College Football Odds | Lines For Every Game

Below we will highlight college football odds for every game on the slate. CFB bettors will be able to toggle between point spreads, moneylines and totals.

College football odds

College football odds have been made available. To bet a side, click on the odds below.

How to bet on college football

There are several ways to bet on most sporting events and college football is no exception. Here are some of the options for CFB betting, including some tips on when you might want to go with that specific type of wager. Before you bet you’ll definitely want to check out the top college football betting sites available.

Moneyline

Taking the Moneyline means you’re betting on the winning team regardless of the margin of victory. Underdogs will get plus-odds on the Moneyline and the favorites will have negative odds. For example, if a team is heavily favored they will be listed as Alabama (-850), meaning that a successful $85 bet on the Crimson Tide would only pay out $10.

Point Spread

The Point Spread is different in that it accounts for the expected margin of victory. In the NFL, the biggest favorites are usually giving 10-13 points, meaning a bet (likely at something close to -110 odds) is only successful if the favorite wins by 13-plus. These spreads can be much, much bigger in college. When playing a Group of Five program like Kent State, oddsmakers typically favor Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State by 40 points or more. This changes the game in terms of taking the favorite in the hopes of a truly one-sided affair.

Point Total

Since these point spreads can often be set at such a lofty number, gamblers may lean towards betting the overall total of a game. The total usually presents equal odds proposition of taking the Over or Under. Some sites offer the opportunity to bet on the expected point total of one team (23.5 points for example).

Proposition Bets

There are often an extensive number of Prop (or proposition) Bets where gamblers can wager on the individual performance of a player, the type of score to open a game, and the specific margin of victory. These options are often more expansive in prime time and bowl games. Gamblers can choose to combine multiple propositions on a game, or multiple bets on different games, into a Parlay. This wager is an all-or-nothing proposition which only pays out if all (anywhere between 2 and a dozen) bets are successful. The more bets added to a Parlay, the greater the potential payout.

Teaser

A form of Parlay that involves a combination of two to ten wagers in which you can adjust the point spread or total to your specifications. These bets are therefore more likely to succeed, but the payouts are smaller than in a Parlay. We at the lines do not recommend teaser betting on college football, as demonstrated in a 166-game sample from 2021.

NCAA markets and futures betting

The options listed above are for betting on individual games, but gamblers can also wager on NCAA futures. Rather than betting on an individual game, futures offer gamblers the opportunity to bet on the eventual National Champion, conference champions, or the number of wins that a team will accrue during the regular season.

There are also futures bets available on postseason awards, such as the Heisman Trophy. Here is a rundown of the favorites to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy:

• Quinn Ewers
• Carson Beck
• Jalen Milroe

Odds on futures bets will change throughout the season if a key player gets hurt or if a contender loses. Since the CFB season is short, one loss can very suddenly change odds.

There is also a futures section on most books where you bet the conference champion. The FBS conferences on books are the AAC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, C-USA, MAC, MWC, and SEC. Most of these conferences have several contenders with relatively even odds, but others like the SEC may only feature two teams like Georgia and Alabama while the rest fall into the longshot category.

Strategies differ when betting on individual games versus futures. Timing is of paramount importance when betting futures, since you can effectively “buy low” on a player or team that’s struggling early in the season and get much better odds. Taking a futures bet towards the end of the season when the Heisman candidates are pretty much solidified will not be very profitable. Game lines are much more simple in terms of betting before the opening kickoff, or taking advantage of “live betting” in states where online gambling is legal and available.

College football betting tips

As mentioned above, CFB has more teams and far less parity than the NFL. That leads to some lopsided scores and lofty spreads. It can be difficult to find the right side of the line, but here are some analytics to consider:

Home Field Advantage

How historically strong is a particular team at home? Are you considering a school with a particularly dedicated fan base such as Penn State? Or betting a mid-major matchup between two schools in the MAC that will likely be played with light fanfare?

Rivalries

There are only a few games during the CFB season, but some count for more than others. The top teams in each conference often schedule a huge H2H rivalry game towards the end of the season, such as “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan. It doesn’t always have to be the top teams, though, as Alabama has a more fierce rivalry with Auburn than SEC contender Georgia. The intensity of those rivalry games can often lead to closer finishes and that should be accounted for when betting point spreads.

Weather & Conditions

The weather can play a huge factor in the outcome of games and number of points scored. Obviously, poor weather makes it tougher to pass, catch, and kick, which often leads to fewer points. Some run-heavy teams thrive in inclement weather and teams from the south or west coast could struggle if playing on the road in a harsher climate.

Pace

Check out the average number of plays a team runs per game, this can primarily help you identify fast-paced games that are likely to go over the total, or slow-paced games that will go Under.

Points per drive

Points per drive is a much better indicator of a team’s success (or lack thereof) in scoring and stopping opponents from scoring than total scoring. Per game numbers can be skewed– especially in a short season– by a single outlier. Points per drive gives a better picture of not only how often teams are scoring on drives, but also what kind of scoring they’re doing (field goal? touchdown?).

Transfers & Team Experience

Recently, the transfer portal has become a staple in college football. Make sure to know where top transfers move to, as they can have tremendous impacts like Cam Ward (transferred to Miami from Washington State in 2024). Team experience is also important, particularly in early-season and championship situations. Since we’re dealing with 18-22 year old players in game situations unlike anything they’ve played in before, an extra year or two from a QB or DB makes a world of difference.

Win Probability

This is an advanced tool that can help tremendously with live betting. Algorithms can provide the likelihood of a team holding on for the win and that makes for a very safe bet.

Injuries and Player Factors

Finally, you have to consider the health of key players and any potential storylines about a rift between a player and the coaching staff. Coaches have all the power in CFB and sometimes players will underperform if they feel slighted or otherwise mistreated.

Each game brings its own criteria in terms of analytics and there is almost always ample time to crunch the numbers and find an edge.

CFB betting vs. NFL betting

With so many more games on a CFB slate, it’s difficult for oddsmakers to dedicate as much time into researching each matchup. Sometimes oddsmakers will nail the line for high-profile games in the “Power” conferences, but lose track of the mid-major games. That opens the door for savvy bettors to jump on a line that they think is off the mark.

There are significant differences in the format of each game. CFB teams can carry up to 83 players and certain programs will use nearly everyone on the team to maintain a fast-paced style.

There is slightly less betting activity in college compared to the NFL. Changes might be coming, but right now the NCAA doesn’t require CFB teams to release injury reports. The Big Ten releases pre-game injury report for teams beginning in 2023. Other leagues and schools choose not to.

While information on injuries isn’t nearly as transparent in CFB, savvy bettors can find information via Twitter. This is a potential area to gain an edge since there is plenty of local media coverage and fan investment even if the coaches aren’t required to tip their hand.

How do NFL betting and college football betting differ?

Compare Betting Sites & Apps For The Best College Football Odds

When betting on college football, staying updated with the latest odds is crucial, as they can fluctuate quickly based on team performances, injuries, and other factors. To get the best value, compare various sports betting sites for the most competitive odds and a wide range of betting markets. Using top sports betting apps allows you to place bets on the go, monitor real-time line movements, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. With the right strategy and tools, you can enhance your betting approach and maximize your potential returns when wagering on college football games.

Is college football betting legal?

When the Supreme Court overturned the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May of 2018, it opened the door for individual states to legalize sports gambling. Beginning with New Jersey (the original plaintiff in the PASPA case), several states quickly moved to legalize and regulate the industry within state lines. Betting on college football and professional sports is still not federally legal, but residents in more than 30 states can place bets at live sportsbooks.

Some states allow sports betting, but forbid it on college games. Others may allow betting on college games, but not for in-state teams.

Most other states in the U.S. have introduced some sort of bill that would legalize sports gambling. Of course, some states are far closer than others to legalizing the industry. Visit our individual sports betting pages at TheLines.com to get a look at the status in each state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many college football bowl games are there?

41 bowl games are scheduled for 2025-26 plus four Opening Round Playoff games and the National Championship game. That means 82 of the 136 FBS teams will play in a bowl. The typical requirement for eligibility being six wins.

When are college bowl games announced?

College bowl games and their participants are announced after Conference Championship week and begin in mid-December.

How do spreads work in college football?

Favorites are handicapped by a point spread and bettors that take the favorite on a point spread will need the team to win by more than that number (-14 for example). Conversely, underdogs will pay out bets on the spread if they lose by 14 points or fewer in that example. If the team wins by exactly 14 points, that’s referred to as a “push” and all bets are refunded.

What is the over / under in college football?

Point totals in CFB are generally much higher than the NFL. Increased pace of play and lack of even talent on the defensive side of the ball could be to blame.

How many Division 1 football teams are there?

There are currently 136 FBS football teams in Division-1 and 128 teams in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). The FCS is comprised of 13 conferences and the FBS is comprised of nine conferences, plus two independent teams. Be aware that July 1, 2025 marks another shift in conference membership and two new FBS teams added. Delaware and Missouri State become the 135th and 136th FBS teams for the 2025 football season.

Where is the national championship game in 2024 – 2024?

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

What is the purpose of college bowl games?

Bowl games have become a holiday tradition and an exciting goal for players, coaches, and fans to cap their seasons. Players remain invested in ending their season or careers on a high note.