To make college football predictions, experts begin by analyzing a diverse range of factors that will alter gameplay in the NCAAF. This process is similar for all determinations of football odds and lines. Analysts begin with team stats, which include recent drafts and losses on the roster, coaching and staff turnover, and program resources.

From there, handicappers examine more specific sets of information to determine college football betting picks. They look at individual player performance, notable injuries, overall teamwork on offense and defense, as well as environmental factors like the weather or homefield advantage. Handicappers do this across all eleven conferences to make their NCAAF football picks. For those who may stick to their own conference or the Power Five, let’s do a quick review of the NCAAF’s conferences:

American Athletic Conference (AAC), 11 teams

*Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), 14 teams

*Big 12 Conference (Big 12), 10 teams

*Big Ten Conference (Big Ten), 14 teams

Conference USA (C-USA), 14 teams

Division I FBS Independents, 7 teams

Mid-American Conference (MAC), 12 teams

Mountain West Conference (MWC), 12 teams

*Pac-12 Conference (Pac-12), 12 teams

*Southeastern Conference (SEC), 14 teams

Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt), 10 teams

*Power Five conferences

These in-depth studies result in a recommendation that helps fans wager on moneylines, point spreads, totals, and prop bets for any given game. In particular, handicapper picks help fans determine the best college football picks against the spread, as betting the spread requires a deep dive. In addition to providing fans with specific picks, handicappers also analyze betting markets to provide punters with the most up-to-date deals.

Check out OddsChecker’s Picks & Parlays section for recommendations from our leading handicappers. There, you can find the latest analysis for upcoming NCAAF games in each conference, as well as NFL odds.

Bets against the spread are the most common way to wager for college football punters. ATS bets are popular because wagers are equalized by handicappers. Regardless of how mismatched a game may be, sportsbooks seek to make it as close to a 50/50 bet as possible. This makes college football predictions for betting the spread an exciting activity for fans and punters.

In total, there are 40 post-season Bowl games for fans to make their NCAA football picks on. However, none are as hotly contested as the College Football Playoff and the Championship Game. In particular, the Championship Game is a major topic amongst handicappers, just like the Super Bowl is for NFL fans.

Expert handicappers spend a great deal of time analyzing play throughout the season to provide free college football expert picks. Some may even select their pick prior to the start of the season, relying on past records and performances.

Recent dynastic runs among top NCAAF teams are one major factor handicappers and analysts look to before making picks and creating odds in college football. Since 2000, Ohio State has taken two National Championships; USC has taken two; and Alabama has taken five.