A +8 point spread in college football betting means the underdog must lose by seven points (or less) or win the game (by any margin) to cover the spread. If the underdog loses by exactly eight points, it’s a push (a tie), which refunds all stakes.
The corresponding side of a +8 point spread is -8. That means the favorite must win the game by at least nine points to cover the spread. If the favorite wins by exactly eight points, the bet results in a push.
How a +8 Spread Bet Wins or Loses
Winning Bet: You bet on Memphis +8 against UTSA. The Tigers lose to the Roadrunners by seven points (37-30).
Losing Bet: You bet on Wyoming +8 against New Mexico. The Cowboys lose to the Lobos by nine points (30-21).
Push Bet: You bet on LSU +8 against Alabama. The Tigers lose to the Crimson Tide by eight points (30-22).
Difference of +8 Point Spread vs. Moneyline
In point-spread betting, the margin of victory matters. In moneyline betting, the margin of victory doesn’t matter; only the final outcome matters.
In the case of a 8-point spread, the underdog could lose the game by eight points — which would result in losing tickets for all moneyline bets — but push the spread.
Spread vs. Moneyline Odds & Payouts
Spreads and moneylines almost always have different odds. For example, here are odds for a Georgia State-James Madison game:
Spread: Georgia State +8 (-108), James Madison -8 (-110)
Moneyline: Georgia State +225, James Madison -275
If the Panthers lose by seven points, a point-spread bet with a $10 stake would return $19.26 (including stake).
If you bet the same amount of money on the Panthers’ moneyline, a win would return $32.50 (including stake).
Use BetMGM’s Sports Betting Payout Calculator to calculate the potential payout of a bet or convert odds to/from American odds, decimal odds, or fractional odds.
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