College Football Betting: How To Bet, Latest News, Analysis & Upcoming Games

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.

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How to bet on college football

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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:

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.

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.

StateLaunch DateRestrictionsLegal Betting Age
ArizonaSeptember 2021No college prop bets.21
ColoradoMay 2020No college prop bets.21
ConnecticutOctober 2021No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament).21
IllinoisJune 2020Can wager on in-state college teams only with pregame, in-person bets.21
IndianaOctober 2019Prop betting allowed for pregame only.21
IowaAugust 2019No prop bets on individual college athletes.21
KansasSeptember 2022None.21
MarylandNovember 2022None.21
MassachusettsMarch 2023No betting on in-state college teams (unless they are playing in a tournament).21
MichiganJanuary 2021None.21
Nevada2010None.21
New HampshireDecember 2019No betting on in-state college teams or events.18
New JerseyAugust 2018No betting on in-state college teams or events.21
New YorkJanuary 2022No betting on in-state college teams.21
OhioJanuary 2023None.21
OregonOctober 2019Must place college bets in person at a retail sportsbook.21
PennsylvaniaMay 2019No prop bets on college athletes.21
Rhode IslandSeptember 2019No betting on in-state college teams or events.18
TennesseeNovember 2020No prop bets on college athletes or in-game college props of any sort.21
VirginiaJanuary 2021No college prop bets or betting on in-state college teams.21
Washington, DCJune 2020No betting on college games taking place in the district or colleges that call the district home.18
West VirginiaAugust 2019None.21
WyomingSeptember 2021None.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.