2026 College Football Games of the Year Odds & Picks: Miami Worth Backing Against Notre Dame

Power rating: Ohio State by 1.5

The two teams have played each other 98 times, with Ohio State holding a significant 80-13-5 edge. However, Indiana broke Ohio State’s 30-game series winning streak last year in the Big Ten Championship en route to the National Championship.

This could be the biggest home game in Indiana history. The Hoosiers will be at least a two-touchdown favorite in each of their first six games, so they should enter this matchup unbeaten. Meanwhile, if Ohio State beats Texas, the Buckeyes will also likely enter this game unbeaten.

Since 2012, the Buckeyes are 11-3 ATS as an underdog or if the spread closes pick’em. Ohio State won 10 of those games outright with an average cover of 15 points per game.

My power ratings think Ohio State should be the slight favorite here, and I think they get revenge for last year.

Power rating: Ole Miss by 2.5

Former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin will take his new team, LSU, into Oxford. Considering the controversial way he left Ole Miss prior to the playoffs last year, there might not be a more hostile environment in college football this season.

It’s a game worthy of giving the home team more than three points of home-field advantage.

Both teams have tests in Week 1 as LSU hosts Clemson and Ole Miss plays Louisville in Nashville. If both win those games close to expectations, I think this line is a little short.

LSU might be the more talented team overall, but I like that Ole Miss returns QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Ken Lacy. Their entire program should have a chip on its shoulder here.

Power rating: Ohio State by 14.5

It’s arguably the top rivalry in college football and traditionally draws the biggest television audience of the regular season. Ohio State snapped its four-game losing streak to Michigan last year with a 27-9 win in Ann Arbor.

I’m expecting the stakes to be high once again as I currently have Ohio State as my No. 1 team in my power ratings and Michigan No. 15.

With that being said, I think Ohio State is a little undervalued coming into the season while Michigan is overvalued, and I gave out best bets on their win totals earlier this offseason.

I think this line closes at least Ohio State -14. If that seems high, remember the Buckeyes were 9.5-point favorites in Ann Arbor last year and were 20-point favorites the last time they hosted the Wolverines.

Power rating: Georgia by 3.5

This might be the most important rivalry in college football over the last decade. The two teams have met twice in the National Championship and five more times in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama has won 10 of the last 12 meetings, but Georgia won the most recent matchup in dominating fashion, 28-7, last year.

Both teams will be favored by at least a touchdown in each of their first five games, so there’s a good chance they enter this showdown at 5-0.

Georgia has not won in Tuscaloosa since 2007, Nick Saban’s first season at Alabama.

I think that changes this year. The Bulldogs are the more talented and experienced team, and Kirby Smart finally got the Alabama monkey off his back in last year’s SEC Championship Game. I already bet Georgia here and think this line closes at least Georgia -3.

Power rating: Texas by 2.5

While many rivalries like USC-Notre Dame have disappeared because of conference realignment, this storied rivalry has returned in recent years. The Longhorns have won the last two meetings, knocking Texas A&M out of the SEC Championship Game both times.

However, Texas A&M still reached the College Football Playoff last year while Texas settled for the Citrus Bowl. The Longhorns have enormous expectations in 2026 as they return quarterback Arch Manning and could open the season ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll.

Texas is favored in all 12 regular-season games, although five of those spreads are less than a touchdown. Meanwhile, Texas A&M will likely be underdogs at LSU, at Alabama, and at Oklahoma, though all by three points or fewer.

While my power ratings agree with the current number, I think there’s a good chance Texas closes at -3 or higher.

Power rating: Texas by 6.5

The Red River Rivalry has been played 121 times, with Texas leading the all-time series 65-51-5. The Longhorns have won the last two meetings, but Oklahoma earned the playoff berth last season.

Both teams come in off a bye and should already be battle-tested. Oklahoma will have road games against Michigan and Georgia before this matchup, while Texas will have already faced Ohio State and Tennessee.

If Texas enters undefeated while Oklahoma already has multiple losses, there’s a good chance this spread closes higher than six points.

Power rating: Utah by 1

The Holy War has been played 103 times, with Utah leading the all-time series 62-37-4. However, BYU has won the last three meetings, and nine of the last 10 have been decided by single digits. The early line of Utah -3 suggests another close battle.

The two teams combined to win 23 games last season and both enter 2026 with high expectations. Utah will have a new head coach for the first time since 2005 as Morgan Scalley takes over for Kyle Whittingham, while BYU retains the coaching continuity edge with Kalani Sitake entering his 11th season.

The winner will likely earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game against Texas Tech. My power ratings make Utah only a 1-point favorite, while BYU returns far more experience, especially along the offensive line after Utah lost all five starters.

Power rating: Alabama by 10.5

This game might not carry the same national attention it did throughout the 2010s, but the Iron Bowl remains one of college football's premier rivalries. This year's meeting could once again determine Alabama's playoff and SEC Championship hopes.

On the other side, Auburn begins a new era under head coach Alex Golesh, with bowl eligibility likely to be hanging in the balance by the regular-season finale.

Since 2012, Alabama is 7-0 straight up and 6-0-1 ATS at home against Auburn, winning those games by an average of 25 points.

I already bet Alabama Over its season win total and Auburn Under its win total, so I lean toward the Crimson Tide here and expect this number to close higher than -10.

Power rating: Navy by 3

It might not rank among the 10 biggest games of the season, but Army-Navy remains one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. The two academies have met 126 times, with Navy holding a 64-55-7 advantage.

This year's matchup could carry added importance. Navy enters the season as the favorite to win the American Athletic Conference and owns one of the best odds among Group of Six teams to reach the College Football Playoff.

Remember, the CFP Selection Committee finalizes the 12-team playoff field on Selection Sunday, before the Army-Navy game is played. That means if Navy locks up an AAC title and playoff berth, this rivalry game won't impact its postseason position.

Four of the last five meetings and nine of the last 12 have been decided by six points or fewer. DraftKings expects another close game, my power ratings slightly favor Navy, and I think there's a good chance the Midshipmen enter with double-digit wins.