This college football betting guide explains how to bet on season win totals. You’ll also learn what win total odds mean and how to place a college football win total bet. After that, place an NCAAF win total bet at one of our trusted sports betting sites, all of which are licensed and legal in their respective state or jurisdiction.
SportsBetting3.com regularly updates season win total odds throughout the weeks and months prior to the first week of the college football season. Season win total bets must be placed before a team plays their first season game. Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference.
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Table of Contents
- What are College Football Win Totals?
- Win Total Example
- How to Bet
- College Football Win Total Odds
- College Football Standings
- When to Bet
- College Football Win Totals FAQs
What are College Football Win Totals?
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. The sportsbook will offer odds for betting over or under the line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the team’s first game. Like other season specials, the season win total is a part prop, part future hybrid. It functions like an over-under total bet, where you decide whether to bet over or under the sportsbook’s line.
Win Totals vs Futures
Knowledgeable sports bettors prefer season win totals to futures bets. Betting a win total offers more room for error compared to a futures bet on a team to win the National Championship or conference championship. While the futures bet depends on the result of a specific event, the win total requires much less precision. If you think a team will win more games than the sportsbook’s line, bet over. If you think a team will win fewer, bet under. How and when the team’s win tally goes over or under the win total line doesn’t matter.
Why Bet Win Totals
Most importantly, the win total offers bettors the ability to take either side of the win total line. This offers bettors more flexibility for placing a winning bet following the results of their college football handicapping.
Even if you don’t bet season win totals, the total lines can offer you some insight into the how the sportsbook thinks the season will unfold. Since sportsbooks want to balance action on both sides of a line, the win total opening line is essentially a projection about the middle, or median, possible number of wins. Because the win totals contain half game increments, you must therefore decide whether to bet over or under the line.
Win total odds will change as bets are placed. Substantial action to one side of the line may cause the sportsbook to shift the line itself.
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How College Football Win Total Bets Win or Lose
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and a team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose. The bet functions like an over-under total bet.
What College Football Win Total Odds Mean
Each side of the win total line – over or under – will have moneyline odds at American sportsbooks.
The most likely, or favorite outcome, will have a minus value. The minus value indicates how much you risk to win $100. -105 odds on the over means you risk $105 to win $100.
The less likely, or underdog outcome, will have a plus value. +125 odds on the under means you risk $100 to win $125.
Occasionally, you’ll see a minus value equal to the odds for the opposite side, for example -110 for both the over and under. In either case you’d risk $110 to win $100.
Less commonly, there may be a minus value smaller than the odds for the opposite side, for example -110 for the under and -105 for the over. In this case you’d risk $110 to win $100 on the under and $105 to win $100 on the over.
Note that the over isn’t always the more expensive side, just as the under may not always be the less likely side. Betting action will determine the odds values while the season win total is open.
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How College Football Season Win Totals are Graded
The sportsbook will grade the college football win total bet when the team’s record determines a result.
When the team has won more games than the total line, the over wins. The sportsbook will payout all over bettors. The over could pay the day the team wins more games than the win total line, or it might be as late as the last game of the season. This could happen if the team is within one game of going over heading into the final game of its season.
Grading the under is different. The under could pay at the end of the season based on the team’s overall record. Or the under could pay when it would be impossible for the team to win enough games to go over the win total line.
For example, suppose a team has a 5.5 game win total line. The under pays if they win 5 or fewer games. After losing a Week 10 game, the team has a 3-7 record. If the team wins both of its remaining games, it would finish with an 5-7 record. Since winning all remaining games wouldn’t be enough to go over the win total line, all under bets would win before the season ends.
When Do College Football Win Totals Come Out?
College Football win total lines and odds typically come out after the NCAA announces the next season schedule. That means you can expect to see win total odds for the next season by late June to early July.
College Football Season Win Total Bet Example
The following 9.5 game u -125/o +105 season win total example is for the Oregon Ducks.
| Win Total | Line & Odds |
|---|---|
Oregon
Season Win Total |
9.5 u -125
9.5 o +105
|
Sizing Up the Odds
Oregon’s win total line is 9.5 games. Under 9.5 games has -125 odds. Over 9.5 games has +105 odds.
The under is the more likely, or favorite outcome. Under bettors risk $125 to win $100. If the Ducks finish with 9 or fewer wins, under bettors would win.
The over is the less likely, or underdog outcome. Over bettors risk $100 to win $105. If the Ducks finish with 10 or more wins, over bettors would win.
Less commonly, some teams will have an integer value line, like 7 games. The under wins if the team wins 6 or fewer games. The over wins if the team wins 8 or more games. The bet ties or pushes if the team wins exactly 7 games. In the event of a push, your wager will be refunded.
Betting 2 or More Teams
You may place bets on two or more teams. In fact, this is a good way to manage risk and potentially increase your profit.
Carefully shop win total lines, looking for those that don’t match your expectations for the upcoming season. Ideally, you’re looking for an unexpectedly high win total line with favorable under odds. Or conversely, a low win total line with favorable over odds.
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How to Bet College Football Win Totals
Time needed: 2 minutes
How to place a college football Win Total Bet
- Review each team’s win total line and odds
Review each team’s win total line and odds for over and under. Odds will change as each team’s first game of the season approaches.
- Each outcome has moneyline odds
Each outcome will have moneyline odds at American sports betting sites. Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100.
- Select over or under and place your bet
Decide whether the team’s season win total will be greater or less than the win total line. Bet over if you think the team will win more games. Bet under if you think the team will win fewer games.
- You may place win total bets on multiple teams
Feel free to bet on multiple teams if the win total line and odds are favorable.
- Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome
Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome. If you bet the over and the team wins more games than the win total line, you win. If you bet the under and the team wins fewer games than the win total line, you win.
College Football Win Total Odds
We also have helpful previews featuring win total odds and write-ups for each major NCAAF conference:
- ACC Win Total Odds
- Big Ten Win Total Odds
- Big 12 Win Total Odds
- Mountain West Win Total Odds
- SEC Win Total Odds
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College Football Standings
| Team | Conf | Conf% | W | L | PF | PA | Home | Away | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #9 SMU | 7-0 | 1.000 | 10 | 1 | 432 | 231 | 5-1 | 5-0 | W8 |
| #12 Clemson | 7-1 | 0.875 | 9 | 2 | 414 | 242 | 5-1 | 4-0 | W3 |
| #6 Miami (FL) | 6-1 | 0.857 | 10 | 1 | 492 | 245 | 6-0 | 4-1 | W1 |
| Georgia Tech | 5-3 | 0.625 | 7 | 4 | 307 | 254 | 5-0 | 1-3 | W2 |
| Louisville | 5-3 | 0.625 | 7 | 4 | 398 | 265 | 4-2 | 3-2 | W1 |
| Duke | 4-3 | 0.571 | 8 | 3 | 299 | 249 | 5-1 | 3-2 | W2 |
| Syracuse | 4-3 | 0.571 | 8 | 3 | 349 | 306 | 5-1 | 3-2 | W2 |
| Boston College | 3-4 | 0.429 | 6 | 5 | 317 | 266 | 5-1 | 1-4 | W1 |
| North Carolina | 3-4 | 0.429 | 6 | 5 | 358 | 303 | 3-3 | 3-2 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 3-4 | 0.429 | 7 | 4 | 359 | 287 | 5-2 | 2-2 | L4 |
| Virginia | 3-4 | 0.429 | 5 | 6 | 255 | 308 | 2-4 | 3-2 | L2 |
| Virginia Tech | 3-4 | 0.429 | 5 | 6 | 319 | 256 | 3-2 | 2-4 | L3 |
| California | 2-5 | 0.286 | 6 | 5 | 307 | 228 | 4-3 | 2-2 | W1 |
| NC State | 2-5 | 0.286 | 5 | 6 | 315 | 336 | 4-3 | 1-2 | L2 |
| Wake Forest | 2-5 | 0.286 | 4 | 7 | 291 | 367 | 1-5 | 3-2 | L3 |
| Stanford | 2-6 | 0.250 | 3 | 8 | 243 | 370 | 2-4 | 1-4 | L1 |
| Florida State | 1-7 | 0.125 | 2 | 9 | 174 | 305 | 2-4 | 0-4 | W1 |
When to Bet College Football Win Totals
It’s important to time your win total bet properly, just like placing a college football futures bet. If you bet over in June, and then realize a star player will be out for the season in August, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in June, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
It’s best to monitor the lines from June to July, placing a bet in mid to late August. The one exception would be an early bad line that you can jump on for an easy profit. Otherwise, don’t jump in without gathering as much information as possible first. Consider the following before placing a win total bet:
- Do I have good data to backup the bet I’m making? – Your handicapping should support the side of the line you take. Review the team’s recent performances, standings, and stats. Check on the health of key players. Note any coaching changes.
- What does the team’s schedule look like? – Besides the health of a team, their schedule is probably the most important factor influencing their prospective win total. Try to predict the outcome of each game, putting the result into one of three categories. One, a sure win; two, a sure loss; and three a toss-up. Count up the winners and see how close you get to the total. If you’re short a couple games, dig into the toss-ups to see which might go your way.
- Are key players healthy and will they remain in good health? – Though you can’t predict a player’s health far into the season, try to assess where they’re starting at Week 1. Monitor team news and injury reports heading into the first game. If the star quarterback or kicker get injured, you’ll need to reassess your win total bet.
Moderate Your Risk
First, consider placing small bets on multiple teams. Pick no more than 2-3 teams with win total lines that offer a good return on investment.
Second, choose bet amounts equal to your certainty about a particular outcome. If you’re confident, bet more. If you’re not confident, bet less. Though season win totals are less risky than futures bets, there are a number of ways they can go wrong. Don’t overextend yourself before the college football season begins. There will always be opportunities to place winning bets in the future.
College Football Win Total FAQs
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the team’s first game of the season.
Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. The side with a minus value is considered the favorite, or more likely outcome. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100. The side with a plus value is considered the underdog, or less likely outcome. Occasionally, both sides will have minus values, for example -110 for the over and -110 for the under. Risk $110 to win $100 in either case.
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and the team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and the team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose.
It’s important to time your win total bet properly. If you bet over in June, and then realize a star player will be out for season in August, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in June, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
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College Football Betting Resources
- College Football Betting Guide – Read up on how to bet your favorite teams this football season, reviewing the most common ways to bet on college football, plus season win totals, standings, and in-depth research.
- College Football Betting Sites – Our top licensed and legal US sports betting sites for college football.
- College Football Odds – Latest point spreads, totals, and moneylines for upcoming college football matchups and more.
- College Football Prop Bets – Prop betting lines and odds for upcoming College football games.
- College Football First Team to Score prop bet – See odds for which team will score first in the next schedule NCAA football games.
- College Football Futures Odds – Learn more about how to bet on college football futures. Review odds to win the National Championship and key D1 college football conferences like the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12, plus odds to win the Heisman Trophy.
- College Football Win Total Odds – Our tutorial explains how to bet on college football win totals, plus links to team win totals grouped by conference.
- College Football Game to Overtime Prop Bet – See odds for upcoming games, then review overtime game counts from recent seasons.
- Undefeated College Football Teams – See which teams are still undefeated in the current regular season.
- College Football Betting Tips – Quick tips and essential knowledge for those looking to up their college football betting game.
- College Football Overtime Games – We track multiple overtime college football games from 2002 to the current season. See the longest overtime games in NCAA football history.
- College Football Championship Results – Review recent College Football Championship winners, appearances, results, including from the BCS era.
- Can the AP Preseason Poll Predict a Winner? – Our classic case study looks at the AP preseason college football poll’s potential to predict an eventual national champion.