2026 College Football Schedule Spot Bets
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
DraftKings has released odds for 70 “Game of the Year” matchups for this upcoming season. These are the biggest college football games or rivalries on the schedule, and getting your college football picks in early can often mean value down the road.
Using my power ratings, I’ve identified my three favorite college football schedule spot bets for 2026. I’ve also included 10 more schedule spots to keep an eye on this upcoming season that don’t have odds posted yet.
NCAAF schedule spot bets for 2026
| Pick |  |
|---|---|
| Penn State +1.5 vs. USC | -110 |
| Michigan +6.5 vs. Indiana | -110 |
| Michigan State +17.5 vs. Michigan | -110 |
Penn State (+1.5) vs. USC
-110 at DraftKings
This is a bad spot for the USC Trojans, as it's their seventh straight game after matchups against Oregon and Washington.
The Trojans have not traveled well of late. They are 0-6 against the spread (ATS) in their last six cross-country travel spots, and lost four of those games outright despite being favored all six times.
Since 2012, USC is just 2-16 and 1-16-1 ATS in games played in the central and eastern time zones. The Trojans are failing to cover those games by an average of 11 points per game.
On the other side, this will be the Penn State Nittany Lions' annual “White Out” game at Beaver Stadium. It’s arguably the best environment in college football each year.
There’s also a good chance Penn State will enter the game 5-0 after being a touchdown favorite in their first five games (Marshall, at Temple, Buffalo, Wisconsin, and at Northwestern).
- Date: Saturday, October 10
Michigan (+6.5) vs. Indiana
-110 at DraftKings
This is a horrible spot for the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Hoosiers will be playing their eighth game in as many weeks. They'll also be traveling for the third time in four weeks.
Most importantly, Indiana will be coming off arguably their biggest home game in school history vs. Ohio State (pick'em at DraftKings).
On the other side, the Michigan Wolverines are coming off a bye and a home game vs. Penn State, with only Rutgers on deck. The Wolverines should be the fresher team.
While I am down on Michigan this year (see win total best bets), my power ratings only make them a 5-point underdog in this game, and that is before factoring in the spot edge. This line should be Indiana -4.
- Date: Saturday, October 17
Michigan State (+17.5) vs. Michigan
-110 at DraftKings
We go from Michigan having a huge schedule spot edge to a massive schedule spot deficit.
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, the Michigan State Spartans will be 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.
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.
- Date: Saturday, November 7
More schedule spots to keep an eye on
Louisville vs Villanova, Sept. 11
Louisville is coming off a massive game vs. Mississippi in Nashville (Mississippi -6.5 at DraftKings) on a Sunday night, and this is played on a Friday night. The Cardinals have two fewer days to recover and prep, and they have a key conference game vs. SMU on deck (Louisville -1.5 at DraftKings). Villanova is a good FCS program that made the semifinals last year.
SMU vs UC Davis, Sept. 12
SMU is coming off a road trip to Florida State on Labor Day night (SMU -2.5 at DraftKings). The Mustangs have two fewer days to recover and prep, and they have a key conference game at Louisville on deck. UC Davis is a solid FCS program that made the quarterfinals last year.
LSU vs Louisiana Tech, Sept. 12
LSU is coming off a big home game vs. Clemson (LSU -11.5 at DraftKings) and has an emotional road trip to Lane Kiffin’s former team Mississippi on deck (Mississippi -1.5 at DraftKings). Louisiana Tech will not be overly intimidated. The Bulldogs only lost 23-7 in Baton Rouge last year as 36-point underdogs.
Mississippi vs Charlotte, Sept. 12
Mississippi is coming off a big game vs. Louisville in Nashville on a Sunday night. They have one day less to recover and have one of the biggest home games in school history on deck vs. LSU and Kiffin.
Oklahoma vs New Mexico, Sept. 19
Oklahoma is coming off a huge game at Michigan (Michigan -2.5 at DraftKings), and the Sooners travel to Georgia (Georgia -10 at DraftKings) the week after this game. New Mexico upset UCLA, nearly upset Minnesota, and easily covered vs. Michigan last year. The Lobos are the best team in the Mountain West in my 2026 power ratings.
Texas vs UTSA, Sept. 19
Texas is coming off a Top 5 matchup vs. Ohio State (pick'em at DraftKings) and have a road trip to Tennessee on deck (Texas -6.5 at DraftKings). UTSA is one of the better teams in the American.
Penn State at Northwestern, Oct. 2
The Nittany Lions have huge games vs. USC and Michigan on deck. This will be the first game played in Northwestern’s new $862 million dollar stadium. It will be broadcasted to a national audience on FOX on a Friday night, so it should be one of the better atmospheres in college football this season.
BYU at UCF, Oct. 24
BYU is coming off arguably their biggest home game in school history vs. Notre Dame (BYU +10.5 at DraftKings) and traveling across the country. Meanwhile, UCF is coming off a bye.
Notre Dame vs Boston College, Nov. 14
Notre Dame is coming off a Top 10 matchup vs. Miami (ND -7 at DraftKings) and have Top 25 SMU on deck (ND -17.5 at DraftKings). Boston College has lost 10 straight in this rivalry but usually plays the Irish tough. The Eagles easily covered as 31-point underdogs in a 25-10 loss last season.
Texas vs Arkansas, Nov. 21
Texas is coming off a road trip to LSU (Texas -3 at DraftKings) and have another trip to rival Texas A&M on deck (Texas -2.5 at DraftKings) in six days. In their last four meetings, Arkansas has outscored Texas by a combined 18 points.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos