The Definitive Guide to College Football Spread Betting

With the arrival of each new season, the variety of ways to bet on college football increases. And yet, bettors still prefer playing teams against the spread, and it’s not even close in terms of either the number of wagers or dollar amounts compared to totals and moneylines.

One thing spreads and moneylines have in common is they are both ways for oddsmakers to even things up, or level the playing field, between two teams.

Spreads do that by gauging the differences between two teams using points, while moneylines do it by requiring a larger outlay to pick the favorite straight up. The chart below shows how spreads and moneylines generally relate to one another.

Understanding just how spreads are set at best NCAAF betting sites is one of the first things bettors need to educate themselves on, and it’s not always as easy or straightforward as one may think.

Having Multiple Betting Outlets Is Huge

But before we get into how spreads are set, the very first step to successful betting with college football spreads – or any sports betting, for that matter – is getting established at a reputable sportsbook.

The second step is setting up accounts at a second or even third reputable betting outlet.

Having multiple sportsbooks is no different than having multiple suppliers for anything else in life. If you only buy your clothing from one retail outlet, or your food from one supermarket, then congratulations on being only a buyer instead of a judicious shopper.

Picking the right sportsbook starts with finding those that are legal to operate in your country and state. Depositing at established and trustworthy sportsbooks should be any easy concept to understand; after all, you don’t buy your groceries from ACME Supermarket & Roadkill Taxidermy, do you?

Understanding Public Betting Trends in Spreads

Establishing a spread for a college football game goes beyond simply calculating the strengths and weaknesses of the two teams involved, and then predicting that State U should beat State Tech by the score of 24-21.

Factoring in offensive, defensive, and kicking game stats is indeed part of the process, but oddsmakers also take into account how John Q. Public is going to react to State U as a 3-point favorite on the NCAAF odds.

There are teams and individuals in every sport that attract more attention from bettors, be that from past history, recent performances, or simple celebrity status.

Notre Dame is a very public team in college football, and as such, the Fighting Irish are generally asked to cover a bigger spread than the stats might suggest…or receive fewer points as the underdogs.

There is also consideration given to home teams. Geography can play into how much gravy is added to a spread, and thanks to the internet and its promotion of shameless behavior, some fan bases have become even more of a factor on campuses once considered friendly.

Stats – How Much is Too Much?

It goes without saying that a bettor has to remain current with college football stats and other information, and the amount of information to track has only increased with the rapid changes that have altered the sport’s landscape in recent years.

Many of the stats tossed around are nothing more than inconsequential minutiae, but at the same time, it goes beyond simple rushing, passing, and scoring averages for a season. Knowing who the yards were gained against is as important, if not more so, than how many were gained.

Keeping up with injuries and depth charts are no-brainers, as are the offensive and defensive styles of both sides. The latter requires knowing the coaches, and their tendencies to cover spreads in the past.

Exercise Caution With Huge Spreads

There are a lot of mismatches in college football. While it’s rare to see spreads greater than 10 points in the NFL, it’s no big deal to see spreads in the 30s, 40s, and even 50s on the NCAAF picks schedule.

Many of the mismatches take place early in the season when many teams are playing nothing more than glorified scrimmages. But they also take place late when teams squeeze in a matchup against Sisters of the Poor before a clash with a big rival.

Staying away from these large spreads is sound advice for bettors just starting out, and even for those more experienced. As always, discipline and bankroll management will determine long-term success.