Follow the Money: The Most Popular College Football Public Betting Picks for Week 1

Robert Criscola - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Robert Criscola • Betting Analyst 11+ years betting experience
Updated: Sep 5, 2026 , 08:36 AM ET • 4 min read

Kalshi users are calling for Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers to come out on top in their season opener, and much more.

LSU Lane Kiffin NCAAF public betting report
Photo By - Reuters Connect. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.

Several of the biggest football schools in the nation are in action this Saturday, so you'll want to consult the college football public betting report and follow the money!

Check out what Kalshi users are calling the biggest locks of Week 1, and don't miss our free college football picks.

College football public betting picks for Week 1

Matchup Pick
North Texas North Texas
vs
Indiana Indiana
Indiana
99%
East Carolina East Carolina
vs
Alabama Alabama
Alabama
97%
Boise State Boise State
vs
Oregon Oregon
Oregon
95%
Texas State Texas State
vs
Texas Texas
Texas
98%
Clemson Clemson
vs
LSU LSU
LSU
78%

Probabilities courtesy of Kalshi, one of our best prediction market apps. For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, please see our odds calculator.

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NCAAF public betting picks and analysis for Week 1

North Texas vs Indiana: Indiana

Kalshi probability: 99% | Volume: $2,974,655

The Indiana Hoosiers' title defense begins Saturday with a homecoming matchup vs. North Texas. 

Can incoming QB transfer Josh Hoover following in Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza's footsteps? Kalshi users are confident he'll start 1-0, with 99% of the money on the Hoosiers with nearly $3 million staked.

Check out our full North Texas vs. Indiana predictions.

East Carolina vs Alabama: Alabama

Kalshi probability: 97% | Volume: $1,206,336

Keelon Russell and the Alabama Crimson Tide come into their opening matchup of 2026 as massive 96% favorites vs. the East Carolina Pirates.

ECU's last win over a Top 25 team came in 2014. Alabama's last loss to a non-power conference team was in 2007.

Check out our full East Carolina vs. Alabama predictions.

Boise State vs Oregon: Oregon

Kalshi probability: 95% | Volume: $854,886

Surely the Boise State Broncos and the new Pac-12 would love nothing more than to upend one of the old guard in the Oregon Ducks, but Kalshi users aren't counting on it.

Oregon is attracting over 95% of the money ahead of this tilt. Dante Moore has also seen a rise in his Heisman Trophy odds stock in the lead-up to this tilt.

Check out our full Boise State vs. Oregon predictions.

Texas State vs Texas: Texas

Kalshi probability: 98% | Volume: $573,585

These two programs may be close geographically speaking, but they should be far apart on the scoreboard by the final gun.

The Texas Longhorns have garnered over 98% of the money at Kalshi over the in-state rival Texas State Bobcats. The Longhorns have not lost to a non-power conference program since 1988.

Check out our full Texas State vs. Texas predictions.

Clemson vs LSU: LSU

Kalshi probability: 78% | Volume: $638,761

All eyes will be on first-year coach Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers when they open their season by hosting the Clemson Tigers. 

Most experts are calling for a down year for Clemson, so it's not all that surprising that LSU has garnered nearly four of every five dollars invested in this outcome.

Check out our full Clemson vs. LSU predictions.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Robert Criscola - Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Robert M. Criscola’s road to becoming a Covers publishing editor began with an internship at Metro New York, which eventually turned into a freelance job at MetroBet covering many sports from a wagering angle, including horse racing. He continued to focus on “The Sport of Kings” by writing for shapperdacapper.com, danonymousracing.com, and informer.fanxt.com before joining the team at the TwinSpires Edge in 2019 as a regular contributor and weekend editor. “Crisco” began writing game previews for Covers in 2022 and joined the editing team in 2023.

His best advice for sports bettors? Bet with your head, not over it.

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