College football picks: How to build a winning parlay today with FanDuel’s free bet promo

College football picks: How to build a winning parlay today with FanDuel’s free bet promo
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In football, you always hear announcers or coaches say that you have to take what the defense gives you. The same holds true with sportsbooks, and the positive expected value promos that they provide.

This week, FanDuel is running a college football promo where if you bet $20 on a four-leg parlay, you get a $10 free bet back whether or not you win or lose the parlay.

On a promo like this, if you stay away from exotic bets — like alternate point spreads or over/under totals, or various other derivatives — and stick with the standard spreads or totals, you will make money in the long run.

It doesn’t necessarily matter what games you pick. If you go into Saturday with an idea that these bets are coin flips, it means that there is a 1/16 chance at winning the bet. Therefore, it has to pay out better than 15-1 to be worthwhile.

My pick on this is as follows:

  • Penn State vs. Ohio under 54.5
  • South Carolina vs. Arkansas over 52.5
  • Missouri vs. Kansas State under 56.5
  • Wisconsin -17.5 vs. Washington State

This pays out +1282 on a $20 bet, which amounts to $256. However, because you are really only betting $10 — you get a $10 free bet back — the bet has an effective payout of more than 25 to 1.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham MertzWisconsin quarterback Graham MertzGetty Images

Betting on College Football?

This isn’t a bet that is probable to win, but given that the fair value odds on this bet would be right around 15-to-1, it’s a good value on a four-leg parlay without extending an extreme amount of risk.