The biggest mistake that beginner sports bettors make is that they treat every single sport the same. The reality is that every sport is different and requires its own unique approach. That is particularly true when it comes to the differences between handicapping college football and the NFL. Here is a look at some key elements to remember when it comes to betting on college football.
Statistical Handicapping Is Not As Relevant
The limited number of games in a college football season means there is a limited sample size off which to base any statistical handicapping. That can create obvious problems because those that read too much in to the numbers aren’t aware of how irrelevant they can be based on a number of factors including most importantly schedule.
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The fact that some teams will schedule inferior opponents to open the year while others play tough competition makes statistical handicapping that much more irrelevant when it comes to betting on college football.
Situational Handicapping Is More Relevant
Unlike statistical handicapping, situational handicapping is more relevant in college football. That's because it accounts for potential factors including letdowns, road travel, revenge games and more. College football rosters are made up of young men between the ages of 18 and 22 so it is only fitting that these situational factors are that much more relevant. Many beginner handicappers tend to downplay the significance of these types of elements. However, professional handicappers playing at college football betting sites will keep a close eye on these factors. They put a greater emphasis on them when it comes to college football betting.
Ignore The Trends
There is a greater tendency to rely on trends in sports such as MLB or NBA where the seasons are that much longer but that is not the case in college football. The reality is that every game is so important in college football and with so much time in between that it’s impossible to expect momentum to carry over from one game to the next. It only makes sense that bettors take the same approach to the fact that these trends are so irrelevant and make sure not to buy in to those types of numbers the same way they would if they were betting on other sports.
Outlook
There is no absolute right and wrong way to bet on college football but the numbers don’t lie. The smart handicappers will focus that much more on situational handicapping than wagers based on statistics with a fresh approach to every single game. College football odds are very unique in comparison with other sports in that there is a much smaller sample size, the players being relied on are very young and inexperienced relative to professional athletes and they are technically not being paid to play. College football is a completely different type of sport to bet on so make sure to take a unique approach once September rolls around and you want to make some money betting on the games.