Honest to goodness, every sport used to have an offseason. Days, weeks, sometimes several months flew by without a word, and everyone seemed to be just fine with the setup.
However, the appetites of sports fans in general, and bettors specifically, changed over time and the introduction of 24-hour media networks was there to feed it. Now, as more and more states legalize sports betting, what was only available to a few is now there at the click of a mouse or phone app.
With that, futures betting is now a 24-7-365 operation for each and every sport imaginable, and college football is on the minds of many each and every day instead of just those crisp, autumn afternoons.
Discipline & the Right Sportsbooks
Playing college football odds is no different than wagering on any other sport in that it requires discipline on the part of the bettor. It’s okay to have a little fun and throw a little cheddar on your alma mater, but don’t blow the bankroll on options several months or more in the future.
Researching the teams, coaches, players and schedules is essential in addition to money management. However, Step 1 is still choosing the right NCAAF betting site, one with an unimpeachable reputation to go with competitive odds.
In fact, when it comes to playing NCAAF futures, you’re going to want to have a few quality sportsbooks at your disposal to get the highest possible return on your wagers once you’ve found the best value.
When To Bet as Important as Where To Bet
There’s no question that the biggest change to college football in recent years has been the transfer portal, and some of that is due to players being paid aboveboard through NIL deals instead of under the table as in the proverbial good ol’ days.
That player movement not only adds to a bettor’s research and time spent analyzing rosters and depth charts, but it also plays into a bettor’s train of thought for when the best time is to make a college football futures wager.
Trying to gauge exactly when a team will be offering its highest return or value is one of the trickiest aspects of playing NCAAF futures. But then, that’s why they call it gambling.
Opening odds for 2024-25 were released in January, and all signs point to then being the best time to get down on Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State before the start of the season. The Bulldogs started +400 and are now +325, the Ducks were +1200 and are now +900, and the Buckeyes began +800 and have been slashed to +400.
Conversely, Alabama started proceedings +575 to win the 2025 CFP Championship, and that number has more than doubled at sharp sportsbooks.
| School | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | +400 | +300 to +325 |
| Ohio State | +800 | +375 to +450 |
| Texas | +950 | +700 to +900 |
| Oregon | +1200 | +850 to +1000 |
| Alabama | +575 | +1200 to +1400 |
The odds will fluctuate during the season, especially with the playoffs expanded to 12 teams, and there will be some value early on a few teams that might drop a Week 1 or Week 2 contest and ultimately turn things around.
Championship Odds Just One Type of Futures
The timing of a futures bet could very well depend on the type of wager being made. Early could be the best time to get down on a play for a team to win the championship, for example, if you’re convinced Kirby Smart will improve Georgia’s depth through the spring transfer portal or if this really is the year Ryan Day leads the Buckeyes to the Promised Land.
Waiting for the spring transfer portal to be completed might be best for making a college football pick in the upcoming Heisman Trophy race. Did one of the favored quarterbacks get a new wide receiver to throw to, or did the O-line add a key blocker for a stud running back?
Season win totals require bettors to analyze the schedule for not only their target team but the schedules of the other teams as well. Most college football bettors like to wait until just before a season begins to make those wagers, and win totals are one spot that it’s advantageous to have multiple sportsbooks to choose from.
Hedging & Cashing Out
So, you’ve made a very insightful pick on State Tech to win the whole enchilada, or a juicy 50/1 return on a longshot to win the Heisman Trophy. You’re beginning to think about those winnings and enjoying the adulation that comes from friends for being so wise.
Congratulations are in order, but your work is not done. Hedging that championship futures bet is something to at least keep in mind once the playoffs begin. Playing State Tech’s first playoff opponent on the moneyline or the spread is a very popular way to add a little insurance to your original bet.
Though it isn’t available at all sportsbooks, some are offering buyout options on specific longshot bets. That $20 you put on Billy Bob, the dual-threat quarterback for State Tech, might be worth $50 for some sportsbook to buy back after he puts up huge numbers in the first few weeks of the season.
