It pays to do your homework when betting college football. For example, which teams do you think covered the spread most often in the 2018 season? Alabama? Clemson? If so, you’d be wrong. In fact, Washington State led the nation with an 11-2 record against the spread (ATS). Schools like Florida International (10-3) and Troy (9-3-1) were also near the top.
This shows just how hard college football betting can be. As you can see, the teams that perform best against the spread are often the ones you least expect. That is one big reason to stay open to betting on any of the 130 FBS teams in a given week.
To succeed as a college football bettor, you need a strategy. So, here are five tips to help you win more often.
1. Do Your Homework on Teams Before the Season Starts
The 2019 season has already kicked off with Week 0. Florida beat Miami 24-20, and Hawaii pulled off a mild upset over Arizona. However, you can’t just place random bets. Instead, you should research teams during the offseason.
So, don’t wait until a few days before a game to start. To succeed, you need as much information as possible about every team you bet on. Hopefully, you spent the summer preparing. If not, read as much as you can about the teams you plan to bet on.
2. Check on College Football Lines Early in the Week
Each week, check college football betting lines as early as possible. Ideally, start on Sunday morning, once Saturday’s games are over, and make it a habit. Many bettors struggle with this, because they are busy with NFL betting on Sunday and Monday nights.
If you follow the lines closely all week, you will start to spot trends. As a result, you can find the lines that offer the most value.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Bet Against the Public
From time to time, consider “fading the public”. At times, it seems like everyone is betting on the same team to cover. In fact, you might see as many as 80 percent of bettors on one side.
In that case, it might pay to bet against the public. For example, if bettors are backing a team at +7.5, you might back the favorite at -7.5. Again, research the team before you place your bet.
4. Look for Value in Games Featuring Small Conference Teams
Games from smaller conferences can also pay off. Most college football bettors focus on the Power 5 conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC). By contrast, they pay less attention to the Group of 5 conferences.
Because of this, oddsmakers also spend more time on Power 5 lines. So, you can take advantage by betting on games in the AAC, MAC, Sun Belt, Conference USA or Mountain West. If you watch these lines, you may find a few weak ones to exploit.
5. Turn to Professional Sports Handicappers for Help
Successful sports betting takes time. In fact, betting on college football alone can feel like a full-time job. After all, researching teams and matchups properly takes time you may not have.
If so, it may make sense to bring in an expert. For example, you can buy picks from professional sports handicappers. That way, you gain an edge without doing all the legwork yourself.
Final Tips for College Football Betting
Remember, the college football season lasts 15 weeks. Injuries happen, the weather changes, and many other factors come into play. In other words, the season is a marathon, not a sprint.
Also, the teams that cover early in the season may not be the ones that cover later. So, keep doing your homework and adjust your bets as the season goes on.
Finally, keep this guide handy, and ask the pros for help when you need it.
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