The biggest differences between betting NFL and college football

They're played on the same surface, but NCAA and NFL football are two different beasts when it comes to betting.

Sure, in both cases you're playing numbers over teams, attempting to gain an edge (best of luck), and primarily dealing with point spreads over money lines, but there are still major differences. Here are the three biggest ones, and why they're critical to your betting plan:

NCAA = more opportunities

While there are 32 NFL teams - all of which are generally in the spotlight - some bettors have found success by wagering on softer lines in college football, where there are 129-plus teams to choose from. And beyond the Alabamas and Clemsons of the NCAA world, there are often significant market disagreements on teams in less notable conferences.

I wouldn't buy too much into the philosophy that the sheer quantity of teams in college football means oddsmakers completely forget how to set mid-major and FCS lines and totals. That said, smart bettors have found niche conferences outside the Power Five where the markets aren't as saturated.

However, a warning: More teams mean more opportunities, and more opportunities mean increased betting volume. And I'll be the first to say that when Week 1 of college football arrives and there are 40 more games to choose from than the opening week of the NFL, there will be a raging impulse to take every nugget from your Phil Steele magazine and apply them.

Do not listen to that impulse. Be selective. Or be broke.

Coaching styles, philosophies

This difference is easy to understand. The NFL will have just seven new head coaches in 2018. On the contrary, roughly 20 percent of college football's Power Five teams hired new bench bosses in the span of two weeks. It's advantageous to have your pick of the litter with college teams, but the next step is knowing how a head coach or coordinator changes the dynamic of a roster. While that's important at the NFL level, too, the constant margin for improvement - or regression - is much greater in the collegiate game.

Overall, the many coaching and scheme changes in NCAA football mean teams' identities are volatile and constantly changing. By understanding what coaches bring to the table, you can stay ahead of the curve and find value in the market.

Analytical modeling

Modeling has become more popular than ever with the amount of analytical data and advanced metrics available. However, measuring a team's performance on a predictive scale at the collegiate level might not hold the same weight as at the professional level.

Frank Brank, a business manager who does modeling at thelinebacker.com, provided some insight on the contrast between how to approach college football and how to treat the NFL from a modeling perspective.

"College football requires much more of a team-based approach because of a coach/coaching staff in regards to returning starters and recruiting classes, whereas we know what specific players are worth in the NFL," Brank wrote. "Generally, the top schools tend to lose really good players because their recruiting classes/staffs are exceptional. So as long as Alabama isn't losing, like, eight starters on defense, we shouldn't expect any large drop-offs in performance."

And more specifically, what goes into the model differs.

"For example, net yards per play is a leading indicator of success in college; NFL success is much more on net yards per passing play," Brank added. "Certainly, stopping the rush and creating rush yards matters, but it isn't nearly as predictive as passing success as it relates to team success or points for/against."

On the surface, it's the same game at both levels. But the next time someone says they "bet football," ask 'em which one. The differences are significant.

Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from Rounders and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.