Which is the better bet: NCAA football or the NFL?
Have you ever wondered what difference there is between NFL and NCAA football games? Do you sometimes get confused about which one is worth placing a bet on? Then ride along, because all your questions are just about to be answered.
The NFL and NCAA games are the two most popular types of football in the United States. The skillful players and captivating storylines make the news week in and week out during the fall and winter.
Popular teams in the NFL include the Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers, among others. The NCAA has teams like the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines.
NFL betting is common among bettors and lovers of the game. For many obvious reasons, college football betting is also gaining traction in the gambling world. Studying or handicapping games before placing a bet cannot be excused because of the risk involved in careless or sentimental betting.
The NFL teams are better in form because their league is more competitive. It’s a bit difficult to decide a winner on the money line over an NFL game, unlike a typical NCAA game, which may be less competitive if top teams are not playing each other.
However, if you're perplexed about which one to invest your money in, then here are five points you should consider before choosing between NFL and NCAA games:
1. The frequency of games
Match frequency sometimes means an earning opportunity. The more matches there are, the more chances there are to place a bet. A low match frequency can also imply a small betting window.
The NFL and NCAA have a vast number of games combined that you can gamble on. For example, there are 17 games played in the NFL in the regular season, while the NCAA has a shorter schedule but many more teams.
The NCAA has over 130 teams while the NFL has 32. This means the NCAA has more matches to play, which makes room for more bets.
2. Access to information
In betting, you can't afford to have a lack of information on your decision desk. The value of information cannot be overstated as a betting tool. In the NCAA, getting information (like injury reports, etc.) on key games, can be a herculean task. This leaves you with too little data to make betting decisions.
This low availability of data is sometimes based on the structure of the games or college. The NCAA has a larger number of teams in the league, and not every college is fully developed in facts, figures, and statistics.
Occasionally, when the college involved is well advanced in data management and distribution, necessary information is made available to the general public, but it is not the case for every team or every game.
However, the NFL has information overload and NFL teams are required by the league to provide accurate injury reports before the games. Almost every statistic and detail needed is made available to the public. Hence, it has more engagement from the public.
Note: The quantity and quality of information accessible to bettors can aid or dissuade them.
3. Profitability
NFL and NCAA bets are equally profitable, but their match frequency can determine how frequently you can profit more from a league. How many games played in a week can increase the number of your bets or reduce it. This change in the number of bets can affect your payout either positively or negatively.
For many years, bettors have placed bets on leagues based on popularity and interest. NFL games have over 65,000 people in attendance, which isn't commonplace in NCAA games, except among the top teams.
The popularity of the NFL has given it more bettors than NCAA games. However, some televised NCAA games may have more bettors because of their wider reach than games that aren't televised.
It’s still safe to say that the NFL has more bets in its regular season. Both leagues are in no way inferior to each other in bet value or profits you earn as a bettor, except in a few cases that will be discussed in types of bets.
4. Available wagers
In betting on either league (NFL or NCAA), it’s crucial to know what kinds of bets thrive better. The three most popular bets are the moneyline, points spread, and totals. In the NCAA, bets on totals may have more odds of an advantage than in the NFL.
The NCAA places restrictions on props, in-game or live betting, whereas the NFL doesn't. Parlay bets are also available, but not recommended
5. Mismatches and team stability
One common feature of NCAA games is the inclusion of mismatches in the regular season, which makes betting unpredictable. Mismatches make the game unequal in contest or player rating.
These mismatches can affect a team's strength and stability. It can also affect bettors' wins, especially if the information is gotten late. Late information is dangerous because live betting is prohibited in NCAA games. This is not the case with NFL games.
These are some pointers to keep in mind as you decide which league to bet on. If it’s worth your money, it is worth your knowledge.