College Football Top 25 Matchups And 2026 Week 1 Preview and Picks

I cover college football and the NFL throughout the season and have posted winning picks for a decade here at Off Shore Gaming Association. I'll continue more coverage this season of the biggest games each week in the AP Top 25 that draw more media coverage and watch and wager action, along with other select games of interest. From the betting lines and adjustments at top online sportsbooks to key matchups, insight and odds updates, I'll chip-in Picks and Opinions with additional information you can bet on. 

Our college football Week 0 previews and picks went 4-2 on all Opinions (no picks), including 3-0 on game totals. The first 'bad beat' of the season was on Hawaii (+4) when the Rainbow Warriors fumbled away the game late at Stanford as the Cardinal returned it for a TD in the closing minute to win 37-27. That said, Stanford had separation in the stats (483-322) including a big rushing edge (173-46) that translates to higher-percentage ATS wins. The Cardinal controlled play for three quarters before Hawaii rallied and actually took the lead in the final four minutes before distaster struck for Rainbow Warriors bettors. 

As you watch and wager on the 2026 college football teams, you can follow the Top 25 teams dominated by the Power 4 conferences. Reference team previews, futures odds, season wins and additional information you can bet on in the Big Ten and SEC, plus the Big 12 and ACC. 

Also, as you evaluate the Week 1 betting lines which have been posted for months, opinions and positions have been made by various influential betting groups and professionals. We've seen line moves, and now top online sports and reduced juice sportsbooks offer bigger betting limits. There is also more high-variance with greater player turnover, transfer portal and changes with coaches and coordinators. 

There are 43 FBS vs. FBS matchups in Week 1 including the most watched and wagered games in the Top 25 with matchups and odds below. 

Top 25 Games and Week 1 Betting Lines

Betting lines and college football odds from BetOnline and top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. Point spread on favorites plus game totals. All times ET. 

Check back by Friday each week and my updates on X as Fairways Forecast adds Picks and Opinions with select analysis, stats and information you can bet on. 

Thurs., Sept. 3 

- Idaho at No. 21 Utah (NL) | 9 p.m. | ESPNU
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff at No. 25 Missouri (NL) | 8 p.m. | SECN

Fri., Sept. 4

- No. 7 Miami (-21.5, total 47.5) at Stanford | 9 p.m. | ESPN
- UTEP at No. 10 Oklahoma (-41.5, total 50.5) | 8 p.m. | SECN+
- Fresno State at No. 14 USC (-22, total 51.5) | 9 p.m. | FOX

Sat., Sept. 5

- Ball State at No. 1 Ohio State (-49.5, total 56) | 12:30 p.m. | BTN
- Boise State at No. 2 Oregon (-24.5, 52) | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
- Tennessee State at No. 3 Georgia (NL) | 3 p.m. | SECN+
- Texas State at No. 5 Texas (-30.5, 60) | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
- North Texas at No. 6 Indiana (-40.5, 55.5) | 12 p.m. | FOX
- Missouri State at No. 8 Texas A&M (-41, 53) | 7 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 26 Clemson at No. 11 LSU (-10.5, 51.5) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
- Abilene Christian at No. 12 Texas Tech (NL) | 7 p.m. | FS1
- East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama (-29, 54) | 12 p.m. | ABC
- Utah Tech at No. 15 BYU (NL) | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
- Western Michigan at No. 16 Michigan (-28, 48.5) | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
- Marshall at No. 18 Penn State (-24.5, 54.5) | 3:30 p.m. | FS1
- Furman at No. 20 Tennessee (NL) | 3:30 p.m. | SECN+
- Northern Illinois at No. 22 Iowa (-32, 46) | 4:15 p.m. | Big Ten Network
- Oregon State at No. 23 Houston (-20.5, 51) | 12 p.m. | ESPN

Sun., Sept. 6

- No. 4 Notre Dame (-20.5) vs. Wisconsin (47.5 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay) | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
- No. 9 Ole Miss (-6.5) vs. No. 24 Louisville (56, Nissan Stadium in Nashville) | 7:30 p.m. | ABC
- Washington State at No. 17 Washington (-23.5, 50.5) | 4 p.m. | NBC 

Mon., Sept. 7

No. 19 SMU (-3) at Florida State, 53.5 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Other notable games

- Colorado at Georgia Tech (-6.5, total 51) - Thursday
- Tulane at Duke (-9, 51)
- Baylor at Auburn (-7, 59)
- Oklahoma State (-14) at Tulsa (59)
- Wyoming at Colorado State (-3, 47)
- UNLV (-3), at Hawaii (58)
- UCLA (-1.5) at Cal (53) 
- Central Michigan at New Mexico (-10.5, 46.5)

Bet on NCAA Football at one of these top rated sportsbooks!

Stats, Strategies and ATS Notes 

So many huge favorites in Week 1, and we add some ATS notes from the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN). Since 2013, FBS vs FCS favorites of greater than 37 points are > 54% ATS on a sample size of more than 100 games. However, huge FBS vs. FBS favorites or > 37 points are 18-0 SU and 15-3 ATS. Wagertalk says the situation is 19-4 ATS (lines can vary opening/closing/sportsbook) after Penn State and Georgia won big but just failed to cover in Week 1 last year. Two teams fit the 15-3 ATS angle this year in Week 1.

- Ball State at Ohio State (-49.5)
- North Texas at Indiana (-40.5)

Select Week 1 Top 25 Matchups and Picks 

Opinion: Clemson-LSU Under 
Update more Friday.

Clemson at LSU (-10.5, 51.5)

Prime time game in Baton Rouge on ABC and streaming on ESPN. Clearly one of the most watched and wagered games to kick off the 2026 season. Lane Kiffin's first game as LSU's head coach and all the hype surrounding him and the Louisiana State program. Clemson looks for a bounce back season under 19th-year coach Dabo Swinney. LSU and Clemson started last season ranked in the top 10, but both Tigers finished a disappointing 7-6 last season following bowl game losses. Complete turnover on offense for LSU with new QB, loaded RB and WR groups and nine offensive lineman added through the transfer portal. The LB group is among the best in the SEC. The Clemson defense held eight opponents to 20 points or few last season and was among the nation's leader in third-down defense. A stronger defensive line, top tackler and four key secondary additions. Along with a new QB starting for Clemson, and the early Opinion is under the total and Clemson as double-digit 'Dog as we evaluate more for this big ACC vs. SEC battle in Baton Rouge. 

Ole Miss vs. Louisville 

Check back. 

Opinions

Central Michigan (+10.5) at New Mexico. The Lobos are a preseason favorite to win the Mountain West, but recent news is their senior starting QB will have a second surgery on his throwing elbow and miss the season. A lower total is correlated for a big 'Dog and stronger ATS situations of 7+ points when the favorite fails to score > 27 points. Central Michigan's strength is along the offensive and defensive lines, and a new running game/offensive coordinator from Army takes over and you can bet their will be more pound the ground running game for the Chippewas. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a leading sports betting industry analyst, handicapper, content creator, reporter and credentialed media member based in Las Vegas. He's been covering major sports including college football and NFL plus golf from a betting perspective for more than two decades. FairwayJay is also on the scene for NHL and major sports and poker events plus industry conferences and college football media days. Follow @FairwayJay on X and OSGA for more betting insight and information you can bet on.