College Football Betting At New Jersey Sportsbooks
As long as betting doesn’t involve New Jersey-based schools or games played inside state lines, anyone 21 and older can legally bet on college football in New Jersey.
The 2020 college football season was one of the most unusual in history but games still went on with surprising regularity. For 2021, there will be even more college football bets to place daily. Read on to see exactly how you can bet on college football in New Jersey this year.
You’ll find live NCAA Football odds at NJ online sportsbooks, a guide to the best apps for betting college football live and some helpful NCAAF betting tips.
What are the best college football betting sites?
There are now dozens of retail sportsbooks and sportsbook apps in NJ taking bets on college football in 2020. These are the very best of them:
2020-21 College Football Odds
Check below for a sample of daily live NCAAF point spreads, moneylines and totals odds at NJ online sportsbooks. Click on any odds to start the sign-up process and claim your free bet bonus. To see the full college football odds board, go to our full sports betting odds feed here.
Another popular bet at NJ online sportsbooks is on the team you think might win the National Championship. To get the best odds, you’ll need to get your futures bet in fast. You can also bet on the potential 2020-21 Heisman Trophy winner and several Conference champions. Use the drop-down menu to change the odds board.
Check the current futures odds for all NCAAF futures in our real-time odds feed below. Click on any odds to register a new account and lock in your bet at the listed odds.
How does college football betting work?
There are several ways you can bet on college football games at NJ sportsbooks, including:
Moneyline
The moneyline is the easiest college football game bet you’ll find. You simply pick who you think will win.
The tricky part is the three-digit number next to each team’s name. Those numbers are payout ratios that tell you how much you stand to gain for a successful wager.
A negative number means that the team is the favorite, and the amount listed is how much you must bet to win $100. A positive number means that the team is the underdog, and a $100 bet will win you the published amount.
Point spreads
A point spread is a wager on the expected margin of victory. You can bet that either the favorite will exceed the sportsbook’s expectations, or that the underdog will lose by fewer points than the established mark.
Totals
Totals bets are usually known as over/under bets. The sportsbook will estimate how many points both teams will combine to score, and you can bet whether the actual amount will be over or under that number.
Futures
College football futures allow you to pick a team to win its conference or the national title. NJ sportsbooks post college football futures markets before the season and adjust the odds as the season progresses.
Parlays
College football parlays allow you to combine two or more basic college football bets into one. Parlays offer bigger payouts, but you must win every game in a parlay for it to pay.
Is college football betting legal in NJ?
Betting on college football is legal at all licensed NJ sports betting operators as long as no in-state schools or games played inside the state or games involving New Jersey schools outside the state are involved.
The state’s first retail and online sportsbooks opened in 2018. There are now nearly three dozen options (online and retail) that you can use to bet on sports in New Jersey.
Betting on college football with NJ betting apps
NJ betting apps have made football betting easy. There are, after all, plenty of them including: You can sign up by clicking a few buttons and providing some personal information. The entire process should take only a few minutes. Then, it’s a matter of depositing money on the app. You will have plenty of options to choose from, like PayPal.
Be sure to take note of any bonus codes we have listed. Enter them into the correct spaces on your registration or deposit forms to claim your free money.
Once you’re ready, find the “NCAA Football” tab to browse through the college football betting markets. Choose wisely, confirm the bet, then wait and see if your first college football bet on the app is a winner.
Where can you bet on college football in NJ?
Outside of the 18 apps taking bets on college football in 2020, there are 10 NJ retail locations where you can bet on college football games.
1. Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill
Monmouth Park Sports Book by William Hill was the first in the state to start taking bets when it opened on June 14, 2018.
It features two sportsbook locations at the track and sports bar as well as an open betting area on the main grandstand.
The sports bar area has air-conditioned seating for 130. There are 22 live betting windows overall, six at the sports bar and 16 in the grandstand. Plus, there are two self-serve betting kiosks.
The minimum wager at William Hill Monmouth is just $2.
2. Borgata Race & Sports Book / Moneyline Bar & Book
The Borgata Race & Sports Book also started taking bets on June 14, 2018, in a temporary sportsbook location.
The permanent 8,000-square-foot Moneyline Bar & Book opened June 29, 2019.
The Borgata Race & Sports Book still takes sports bets and features 100 seats and 10 betting windows. The Moneyline Bar & Book has 144 seats, self-service betting kiosks, and six live betting windows.
The minimum wager is $5 at each.
3. FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands Racetrack
FanDuel Sportsbook at Meadowlands Racetrack started taking bets on July 14, 2018.
It has expanded to now include 30 live betting windows and 17 self-betting kiosks. There are seats for more than 200 around the venue.
The minimum wager at FanDuel Sportsbook is $5.
4. William Hill Sportsbook @ Ocean Casino
The William Hill Sportsbook @ Ocean Casino started taking bets on June 28, 2018.
The 7,500-square-foot sportsbook is located in the heart of Ocean’s gaming floor and features live betting windows and self-serve betting kiosks.
The minimum wager is $2.
5. The Book at Harrah’s
The Book at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City opened Aug. 1, 2018. The 3,800-square-foot sportsbook features stadium seating and access to live betting windows and self-serve betting kiosks.
The minimum wager is $2.
6. The Book at Bally’s
The Book at Bally’s in Atlantic City opened in 2018 as a temp sportsbook. But in summer 2019, the more than 15,000-square-foot sportsbook opened. It features private fan caves and more than 150 seats in the main area.
There are 10 live betting windows and self-serve betting kiosks.
The minimum wager is $5.
7. The Sportsbook at Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget sportsbook opened Aug. 15, 2018. The permanent sportsbook opened its doors a couple weeks later and has seating for more than 100 with four live betting windows and 10 self-service betting kiosks.
The minimum bet is $5.
8. DraftKings Sportsbook at Resorts
Resorts opened a temporary space on Aug. 15, 2018. But the new DraftKings Sportsbook that opened in November 2018 includes five betting windows and 12 self-service kiosks. Plus, there are stadium-style seats.
The minimum bet is $2.
9. William Hill Sports Book at Tropicana
The William Hill Sports Book at Tropicana opened its temp space on Oct. 25, 2018. The permanent book features eight betting windows, four betting kiosks, and bar and lounge-style seating for 180.
The minimum bet is $2.
10. Hard Rock Sportsbook
The Hard Rock Sportsbook opened Jan. 30, 2019, and expanded into a permanent location in the spring. It features six betting windows and seating for 50.
The minimum bet is $5.
What’s the difference between betting college football vs. NFL?
The biggest difference between college football and the NFL is the number of teams. There are just 32 teams in the NFL. By contrast, the NCAA says there are more than 780 colleges and universities with football programs in the US.
While oddsmakers can count on intense national media scrutiny in the NFL, college football coverage is more localized and difficult to find. There are betting opportunities in college football that simply do not exist in the NFL. Look outside the programs that compete on the national stage for fruitful opportunities.
College football betting lines and line shopping
Many people go to multiple stores and online in search of the best prices on products. Sports bettors are no different, and college football lines offer an excellent opportunity to look for a good deal.
Some NJ retail and online sportsbooks set their lines independently. Others use a third-party service. As a result, lines at different sportsbooks are often different from each other, and it’s a good idea to look for the best offers before you place your wager.
This is called line shopping. Find the bet at a better price and you’re essentially putting money in your pocket.
You should also keep an eye on the lines as game time approaches. You may find a sportsbook has changed its line.
When the line on a college football game moves, it’s often a good indication of where most of the betting public is putting their money. Because sportsbooks want to balance the potential payouts on both sides of a bet, you might find some great deals betting on the other side of the wager. This practice is known as fading the public.
New Jersey NCAAF teams
New Jersey only has three schools with NCAA Division I football programs. Only the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights compete in the top-tiered Division I FBS. Rutgers is in the FBS’ Big Ten Conference.
The other two NCAA Division I football programs in NJ are the Monmouth University Hawks (Big South Conference) and Princeton University Tigers (Ivy League). Both these teams compete in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
But remember, NJ sportsbooks will not take bets on any of these New Jersey-based college football programs. If you want to bet on local college teams in NJ, you’ll have to stick to programs based in nearby Philadelphia or New York City.
In the FCS, these teams include:
- Columbia University Lions (Ivy League FCS)
- Fordham University Rams (Patriot League FCS)
- Long Island University Sharks (Northeast FCS)
- University of Pennsylvania Quakers (Ivy League FCS)
- Temple University Owls (The American FBS)
- Villanova University Wildcats (Colonial Athletic Association FCS)
Additional New York and Pennsylvania teams that compete in the top-tiered Division I FBS include:
- Penn State University Nittany Lions (Big Ten)
- University of Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC)
- Army Black Knights (Independent)
- Syracuse University Orange (ACC)
- University at Buffalo Bulls (MAC)
College football betting tips
Betting on college football in NJ is infinitely more fun when you win. These tips might help:
Don’t wait for the playoffs: There’s value to be found all throughout the college football regular season. But once the postseason rolls around, oddsmakers won’t be making the same mistakes they might during the regular season. If you’re going to bet on college football this season, start now.
Fade the public: “Fading the public” means taking advantage of movement in a line when the public is betting heavily on one side. However, betting on one side or another doesn’t change the match-up or your assessment of it. So, there can be terrific opportunities when the sportsbook is trying to balance its ledger.
Live betting
Most basic college football bets are booked before kickoff, but many sportsbooks also offer action during the game, too. This is known as live, in-play, or in-game college football betting.
The best way to get in the in-play wagering game is with a sports betting app. Things change fast and you need to focus on the game. Bets might only be available for a few seconds at a time.
The trick is to be quick on the draw with your app of choice and be ready to pounce when a good bet presents itself.
How to watch college football games
ESPN networks carry a ton of college football games. There are also a variety of games featuring teams in the national championship picture on FOX and CBS throughout the season. Finally, conference networks like the Big 12 Network, the Pac-12 Network, or the Big Ten Network feature conference games.
You can find most of these networks through your local cable provider. Or, you can purchase an ESPN+ subscription from ESPN.com and stream games online.
Of course, you can always head to a New Jersey retail sportsbook to watch. They are sure to have most games on their television screens.
Biggest rivalries in college football
There are all kinds of rivalries in college football. There are in-state rivals and those that always seem to have a major impact on the national championship picture. And then there are those long-standing traditional rivalries such as Army vs. Navy.
Any way you slice it, every college team probably has a rival, and the biggest rivalries may change over time.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest rivalries in college football:
- Army-Navy: Navy leads the all-time series between these two Armed Forces schools 60-49-7.
- Michigan-Ohio State: Games don’t get any bigger than the annual Big Game between these two schools. Michigan leads the series 58-51-6.
- Miami-Florida State: This in-state rivalry is led by Miami, but Florida State has recently closed the gap to 34-30.
- Clemson-Alabama: These two teams played in the College Football Playoff Championship game last season for the third time in four years. They are expected to contend with each other again in 2021.
- Texas-Oklahoma: This Big 12 interstate rivalry, better known as the Red River Showdown, features the Longhorns and the Cowboys. Texas leads the series, 62-47-5.
NCAA football betting FAQ
Can you bet on NJ college teams in New Jersey?
You can’t bet on NJ college football teams in New Jersey. Nor can you bet on any college football games that take place inside the state, regardless of where the teams are from.
When does the college football regular season start?
The 2020 college football season kicked off on Aug. 29. The first few games of the season are a part of what is known as Week Zero in college football.
The first NCAA Division I FBS games on Sep. 3 were:
- UAB vs. Central Arkansas
- Southern Miss vs. South Alabama
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many conferences to postpone or cancel games. There will be decidedly fewer football games this season than in a typical year.
How many college football teams are there?
The NCAA estimates there are more than 780 colleges and universities with football programs across the US. 130 teams play in the Division I FBS, and 126 play in Division I FCS.
When is the college football championship?
Essentially, there are two college football championships.
The 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game (FBS) will occur on Monday, January 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Division I FCS championship game is on Jan. 9, 2021 in Frisco, Texas.
Where is the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game?
Miami Gardens, Florida will host the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 11, 2021, in Hard Rock Stadium.
Who has the most national championships in college football?
Princeton has 28 national titles, and Yale has 27. Although no school has more national titles than either of these two, neither Yale nor Princeton is likely to win again. The last time either won was 1950 and neither team competes at the FBS level.
The school with the most national championships that competes at the FBS level is Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won 17 national titles, the last one in 2017. There’s a three-way tie for second between Michigan, Notre Dame, and USC at 11.
How does college football overtime work?
If a college football game is tied at the end of 60 minutes, it goes to overtime.
A coin toss decides first possession and each team gets one offensive possession starting at their own 25-yard line.
The object is to score, and then prevent your opponent from doing the same. If the teams remain tied, they each get another offensive possession.
Once they reach a fifth overtime period, teams run alternating two-point conversions instead of starting at the 25-yard line.
How long is a college football game?
College football games are 60 minutes in duration and feature two 30-minute halves including four 15-minute quarters. Most games run over three-and-a-half hours of real-time.
How many college football bowl games are there?
The 2020-21 NCAA Division I FBS football season features 43 different college football bowl games, including the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship games.
There are also a variety of NCAA Division II bowls, NCAA Division III bowls, and NAIA bowl games.
How many conferences in college football?
The top-tiered NCAA Division I FBS has 130 programs playing in 10 conferences. The NCAA Division I FCS has 126 schools competing in 13 conferences.