Nothing gets football fans riled up like a good college football game. The promise of prolific youngsters paving their way to success and deeply rooted fanbases really bring college football to life, but you can go one step further by placing some sharp bets and cashing on in the action. Though betting on NCAAF games is not legal in all states in America, we are seeing more states doing the paperwork to make betting on college football possible.
The best college football betting sites in the US all offer generous sportsbook promos for new and existing users. If you can bet on college sports in your state, then you are in for some wild times.
Through expert previews and detailed odds analysis at BettingTools, you have everything you need to hit the ground running with your college football wagers. We have everything to meet your NCAAF betting needs including the most reliable college football betting apps, the most popular bet types and more.
Only Reliable NCAAF Betting Sites
Legal US betting sites not only offer a superior betting experience with a diversity of betting markets, but also you can rest assured that you are in safe hands. The sites we check out are all registered in the US and comply with federal and state gambling laws, ensuring your money is safe and you can bet in the confidence that the sportsbooks will pay out your winnings. All of the above betting sites offer the most popular betting odds, including the latest NCAAF odds. These global sportsbooks offer the most appealing opening lines and also have some excellent welcome bonuses you can use on your college football bets.
However, we also have to point out that college football is not legal in all states, and where it is legal, there may be some restrictions. The most common limitations you may encounter are that you cannot bet on an inter-state college football team, or you cannot bet on college players’ individual performances. Fear not though, as at BettingTools we keep you up to date with everything you need to know about the legality of college football betting, and what is (and what is not) possible in your state.
Best College Football Betting Sites
Let’s take a look at the top sportsbooks in detail for betting on college football. I’ll break down which book is the best and why, plus outline some of the positives (and negatives) of the operator.
#1. BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM is one of the top choices when it comes to CFB betting sites, with a comprehensive menu which you can filter by the separate conferences. You can navigate by using team regular season win totals, which makes everything a breeze. There are also some intriguing betting options, like the ACC winner – ‘magnificent 7’ (Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech, NC State, North Carolina, Clemson and Florida State) against the rest of the field.
The welcome bonus gives you up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back if your initial wager does not win. This is one of the best bonuses out there, just use the BetMGM sportsbook promo code to claim. You also have the excellent loyalty scheme that you can sign up for with BetMGM. Any loyalty points you earn can be used at MGM resorts across the country.
#2. DraftKings Sportsbook
The DraftKings sportsbook offers an extensive college football betting menu where bettors can navigate to single menus for game lines, player props, futures markets like award winners, team win totals and more. Within each category, there are numerous options for you to choose from. DraftKings regularly will display a banner promoting odds boosts for that week’s games, so keep an eye out for them. There are also several live betting options.
The current DraftKings welcome offer is a good one. The operator offers up to $1,200 in bonuses in most states and up to $200 in Massachusetts. The package includes a $50 bonus bet which you get immediately after placing your first $5 wager.
#3. FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel is one of the biggest brands in the country. In addition to having a solid CFB betting menu, you will have access to all of the usual benefits of using a FanDuel site, with an extremely user-friendly interface including a navigation bar which is particularly helpful. This bar has game lines, futures odds, passing/receiving props and more all included. Like DraftKings, FanDuel also offers regular odds boosts and also has a ‘boosts’ menu at the top of the page. FanDuel also has plenty of alternate lines if you want to create your own parlays.
College bettors can also take advantage of FanDuel’s bet $5 win $150 offer, which can give you a nice early bankroll boost as long as your bet wins.
#4. Caesars Sportsbook
Of course, the Caesars sportsbook is very recognizable due to the links with one of the biggest names in the gambling industry – Caesars Entertainment. In 2021, Caesars Sportsbook was named the official gaming partner of LSU Athletics, showing its commitment to college sports, and this is reflected in their CFB betting offering.
The college football welcome bonus is ten 100% profit boost tokens on your first $1 bet. Existing Caesars customers can earn Caesars Reward Credits each time they place a bet. Their college football betting menu features the top 25 teams against the rest, and there are also regular odds boosts available.
#5. bet365 Sportsbook
bet365 is a huge name in UK betting circles, and is expanding in the US fast. bet365’s sportsbook is currently available in many US states, including Colorado, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Kentucky, with more bet365 legal states arriving all the time. The site makes it easy to find the range of daily boost offerings. One promo we particularly like is the 30% profit boost on same game parlays that new and existing customers can access.
New college football bettors have two choices when it comes to welcome offers. You can either go for a bet $5 get $100 bonus bets win or lose option, or a first bet safety net up to $1,000.
How to Pick the Best College Football Betting Site for you
There are numerous factors to consider when deciding which college football betting site most suits your needs. Here at BettingTools we are constantly monitoring the best CFB betting apps, including any new sites. We only recommend sportsbooks operating in legal and regulated markets where everything is overseen by a regulatory body that ensures there are responsible gambling measures in place and everything is above board.
Here is a rundown of what you should consider before making your decision.
College football betting odds
Creating betting accounts across a number of different sportsbooks will allow you to shop around and pick the best odds. There is nothing wrong with testing the market, you would do this for other things in life before picking the best option, and the same applies here.
College football betting markets
The best sportsbooks have a variety of college football markets to choose from, including single game odds, futures markets related to the CFB playoffs and individual awards and proposition betting. These markets can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook.
Mobile app
Lots of us, whether we like to admit it or not, are glued to our mobile devices. With the development of mobile betting apps, we can now bet on our favorite sports on the go, including college football. A top quality mobile app can really separate a sportsbook from the rest. You don’t want an app that has lagging or connectivity issues, but one that works smoothly, allowing you to place your bets quickly.
Deposit options
There are several ways to fund your online betting account, including credit/debit cards and bank transfers. The best PayPal sites allow you to make quick deposits and withdrawals safely and securely.
Payout speed
Withdrawal processing times vary based on the available banking methods at the sportsbook. We are always checking the various sites for the fastest payout options. Ideally, we are looking for sites that payout within 24 hours.
Bonuses & promotions
Each of our shortlisted college football betting sites has its own unique bonuses. From odds boosts to parlay insurance offers, all are worthwhile. If you like the look of a particular bonus, make sure you read all the terms and conditions before claiming.
Live betting
Live betting is available on most NCAAF betting sites. If you find a site that doesn’t offer any live betting options, then it is likely not even worth looking into any further. The best sites will also provide in-game odds that will fluctuate throughout the matchup.
Pick Your College Football Bets
There are so many ways to go about your college football betting, whether you want to form massive parlays with multiple moneylines, or go straight for the advanced game props and bets on team statistics. Our goal at BettingTools is to bring you a large palette of betting markets, so that you can diversify your wagers and personalize your parlay picks to perfection. Our team of handicappers is always hunting for strong bets with good returns in exchange for an acceptable amount of risk. We don’t only look at standard bets, but we also check the prices on special game props, halves, bets on points and touchdowns, and loads more.
We also check all of the best sportsbooks in search of the best college football betting odds. Whether you are betting on Ohio State, Penn State or Florida State, you want to have the best price.
NCAAF Moneylines
A moneyline is the simplest bet you will come across. These are two-way bets on which team will win a game, so if the Michigan Wolverines play against the Washington Huskies, you can bet on the Wolverines to win or you can back the Huskies. The odds offered on either team are calculated by using algorithms and statistical information, and you can gauge how likely a team is to win by their money line odds.
Though the odds can vary at different sportsbooks, and that is where BettingTools comes in. We always look for a good deal or a wager with inflated odds, and then analyze whether it is worth a shot.
NCAAF Point Spreads
Point spreads are bets on a team to win a game, but they use lines to give both teams an even chance of winning. If you bet on the favorites, you will need them to overcome the spread and beat their opponents. Betting on the underdogs, your team has a little points boost to help take them to victory. Let’s say there is a game between Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs, with a line of 3.5 and Crimson Tide are the favorites to win. Should you bet on Crimson Tide, they will have a point reduction of -3.5 that they will need to beat in addition to beating the Bulldogs. You will need Crimson Tide to finish 4 points ahead of the Bulldogs to win your bet. Betting on the Bulldogs, you can only lose your bet if they lose by 4 or more points to Crimson Tide.
Point spread betting is a really exciting type of wager, but also extremely popular as you can really back the team you are betting on to win convincingly.
NCAAF Total Points
Instead of backing a team to win a college football game, you can bet on the number of points that will be scored through a total points scored bet. With this wager, it does not matter which team wins, so long as the number of points scored between both teams falls into the range defined by your wager.
For example, if a sportsbook offers a total points bet with a line of 25.5, then you can bet on the game to end with 26 or more points, or with 25 or fewer points. NCAAF betting sites generally pick a line that has a 50-50 chance of going over or under. The odds on your over or under bets are usually around -110.
NCAAF Props Bets
Props give you the chance to go into more detail with your NCAAF predictions, namely, betting on which team will lead at half time, what the winning margin will be, how many touchdowns will be scored in a game, and many more. There is an abundance of college football props to pick from, but you should bear in mind that the options may vary between states.
For example, some states prohibit player props, meaning you cannot bet on which player will make the first touchdown or how many passing yards a college football quarterback will make during a game. If your state allows player props, then you can go for the kill, picking between thrilling offensive and defensive college football player bets. If you don’t have these bets at your disposal, you can always rely on team props.
NCAAF Live Bets
Lots of college football bettors place live bets, not only because they bring a whole new level of excitement to the games, but also because they can be extremely beneficial to bettors with a good knowledge of football. By waiting for the first few minutes of action, you can gauge how prepared each team is and maybe spot some early indicators as to which direction the game will take off to.
Live betting odds update constantly throughout a game, and always reflect what is happening on the pitch. If one team makes a touchdown and converts their shot, the odds on them to win the game will shorten thereafter. Picking the right time to place your live bets is just as important as what you are picking, so be mindful of the odds and try to place your bets as early as possible. College football odds can be particularly volatile in real time, as there are typically so many swings during a game. At BettingTools, we find that a solid mobile betting app is a great way to keep track of the betting odds and fire off your quick live bets during a game.
NCAAF Futures
With a NCAAF futures bet, you can predict which team will win the College Football Playoff National Championship. Sportsbooks will offer futures bets well ahead of the season, so you can get your predictions in nice and early. Though you can place futures bets at any time during the championships, and the top sportsbooks will also offer you a cash out option should you wish to end your bet early.
How to Bet on College Football
Now that we have listed the top college football sites and given you some tips on what to look for in your search, you are ready to make your first wager. Here is a simple step by step guide to get you started.
- Register- The registration process is very similar across most US betting sites and apps. Find the ‘sign-up’ button, then follow the instructions. You will be required to enter some personal information such as your full name, address and date of birth. If you have any college football promo codes, make sure you enter them here.
- Make a deposit – Before you can bet on any college football games, you will need to add some funds to your account. Have a look for the ‘deposit’ or ‘cashier’ buttons on the site or app. Choose your preferred baking method from the options available and then check with your bank that the request will be accepted if you are using a credit or debit card.
- Place your bet – Once everything has been verified and the funds have been added, you can have a look at all of the markets and betting lines. Click the game you are interested in and see the bet types available. All of your selections will appear in your bet slip and this is where you enter your stake.
- Request a withdrawal – All of the CFB betting apps we have listed offer instant deposit and withdrawal options, so you can get quick access to your winnings. Whatever payment method you choose for your deposit will automatically be the default option used when you request a withdrawal.
College Football Betting Tips
You may think you know exactly what you are talking about when it comes to college betting. But for those who have been casual college bettors in the past but now want to follow it more closely, here are some useful tips.
College Rivalries
The rivalries in college sports are intense and full-blooded, and these matchups present some enticing opportunities for savvy bettors. For example, on paper, Ohio State could look far superior to Michigan in any given year, but the rivalry could make players nervous and even the playing field.
Home underdogs tend to do well in rivalry matches, but also look at previous clashes to see if one team might be out for revenge after losing badly the previous year. Make sure you check out all of the biggest rivalry games in college football so you know to look out for them when the season starts.
Injuries
Unfortunately, injuries are part and parcel of football, and they can influence betting odds. The biggest shift in odds will occur if a quarterback gets injured, while skill position players such as running backs and wide receivers will also move the spread up or down. Apart from those positions, injuries don’t have much effect, unless it is a starting lineman who has a huge impact on the team. Bear in mind that college rosters are bigger than NFL ones, so study the teams to see which positions they have depth and which positions they look short if they suffer injuries in that area.
More Options than NFL
The maximum number of games in a typical NFL game week is 16, while in college football there can be more than 60 teams playing in a week as there are 130 FBS teams. That means there are tonnes of options and odds for sportsbooks to consider and it also gives you plenty of choice. Shop around, make sure you find a sportsbook that has competitive odds and bet types and then compare them with others. The sites we have listed above are a good place to start.
Differences Between College Football & the NFL
As we mentioned above, there are far more college football teams than NFL teams, which in turn means there is a bigger talent gap and then bigger point spreads. For example, a two touchdown spread in the NFL tends to be big, we will often come across spreads in the -20 and -30 range for college football. Big hitters like Alabama and Georgia can dish out some hammerings, so you need to get used to how to handle large spreads.
The overtime rules are also different between the NCAA and the NFL. The rules recently changed in the NFL so that when overtime hits, each team must possess, or can possess, the ball. The exception to this is if a team gets the ball first and marches down the field and scores a touchdown on their first possession, the game ends.
However, in college football, each team possesses the ball for an unlimited amount of time, starting at the opponent’s 25-yard line. This will go on until one team is in the lead at the end of the overtime period. In theory, the two teams could just keep swapping possession forever!
Is Betting on College Football Legal in the US?
There are currently legal college football betting sites in over 30 states. There are not CFB betting apps available in every market, and in those locations, players must travel and bet at a retail sportsbook or to a state with online betting. The regulations regarding NCAAF football betting vary, especially if you want to bet on your own in-state teams.
How do College Football Odds Work?
There are over 100 FBS college football teams compared to just 32 NFL teams, so already you can see the difference in odds and markets for operators to handle when comparing the two. It is a challenge to present all of the prices for oddsmakers each week. You will discover weekly point spreads ranging from 50/50 matchups to teams being favored by over 30 points. Some operators will focus on the higher-profile games featuring BIG 10, SEC and ACC odds. This presents an opportunity for clever bettors who may find lines that don’t look priced correctly so they can take advantage.
Refined NCAAF Betting Picks at BettingTools
The college football landscape changes every year, as new players emerge and older players are drafted into the NFL. Therefore, we keep a close eye on all the happenings in the world of college football and review each game meticulously. We post regular college football betting picks to keep you in the loop as well, in easily digestible chunks with valuable insights. If you follow us on X or come back to BettingTools regularly, you can take full advantage of our free betting picks and your bankroll will feel the difference.
