The first round of the new College Football Playoff format kicks off this Friday, and Bet365–one of the best online sportsbooks–is offering two special sign-up offers for the big games. Use the Bet365 bonus code SFA365 to get either a bet $5, get $150 offer or a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net.

5 rating
Mobile app exclusive
Terms & Conditions
Deposit required (min $10). Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets are excluded from returns. New customers only. Offer available in App only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply.
Bet365 Bonus Code Details for CFP First Round Games
Bet365 Promo | $1,000 First Bet Safety Net | Bet $5 get $150 |
---|---|---|
Promo Code | SHARP365 | SHARP365 |
Minimum Deposit | $10 | $10 |
Minimum Wager | $10 | $5 |
Eligible Bet Types | Straight Bet, Parlay, Same Game Parlay or Same Game Parlay+ | Must have odds of -500 or greater |
Eligible States | AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH or VA | AZ, CO, IN, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH or VA |
Validity Period | Within 30 days of registering for an account & 7 Days to use bonus bets | Within 30 days of registering for an account & 7 Days to use bonus bets |
Bet365 Bonus Code: College Football Playoff Opening Round
When you open an account, use the Bet365 promo code SFA365, and deposit a minimum of $10, you can choose between two great welcome offers. Here's a quick summary for each so you can know how to sign up and claim the bonus that best suits your betting style.
Bet $5 & Get $150
The first Bet365 sign-up bonus for the CFP First Round is a bet $5 and get $150 promo. It's quite simple. All you need to do is register and make a qualifying deposit of at least $10. After that's done, you just need to make a bet of $5, and you will unlock $150 in bonus bets.
$1,000 First Bet Safety Net
The next College Football Playoff offer from Bet365 is a $1,000 First Bet Safety Net. Put simply, using the Bet365 bonus code SFA365, you get first bet insurance of up to $1,000. So, if you lose your first bet, Bet365 will give you a 100% refund for your lost stake up to $1,000 in bonus bets.
How to Register for a Bet365 Account & Claim the Bonus
Here are all the steps you need to take to register for Bet365 and claim the bonus code:
- Register through the Bet365 mobile app.
- Use the bonus code SFA365.
- Make a minimum deposit of $10.
- Choose a welcome offer.
- Wager at least $5 on a first-round College Football Playoff game.
CFP First Round: Previews, Predictions & Betting Tips
Now that you've signed up with the Bet365 bonus code, it is time to place a wager and unlock the bonus bets. Here's our breakdown and betting tips for each CFP first-round game.
Fri. 8 pm – #10 Indiana at #7 Notre Dame (-7) O/U 51
Winner faces #2 Georgia
Indiana was the Cinderella story of college football this season, going from 3-9 last season to 11-1 this season. However, the Hoosiers were the brunt of criticism all year, facing one of the easiest schedules in college football. Their lone loss was against the only ranked team on their schedule, a 38-15 shellacking at Ohio State. On the other hand, Notre Dame (11-1) got over their shocking early season home loss to Northern Illinois to rattle off 10 wins in a row, including wins against four top-25 opponents.
Both of these teams are solid on both sides of the ball. The big matchup may be the Fighting Irish's potent rushing attack (10th in college football) against Indiana’s stout run defense, which ranks first in the nation. Watch out for transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has been great this season for the Hoosiers, throwing for 2,827 yards, 27 TDS, and 4 INTS.
Sat. 12 pm – #11 SMU at #6 Penn State (-8.5) O/U 54
Winner faces #3 Boise State
SMU (11-2) also surprised the nation, making the College Football Playoff in just their first year in the ACC. Despite winning the ACC regular season crown, the Mustangs lost the ACC Championship game in heartbreaking fashion to the Clemson Tigers on a last-second field goal.
Like Indiana, Penn State (11-2) faced a weak regular season schedule, only beating one ranked team on the year. However, the Nittany Lions looked more than capable in their only two games against elite competition, losing close games to fellow playoff teams Ohio State and Oregon. Look for Abdul Carter to wreak havoc for Penn State's defense off the edge.
Sat. 4 pm – #12 Clemson at #5 Texas (-11.5) O/U 51.5
Winner faces #4 Arizona State
Clemson (10-3) is the biggest underdog in the four opening-round games. The Tigers snuck into the College Football Playoff thanks to a dramatic field goal to beat SMU as time expired. That win against SMU in the conference championship game was their lone win of the season against a ranked team. Expect Clemson to go as far as quarterback Cade Klubnik can take them. His play this season has improved greatly, but we worry about his performance against stiff competition.
Texas’ (11-2) first season in the SEC was a massive success. They suffered two losses on the season, both coming to the Georgia Bulldogs. The Longhorns are led by a defense that ranks second in the nation and will face a Tigers team that ranks 12th in the nation in points per game. Watch out for Anthony Hill, Jr., and Colin Simmons, who will try to make Klubnik's as uncomfortable as possible.
Sat. 8 pm – #9 Tennessee at #8 Ohio State (-7.5) O/U 47
Winner faces #1 Oregon
Tennessee (10-2) went 3-1 against ranked teams this season, ranks 13th in the nation in points per game, and has the fourth-best scoring defense. Put simply, Tennessee's defense is proven. The big question will be whether quarterback Nico Iamaleava and co. can score against a loaded Ohio State defense anchored by numerous future NFL stars, such as star safety Caleb Downs.
Ohio State (10-2) was gliding towards a Big Ten title berth before suffering a shocking loss to unranked Michigan to end the season. It was their fourth straight loss to Michigan, causing an uproar in Columbus and creating mounting pressure on head coach Ryan Day. They have the top-ranked defense in the nation and rank tied for 10th in PPG on offense. The Buckeyes might be the most talented in the nation.
Final Thoughts: Bet365 Promo for the CFP First Round Games
The Bet365 welcome bonus for the College Football Playoff first-round games gives new customers a choice between two solid sign-up offers. If you prefer to wager a lower amount, we recommend using the bet $5 and get $150 promotion. The $1,000 First Bet Safety Net is perfect for those willing to risk more money, as it maximizes the potential bonus payout.