College Football Betting Guide: How to Bet on College Football

College football offers some of the most exciting opportunities for sports bettors. If you are new to college football betting, understanding the various types of bets and how odds work is crucial.

You’ll find NCAAF odds displayed at all legal U.S. sportsbooks, usually in the American odds format, which may seem confusing at first but can be easily understood with a bit of practice. 

In short, a negative value (e.g., -150) represents the favorite, while a positive value (e.g., +200) represents the underdog.

Betting on college football requires careful analysis of various factors to maximize your chances of success. Here are some key elements to focus on when placing college football bets.

Most NCAAF games are regular season games, which begin on Labor Day and end around the first week in December. The regular season lasts 12 games, and all schools play a mixture of conference games, which counts towards your overall conference record. Non-conference games are played against fellow Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) or Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams.

Each college will play 8 or 9 conference games, with the rest playing against non-conference opponents. Some schools, like North Carolina schools, are required to play in-state opponents in these games, while some play a mixture of non-conference rivals and other schools in the “home-and-home” series, where schools will play home and away against another program on alternate years.

Some of the best college football games occur in the regular season, including the Red River Rivalry between the University of Texas Longhorns and the University of Oklahoma Sooners, which takes place at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, each year. 

Other historic rivalries include “The Game,” between the University of Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State University Buckeyes, which has been regularly included in lists of the greatest rivalries in sports.

The three main goals of the regular season are to qualify for conference championships, to become “bowl-eligible” by winning at least six games, and to make the College Football Playoff (CFP).  

Conference championships mark the end of the regular season in college football and feature the best teams from each conference. These games are critical because they can determine playoff berths, bowl game matchups, and rankings. With high stakes and closely matched teams, betting on conference championships can be exciting and challenging.

When placing bets on conference championship games, it’s essential to consider team dynamics, motivation, and the matchup history. 

For example, some teams might have dominated their conference all season, while others could be peaking at just the right time. Look at key player injuries, coaching strategies, and how these teams performed against each other in the past. Prop bets can also be valuable in these games, as individual player performances tend to shine in high-stakes environments.

Parlays are another popular option during the conference championship season. Combining bets can increase your potential payout with several top-tier games happening quickly. However, the closely matched nature of these games means bettors must be careful when including multiple outcomes in a parlay.

Major conference championships to look out for when betting on college football include the SEC Championship, Big Ten Championship, Big 12 Championship, and ACC Championship. On Conference Championship weekend, you’ll find them amongst the season's most anticipated college football games. 

Bowl season presents a whole new set of betting opportunities. Unlike the regular season, NCAAF bowl games are one-off matchups, often between teams that haven’t faced each other. Teams are selected based on the quality of the likely matchup. With games occurring constantly during “bowl season,” mid-December to early January is perfect for bettors.

Each team with six regular-season wins is considered “bowl-eligible;" each conference has tiebreakers that determine matchups. 

Some teams view their bowl game as a celebration after a successful season, while others might treat it as a stepping stone to the next level or as a way to end a mediocre season with success.

Keep an eye on how motivated a team appears, especially when betting on underdogs or in prop bets. Increasingly, players are choosing to miss bowl season rather than risk injury, so see how drop-outs affect a school’s prospects, especially in games in the early part of the bowl season.

The College Football Playoff system determines the national champion and integrates with bowl season. The "New Year's Six" bowls—the Peach Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl, Rose Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and Sugar Bowl—feature the best of the best, and bettors should expect high-intensity, closely contested matchups. 

When betting on these playoff games, it is critical to analyze how teams performed against top competition during the season. Additionally, the longer preparation time for coaches can lead to unexpected game plans or shifts in strategy.

The National Championship Game is the crown jewel of college football and the pinnacle for sports bettors. With everything on the line, the pressure on teams is immense, and the betting landscape changes accordingly. Because it’s the final game, bettors have a wealth of information to analyze, from season-long trends to playoff performances.

Strategies for betting on the National Championship game include examining how each team booked their place. Did they cruise through the season or face tough competition? Is one team dealing with injuries or withdrawals from key players? 

Moneyline bets are popular for this game, as the spread can sometimes be small, indicating a close matchup. Betting the Over/Under is also a good option, as it often reflects how teams approach the game—whether they’re more defensive or offensive-minded.

Our top college football betting sites are jam-packed with exciting sportsbook promotions and bonuses that can enhance your overall wagering experience. These offers come in all different shapes and sizes but can enhance your wager. 

Below, we’ve provided a breakdown of some of the most common offers:

Whether you’re placing simple moneyline bets or diving into college football parlays and prop bets, it’s crucial to know the legal sports betting states and betting rules that apply to each one of them.

Sports betting, including betting on college football, is now legal in many U.S. states, but restrictions on college sports betting vary. 

For example, states like Arizona and Florida allow college football betting but prohibit prop bets on individual players. In Illinois, you can’t place bets on in-state college teams. In Connecticut, you can only bet on games involving in-state teams if they’re part of a tournament. Indiana permits college football prop bets, but you must place them before the game starts.

Most states where sports betting is legal, such as Colorado, Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, restrict college player prop bets, ensuring the integrity of collegiate sports. Others, like New Jersey and Washington, do not allow bets on college games involving in-state teams. In some places, such as Oregon, you must place college football bets in person.

Additionally, age requirements can vary—most states set the legal betting age at 21, while others allow betting at 18.

Before placing your bets, check that you’re using a legal and trusted platform in your state. Whether you’re looking to bet on point spreads, the over/under, or college football parlays, staying compliant with state laws ensures a safe and enjoyable betting experience.

Betting on college football can be exciting and potentially profitable, but it’s important to approach it with the right mindset and strategies. Whether you’re new to college football betting or an experienced bettor, these responsible gambling tips can help you make smart decisions.

College football betting offers an exciting and dynamic way to engage with one of the most popular sports in the U.S. From legendary rivalries to high-stakes conference matchups, college football's unpredictability makes just about every game a thrilling betting opportunity. 

If you’re new to sports betting, starting with college football allows you to explore various betting options, from simple moneyline bets to complex parlays and prop bets.

If you’re ready to dive in, now is a great time to sign up with trusted online betting appsand explore strategies. The variety of bets, combined with the passion of college football fans, makes for an exhilarating experience. Use our recommendations of the best college football betting sites to get started.

With every play, you can make your predictions count, whether you’re betting on a favorite or taking a chance on an underdog upset.