Early College Football Futures: Smart Bet or Risky Move?

NCAA OrangeWith less than two months remaining until the official commencement of the 2025 College Football season, online sportsbooks have started to list future odds for the upcoming season. Nevertheless, many bettors often question whether the potential rewards outweigh the risks associated with future odds.

While the appealing odds can be enticing, it is widely acknowledged that betting on college football carries significant risks. However, by making informed bets, one can minimize these risks and potentially achieve substantial returns.

Below, we will examine strategies for making prudent wagers on futures and review some of the odds available before the start of the season.

College Football Futures

NCAA football futures encompass a wide variety of options, from who will win the Heisman to which team will win the National Championship. When locked in the early future, odds offer bettors great value with odds that far surpass even wager lines.

College football betting also includes proposition bets and game lines, but those odds will not become available till the season begins. Future odds are available year-round, but they become more plentiful as the season approaches.

Below are some of the odds found at the legal online college football betting sites we recommend.

2025 Heisman Trophy Winner

  • Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) +900
  • Arch Manning (TEX) +700
  • Cade Klubnik (CLEM) +1000
  • Dante Moore (ORE) +2000
  • Jeremiah Smith (OSU) +1300
  • Nico Iamaleava (TEN) +6000

SEC Championship Game Winner 2025

  • Texas +300
  • Alabama +380
  • Georgia +320
  • LSU +1000

National Championship Game Winner

  • Ohio State +600
  • Texas +650
  • Georgia +750
  • Oregon +900
  • Penn State +700

How To Make Smart Future Bets On NCAA Football

The one strategy we often employ is making multiple low-wager bets on several teams. Using the SEC Championship future line mentioned above, we would bet $20 on Texas and Alabama. A $20 wager on Texas at +300 would win $60 if they were to win the SEC Championship game. A $20 bet on Georgia would win $64.

While that might not seem like a huge win, a win is a win, and this strategy can be employed across multiple future lines. To truly maximize earning potential, you might also want to bet $20 on a long shot, such as LSU at +1000, which would win $200 if they were to win the SEC.

Another strategy we often use is to limit our wagers. I like to set a pre-season budget of $200 where I can wager on many lines, but all my bets never exceed risking more than $200. Since futures take time to come to fruition, I also have a week-by-week limit for the regular season that I often use for game lines. It is also essential to remember never to wager more than you can afford to lose, as the game is risky.