What is a point spread in college football betting?

If you're just getting into betting and reading content about it, you'll see the phrase "point spread" mentioned over and over. It's the most popular type of bet in U.S. sports betting, and it's essentially a wager on the margin of victory or defeat in a game. It's especially important within the college football gambling world given the sheer amount of blowouts, especially early in the season. It was invented decades ago to deal with that exact problem: If you're betting on the margin, games can be exciting in the fourth quarter even if a team is up by 30 points. The lines are pretty easy to understand: A sportsbook will list a spread for a game, and the underdog will have a plus sign while the favorite will own a minus sign. If Ohio State was -14 vs. Minnesota, the Buckeyes would "cover" the game if they won by 15 or more points. The Gophers would cover if they won the game or just lost by 13 or fewer points. If Ohio State won by exactly two touchdowns, it would be deemed a push, which triggers a refund.

What is a total or over/under bet in a college football game?

If you don't believe in either team in a game, but you're confident there will be a shootout given poor defenses or some other factor, totals or over/unders are right up your alley. These are bets on how many points will be scored in a game by both teams. Sportsbooks will list a number, and you can bet "over" or "under" that number to win. Sportsbooks list totals for individual teams, too, and you can also bet different timeframes, like the total for just the first half of a matchup.

How do moneylines work in college football betting?

Moneyline bets are also quite popular, and they're extremely simple, too. With these, you're just wagering on which team will win. It doesn't matter how many points are scored or the margin of victory -- just a win at the end of the game. The odds can be tricky at first, but think of American odds in terms of $100 payouts. If Wisconsin is -190 vs. Penn State, you would have to wager $190 to profit $100 if the Badgers were to win. On the Penn State side, the odds might be +150, which means a $100 bet would profit $150. If mental math isn't your thing, check out our betting calculator, where we'll highlight your potential payout for any bet.

Where Can I Bet on College Football?

f you’re in a U.S. state with legal, online sports betting, there are many choices for any given Saturday college football slate. DraftKings is a household name at this point. They started off as a daily fantasy sports (DFS) company a decade ago, and since sports betting launched in 2018 they've quickly established themselves as one of the top sportsbooks in the country. FanDuel is the other DFS-turned-sportsbook giant. They're a trusted name in the space, and they really excel with futures markets. BetMGM is a big name because of its hospitality wing and hotels in Vegas, and they also excel as a sportsbook, offering odds in most legal U.S. states. Check out our sportsbook reviews for more information on what’s available in your state and exclusive sign-up bonuses and promo codes.

NCAAF Public Betting & Money Percentages

Odds Settings

1:00 AM

40%60%

PK-110

+1.5-110

1:00 AM

43%57%

+9.5-108

-9.5-110

2:00 AM

31%69%

+4.5-110

-4-110

3:15 AM

62%38%

+2-110

-1-113

5:00 PM

57%43%

-12.5-105

+12.5-110

5:00 PM

43%57%

+11.5-110

-11-105

5:00 PM

59%41%

-11.5-110

+12-112

5:00 PM

61%39%

-7-110

+6.5+102

5:00 PM

41%59%

-28.5-106

+28.5-105

5:00 PM

55%45%

+13-105

-13-110

5:00 PM

44%56%

-14.5+100

+14.5-110

5:45 PM

56%44%

+25-110

-25-108

6:00 PM

79%21%

+9.5-112

-8.5-110

Murray State

MUR

Kentucky

6:30 PM

+38.5-105

-38.5-110

7:00 PM

75%25%

+41.5-105

-42.5-110

7:00 PM

60%40%

+2.5-102

-2-110

7:00 PM

46%54%

+13-105

-12.5-112

7:30 PM

10%87%

+2.5-105

-2.5-112

8:00 PM

49%51%

+10-110

-8.5-115

8:00 PM

6%94%

-2.5-109

+2.5-105

8:00 PM

73%27%

-16-109

+16.5-110

8:30 PM

26%74%

-21-106

+20.5-106

8:30 PM

61%37%

+19.5-110

-18.5-108

8:30 PM

67%33%

+22.5-105

-23.5-105

8:30 PM

-2.5-110

+2.5-106

8:30 PM

33%67%

-3.5-105

+3-102

8:30 PM

68%32%

-28.5-108

+28.5-105

8:30 PM

92%8%

-3.5-110

+4-109

9:00 PM

+7.5-104

-7.5-110

9:00 PM

56%44%

+7.5-109

-7-115

9:00 PM

47%53%

-1-110

+2.5-112

9:00 PM

73%27%

-2.5-110

+2.5-102

9:15 PM

21%77%

+14+100

-14.5-104

10:00 PM

+3-105

-3-105

11:00 PM

29%71%

+6-109

-5.5-108

12:00 AM

33%65%

+7.5-110

-7.5-105

12:00 AM

24%76%

+27.5-110

-27.5-105

12:00 AM

33%67%

+7.5-110

-7.5-105

12:00 AM

55%45%

-14.5-105

+14-107

12:30 AM

55%44%

+9.5-105

-10-106

12:30 AM

92%8%

-13.5-110

+13.5-105

12:45 AM

61%39%

+38.5-106

-39-110

1:00 AM

23%77%

+16-110

-14.5-110

1:00 AM

9%91%

+10.5-105

-11-110

1:00 AM

8%92%

+7.5-110

-7.5-108

2:30 AM

41%59%

-10-112

+10.5-105

3:15 AM

60%40%

+2.5+100

-2.5-110

3:30 AM

71%29%

+20.5-105

-21-108

Final

28%71%

+14.5-105

-14.5-105

Final - OT

40%59%

+3.5-110

-3.5-108

Final

48%51%

+9.5-105

-9.5-110

Final

47%46%

+30.5-106

-30.5-110

Final

62%37%

+10.5-110

-10.5-110

Final

58%39%

+14-110

-14.5+100

Final

54%44%

-15.5-110

+16.5-110

Scheduled	Open	Best Odds	% of Bets
1:00 AM North Texas UNT 319 UTSA UTSA 320	-2 +2	PK-110 +1.5-110	40% 60%
1:00 AM Wyoming WYO 317 Colorado St CSU 318	+9.5 -9.5	+9.5-108 -9.5-110	43% 57%
2:00 AM UCLA UCLA 321 Washington WASH 322	+8 -8	+4.5-110 -4-110	31% 69%
3:15 AM Houston HOU 323 Arizona ARI 324	+3.5 -3.5	+2-110 -1-113	62% 38%
5:00 PM Texas TEX 333 Arkansas ARK 334	-16 +16	-12.5-105 +12.5-110	57% 43%
5:00 PM Utah UTAH 391 Colorado COLO 392	-7.5 +7.5	+11.5-110 -11-105	43% 57%
5:00 PM Clemson CLEM 347 Pittsburgh PITT 348	-9.5 +9.5	-11.5-110 +12-112	59% 41%
5:00 PM Tulane TULN 345 Navy NAVY 346	-6 +6	-7-110 +6.5+102	61% 39%
5:00 PM Ohio State OSU 349 Northwestern NW 350	-31.5 +31.5	-28.5-106 +28.5-105	41% 59%
5:00 PM LA Tech LT 341 W. Kentucky WKU 342	+14.5 -14.5	+13-105 -13-110	55% 45%
5:00 PM Liberty LIB 339 UMass MASS 340	-14.5 +14.5	-14.5+100 +14.5-110	44% 56%
5:45 PM LA-Monroe ULM 357 Auburn AUB 358	+23.5 -23.5	+25-110 -25-108	56% 44%
6:00 PM Coastal Car CC 327 Marshall MRSH 328	+9.5 -9.5	+9.5-112 -8.5-110	79% 21%
6:30 PM Murray State MUR Kentucky UK	+37.5 -37.5	+38.5-105 -38.5-110
7:00 PM Mercer MER Alabama BAMA	+41.5 -41.5	+41.5-105 -42.5-110	75% 25%
7:00 PM FL Atlantic FAU 329 Temple TEM 330	-1.5 +1.5	+2.5-102 -2-110	60% 40%
7:00 PM FIU FIU 365 Jax State JVST 366	+13.5 -13.5	+13-105 -12.5-112	46% 54%
7:30 PM Michigan St MSU 397 Illinois ILL 398	+2.5 -2.5	+2.5-105 -2.5-112	10% 87%
8:00 PM Syracuse SYR 371 California CAL 372	+6.5 -6.5	+10-110 -8.5-115	49% 51%
8:00 PM Hawaii HAW 373 Utah State USU 374	-3 +3	-2.5-109 +2.5-105	6% 94%
8:00 PM Sam Houston SHSU 369 Kennesaw St KENN 370	-13.5 +13.5	-16-109 +16.5-110	73% 27%
8:30 PM Louisville LOU 367 Stanford STAN 368	-19.5 +19.5	-21-106 +20.5-106	26% 74%
8:30 PM Boston Col BC 375 SMU SMU 376	+15.5 -15.5	+19.5-110 -18.5-108	61% 37%
8:30 PM Virginia UVA 385 Notre Dame ND 386	+20 -20	+22.5-105 -23.5-105	67% 33%
8:30 PM S. Florida USF 337 Charlotte CHA 338	-2.5 +2.5	-2.5-110 +2.5-106
8:30 PM Oregon St ORST 389 Air Force AFA 390	-7 +7	-3.5-105 +3-102	33% 67%
8:30 PM Penn State PSU 355 Purdue PUR 356	-28.5 +28.5	-28.5-108 +28.5-105	68% 32%
8:30 PM LSU LSU 393 Florida FLA 394	-5.5 +5.5	-3.5-110 +4-109	92% 8%
9:00 PM Troy TROY 325 GA Southern GASO 326	+7.5 -7.5	+7.5-104 -7.5-110
9:00 PM Nebraska NEB 401 USC USC 402	+8.5 -8.5	+7.5-109 -7-115	56% 44%
9:00 PM Baylor BAY 343 West Virginia WVU 344	-1.5 +1.5	-1-110 +2.5-112	47% 53%
9:00 PM JMU JMU 331 Old Dominion ODU 332	-4.5 +4.5	-2.5-110 +2.5-102	73% 27%
9:15 PM Missouri MIZ 381 S. Carolina SC 382	+15.5 -15.5	+14+100 -14.5-104	21% 77%
10:00 PM Arkansas St ARST 351 Georgia State GAST 352	PK PK	+3-105 -3-105
11:00 PM Rutgers RUT 353 Maryland UMD 354	+3 -3	+6-109 -5.5-108	29% 71%
12:00 AM Arizona St ASU 395 K State KSU 396	+7 -7	+7.5-110 -7.5-105	33% 65%
12:00 AM Southern Miss USM 377 Texas St TXST 378	+26.5 -26.5	+27.5-110 -27.5-105	24% 76%
12:00 AM S. Alabama USA 359 Louisiana UL 360	+8.5 -8.5	+7.5-110 -7.5-105	33% 67%
12:00 AM Boise State BOISE 399 San Jose St SJSU 400	-14 +14	-14.5-105 +14-107	55% 45%
12:30 AM Tennessee TENN 379 Georgia UGA 380	+16.5 -16.5	+9.5-105 -10-106	55% 44%
12:30 AM Oregon ORE 403 Wisconsin WIS 404	-12 +12	-13.5-110 +13.5-105	92% 8%
12:45 AM N. Mexico St NMSU 405 Texas A&M TA&M 406	+42 -42	+38.5-106 -39-110	61% 39%
1:00 AM UAB UAB 387 Memphis MEM 388	+15.5 -15.5	+16-110 -14.5-110	23% 77%
1:00 AM Wake Forest WF 335 UNC UNC 336	+9.5 -9.5	+10.5-105 -11-110	9% 91%
1:00 AM Cincinnati CIN 383 Iowa State ISU 384	+8.5 -8.5	+7.5-110 -7.5-108	8% 92%
2:30 AM Washington St WSU 361 New Mexico UNM 362	-10.5 +10.5	-10-112 +10.5-105	41% 59%
3:15 AM Kansas KU 363 BYU BYU 364	+7 -7	+2.5+100 -2.5-110	60% 40%
3:30 AM San Diego St SDSU 407 UNLV UNLV 408	+18.5 -18.5	+20.5-105 -21-108	71% 29%
Final C. Michigan CMU 301 Toledo TOL 302	+10.5 -10.5	+14.5-105 -14.5-105	28% 71%
Final - OT Ball State BALL 305 Buffalo BUFF 306	+5.5 -5.5	+3.5-110 -3.5-108	40% 59%
Final W. Michigan WMU 303 Bowling Green BGSU 304	+7.5 -7.5	+9.5-105 -9.5-110	48% 51%
Final Kent State KENT 307 Miami (OH) M-OH 308	+30.5 -30.5	+30.5-106 -30.5-110	47% 46%
Final E. Michigan EMU 309 Ohio OHIO 310	+11.5 -11.5	+10.5-110 -10.5-110	62% 37%
Final Akron AKR 311 N. Illinois NIU 312	+18.5 -18.5	+14-110 -14.5+100	58% 39%
Final E. Carolina ECU 315 Tulsa TLSA 316	-11 +11	-15.5-110 +16.5-110	54% 44%

Because of its popularity and sheer volume of games, there are fewer sports in the world that have as much money bet on them every year than college football. That will only continue to grow, too, as sports betting works itself into the mainstream and more states legalize betting and come online.

With more public money entering the market, there's more opportunities to spot edges on bets using The Action Network's data and tools.

How to Use Public Betting and Money Percentages in College Football Betting

We house betting data from numerous U.S. online sportsbooks, including "percentage of bets" and "percentage of money" on every college football game and major bet type.

Percentage (%) of bets: The percentage of wagers on a particular side of a game. For example, if Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt had 20,000 total bets that we've tracked and 12,000 of those are on the Vols, we'd say that Tennessee has received 60% of the bets.
Percentage (%) of money: This is the same thing except for the money. If we know the total handle, we can then calculate the percentage of money on one side or another of a bet.

Combining those two factors can help college football bettors eye bets that might be worth making. The reason is because not all bets are the same amount of money. Some bettors might place just $10 on a game, while professional bettors -- sometimes called "sharps" -- might wager $10,000.

Thus, the difference between the percentage of money and the percentage of bets can often highlight the games in which pro bettors are getting down action. And, well, they're professional and bet high amounts for a reason: It could be profitable to take those sides.

It's also important to look at the total number of bets we're tracking, which you can see on the far right of the table above. The reason is because you don't want to put too much stock in a money vs. bet difference that has a small sample of bets. Utilizing all four factors -- bet percentage, money percentage, bet vs. money percentage (the delta), and total bets -- is recommended when using betting data to gain an advantage.