2026 College Football Games of the Year Odds & Picks: Spartans Undervalued in Ann Arbor

My power ratings make the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 9.5-point favorites.

This could be the biggest home game in BYU Cougars history (or at least match their upset of No. 1 Miami way back in 1990). I’m expecting one of the better home environments in college football this year.

BYU has thrived against ranked opponents at home recently. Since 2019, the Cougars are 7-0 ATS with an average cover margin of 15 points per game. BYU was an underdog in six of those seven games, yet has a 6-1 straight-up record.

Notre Dame will be at least a three-touchdown favorite in their first six games, so it's very likely the Irish enter at 6-0. However, this will be the first time they play an opponent that's capable of punching back, and it will be interesting to see how they handle it.

Finally, this will be the highest elevation (4,649 feet) Notre Dame has played in since 2013. Could the Irish be out of wind in the second half?

Power ratings-wise, this line makes sense, but it's a horrible spot for the Michigan Wolverines to be laying a huge number in a rivalry game.

Michigan is in the middle of a seven-game stretch (with no byes) that includes Penn State, Indiana, at Oregon, and at Ohio State. You could argue this is only their fifth-most important game in that stretch. Meanwhile, Michigan State is coming off a bye.

Both teams have first-year head coaches who prefer to run a slower tempo, lean on the run game, and play defense. A running clock with low scoring usually bodes well for the big underdog.

Finally, Michigan State is 14-4 ATS in this rivalry since 2008. In the last 31 meetings, Michigan State has only lost by more than 17 points five times to Michigan.