2026 College Football Betting Lines Reveal Early Playoff Contenders

The 2026 college football season is still months away, but you can already feel the buzz. Betting lines for eight early-season matchups just dropped, and fans are itching to see how things shake out.

Oddsmakers are already speculating about which teams might run the table, even though we’re still waiting on finalized depth charts and, let’s be honest, injuries are always lurking. These early lines give us a peek at how teams are valued and maybe a hint at what’s ahead. Curious? Let’s poke around the key matchups and see what the oddsmakers are thinking.

Virginia vs. NC State: A Classic ACC Rivalry in Brazil

This year, college football heads to Brazil for the first time, and it’s Virginia vs. NC State—a classic ACC rivalry, but on international turf. Last season, NC State pulled off a wild comeback win, but now Virginia’s a 3.5-point favorite on a neutral field.

The Cavaliers are rolling with new quarterback Beau Pribula and banking on a tougher defense. NC State’s got C.J. Bailey under center, but after finishing 82nd nationally in scoring defense, their defense is definitely under the microscope.

Key Points to Watch

• Beau Pribula’s impact on Virginia’s offense
• NC State’s defensive improvements
• The significance of a neutral field in Brazil

TCU vs. UNC: The Chapel Bill Experiment Continues

Oddsmakers aren’t exactly buying into Year 2 of the Chapel Bill experiment—TCU opens as a 7.5-point favorite against UNC. Both teams are rolling out new quarterbacks: TCU brings in Harvard’s Jaden Craig, while UNC’s got Billy Edwards, who bounced around from Wisconsin to Maryland.

UNC showed a little spark late last year, but folks are still hesitant to believe in a 2026 turnaround under Bill Belichick. Can’t blame them for being cautious.

What to Expect

• Performance of new quarterbacks Jaden Craig and Billy Edwards
• UNC’s potential for a major turnaround
• TCU’s home-field advantage in Fort Worth

Auburn vs. Baylor: A New Era for Both Teams

Auburn’s a 7.5-point favorite over Baylor in Atlanta. New head coach Alex Golesh has raided his old USF roster, bringing in quarterback Byrum Brown and a few others.

Baylor’s hoping former Florida QB DJ Lagway can help them bounce back after a rough 2025. With both teams breaking in new quarterbacks, oddsmakers are apparently expecting fireworks on the scoreboard.

Key Matchup Factors

• Impact of Alex Golesh’s coaching and new recruits at Auburn
• DJ Lagway’s ability to rejuvenate Baylor’s offense
• Expectations for a high-scoring game

LSU vs. Clemson: Spotlight on Baton Rouge

LSU is an 11.5-point favorite over Clemson, with the game in Baton Rouge. Lane Kiffin’s got a retooled roster, thanks to landing the nation’s top transfer portal class and snagging former Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt.

Meanwhile, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney is under the gun after a disappointing 2025. This one could crank up the heat on Swinney even more.

What to Watch

• Lane Kiffin’s offensive strategies with new recruits
• Clemson’s response to a challenging season
• Potential implications for Dabo Swinney’s tenure

UCLA vs. Cal: New Coaches and Returning Quarterbacks

Cal’s a 5.5-point home favorite over UCLA. Both squads have new head coaches but are sticking with their starting quarterbacks from last year.

Cal’s Tosh Lupoi kept Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who flashed some promise as a freshman. UCLA’s hoping new coach Bob Chesney can get more consistency out of Nico Iamaleava, who had his ups and downs last season.

Matchup Highlights

• Tosh Lupoi’s impact on Cal’s roster
• Bob Chesney’s strategies for UCLA’s offense
• Potential for a breakout season for both quarterbacks

Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin: Clash at Lambeau Field

Notre Dame is a massive 16.5-point favorite against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The Irish, with C.J. Carr at quarterback, are being hyped as national title contenders, especially with Marcus Freeman’s defense looking stout.

Wisconsin’s still clawing its way out of the Big Ten’s cellar and has brought in Old Dominion QB Colton Joseph to help. A win for Wisconsin seems like a long shot, but if they can keep it close, maybe there’s hope for some momentum in Madison.

Key Elements

• Notre Dame’s national title aspirations
• Impact of new recruits on Wisconsin’s performance
• Significance of the game location at Lambeau Field

Texas vs. Ohio State: A Potential Title Contender Showdown

Texas is a slim 2.5-point favorite over Ohio State in Austin. That’s a flip from last year, when the Buckeyes won 14-7 at home.

Both teams are in the national title conversation, with Arch Manning and Julian Sayin now seasoned at quarterback. Even with those big names, it’s shaping up to be a defensive slugfest—Ohio State’s reload on defense is going to be a big storyline.

Matchup Insights

• Arch Manning’s development and impact on Texas
• Ohio State’s defensive reloading
• Expectations for a defensive battle

Michigan vs. Oklahoma: A Clash of Defensive Titans

Michigan comes in as a 1.5-point favorite over Oklahoma, which is a turn from last year’s 4.5-point edge for the Sooners at home. Michigan’s got new coach Kyle Whittingham and high hopes for sophomore QB Bryce Underwood.

Oklahoma’s offense, led by a healthy John Mateer, faces a big test against Michigan’s defense. There’s a lot of faith in Whittingham to lift Michigan, but folks are still a bit wary of Oklahoma’s offense.

Key Factors

• Kyle Whittingham’s influence on Michigan’s performance
• John Mateer’s impact on Oklahoma’s offense
• Defensive strategies of both teams

If you’re craving more analysis or just want to keep up with the latest college football betting lines, check out CBS Sports. They’ve usually got something interesting going on over there.