Early betting lines reveal expectations for several College Football Playoff contenders

Oddsmakers have tipped their hand on how they view the top teams heading into the 2026 season

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Betting lines are already available for several marquee college football matchups in the 2026 season, offering a glimpse into how oddsmakers view the top contenders. The lines suggest expectations for teams like Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, and Texas, with several rematches from the 2025 season providing a chance to see if oddsmakers believe certain teams have improved or regressed.

Why it matters

These early betting lines provide valuable insight into how the top programs are viewed heading into the 2026 season. They can reveal potential weaknesses or strengths of teams, as well as which programs oddsmakers believe have the best chance of making the College Football Playoff. The lines also offer a chance to see how perceptions may have changed from the previous season for certain teams.

The details

The lines cover a range of high-profile matchups, including a Week 0 clash between NC State and Virginia, a Week 1 showdown between Baylor and Auburn, and a Week 2 battle between Ohio State and Texas. Oddsmakers seem particularly bullish on LSU under new coach Lane Kiffin, making the Tigers an 11.5-point favorite over Clemson. There is also intrigue around the Wisconsin-Notre Dame game at Lambeau Field, with the Fighting Irish installed as 16.5-point favorites.

  • The 2026 college football season is still more than six months away, and spring practice hasn't even started.
  • The first game covered by these early betting lines is a Week 0 matchup between NC State and Virginia on August 30, 2026.

The players

Beau Pribula

The expected starting quarterback for Virginia, replacing Chandler Morris.

C.J. Bailey

The talented quarterback who will lead NC State's offense.

Jaden Craig

The Harvard transfer who will take over as TCU's new starting quarterback.

Billy Edwards

The former Wisconsin and Maryland quarterback who will start for North Carolina.

Byrum Brown

The quarterback who transferred from USF to Auburn, reuniting with new head coach Alex Golesh.

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What’s next

As the 2026 season approaches, it will be interesting to see how these early betting lines shift as more information becomes available about roster changes, injuries, and other factors that can impact a team's performance.

The takeaway

These early betting lines provide a fascinating glimpse into how the top college football programs are viewed heading into the 2026 season. They suggest that oddsmakers are bullish on the trajectories of teams like LSU and Auburn, while remaining skeptical about the ability of Clemson and North Carolina to bounce back from disappointing 2025 campaigns. The lines also highlight several highly anticipated rematches that could reveal whether certain teams have truly improved or regressed.