College Football Survivor Pools: Tips & Strategies for 2025 Contests

Survivor pools aren’t just for the NFL anymore.

College football survivor contests are gaining steam. If you’ve never played one, 2025 might be the year to jump in. Fewer people are in the space. Less sharp competition. And if you’re paying attention? A much better chance to win.

Let’s break down exactly how college football survivor pools work, the strategy to survive deep into the season, and why the chaos of Saturdays might actually be your edge.

We talked about general survivor pool strategies here, but let's dig specifically into college football survivor pools. Check out our upcoming contests here.

What Is a College Football Survivor Pool?

The rules are simple, just like an NFL survivor:

• Pick one college football team to win each week

• If they win, you move on

• If they lose, you're out

• You can only pick each team once all season

Most pools use the FBS slate (so no D2 or FCS teams), and typically Week 1 through Week 13 are in play. Some contests start in Week 0. Some include Conference Championships.

Make sure you know the rules of the contest you join.

Unlike the NFL, where the schedule is relatively balanced, college football gives you something unique: Lopsided matchups and huge spreads.

Every week, you’ve got playoff hopefuls taking on low-level mid-majors or FCS teams. But don’t get comfortable — early blowouts turn into landmines quickly once conference play starts.

Why College Football Survivor Pools Are Beatable

College football is chaotic, and that’s exactly why you can win. A few reasons:

1. Less Market Saturation

NFL survivor contests are everywhere. Office pools. National contests. Paid entry leagues.

That means more entrants and tougher competition.

With college survivor contests? It’s a wide-open field. Most people aren’t used to thinking this way about college football. But if you are, that’s an edge.

2. More Games = More Flexibility

There are 133 FBS teams in 2025. That gives you more options each week than an NFL slate. You don’t need to rely on just a few good matchups. You can build out paths no one else is thinking about.

One difference about Wager Relay's college football survivor pools is we limit players to 72 teams to choose from, thus making it more interesting with only the major conferences involved.

3. Public Bias

Because of the large spreads often found in college football games, it's easier for groupthink to take over and public bias to have a heavy impact on selections.

You can zag while others zig — and punish the pool when that top-5 team gets clipped in a rivalry game.

How to Plan Your Picks in a College Survivor Pool

Let’s walk through a few must-know strategies to build your path through the season.

Start with the Schedule

Look at the full season slate. Not just Week 1. Not just this month. Map out 8–10 weeks in advance if you can.

Find soft spots. You don't want the biggest favorite on the board, but circle the other perceived gimmes on the board. Then look for the landmines. Avoid picking a top team the week before their big matchup. Trap games are real.

Avoid the Public’s Pick

Let’s say everyone’s picking Ohio State vs Indiana. But you’ve got Utah hosting Rice and you haven’t used them yet.

Ask yourself: “If Ohio State loses and I don’t have them, does that give me a huge edge?”

If yes — and if your alternative is solid — take the road less traveled.

Be Wary of Mid-Majors

It’s tempting to save the powerhouses and grab a 24-point favorite like Memphis over UAB.

But mid-majors have a nasty habit of eating their own in conference play. Stick with teams you’ve watched and trust. Don’t reach for value where there’s hidden risk.

What to Do in Small, Medium, and Large College Survivor Pools

Small Pools (<25 entrants):

• Play it safe. Don’t overthink it.

• Take the big favorites early.

• You’re just trying to outlast 10–15 people — survive and advance.

Medium Pools (25–100 entrants):

• Mix in strategy.

• Avoid the most popular pick 2–3 times a season.

• Stay a few weeks ahead on planning.

  
  

Large Pools (100+ entrants):

• You need to take real shots.

• Save top teams for rivalry and championship weeks.

• Track opponent picks if available.

  
  

In large contests, 80% of the field will make mistakes. The other 20% will panic when things get weird in November. You stay cool.

College football survivor pools are one of the most beatable formats in sports betting contests right now — because most people just aren’t playing them right.

Start planning. Watch the market. Track your picks.

And when everyone else is sweating late-season chaos? You’ll be the one still standing.

Want to join our next survivor contest? Sign up at WagerRelay.com starting August 1!