Betting on football has become something of a pastime. The college football season is underway and there are dozens of games to bet on each and every week.
If you have been thinking about getting involved in the betting action, there are a few things to know. With the right tips, you can get the leg up and start your college football betting career off on the right foot.
Know the Rivalries
If there is one thing that can drastically impact college football betting, it is a rivalry game. In a heated rivalry game, records get thrown out the window. There is an extra incentive to put on the best possible performance and disrupt the opponent’s season.
For high-profile rivalries, think Michigan-Ohio State or Alabama-Auburn, it doesn’t matter if one team is bad and the other good. Both sides have extra motivation to beat their rival and it can sometimes make or break a season. Look for upsets as a possibility whenever rivals square off, particularly if there is a lot on the line.
Betting Trends
When placing bets, either online or on a mobile platform, there are always going to be trends that bear watching. Every game is unique in a sense but there are things that have happened in the recent past that can impact the outcome of the game. Recognizing those trends can wind up being a difference-maker on your bottom line.
There are a few trends to watch. Check out a team’s against the spread trends, over/under trends, and trends against that specific team. Another helpful suggestion is to see which way the public is leaning. If the public is more than 75% on a particular outcome, fading that pick is the way to go. Sportsbooks tend to be right more often than the public and those situations can provide clearer insight.
Important Factors
There are a couple of critical factors to look at when betting on college football. Weather is one of the most critical aspects, especially later in the season. When the temperature drops and snow becomes a regular possibility, it can begin to have an impact on the abilities of the players. For instance, if you like betting on a high-octane offense, it might be better to hold off if they are facing a game with freezing temperatures or snow.
The other major factor to consider is the injury report. Injuries are part of the game but a major player that is either playing hurt or will miss the game can have a huge impact on the final score. Scour the injury report to make sure that all the important pieces are still in place because the last thing you need is to find out the starting quarterback, running back, or linebacker is out of commission.
Shop the Odds
It is hard to find an advantage when betting on college football. One of the best ways to gain an advantage is to shop around at different sportsbooks to compare their odds. Even a seemingly minor difference in odds can wind up delivering serious value. In sports betting, that value can wind up being a difference-maker in the long run.
Sportsbooks may offer different odds on each game, creating a better scenario for you if you’re willing to look. Even a few percentage points can wind up making a big difference on your bottom line over the course of a full season. Don’t be afraid to shop around for better odds, especially on games with a massive favorite versus a major underdog.
