props.
In player props, you bet on whether or not individuals will do certain thing. For example, you can bet on if Bryce Young will rush for more than 40 yards in the game.
In team props, the object of the wager is the team. One example would be if the Crimson Tide will be the first to score.
NCAAF Spread Bets
NCAAF spread bets involve wagering on the margin of victory in a college football game. For example, if the Georgia Bulldogs are favored by 10 points against the Clemson Tigers, you bet on whether Georgia will win by more than 10 points or if Clemson will lose by less than 10 points or win outright. The spread helps balance the betting field between unevenly matched teams.
NCAAF Betting Trends
It's easy to get overwhelmed by the number of college football betting strategies and NCAA football betting trends at your disposal. Different experts have different approaches, and even how-to sites will relay disparate information.
That ends now. We want you to profit off your NCAA football betting. So, let's put all the cards on the table. How do you find the best college football sportsbooks? Where are the best places to search for advice? Is it more profitable to wager on single-game outcomes or big-picture lines? When's the best time to bet? What are the best sites to bet? We're here to help.
NCAAF Online Betting Odds
With a ton of contests being played out every week, NCAAF betting lines take a little more time to handicap. Some sports are able to release lines immediately after one game ends. College football typically must wait for the entire slate each to conclude, and certain sportsbooks won't publish odds until after the AP adjusts its top 25 rankings.
That's not really a problem. You're not waiting on newspapers to break the lines anymore. Online sportsbooks can publish lines at the drop of the at, and most will have them up and running by Monday afternoon. Anyone of our approved odds-providers can be considered a reliable source, but if you're looking for an edge, consider checking out sites that aggregate lines from the most popular sportsbooks so that you can compare and contrast while also tracking any sudden movement.
NCAAF Betting Picks
Among the most valuable college football betting advice out there is the idea that should you make your picks as early as possible. There is an obvious risk in rushing your decision, and it's important to wait for clarification on major injuries or lineup decisions. If you're not waiting on any groundbreaking developments, though, it's best to jump on the lines as soon as possible, before oddsmakers have a chance to adjust them based on how NCAA football's public betting goes.
This is most important when viewing primetime games. Take the following hypothetical matchup: LSU (-110) vs. Clemson (+105). If the odds for this game are released Monday before a Saturday kickoff, you can bet they'll be different and less gambler-friendly by Thursday or Friday. The public could flock to Clemson, which would in turn damage their payout. The same could happen for LSU's side.
Similar logic applies to making college football futures picks. If you're betting on win totals or trying to handicap the National Championship in advance, the preseason is the best time to do it. Once again, this allows less bandwidth for oddsmakers to adjust based on inbound wagers. Your goal should always be to spot the most appealing lines yourself as early as possible.
NCAAF Sports Betting Sites
We make betting on college football games and futures easy with a complete list of approved sportsbooks you can use to place your wagers. They’re all trustworthy, well-established, and best of all, committed to offering you plenty of different bet types:
NCAAF Betting Tips
No singular set of NCAA football betting tips suits everyone. You're not looking for a one-size-fits-all solution. You just want to suss out a strategy that works for you. Let's run through some of the more popular ones in the hopes you stumble across one that works for you.
Projection Models
Many bettors live by projection models that predict the outcome of a game given the spread and participating teams. Most sites will make you charge for access to these, but there are public forecasts, such as those done by FiveThirtyEight, you can check out.
There are also projection models for futures like win totals, conference champions, and National Championship victors. These tend to be less reliable, though. The single-game forecasts are your best bet unless you're betting on the same future across multiple teams.
Using The Current Season to Inform Predictions
Select bettors like to place wagers best based on current-season evidence.
These inquiries include: What's Alabama's margin of victory at home? What's Texas A&M's record against above-.500 opponents? Is either team working off a loss?
One potential hangup here is the lack of repeat matchups between the same teams. College football traffics in an even smaller scarcity of games than the NFL, which means the same schools aren't facing each other more than once during the regular season. That forces you to base decisions off information that isn't related directly to the matchup, which can as always, be a little risky.
Betting with TV Analysts
There are even gamblers who just go with the national analyst consensus. They watch college football programs on television, listen to what on-screen personalities have to say, and build their bets from there.
This is...mostly fine. We don't recommend trusting analysts with all of your spread or over/under picks. However, paid experts do tend to be pretty good at forecasting outright winners and could, therefore, be used as a semi-dependable source when betting moneylines.
The Intuitive Bettor
And then, finally, there are college football enthusiasts who trust their own intuition. They watch the games. They study the stats. They look at track records. They consider the environment and the stakes and then go from there.
This strategy entails a lot of leg work and is entirely subjective. Picks suddenly come down to a matter of preference, and decisions will be made on the nuts and bolts of a team's play style. If you like run-heavy attacks over pass-heavy machines, then you'll be more inclined to roll with the former when two such offenses collide.
It's Your Decision
Really, when it comes to betting strategies, there's not a wrong answer. (The on-screen analyst approach is admittedly flimsy.) It's all about finding the approach that makes you most comfortable.
Chief among the circumstances that should factor into your decision would be your preferred wager types (futures, spreads, moneylines, etc.) and, most critically, the amount you're investing in each wager. High rollers will favor one strategy over another. Ditto for those who prefer futures to single-game gambles.
Betting NCAAF Bowl Games
Even the most accomplished college football bettors have to change their approach for bowl games. The competition is generally higher and equally important, they're dealing with an influx of public action. Bowl games bring out the one-off NCAA bettors—those who wager on games only once or twice a year.
Accounting for that extra attention is paramount. Lines are prone to wilder swings when they open because the action is so fast and furious. If you're going to bet on bowl games, you should do so either immediately upon opening or a few days after they're released, once the turbulent odds swings have settled down.
There are no exceptions to this rule. Not every bowl game is created equally, but they're all subjected to the same level of heightened attention. With that said, these are the most popular bowl games right now, which means they're the ones that will demand the most commitment to proper timing.
Peach Bowl
The Peach Bowl was established in 1962 and is held in Atlanta. It is considered one of the six major bowl games—also known as the New Year's Six—and is subsequently a member of the college football playoff on a rotating basis. It will once again be a playoff semifinal in 2022 and then again in 2025.
Sugar Bowl
First played in 1934, the Sugar Bowl is college football's second-oldest bowl game. It is also a member of the New Year's Six, which means it makes up one of the two college football playoff games every three years. All Sugar Bowl games are currently held in New Orleans.
Orange Bowl
Much like the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl first kicked off in the 1930s, making it one of college football's three oldest season finales. As another member of the New Year's Six, it will count as one of the two college football playoff games every three years. Games are presently played in Miami Gardens, Florida, usually just before or after the turn of the calendar.
Fiesta Bowl
Founded in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl currently holds court in Glendale, Arizona. It is also a part of the college football playoff six, so it has a say in shaping the National Championship participants every three years. It's semifinals schedule is aligned with the Peach Bowl, so during those years, the winner of the Fiesta Bowl squares off against the winner of the former for all college football's marbles.
Cotton Bowl
Yet another end-of-the-year game that began in the 1930s, the Cotton Bowl is the fifth of our five college football playoff-eligible tilts. It registers as a semifinals match-up every three years, and its games are played in Arlington, Texas.
Rose Bowl
Our final installment from the New Year's Six. The Rose Bowl is the eldest of the bowl games, having started in 1902. It continues to be played in Pasadena, California, and will, like its sister bowls, count towards the college football playoff every three years. In the seasons it does not, the Rose Bowl usually features a showdown between the conference champions from the Pac-12 and Big 10—unless either qualifies for the playoff themselves.
Celebration Bowl
On to the second-tier bowl games!
The Celebration Bowl holds a special place in the heart of non-powerhouses. As of now, it's the only bowl game that chooses its participants, on a varying basis, from conferences that aren't part of the college football playoff pool.
Las Vegas Bowl
After debuting in 1992, the Las Vegas Bowl has since become a haven for non-conference champions from the Pac-12, SEC, and Big 10. In years past, it has also pulled squads from the MAC and Big West.
Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is still played where it debuted in 1978: San Diego. However, the parameters of its participants have changed since then. As the powerhouse pool in the Pac-12 and Big 10 has increased, the Holiday Bowl has become another head-to-head for teams from the two conferences—though, again, neither will be their division's champion.
Citrus Bowl
Often confused with the Orange Bowl, the Citrus Bowl started operations in 1947 and is currently played in Gainesville, Florida. Initially, it accepted participants from conferences all over. Now, however, it pulls one team apiece from the SEC and Big 10.
Alamo Bowl
First played in 1993, the Alamo Bowl quickly became an annual meeting for teams from the Pac-12 and Big 12. It broke away from this format for a little while in the mid-1990s in favor of a Big 12 vs. Big 10 format, but it returned to its original structure in 2010.
Music City Bowl
One of the new bowl games, the Music City Bowl has been played in Nashville, Tennessee since 1998. Though it once culled schools from four different conferences—including the ACC, Big East, and Big 10—it now features an annual meetup between a team from just the Big 10 and SEC.
Belk Bowl
Unveiled in 2002, the Belk Bowl breaks the mold and pulls its participants from the ACC and SEC, in addition to the Big 10. It is played in North Carolina and also promises one of the higher school payouts among the second-tier bowl games ($4.8 million).
ReliaQuest Bowl
The ReliaQuest Bowl is a billboard for tradition. It was first played in 1986 and has yet to move locations or change the participation pool. It is still held in Tampa Bay, Florida, and its two challengers continue to come from the Big 10 and SEC.
Army-Navy
This is self-explanatory. The Army-Navy Game isn't so much a bowl matchup as a storied affair. Every year, it features a square-off between the Army Black Knights and United States Military Academy. No prize pool is involved, but the winner does receive the Secretary's Trophy—in addition to an entire year's worth of bragging rights over its arch-rival.
College Football Betting FAQs
Meet the author
