College football betting is a big attraction at legal online sportsbooks. The regular season gets underway at the tail end of summer, and the action continues to heat up throughout the fall. When the winter hits, it’s time for bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Along the way, bettors have scores of games and wagering options, including spreads, props, and futures. Here’s a complete look at how to bet on college football legally and safely.
Best online sportsbooks with college football betting promos
How to bet on college football
- Begin by choosing where you want to bet. You’ll find a list of top legal online sportsbooks above, along with information on the current betting promotions they have available for new customers. If you see an option that you’re interested in, just click on the “play now” button to get started. Age and eligibility requirements may vary by location, and you also need to be located in a state where sports betting is legal and where that particular book is licensed.
- Create an account. The sign-up process is generally quick and painless. Just follow the prompts and enter the necessary information, a list that includes things like your name, date of birth and Social Security number. This is all standard practice when signing up to bet at a legal online sportsbook, as the book needs to verify your identity.
- Download the app. If you sign up for an account via your computer and plan to wager on your mobile device as well, then take the time to download the sportsbook app to your device. Next, enable geolocation so that the sportsbook can confirm that you are within one of the states in which it operates.
- Add money to your account. The dedicated cashier section will walk you through the process. This also may be the point where you are able to claim any welcome bonuses.
- Choose your bet. Locate the college football odds section on the sportsbook and check out all of the upcoming games and betting options. If you come across a bet that you’re interested in, click on the odds to add the wager to your betting slip.
- Place your wager. Once your bet is on the slip, you’ll add in how much you want to bet, confirm that everything is correct and place your bet. You can keep track of your wagers in the open bets section of your account.
Why should you trust our links?
The links on this page are to online sportsbooks that are legal and regulated in the states in which they operate. We only deal with legal and regulated sites, and we’ve conducted extensive reviews of all of them.
Sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods
The cashier section at an online sportsbook will walk you through moving money in and out of your account. Deposits tend to go through instantly, while withdrawals generally take some time to process. The exact methods may vary by sportsbook, but most offer a solid assortment of options, including PayPal, ACH and credit/debit card.
Typical welcome bonuses
Legal online sportsbooks generally offer welcome bonuses to new customers. The exact options will vary, but common promos include deposit matches or bonuses. You can find examples of what to expect at the top of this page. Before attempting to claim any sportsbook promotions, be sure to review the terms and conditions.
Legal college football betting apps
DraftKings Sportsbook
DraftKings is one of the leaders in US sports betting. A feature-filled app has helped the company stand out, and the layout of the DraftKings app helps with navigating busy college football odds pages.
DraftKings Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY
FanDuel Sportsbook
FanDuel has also emerged as a leader in sports betting. A clean layout and visually appealing app have helped it become a go-to for bettors. You’ll find wide-ranging odds and lines and a variety of bets on a simple-to-use mobile platform.
FanDuel Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY
BetMGM Sportsbook
BetMGM has been working toward gaining market share with a solid mobile product. The sportsbook offers a range of betting options and wagers. On the college football side, bettors will find a clean layout of all of the games.
BetMGM Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, OH, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV & WY – Note: Offer not available in DC, MS, NV or NY
PointsBet Sportsbook
Not long ago, the name PointsBet wasn’t well-known in the US. It’s been expanding its reach since launching in New Jersey in 2019, however, with a platform that features innovative features like PointsBetting.
PointsBet Sportsbook is available in the following states: CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA & WV
BetRivers Sportsbook
BetRivers offers an easy-to-use mobile platform that still manages to contain a good number of features. The online sportsbook also participates in an established rewards program, and college football bettors will find competitive odds in the app.
BetRivers Sportsbook is available in the following states: AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MD, MI, OH, NJ, NY, PA, VA & WV
College football betting terms
Here are some of the standard college football betting terms that you’ll come across as you get set to wager on games:
- Moneylines: When betting on the moneyline, you are simply choosing which side you think will win the game. There are odds on both sides — negative for favorites and positive for underdogs — and the range between the numbers indicates how close the sportsbook expects the matchup to be. If the team you pick goes on to win the game, you win.
- Point spreads: For an additional strategy component, you can bet on the spread, which is a line that the sportsbook sets to level the playing field from a betting perspective. You can bet on the favorite minus the spread number or the underdog plus the spread number. The side that you select has to cover the spread for you to win the bet.
- Totals: Sportsbooks will also set a total on each game, representing a benchmark of total points in that game. Bettors can then wager on the actual total score ending up over or under that line. Totals for college football games can range from the high 30s all the way up to 60-plus points.
- Props: A prop bet is a side wager on a smaller aspect within a game, such as on the accomplishments of an individual player or team, or something that may or may not happen during the game or by its conclusion.
- Yardage: In comparison to other sports, player props are limited for college football and not available in all states where sports betting is legal. Yardage props for key players, in an over/under format, are the most common option that you’ll come across.
- Team props: A team prop could be based on scoring, yardage or another quantifiable stat.
- Game props: The menu for game props includes the exact margin of victory, the possibility of a shutout and more.
- Parlays: A parlay is a multi-leg wager in which you include multiple selections on the same betting slip, such as a pair of moneyline bets. For you to win your parlay, all of the selections that you’ve included on the slip have to be correct.
- Futures: A futures bet is a long-term wager on a season-long outcome. Odds for the top college football futures will generally come out over the offseason.
- National Championship: You can wager on the winner of the national championship via the futures market. There will be odds available for all of the teams in advance of the season, ranging from favorites down to extreme long shots.
- Heisman Trophy: The winner of the Heisman Trophy is another popular attraction for college football futures. Sportsbooks will have odds for all of the top contenders, and the numbers will fluctuate in response to betting action and the performance of the candidates as the season plays out.
- Regular season wins: Before the season kicks off, many sportsbooks will release regular season win total lines for college football teams. Bettors can then place over/under bets on those lines.
Upcoming college football dates
We’re still a few months away from the start of the college football season. As spring practices continue and the summer months roll along, anticipation will continue to build. Here are some of the key dates to look forward to.
- Aug. 26: Start of the regular season.
- Nov. 21-27: Final week of the regular season.
- Dec. 1-2: Conference championship games.
- Dec. 16: College football bowl season begins.
- Jan. 1: College Football Playoff.
- Jan. 8: CFP national championship game.
State-by-state college betting rules
Individual states can set their own rules for sports betting, and some states have imposed specific restrictions related to betting on college sports.
| State | Launch Date | Restrictions | Legal Betting Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | September 2021 | No college prop bets. | 21 |
| Colorado | May 2020 | No college prop bets. | 21 |
| Connecticut | October 2021 | No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). | 21 |
| Illinois | June 2020 | Can wager on in-state college teams only with pregame, in-person bets. | 21 |
| Indiana | October 2019 | Prop betting allowed for pregame only. | 21 |
| Iowa | August 2019 | No prop bets on individual college athletes. | 21 |
| Kansas | September 2022 | None. | 21 |
| Maryland | November 2022 | None. | 21 |
| Massachusetts | March 2023 | No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament). | 21 |
| Michigan | January 2021 | None. | 21 |
| Nevada | 2010 | None. | 21 |
| New Hampshire | December 2019 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 18 |
| New Jersey | August 2018 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 21 |
| New York | January 2022 | No betting on in-state college teams. | 21 |
| Ohio | January 2023 | None. | 21 |
| Oregon | October 2019 | Must place college bets in person at a retail sportsbook. | 21 |
| Pennsylvania | May 2019 | No prop bets on college athletes. | 21 |
| Rhode Island | September 2019 | No betting on in-state college teams or events. | 18 |
| Tennessee | November 2020 | No prop bets on college athletes or in-game college props of any sort. | 21 |
| Virginia | January 2021 | No college prop bets or betting on in-state college teams. | 21 |
| Washington, DC | June 2020 | No betting on college games taking place in the district or colleges that call the district home. | 18 |
| West Virginia | August 2019 | None. | 21 |
| Wyoming | September 2021 | None. | 18 |
College football betting FAQs
Is it legal to bet on college football?
It’s legal to bet on college football in states in which sports betting is legal and regulated. State rules on wagering on in-state teams and prop bets for college sports vary, so be sure to understand all of the rules and regulations in your state.
Can you bet on college football online?
College football is available for betting at legal online sportsbooks. In order to wager online, you must be located in a state where online betting is legal and of legal betting age in that state.
What is the best way to bet on college football?
The best way to bet on college football is to begin by choosing the wager(s) that align best with your risk tolerance and overall knowledge. There is no single way that’s better than others, or any bet that’s necessarily easier to win consistently.
Are college football spreads easier to beat than the NFL?
Spread betting is challenging in both college football and the NFL. One is not necessarily easier than the other, but it is possible that you’ll find that your wagering style aligns better with one of the two options. Additionally, if you have a better understanding of one than the other, that may also play a factor.
What’s the easiest way to be profitable with college football betting?
There are no guarantees when it comes to sports betting. As such, there are no easy ways to be profitable. When wagering on college football or any other sport, it’s always a good idea to track your results to gain a sense of where you are having the most success or coming up short.