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

Your free PRO game of the day.

Final - 2OT

75%24%

80%19%

+5%

+2.5-110

-2-110

Your free PRO game of the day.

Final

63%37%

62%38%

+1%

-4.5-110

+5.5-105

4TH 7:24

69%31%

+23.5-110

-23.5-107

4TH 2:00

77%23%

-8-110

+34+102

END 4TH

53%47%

+6.5-105

-6.5-110

4TH 0:06

26%74%

+27.5-104

-27.5-110

4TH 11:44

55%45%

+16.5-102

-17-105

Southern Utah

SUU

UTEP

3RD 7:17

36%64%

+6.5-105

-6.5-113

2ND 12:16

47%53%

+1-110

+2.5-108

2ND 10:12

42%58%

+19.5-105

-19.5-106

2ND 2:43

46%54%

+37.5-105

-37.5-110

2ND 7:55

41%59%

+19-110

-17.5-102

2ND 13:45

50%50%

-22-110

+22-105

1ST 1:24

61%39%

-5.5-110

+6-109

1ST 2:05

29%71%

+6.5-110

-5.5-110

1ST 15:00

31%67%

+30.5-105

-28.5-105

Final

52%48%

+12.5-110

-12.5-105

W. Illinois

WIL

Indiana

Final

42%58%

+44.5-105

-45-110

Final

68%32%

+2-109

-1.5-110

Final

42%58%

+18.5-110

-18.5-105

Final

71%29%

-6.5-110

+7-105

Final

36%64%

+24.5-110

-24-110

Final

56%44%

-3-105

+2.5-102

Final

53%47%

-8.5-110

+9.5-110

Final

33%67%

+27.5-110

-27.5-108

Final

69%31%

+3-110

-1-102

Merrimack Col

UConn

UCONN

Final

35%65%

+15.5-105

-14.5-110

Final - 2OT

49%51%

+9.5-104

-10-105

Final

29%71%

+34.5-110

-34.5-108

Final

41%59%

+48.5-108

-48-105

Final

51%49%

+3.5-120

-2.5-115

Final

36%64%

+54.5-105

-54.5-105

Final

49%51%

+17.5-106

-16.5-115

Utah Tech

UTU

UNLV

Final

46%54%

+41-108

-40.5-110

Final

52%48%

+12.5-104

-12-110

Final

51%49%

+14.5-105

-15-110

Final

40%60%

+22-110

-21.5-105

Final

50%50%

+2.5+100

-3-105

Final

35%65%

+9.5-108

-9-110

Final

48%52%

+25-110

-25.5-105

Final

30%70%

+17.5-105

-17.5-108

Duquesne

DUQ

Boston Col

Final

39%61%

+35.5-108

-36.5-105

Final

39%61%

+27.5-104

-28-108

Final

40%60%

+7.5-110

-7.5-103

Final

48%52%

+8.5-110

-8-110

Final

63%37%

+17.5+100

-18-110

Final

33%67%

+12.5-110

-11.5-110

Final

28%72%

+28.5-105

-28.5-110

Final

66%34%

+2.5-110

-1-110

Final

26%74%

+43-110

-42.5-105

Final

50%50%

+21-108

-20.5-109

Final

40%60%

+1-115

+2-110

Final

42%58%

+48-110

-48-110

Final

52%48%

+37.5-106

-38-108

Gardner-Webb

GWEB

JMU

Final

59%41%

+37-110

-37.5-108

Final

80%20%

+1.5-105

-1.5-110

Final

54%46%

-3.5-105

+5-110

Final

47%53%

+21.5-110

-21.5-108

Final

49%51%

-14.5-105

+14.5-105

Final

68%32%

+30.5-110

-28.5-105

Final

39%61%

+30.5-105

-30.5-110

Final

55%45%

+38-105

-38.5-109

Final

57%43%

+31.5-112

-31-108

Final

54%46%

+1.5-115

Final

51%49%

+20.5-110

-19.5-109

William & Mary

Coastal Car

Final

43%57%

+16.5-105

-16.5-110

Final

69%31%

+34.5-102

-35-110

Final

64%36%

+3.5-110

-2.5-108

Final

76%24%

+1.5-114

+1.5-115

Final

36%64%

+34.5-110

-32-110

Final

46%54%

+18.5-110

-17.5-105

Final

25%75%

+10.5-110

-10.5-102

Final

74%26%

-11.5-105

+11-110

Final

22%78%

+9-110

-8-110

Nicholls St

NIC

LSU

Final

51%49%

+45.5-108

-46.5-105

Final

24%76%

+37.5-105

-37-110

Final

57%43%

+33.5-108

-33.5-109

Long Island

LIU

TCU

Final

64%36%

+44.5-105

-44.5-125

Scheduled	Open	Best Odds	% of Bets	% of Money	Diff	Bets
Your free PRO game of the day.		GET PRO NOW
Final - 2OT Duke DUKE 303 Northwestern NW 304	+2.5 -2.5	+2.5-110 -2-110	75% 24%	80% 19%	+5%	57,726
Your free PRO game of the day.		GET PRO NOW
Final Kansas KU 365 Illinois ILL 366	-5.5 +5.5	-4.5-110 +5.5-105	63% 37%	62% 38%	+1%	47,664
4TH 7:24 Stephen FA SFA North Texas UNT	+23.5 -23.5	+23.5-110 -23.5-107	69% 31%
4TH 2:00 Tennessee TENN 378 NC State NCST 377	-8 +8	-8-110 +34+102	77% 23%
END 4TH Colorado COLO 381 Nebraska NEB 382	+7.5 -7.5	+6.5-105 -6.5-110	53% 47%
4TH 0:06 Houston HOU 383 Oklahoma OU 384	+29.5 -29.5	+27.5-104 -27.5-110	26% 74%
4TH 11:44 App State APP 385 Clemson CLEM 386	+17 -17	+16.5-102 -17-105	55% 45%
3RD 7:17 Southern Utah SUU UTEP UTEP	+7.5 -7.5	+6.5-105 -6.5-113	36% 64%
2ND 12:16 Texas Tech TTU 389 Washington St WSU 390	+2 -2	+1-110 +2.5-108	47% 53%
2ND 10:12 Sac State SAC Fresno State FRES	+14.5 -14.5	+19.5-105 -19.5-106	42% 58%
2ND 2:43 N. Arizona NAZ Arizona ARI	+44.5 -44.5	+37.5-105 -37.5-110	46% 54%
2ND 7:55 Boise State BOISE 387 Oregon ORE 388	+19.5 -19.5	+19-110 -17.5-102	41% 59%
2ND 13:45 Liberty LIB 391 N. Mexico St NMSU 392	-22.5 +22.5	-22-110 +22-105	50% 50%
1ST 1:24 Oregon St ORST 393 San Diego St SDSU 394	-5.5 +5.5	-5.5-110 +6-109	61% 39%
1ST 2:05 Mississippi St MSST 395 Arizona St ASU 396	+6.5 -6.5	+6.5-110 -5.5-110	29% 71%
1ST 15:00 Utah State USU 397 USC USC 398	+28.5 -28.5	+30.5-105 -28.5-105	31% 67%
Final BYU BYU 301 SMU SMU 302	+12.5 -12.5	+12.5-110 -12.5-105	52% 48%
Final W. Illinois WIL Indiana IU	+40.5 -40.5	+44.5-105 -45-110	42% 58%
Final Pittsburgh PITT 313 Cincinnati CIN 314	+2.5 -2.5	+2-109 -1.5-110	68% 32%
Final Troy TROY 311 Memphis MEM 312	+18.5 -18.5	+18.5-110 -18.5-105	42% 58%
Final Texas TEX 319 Michigan MICH 320	-7.5 +7.5	-6.5-110 +7-105	71% 29%
Final Akron AKR 315 Rutgers RUT 316	+23 -23	+24.5-110 -24-110	36% 64%
Final GA Tech GT 305 Syracuse SYR 306	-2.5 +2.5	-3-105 +2.5-102	56% 44%
Final K State KSU 307 Tulane TULN 308	-10 +10	-8.5-110 +9.5-110	53% 47%
Final Rhode Island URI Minnesota MINN	+23.5 -23.5	+27.5-110 -27.5-108	33% 67%
Final Army ARMY 317 FL Atlantic FAU 318	+4 -4	+3-110 -1-102	69% 31%
Final Merrimack Col MC UConn UCONN	+15.5 -15.5	+15.5-105 -14.5-110	35% 65%
Final - 2OT Arkansas ARK 321 OK State OKST 322	+7.5 -7.5	+9.5-104 -10-105	49% 51%
Final Bowling Green BGSU 309 Penn State PSU 310	+34.5 -34.5	+34.5-110 -34.5-108	29% 71%
Final McNeese St MCN Texas A&M TA&M	+44.5 -44.5	+48.5-108 -48-105	41% 59%
Final Missouri St MOST Ball State BALL	+2.5 -2.5	+3.5-120 -2.5-115	51% 49%
Final Tenn Tech TNT Georgia UGA	+53.5 -53.5	+54.5-105 -54.5-105	36% 64%
Final St. Francis (PA) STF Kent State KENT	+14.5 -14.5	+17.5-106 -16.5-115	49% 51%
Final Utah Tech UTU UNLV UNLV	+39.5 -39.5	+41-108 -40.5-110	46% 54%
Final Temple TEM 327 Navy NAVY 328	+12.5 -12.5	+12.5-104 -12-110	52% 48%
Final Baylor BAY 329 Utah UTAH 330	+14.5 -14.5	+14.5-105 -15-110	51% 49%
Final Charlotte CHA 333 UNC UNC 334	+22.5 -22.5	+22-110 -21.5-105	40% 60%
Final Iowa State ISU 341 Iowa IOWA 342	+3 -3	+2.5+100 -3-105	50% 50%
Final S. Carolina SC 331 Kentucky UK 332	+10 -10	+9.5-108 -9-110	35% 65%
Final E. Michigan EMU 337 Washington WASH 338	+24.5 -24.5	+25-110 -25.5-105	48% 52%
Final UMass MASS 339 Toledo TOL 340	+18.5 -18.5	+17.5-105 -17.5-108	30% 70%
Final Duquesne DUQ Boston Col BC	+36.5 -36.5	+35.5-108 -36.5-105	39% 61%
Final N. Illinois NIU 335 Notre Dame ND 336	+28.5 -28.5	+27.5-104 -28-108	39% 61%
Final Idaho IDHO Wyoming WYO	+4.5 -4.5	+7.5-110 -7.5-103	40% 60%
Final Michigan St MSU 343 Maryland UMD 344	+9.5 -9.5	+8.5-110 -8-110	48% 52%
Final South Dakota SDAK Wisconsin WIS	+26.5 -26.5	+17.5+100 -18-110	63% 37%
Final California CAL 323 Auburn AUB 324	+13.5 -13.5	+12.5-110 -11.5-110	33% 67%
Final Jax State JVST 325 Louisville LOU 326	+28.5 -28.5	+28.5-105 -28.5-110	28% 72%
Final UTSA UTSA 345 Texas St TXST 346	+1.5 -1.5	+2.5-110 -1-110	66% 34%
Final Middle Tenn MTSU 347 Ole Miss MISS 348	+41.5 -41.5	+43-110 -42.5-105	26% 74%
Final Marshall MRSH 349 VA Tech VT 350	+20.5 -20.5	+21-108 -20.5-109	50% 50%
Final S. Alabama USA 355 Ohio OHIO 356	-2 +2	+1-115 +2-110	40% 60%
Final Florida A&M FAMU Miami (FL) MIA	+45.5 -45.5	+48-110 -48-110	42% 58%
Final Albany ALB West Virginia WVU	+30.5 -30.5	+37.5-106 -38-108	52% 48%
Final Gardner-Webb GWEB JMU JMU	+29.5 -29.5	+37-110 -37.5-108	59% 41%
Final E. Carolina ECU 353 Old Dominion ODU 354	-2.5 +2.5	+1.5-105 -1.5-110	80% 20%
Final C. Michigan CMU 351 FIU FIU 352	-6.5 +6.5	-3.5-105 +5-110	54% 46%
Final Sam Houston SHSU 357 UCF UCF 358	+22.5 -22.5	+21.5-110 -21.5-108	47% 53%
Final Louisiana UL 375 Kennesaw St KENN 376	-15.5 +15.5	-14.5-105 +14.5-105	49% 51%
Final Texas Southern TXSO Rice RICE	+29.5 -29.5	+30.5-110 -28.5-105	68% 32%
Final S. Florida USF 359 Alabama BAMA 360	+31 -31	+30.5-105 -30.5-110	39% 61%
Final Samford SAM Florida FLA	+36.5 -36.5	+38-105 -38.5-109	55% 45%
Final N. Colorado NOCO Colorado St CSU	+28.5 -28.5	+31.5-112 -31-108	57% 43%
Final GA Southern GASO 367 Nevada NEV 368	-1.5 +1.5	+1.5-115 +1.5-115	54% 46%
Final E. Kentucky EKU W. Kentucky WKU	+18.5 -18.5	+20.5-110 -19.5-109	51% 49%
Final William & Mary WM Coastal Car CC	+14.5 -14.5	+16.5-105 -16.5-110	43% 57%
Final Cal Poly CPS Stanford STAN	+36.5 -36.5	+34.5-102 -35-110	69% 31%
Final San Jose St SJSU 369 Air Force AFA 370	+6.5 -6.5	+3.5-110 -2.5-108	64% 36%
Final Virginia UVA 363 Wake Forest WF 364	+2.5 -2.5	+1.5-114 +1.5-115	76% 24%
Final Buffalo BUFF 361 Missouri MIZ 362	+34.5 -34.5	+34.5-110 -32-110	36% 64%
Final SE Louisiana SEL Southern Miss USM	+11.5 -11.5	+18.5-110 -17.5-105	46% 54%
Final Chattanooga CHT Georgia State GAST	+11.5 -11.5	+10.5-110 -10.5-102	25% 75%
Final UAB UAB 371 LA-Monroe ULM 372	-13.5 +13.5	-11.5-105 +11-110	74% 26%
Final Tulsa TLSA 373 Arkansas St ARST 374	+7.5 -7.5	+9-110 -8-110	22% 78%
Final Nicholls St NIC LSU LSU	+51.5 -51.5	+45.5-108 -46.5-105	51% 49%
Final W. Michigan WMU 379 Ohio State OSU 380	+38 -38	+37.5-105 -37-110	24% 76%
Final Alcorn State ALCST Vanderbilt VAN	+34.5 -34.5	+33.5-108 -33.5-109	57% 43%
Final Long Island LIU TCU TCU	+45.5 -45.5	+44.5-105 -44.5-125	64% 36%

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.