| are at least a half-dozen factors that separate college | | | | played while those regarded as "probable" have not |
| football betting from NFL betting. For starters, action on | | | | but overall, the list is accurate. On the other hand, |
| college football is much more likely to come from | | | | colleges are under no obligation to announce the status |
| sophisticated bettors, known as "sharps" or "wiseguys", | | | | of injured or disciplined football players. This vagueness |
| who often possess some insight or kernel of | | | | over availability sometimes can create opportunities in |
| information that may provide them with an edge | | | | college football betting. Consequently, bookmakers are |
| against the house. Experienced bet takers know not to | | | | wary if too much wagering attention is paid to one |
| treat heavy activity on an obscure game, such as | | | | team. |
| East Carolina versus Wake Forest, as casually as | | | | When it comes to parlay card numbers, you are much |
| they might deal with increased wagering interest on a | | | | more apt to see a slight gap between those prices |
| marquee NFL game such as a Redskins-Cowboys | | | | printed on cards and those posted on the board in the |
| confrontation. For that reason, bookmakers usually | | | | NFL than you are in college football. The key element |
| move college football betting lines quickly, often one full | | | | is that bookmakers can more accurately predict the |
| point at a time. In general, it takes more money to | | | | public inclination for an NFL game than they can for a |
| move an NFL betting line and, when it is moved, usually | | | | college football game. It’s not unusual then for |
| it is by only half a point. | | | | traditionally popular team such as Dallas or a "hot" |
| Largely because of a lack of proficiency in the kicking | | | | team such as Cincinnati, to be listed as a 7 1/2-point |
| game, key numbers such as 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13 and 14 are | | | | favorite on a parlay card but just a 6 1/2 or 7-point |
| not nearly as sacrosanct in college football betting as | | | | choice on the board. Through experience, bookmakers |
| they are in the NFL. College football games just do not | | | | know that "public" teams such as the Cowboys, as |
| fall on those numbers as often as they do in NFL | | | | well as "now" teams such as the Bengals, will be more |
| contests. | | | | aggressively played on parlay cards than they are |
| We may never again see a three-touchdown favorite | | | | straight up. |
| in the NFL but lines of -30, -40, or even -50 are not | | | | Clearly, understanding the differences between college |
| that uncommon in the college gridiron game. | | | | football betting and NFL betting is essential to winning. |
| Oddsmakers and bookmakers also find college totals | | | | DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLLEGE AND PRO |
| more difficult to gauge because some coaches try to | | | | FOOTBALL |
| impress those who have a vote in the polls by running | | | | College Football: |
| up the score. Others, such as Penn State's Joe | | | | ‘Wiseguys’ frequently supply the action |
| Paterno, feel that a third-string player's reward for | | | | College football betting lines often are moved by a full |
| practicing all week is to get to play in a blowout. | | | | point at a time |
| It’s just these types of unique uncertainties that | | | | Key numbers are not as important |
| compel bookmakers to shift college “over | | | | Personnel changes can make early season analysis |
| under” numbers more quickly than they move | | | | difficult |
| NFL totals. | | | | Information on injuries is not always accessible |
| It's also the nature of college football that personnel | | | | There’s usually not a disparity between parlay |
| change every year. This makes early season | | | | card and board numbers |
| evaluation more difficult and leads bet takers to move | | | | NFL: |
| lines and totals more quickly, especially in September | | | | Money from public is prevalent |
| and early October when the season is still young. | | | | Betting lines are usually moved by a half-point at a |
| There is personnel movement in the NFL too, of | | | | time |
| course, but mostly it involves players of established | | | | Key numbers are VERY important |
| ability moving from team to team. In college football, | | | | Personnel changes are less volatile and easier to |
| you're always dealing with fresh faces. | | | | evaluate |
| By collective bargaining agreement, each week, the | | | | Information on injuries usually is accessible |
| NFL publishes a comprehensive list of injured players | | | | Parlay card numbers sometimes are intentionally |
| and their status. Sure, there are mistakes and abuses | | | | different than prices on the board. |
| and players who have been listed as "doubtful" have | | | | |