The NCAA Football (NCAAF) odds are available from the online sportsbook all year round. How does this work? The betting lines take many forms with the most popular being the NCAAF point spreads, money lines, and totals (over/under) prior to (and during) every game.

The college season starts in late August and concludes in December when the postseason starts culminating in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship Game in January.

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How Do Odds Work in NCAA Football?

If you bet on NCAAF odds you’ll need to learn how they work. Odds manifest as a decimal, fraction, or in “American” format. This last format is when you see a positive number (e.g. +170) or a negative number (e.g. -200). These indicate how much you win on a $100 stake and how much you need to stake to win $100, respectively.

Point Spreads

As the most popular market on the college football odds, NCAAF point spreads are where you bet on a team to “cover” their point spread. The oddsmakers assign each team a spread, either to add points (underdog) or deduct points (favorite). The wager wins if the team wins the game after their spread is added or subtracted thus “covering the spread.”

Moneyline

Take away the point spreads and we have the moneyline or “straight-up” betting. This is where you bet on a team to win the game – as simple as that. Odds here can tight or so lopsided that the book may not even offer it.

Parlays

A parlay is where you place two or more bets into one ticket for a better payout. The more bets you place on a parlay, the higher the payout. However, all bets in a parlay must win making this a high-risk high-reward option.

Totals

Bet on whether the total combined score of both teams will go over or under the oddsmakers’ totals. Simple.

Teasers

Teasers or “pleasers” are point spreads where bettors adjust the line. A teaser is when bettors add points to the spread thus making it easier to win (in theory) for a smaller payout. In contrast, a pleaser is when bettors subtract points for a higher payout.

Futures

Futures are usually in the form of outrights. This is when you bet on who you think will win the championship or the Heisman Trophy, among other things. It is best to keep track of the college football odds along with the latest news.

Examples of Betting NCAA Football

As an example, if Alabama is listed at -350 on the moneyline, it means you will win $100 for every $350 bet you make. Consequently, their opponent, Georgia, is at +200. That means you will win $200 if you stake $100 on the team.

If converted to a decimal, Alabama’s -350 will become 1.29 meaning you win $29 plus your $100 stake for a total of $129 paid out. Georgia’s +200 becomes 3.00 meaning you get $300 in return for your $100 wager ($100 + $200 = $300).

Fractional, Alabama’s line will be 2/7 so you stake $700 and win $200 in return (or $350 stake for a $100 win). Georgia’s is 2/1 so a $200 return for a $100 bet.

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