It couldn’t come any sooner, the 2026 college football season. That also means that it’s time for the writers at the site to give their thoughts on the bets to make for the weekend! Join them each Friday afternoon as they make the best and worst predictions. And to take part in The Alabama Take’s college football pick ‘em, join here. For Takin’ On Sport’s more challenging against-the-spread pick ‘em, head to their group with this link. You are welcome to join both!
2025 Season Results
Blaine Duncan: 33-30-2
TD Wood: 32-32-1
Mallory McCormack: 30-34-1
Greg Bosworth: 23-41-1
Blaine Duncan
College football is a pure wreck, more of a disaster than it ever was. Swindlers, cutthroats, cheaters, and demons abound; then there’s the bad side. I can hardly muster the attention to care, but here’s my best shot.
Oregon State at Houston (-20.5) – I’m big on home teams on opening weekend, and the heat wave favors Cougars a lot more than it does the Beavs.
Oklahoma State at Tulsa (+13.5) – I primarily like this game because of a home team getting points. I understand that the Cowboys have the money to spend on players, but let’s roll the dice.
Wyoming (+3) at Colorado State – The only road team I’m picking, but these schools are mere miles apart. I like the Pokes for an outright win.
TD Wood
FOOOOOOTTTTTBBBBBAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!! We are so back, baby. If memory serves, I finished a game under .500 last season, and that is just wholly unacceptable. This season should be a ton of fun – there is no clear frontrunner, and the elite teams all have something that could go against them and turn a potential title season into a disaster (relatively speaking). Let’s start the year off with a bang.
Texas State at Texas (-29.5) – A LOT of pressure on Steve Sarkisian this season to finally deliver results that match the talent level in Austin, and I see them beginning this season with a loud statement of intent. Whether it holds up against their brutal schedule is another discussion, but I like Arch Manning and his loaded offense to put up a ton of points in the Longhorns’ opener.
UNLV at Hawai’i (+3) – I picked the ‘Bows to win the Mountain West this year, and I’ll ride with them as a home dog in their conference opener. They had an impressive comeback at Stanford last week, and while they ultimately fell short, I liked how they looked. Dan Mullen’s Rebels might be the most talented roster in the MW, but I think they take the Week 1 L here.
Louisville (+7) vs Ole Miss [Game in Nashville, Sunday night] – Sorry, Mal, but I really like the Cardinals this year. They have a question mark at QB, but I trust Jeff Brohm in that department. They also have Issac Brown, who has a legit argument for being the nation’s best RB. I think Louisville turns this into a rock fight, and steals it late in the Music City.
Mallory McCormack
Usually this is my favorite time of year but thanks to Bayou Heaux, sorry the man who has the messiest exits and makes real housewives of whatever city look boring, it’s just not the same. This season, I will not pick any of their games as long as they have players who have signed with an NFL team on the roster and active. So without further ado, let’s see how much of a mess I can make with these.
Texas State at Texas (-29.5) – Please don’t let this be deja vu all over again like it was two seasons ago when I said Arch was for real. He’s a Manning, after all. I think this line is low, and Texas has some incredible talent on both sides of the ball.
Florida Atlantic at Florida (-26.5) – I am personally excited to see Sumrall go kick some ass, and his team makes a big statement in his first game in the Swamp. He’s an example of how you leave one job for another.
SMU at Florida State (+3) – I’ll go out on a limb here and say FSU was just looking ahead to this game last week.
Greg Bosworth
Aw, in the midst of a five day college football weekend! Isn’t it a beautiful thing? Now I try to not put myself in an early hole, which I never got out of last year. 2026 will bring a better record, right? Well, we are going to find out, but my advice would be to do the exact opposite if you do anything with my picks, lol. Lets get it started:
Miami (-24.5) at Stanford: After watching Stanford a week ago against Hawai’i there is nothing that shows me this game will be close. In addition to not being on the same level as Miami on the field, they have several players out including four starters on offense. If the Hurricanes want to show they are for real as a national contender, this is one you handle with ease and not play with your food like they have done at times in the past in Friday night games.
Northern Illinois (+31.5) at Iowa: I expect the Hawkeyes to win easily; however, with a new quarterback and known for struggling to put up points, I would be surprised if they score enough points to beat anybody by 32.
SMU (-3) at Florida State: Call me a sucker for sticking with what seems the easiest line of the weekend, but even at home, I have no faith in Florida State. I am sure they will be noticeably better on both sides of the ball this week, but how bad that secondary was against New Mexico State is too fresh in my mind to not think the Ponies don’t run wild in Tallahassee Labor Day night. Monday will be a coming out party for Kevin Jennings’ Heisman run, and beating the Seminoles by more than a field goal is about the easiest lock of the weekend.
Note: All games are against the spread. Odds are taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook.
Leave a Reply