This page will serve as your guide for betting on college football in the US. It will break down the basics of CFB betting, compare odds at legal sportsbooks in the US, and delineate the strategies that work best in the college game when compared to the NFL.

1. Betting On College Football Games
2. Where To Bet On College Football Games Against
3. How To Bet Football Online
4. Where To Bet On College Football Games Today

It’s never easy to consistently beat oddsmakers and win in sports betting, but this guide should help you get closer to cashing 50 percent of the time. Remember that even a 52 percent cash rate is a success in sports betting, and sports betting experts usually only cash 60 percent of the time at most.

The odds and markets for NCAA college football don’t really change much compared to the NFL. The maximum wager will be a bit smaller, but the same markets, such as sides, totals, money lines,.

1. Betting on college football and professional sports is still not federally legal, but residents in more than 20 states can place bets at live sportsbooks. Most other states in the U.S. Have introduced some sort of.
2. The most basic bet in college football is the “point spread”. Unlike the NFL where the spread is usually in the single digits, betting lines at the college level can run the gambit from one point all the way up to.
3. Iowa is one of those states where betting on college football should be massive, especially as online betting gains traction. The two-state schools, Iowa and Iowa State, are often excellent programs.

We’ll also help you find the best sportsbooks and apps to bet on during the 2019 college football season.

With the current state of things amid a worldwide pandemic, odds and futures betting will remain incredibly fluid and great care should be taken when placing bets. Factors to heavily consider include: players contracting COVID-19, teams canceling games, and upsets due to an increased number of players sitting.

Following college beat reporters on Twitter and frequently checking in here at TheLines will help you stay ahead of the curve during the ever-changing landscape. Most importantly, stay water and taper expectations throughout the season. Even though uncertainty defines this upcoming season, intelligent and adaptable bettors could capitalize on the market.

Best college football betting apps

There are a number of apps available for sports betting in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Iowa, West Virginia and Indiana, with more states planning to go online by the end of the year. Here is a list of some of the top US sportsbooks apps:

College football betting odds

How to bet on college football

There are several ways to bet on most sporting events and college football is no exception. Here are some of the options for CFB betting, including some tips on when you might want to go with that specific type of wage:

• Moneyline: Taking the Moneyline means you’re betting on the winning team regardless of the margin of victory. Underdogs will get plus-odds on the Moneyline and the favorites will have negative odds. For example, if a team is heavily favored they will be listed as Alabama (-2300), meaning that a successful $230 bet on the Crimson Tide would only pay out $10.
• Point Spread: The Point Spread is different in that it accounts for the expected margin of victory. In the NFL, the biggest favorites are usually giving 13-16 points, meaning a bet (likely at something close to -110 odds) is only successful if the favorite wins by 16-plus. These spreads can be much, much bigger in college. When playing the lowly Illinois Fighting Illini, Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State can often be favored by 40 points or more. This changes the game in terms of taking the favorite in the hopes of a truly one-sided affair.
• Point Total:Since these point spreads are often set at such a lofty number, gamblers may lean towards betting the overall total of a game. The total is often presented with an equal odds proposition of taking the Over or Under. Some sites offer the opportunity to bet on the expected point total of one team (23.5 points for example).
• Proposition Bets: There are often an extensive number of Prop (or proposition) Bets where gamblers can wager on the individual performance of a player, the type of score to open a game, and the specific margin of victory. These options are often more expansive in prime time and bowl games. Gamblers can choose to combine multiple propositions on a game, or multiple bets on different games, into a Parlay. This wager is an all-or-nothing proposition which only pays out if all (anywhere between 2 and a dozen) bets are successful. The more bets added to a Parlay, the greater the potential payout.
• Teaser: A form of Parlay that involves a combination of two to ten wagers in which you can adjust the point spread or total to your specifications. These bets are therefore more likely to succeed, but the payouts are smaller than in a Parlay.

NCAA markets and futures betting

The options listed above are for betting on individual games, but gamblers can also wager on NCAA futures. Rather than betting on an individual game, futures offer gamblers the opportunity to bet on the eventual National Champion, conference champions, or the number of wins that a team will accrue during the regular season.
There are also futures bets available on postseason awards, such as the Heisman Trophy. Here is a rundown of the favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook to win the 2020-2021 Heisman Trophy before the season:

• Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) +200
• Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) +900
• D’Eriq King (Miami) +1400
• Myles Brennan (LSU) +1400
• Sam Ehlinger (Texas) +1400

Odds on futures bets will change throughout the season if a key player gets hurt, or a contender upsets another contender. Since only four teams have a shot at the National Title in the CFB Playoff format, teams that start to fall out of the playoff picture will suddenly have very long odds. COVID-19 could also have a major impact on the award.

The odds for the futures bets on the National Champion came out shortly after the 2019-20 CFB season ended. Here is a quick rundown of the odds:

How these lines will be affected has yet to be released, as the status of the CFP remains up in the air due to the evolving nature of the ongoing pandemic. Keep updated with the goings on at theLines with regards to National Championship odds.

There is also a futures section on most books where you bet the conference champion. The FBS conferences on books are the AAC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, C-USA, MAC, MWC, Pac 12, and SEC. While most of these conferences have several contenders with relatively even odds, top-heavy conferences such as the Mountain West will have perennial powerhouse Boise State as more likely than not to win the conference. Alabama is also expected to win the SEC for the fifth time in six years.

Strategies differ when betting on individual games versus futures. Timing is of paramount importance when betting futures, since you can effectively “buy low” on a player or team that’s struggling early in the season and get much better odds. Taking a futures bet towards the end of the season when the Heisman candidates are pretty much solidified will not be very profitable. Game lines are much more simple in terms of betting before the opening kickoff, or taking advantage of “live betting” in states where online gambling is legal and available.

College football power rankings

1. Alabama: Alabama is the best team in college football and there’s, to this point, no argument against that. They won the SEC Championship game by a slim margin over Florida, but somehow felt like they dominated wire-to-wire. (Previous: 1)

2. Clemson: When Trevor Lawrence plays for Clemson, there might not be a better team in the nation. They ran all over Notre Dame in a revenge game for the ages and secured their second seed in the CFP. (Previous: 4)

3. Ohio State: Northwestern had Ohio State on the ropes in the first quarter of the Big Ten Championship game, but the Buckeyes proved their might in the second half. Trey Sermon set a program record for 325 yards rushing in a game and Ohio State is in for their fourth CFP berth. (Previous: 2)

4. Cincinnati: The Bearcats topped off an unbeaten season with an AAC Championship game win over #24 Tulsa. It took a last-second field goal, but Cincinnati’s pedigree shouldn’t be questioned. It was unfortunate that they didn’t receive consideration for the CFP, but they get a chance to prove the committee wrong against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. (Previous: 5)

5. Texas A&M: Texas A&M finished the season with their only loss being Alabama. That’s a tough loss, but it was a 28-point blowout. Those who believe the Aggies should have found their way into the fourth CFP spot have a legitimate argument– it was an impressive season for them. (Previous: 6)

6. Notre Dame: The Irish found their way into the College Football Playoff, but are massive underdogs as they face Alabama. They’re a good team, but Clemson proved that they don’t belong in the top tier in the country. (Previous: 3)

7. Indiana: The Hoosiers were left for dead after losing star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That is, until they weren’t. Indiana proved they’re more than Penix on the back of a sturdy defense. Their only loss this season was a nailbiter to Ohio State and Indiana is in business. (Previous: 8)

8. Oklahoma: Oklahoma was able to take care of business in the Big 12 and bring home their 50th conference title. While their two losses keeps them firmly short of the CFP, they get Florida in the Cotton Bowl in what might be the best bowl matchup of the year. (Previous: 9)

9. Florida: It’s an uncomfortable truth, but the Florida Gators are still an excellent football team. They kept their game with Alabama within one score– something no one else on their schedule has done (not Georgia, not Texas A&M). Their offense is as explosive as any, and three wins or not, they’re a top team. (Previous: 10)

10. Georgia: While 2020 has hardly been Georgia’s best year in recent memory, the Dawgs are still capable of playing with anyone in the nation. Two losses bumps them down the list, but compared to teams like Iowa State or Northwestern, Georgia is coming out on top. (Previous: NR)

ACC power rankings

1. Clemson: A bounceback beatdown of Notre Dame and an ACC Championship solidifies the Tigers as the best team in the conference.

2. Notre Dame: When Clemson is healthy, there’s a clear divide between one and two. Notre Dame is clearly two, but there’s a gap when both teams are at full strength.

3. North Carolina: It’s a major dropoff between two and thee in the ACC, but UNC continues their win-and-move-on recipe this season. They blew the doors off Miami this past week and hurdle them for the third spot.

4. Miami: Despite getting blown out by UNC, Miami doesn’t fall too far. They only have two losses on the year, both to ranked opponents, and have proven their might in a 48-0 win over Duke a couple weeks ago. It’s not the prettiest fourth place, but it’s where they belong.

5. NC State: 8-3 is 8-3. NC State lacks a statement win, but their record is undeniable in the conference.

Big 12 power rankings

1. Oklahoma: The Sooners proved their worth. They brought home their 50th conference championship this season and solidified a spot in the Cotton Bowl.

2. Iowa State: The Cyclones came up just short in the Big 12 title game. It was a good showing, but they ultimately lacked experience enough to take care of Oklahoma twice in one year.

3. Texas: No matter how you dice this one, someone’s going to disagree. They lost to Iowa State and tumbled out of the AP Top 25, but they still have the jump on Oklahoma State. They’re not a pretty third, but third is where they belong.

4. TCU: TCU is 6-4 with wins over Texas and Oklahoma State; they’re also 4-1 over their last five games after starting 1-3. The Horned Frogs are a mid-level team, but they’ve been winning football games.

5. Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State has waffled in every prove-it game this season (vs Oklahoma and vs Texas). Luckily for the Cowboys, the rest of the Big 12 is in rough shape.

Big Ten power rankings

1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes are exactly as good as advertised. It wasn’t an ideal first half, but Ohio State won their fourth straight Big Ten championship and deserve the top spot.

2. Indiana: Indiana competed better with Ohio State than Northwestern did, coming up bigger in the second half as opposed to the first. The Hoosiers are an excellent football team worthy of the second spot.

3. Northwestern: It was an inspiring first half, but the lack of offense and questionable play calling cost the Wildcats a Big Ten championship against a hobbled Ohio State team.

4. Iowa: Iowa held Wisconsin to one score for the third consecutive game (the Badgers’ first time doing so since 1990). The Hawkeyes are a legitimate contender– potentially the last contender in the conference.

5. Minnesota: This is where the Big Ten lays this year. 3-4 Minnesota rounds up the top five based on record alone. There’s no merit in their resume, but the rest of the Big Ten didn’t get the memo that football season had started.

Pac-12 power rankings

1. Washington: Washington had the Pac-12 Championship berth, but COVID complications within the program caused them to drop out. That doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving of the spot– or the second rank on this list– though.

2. Colorado: The Buffs were upended by an inspired performance from a dangerous Utah team for their first loss of the season. Colorado’s still in good shape coming up on the year’s final power rankings.

3. Oregon: Wait– the conference champions third on the list? Yep. Oregon lucked into their championship spot but won it nonetheless. Run it back against USC, or either team above Oregon, and we aren’t confident they would win.

4. USC: Kedon Slovis had a chance, but ultimately choked away a Pac-12 championship. It showed that those close games weren’t just competitive teams, it’s that USC might just be a few possessions away from being sub-0.500.

5. UCLA: Three losses isn’t ideal, but they came at the hands of ranked Colorado, (at the time) ranked Oregon, and unbeaten USC on a final-second touchdown. The Bruins are solid.

SEC power rankings

1. Alabama: Not much needs to be said about Alabama: SEC champions, undefeated season, and top seed in the CFP.

2. Texas A&M: Texas A&M wins, but they win ugly. A 17-14 nail biter with listless Vanderbilt and 20-7 slap fight with unranked LSU isn’t great to see on their resume, but the Aggies are one of just two zero- or one-loss teams in the SEC.

3. Florida: A competitive outing with Alabama wasn’t enough to bury their shoe-gate game from a week ago. Florida is a very good football team, but they’ve lost to both teams above them.

4. Georgia: Georgia has been quiet since being beaten soundly by Alabama and Florida. They’re a talented team, but 2020 isn’t the Dawgs’ year.

5. Auburn: Three of Auburn’s four losses this year have come at the hands of top-5 Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M. It’s a tough sledding for the Tigers.

College football betting tips

As mentioned above, CFB has more teams and far less parity than the NFL. That leads to some lopsided scores and lofty spreads. It can be difficult to find the right side of the line, but here are some analytics to consider:

Home Field Advantage — How historically strong is a particular team at home? Are you considering a school with a particularly dedicated fan base such as Auburn? Or betting a mid-major matchup between two schools in the MAC that will likely be played with light fanfare?

Rivalries — There are only a few games during the CFB season, but some count for more than others. The top teams in each conference often schedule a huge H2H rivalry game towards the end of the season, such as “The Game” between Ohio State and Michigan. It doesn’t always have to be the top teams, though, as Alabama has a more fierce rivalry with Auburn than SEC competitor Georgia. The intensity of those rivalry games can often lead to closer finishes and that should be accounted for when betting point spreads.

Weather & Conditions — The weather can play a huge factor in the outcome of games and number of points scored. Obviously, poor weather makes it tougher to pass, catch, and kick, which often leads to fewer points. Some run-heavy teams thrive in inclement weather and teams from the south or west coast could struggle if playing on the road in a harsher climate.

Pace — As the average number of plays a team runs per game, this can primarily help you identify fast-paced games that are likely to go over the total, or slow-paced games that will go Under.

PPP — Another key factor in CFB that can help you determine both the point total and potential winner against the spread is the number of explosive plays a team averages. This can be measured in points per play (PPP) and teams that average more PPP than their opponents tend to win over 80 percent of matchups. If both teams average a lot of explosive plays and both defenses struggle to contain big plays, the Over becomes a much better proposition.

Offensive efficiency — The ability of a team to finish drives (offensive efficiency) can serve as a great indicator for which teams are capable of covering the spread and which games are likely to go Over (or Under) an expected point total. Pass yards per attempt is another indicator of which teams are successful on offense in terms of controlling possession and creating points.

Defensive efficiency — When betting on the point total, consider which teams have greater defensive efficiency. Teams with a consistent ability to create turnovers are far more likely to stay close in games when they’re an underdog, or pull away and cover the spread.

Win Probability — This is an advanced tool that can help tremendously with live betting. Algorithms can provide the likelihood of a team holding on for the win and that makes for a very safe bet.

Injuries and Player Factors — Finally, you have to consider the health of key players and any potential storylines about a rift between a player and the coaching staff. Coaches have all the power in CFB and sometimes players will underperform if they feel slighted or otherwise mistreated.

Each game brings its own criteria in terms of analytics and there is almost always ample time to crunch the numbers and find an edge.

CFB betting vs. NFL betting

With so many more games on a CFB slate, it’s difficult for oddsmakers to dedicate as much time into researching each matchup. Sometimes oddsmakers will nail the line for high-profile games in the “Power Five” conferences, but will lose track of the mid-major games. That opens the door for savvy bettors to hammer a line that they think is off the mark.

There are significant differences in the format of each game. CFB teams can carry up to 70 players and certain programs will use nearly everyone on the team to maintain a fast-paced style (popularized by Chip Kelly at Oregon).

There is slightly less betting activity in college compared to the NFL, and far less coverage in terms of injury updates. Changes might be coming, but right now the NCAA doesn’t require CFB teams to release injury reports. The ACC used to require a pre-game injury report from teams, but has since nixed that requirement.

While information on injuries isn’t nearly as transparent in CFB, savvy bettors can find out information via twitter and websites to indicate if a key player is going to be at all limited or potentially inactive. This is a potential area to gain an edge since there is plenty of local media coverage and fan investment even if the coaches aren’t required to tip their hand.

CFB betting predictions

In recent years, Clemson and Alabama have vied for the title as the undisputed kings of CFB. Last season, we saw LSU put together one of the best college football teams of all time. Now Futures on the CFP are a bit more open and the odds are likely to change throughout the season, especially with such a volatile landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. Keep up to date on developing stories with our betting analysis on PlayPicks.com. We’ll also break down the matchups of individual games to get you primed for bets each Saturday.

Is college football betting legal?

When the Supreme Court overturned the Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May of 2018, it opened the door for individual states to legalize sports gambling. Beginning with New Jersey (the original plaintiff in the PASPA case), several states quickly moved to legalize and regulate the industry within state lines. Betting on college football and professional sports is still not federally legal, but residents in more than 20 states can place bets at live sportsbooks.

Most other states in the U.S. have introduced some sort of bill that would legalize sports gambling. Of course, some states are far closer than others to legalizing the industry. Visit our individual sports betting pages at TheLines.com to get a look at the status in each state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many college football bowl games are there?

There were 40 bowl games at the end of the 2019-20 CFB season. For the modified 2020-21 season, win eligibility requirements were waived by the NCAA and every team will be considered eligible. However, not every team will be selected for the 39 bowl games, as only 78 teams can fill those spots.

When are college bowl games announced?

The schedule for the 2020-2021 CFB season is available online for every team in the FBS. The college bowl game schedule is typically announced after the conference championship games in December.

How do spreads work in college football?

Favorites are handicapped by a point spread and bettors that take the favorite on a point spread will need the team to win by more than that number (-14 for example). Conversely, underdogs will pay out bets on the spread if they lose by 14 points or fewer in that example.

What is the over / under in college football?

Point totals in CFB are generally much higher than the NFL because of the increased pace of play and lack of even talent and coordination on the defensive side of the ball.

How many Division 1 football teams are there?

There are currently 130 FBS football teams in Division 1 and 127 teams in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). The FCS is comprised of 14 conferences and the FBS is comprised of 10 conferences, plus seven independent teams (note: Notre Dame has officially joined the ACC for 2020-21, but did not specify if this affiliation would last beyond the season).

How many players can be on a college football team?

Programs in the FBS are able to give 85 players financial aid, but only 63 can receive full scholarships. There is no specific limit on how many players can dress for a game per NCAA rules, but conferences such as the Big Ten limit the number to 70 players. The NCAA does require that a maximum of 105 players take part in preseason camp.

Where is the national championship game in 2021?

The 2020 College Football Playoff is scheduled to take place in three different stadiums. The 2020-21 semifinals will be made up of the Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA) and the Sugar Bowl (New Orleans, LA) and are scheduled to take place Jan. 1. The National Championship is scheduled to be held Jan. 11 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

What is the purpose of college bowl games?

Bowl games have become a holiday tradition and an exciting goal for players, coaches, and fans to cap their seasons. While the CFP has seemingly overshadowed the other bowl games, players remain invested in ending their season or careers on a high note.

What happens to my futures bet should the season be canceled? Postponed?

In the event of a canceled college football season, futures bets would be voided, and all wagers would be returned to the bettor. Should the season be postponed, the futures would hold true until the season is fulfilled.

How will the champion be determined in 2020?

The College Football Playoff intends to be held in 2020-21, as announced by the NCAA. Per the College Football Playoff Committee’s official website, “With recent schedule changes for the regular season, it makes sense for the committee to make its final rankings after the conference championship games, when it can get a complete picture of the season. The selection committee members understand the need to be flexible as we all navigate uncharted waters this season, and this move will allow them to evaluate all the available information.”

Which college football teams are competing in the 2020-21 season?

All conferences have announced a start date for competition after the Big Ten, Pac-12, Mountain West, and MAC announced postponements to their fall football season. 127 of the 130 teams will compete at some point with varied amounts of games played.

Graham Mertz #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

College football picks against the spread for all the Top 25 games in Week 12.

This week might be one of the worst when it comes to losing Top 25 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's not even close to Saturday, but Ole Miss at No. 5 Texas A&M, Georgia Tech at No. 12 Miami, Charlotte at No. 15 Marshall, and No. 22 Texas at Kansas have all been postponed while Central Arkansas at No. 24 Louisiana has been outright canceled.

That leaves 16 Top 25 games left on the schedule. Luckily, the two biggest games on the schedule Oklahoma-Oklahoma State and Indiana-Ohio State are still on. Those games could very well decide the Big 12 and the Big Ten. That makes it an exciting weekend overall, with two games that have a clear favorite and a clear underdog, even if the lines don't agree.

All lines came from the William Hill Sportsbook.

College football picks against the spread

Tulane at No. 25 Tulsa (-6.5)

This line has moved, with lots of money coming in on Tulsa. The Green Wave has scored more than 36 points per game, but that hasn't really scared away those looking to bet on the ranked team. Tulsa has looked good at times, and the line has somehow stayed under a touchdown. Tulsa beat SMU last week, its biggest win of the season. A letdown feels almost certain here. There is too much confidence in Tulsa, Tulane could pop them in the mouth early, and it feels like this will be within one score the whole time. Also, the Thursday night kickoff plays a wild card.

Pick: Tulane (+6.5)

Tennessee at No. 23 Auburn (-11)

Auburn has been quite the disappointment this season, but not nearly the disappointment that Tennessee has been. Jeremy Pruitt is already on the hot seat, with articles looking at what his buyout would cost (it's close to $13 million). This is what happens when a team goes on a four-game losing streak after a preseason ranking in the SEC. Auburn is facing a Vols team on the brink of extinction, but this is a hefty line. However, Tennessee has lost each of the last four games by at least 11 points. The home team wins by two touchdowns.

Pick: Auburn (-11)

No. 21 Liberty at NC State (-3.5)

A ranked Liberty team is facing an unranked opponent and they are still giving up points. This feels like deja vu. Liberty has already beat Syracuse and Virginia Tech in the ACC, and now they hope to go 3-0 by beating NC State on their own field. The Wolfpack weren't supposed to be as good as they have been this season, but they are winning the close games. However, that half point makes this not worth a bet on them. Go with Liberty, and consider the moneyline (+145).

Pick: Liberty (-3.5)

No. 20 USC (-3) at Utah

Utah is finally looking like they can start the season against USC. The Utes are the only team in the Pac 12 that hasn't started its season yet. They canceled Arizona and UCLA games, and a four-game schedule is staring them in the face. 70-80 percent of the roster will reportedly be available, which means at least some of the team will be forced to sit out. The Trojans were rusty against both Arizona and Arizona State, but they came out the winner both times. This Utah team is not going to come out swinging, and it will be happy to be playing. USC needs to put its foot on the throat of its opponent when they are down like this.

Pick: USC (-3)

Kansas State at No. 17 Iowa State (-10.5)

It's a weird year in the Big 12, but Iowa State strangely sits atop the conference standings. Most people probably wouldn't guess that if they didn't look at the standings themselves. The Cyclones are 5-1, but Kansas State is not a pushover. They got blown out against West Virginia, but against Oklahoma State, they held their own. This line is at least three points too high. Kansas State is an easy bet. In fact, it feels like one of those games the Cyclones blow straight up. Bet the moneyline for the Wildcats (+310).

Pick: Kansas State (+10.5)

Appalachian State at No. 15 Coastal Carolina (-5.5)

This is a sneaky fun early afternoon matchup. Appalachian State goes into the game with just one loss, while the Chanticleers are still undefeated. The Mountaineers have been scoring at a high rate since they lost to Marshall (besides last week's game against Georgia State). Grayson McCall has been phenomenal for Coastal Carolina. He only has one interception against 16 touchdowns. App State has 10 interceptions this season, so it's strength versus strength. This is going to be a close one.

Pick: Appalachian State (+5.5)

Mississippi State at No. 13 Georgia (-25)

Remember when Mississippi State beat LSU earlier this season, and the overreactions to that game were abundant? Mike Leach was a perfect coach to shake up the SEC. K.J. Costello was going to be a Heisman Trophy candidate (he's now splitting snaps). The offense was supposed to be so good (no running back is averaging more than four yards per carry and the quarterbacks combine for eight touchdowns and 14 interceptions). It's not even Georgia that needs analysis here. They might not be the Bulldogs of old, but they are much better than this team.

Pick: Georgia (-25)

UCLA at No. 11 Oregon (-13.5)

The Ducks are coming into this matchup winning 12 games in a row at home. However, UCLA has looked weirdly better this season, losing a nailbiter to Colorado before putting a whooping on Cal. This defense is still atrocious, but the Chip Kelly offense is finally finding some sort of groove. The Bruins won't win this game, but maybe they keep it close. The athletic Ducks defense will be stretched thin, and UCLA is getting like a point and a half too much on the line.

Pick: UCLA (+13.5)

No. 10 Wisconsin (-7) at No. 19 Northwestern

Despite convincing wins against Illinois and last week against Michigan, Wisconsin is still a huge question mark, but they appear to be the biggest obstacle to whoever wins Ohio State-Indiana. Wisconsin came back from a rash of positive COVID tests to destroy Michigan last week. Northwestern has covered the spread in all three matchups this season, but they've all been one-score wins. Wisconsin is a good team again, and this isn't the time to bet against them.

Pick: Wisconsin (-7)

North Alabama at No. 8 BYU (-47.5)

This is a lot of points. Basically, oddsmakers are saying there's a chance BYU puts up a 50 spot on its opponent this week. BYU has scored 50+ points three times already this season (and 40+ four other times). This game will end the North Alabama season, who hasn't won a game yet. However, they haven't allowed more than 28 points in a game. They've never faced an offense like BYU, and Zach Wilson is making an actual run towards the Heisman. The backdoor cover possibilities make this a stay away, but betting on the Cougars is the smart choice.

Pick: BYU (-47.5)

Betting On College Football Games

No. 7 Cincinnati (-5.5) at UCF

Just a couple of years ago, these teams would be switching rankings. UCF has fallen off, while Cincinnati is trying to prove they are worth a College Football Playoff bid. The Bearcats didn't move in the rankings after destroying ECU last week. They need to destroy another good team in the Knights in order to make a statement, especially on the road. The first College Football Playoff rankings come out next week. Cincy will want to show why they should be in the top four, or at least on the cusp.

Pick: Cincinnati (-5.5)

No. 6 Florida (-31.5) at Vanderbilt

The Florida Gators keep things close for a while, but Kyle Trask is proving he could be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy with how well he played against Arkansas last week. He was without his star tight end Kyle Pitts, and he was still able to drop 63 points. Pitts is going to miss this game too, but with Trask under center, it will be fine. The Gators are also looking to make a statement before next week's College Football Playoff rankings. They are on a crash course with Alabama in the SEC Title Game. This should just be a blip on their journey. Vanderbilt has 99 points all season. Florida has 107 points in the last two games.

Pick: Florida (-31.5)

No. 4 Clemson (-34.5) at Florida State

Florida State is starting freshman quarterback Jordan Travis against an attacking Clemson defense. This is the fourth quarterback to get starts in Mike Norvell's first season as head coach. It likely won't end well. If he gets hurt, then the Seminoles have one scholarship quarterback left on the roster. It's rough in Tallahassee right now. Clemson is fine. Trevor Lawrence returns after contracting COVID-19. He will want to hit the ground running after Clemson lost its last game against Notre Dame.

Pick: Clemson (-34.5)

Kentucky at No. 1 Alabama (-30)

Kentucky has a pretty decent defense, which makes 30 seem like a really high line even against the best team in the country. They have Alabama and Florida in back-to-back weeks. It's a brutal stretch for the Wildcats. Still, they just came off a game where they held Georgia to 14 points. They don't need to even do that to cover the spread against the Crimson Tide. They've only allowed 30+ points once this season. It's safe to say if they do allow that kind of output, they could at least score a little bit.

Pick: Kentucky (+30)

Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Chuba Hubbard (30): (Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports)

No. 14 Oklahoma State at No. 18 Oklahoma (-7)

Usually, a game pitting two teams in the teens doesn't warrant its own slide, but this isn't a normal matchup like that. Oklahoma is looking to complete its season turnaround and put a rocket on their lane to the Big 12 Championship, what would be the Sooners' sixth conference championship in a row. Oklahoma State can also put itself on the fast track to a title game appearance with a win here. The entire Big 12 will be watching this game to see who comes out on top.

Where To Bet On College Football Games Against

Oklahoma State's history against the Sooners is not good. Mike Gundy has only beaten the Sooners twice in 15 years as the Cowboys' head coach. That's a putrid record against an in-state opponent. This isn't Kansas here. Oklahoma State has had some really good players play for them.

The Cowboys have to win this game on offense. Oklahoma is going to score its points, but if Oklahoma State can respond and wait for a timely turnover, they can win. It really comes down to the run game. Chuba Hubbard hasn't been the game-breaker he was last season. Oklahoma is one of 14 teams in the entire country to allow less than 100 yards rushing per game. Hubbard is averaging only 4.6 yards per carry, but he has the ability to do what he did last year (6.3 yards per carry). Last year, he had a decent game against the Sooners (104 yards and a touchdown), but he likely has to exceed that to come out on top.

Neither Spencer Rattler nor Spencer Sanders has ever played in the Bedlam. While Texas-Oklahoma is THE rivalry, this one feels a little different. There's still hate, but it's more of a one-sided mauling that always ends up the same way. The quarterback that has to do the most will likely be on the losing side. Neither team wants to win this one with the arm of the man under center.

Oklahoma needs to avoid mistakes against a really talented Cowboys defense. The Sooners have 11 turnovers against just 10 takeaways on the season. It's somehow still a better average than the Cowboys (six against nine). Oklahoma State wins with stingy defense, but Oklahoma can chip away at that. However, if they end drives quickly with a turnover, there's no coming back from that. Lincoln Riley knows that, and he will put together a gameplan where Rattler will take care of the ball. The points are incredibly scary here, but Oklahoma is just plain the better team.

Pick: Oklahoma (-7)

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Indiana Hoosiers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

No. 9 Indiana at No. 3 Ohio State (-20.5)

What the heck is this line? Not only has Indiana won every game they've played this season, but they are a nation-best 4-0 against the spread. No other team is undefeated against the spread with at least four wins. Yet, they come into this game as a three-touchdown underdog.

Last week, oddsmakers gave Ohio State too many points against Rutgers, and the Scarlett Knights failed to cover. This feels like the same exact situation. Ohio State is really good and totally deserves a spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, but Indiana is no slouch. There's a reason they are in the top 10. Sure, that Penn State win looks worse and worse each week, and the Michigan win is also losing value with every Big Blue loss, but Indiana is getting better each week on their own.

Ohio State's number one goal is going to be stopping Michael Penix Jr. They already said they want to make him 'uncomfortable'.

The question here is how can the Hoosiers handle the pressure. Nobody expected anything from them up until now. Now, they are in the top ten and playing in the biggest matchup on the college football slate. They are on the road against the Big Ten powerhouse with a Heisman Trophy candidate under center. Justin Fields can carve up any defense. Can Indiana stop him at all?

The Penix-Fields matchup will decide this game. There are a lot of talented players on both sides, but the quarterbacks need to get the ball there. Fields is the superior player, but Penix has the agility to get away from pressure and make plays. His chemistry with senior wide receiver Ty Fryfogle could prove fruitful if this turns into a backyard football game.

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This feels like an Ohio State win, but Indiana is going to beat the spread.

Pick: Indiana (+20.5)

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