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The final week of the NFL preseason is here, giving bettors one last chance to wager on exhibition football before the regular season begins. Today’s slate features four matchups, including the Pittsburgh Steelers visiting the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots taking on the Cleveland Browns.

Other games on the schedule include the San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders and an all-Los Angeles matchup between the Rams and Chargers. Sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM offer markets on preseason games, including moneylines, spreads and totals.

FanDuel

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NFL Week 3 Preseason Odds

*Odds may differ each site*

THU, AUG 27

• Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills: Bills -3
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Raiders -3.5
• New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns: Patriots -2.5
• Los Angeles Rams vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Chargers -3.5

These are the DraftKings spreads as of Aug. 26.

FRI, AUG 28

• Washington Commanders vs. Baltimore Ravens: Ravens -2.5
• Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins: Falcons -3.5
• Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers: Texans -1.5
• New York Giants vs. New York Jets: Giants -3
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Buccaneers -3
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs -1.5
• Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles -3
• New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys -1.5
• Arizona Cardinals vs. Green Bay Packers: Cardinals -2.5
• Minnesota Vikings vs. Denver Broncos: Broncos -6.5

SAT, AUG 29

• Detroit Lions vs. Indianapolis Colts: Colts -3.5
• Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans: Titans -2.5

DraftKings

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Games to Watch in Week 3

*Odds may differ each site*

Bills vs. Steelers

Team	Spread	Total	Moneyline
Pittsburgh Steelers	+3 (-112)	O 35.5 (-110)	+127
Buffalo Bills	-3 (-108)	U 35.5 (-110)	-152

Patriots at Browns

Team	Spread	Total	Moneyline
New England Patriots	-2.5 (-115)	O 35.5 (-105)	-150
Cleveland Browns	+2.5 (-105)	U 35.5 (-115)	+125

Rams vs. Chargers

Team	Spread	Total	Moneyline
Los Angeles Rams	+3.5 (-108)	O 38.5 (-115)	+153
Los Angeles Chargers	-3.5 (-112)	U 38.5 (-105)	-186

Kalshi

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ATLANTA (AP) — Tarik Skubal knows he will feel emotions when he makes his return to Detroit on Friday night to pitch against the Tigers only four weeks after he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Skubal says he hopes to focus on representing the Dodgers instead of dwelling on his memories with the Tigers at Comerica Park. He acknowledged it may not be easy to keep his emotions in check.

“We’ll see, right?” Skubal told SI.com on Wednesday. “The whole process was emotional. I have a lot of respect for those guys over there. I’m just going to go play baseball.”

Overall this season, Skubal is 8-7 with a 2.91 ERA. In four starts for the Dodgers since the Aug. 1 trade, Skubal is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He is coming off his first win for the Dodgers. The left-hander had 11 strikeouts in seven innings in a 4-3 win over Pittsburgh in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Skubal, 29, made his major league debut with Detroit in 2020 and had played for no other team before the trade. The deal sent the two-time defending AL Cy Young winner to the two-time defending World Series champions.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he believes Skubal has the right temperament to handle the emotions which will come with his Detroit homecoming.

“I think, you know, that whole ‘be where your feet are’ adage, I think that’s just who he is,” Roberts said Wednesday. “Some people have a hard time letting go, but I think that Tarik is a guy that, wherever he’s at, he’s all in.”

Roberts said he expects Skubal “is going to try to engage guys and immerse himself with coaches, with his teammates, the best he can. That’s a good trait. Like I said, I’ve only known him a short time, but I’m really, really fortunate we got him on our club. Not even just for the pitching, just beyond.”

Skubal said he is “sure it will be emotional there just because of the history.” The emotions will be fresh because he has had less than one month to adjust to his new Los Angeles home before making his return to Detroit.

“But at the end of the day, I’ve got to go play baseball,” Skubal said. “I’ve got to compete and do what I do well, what makes me a good pitcher. I’ll probably handle the emotions after.”

The Tigers are expected to have right-hander Drew Anderson (4-5, 4.09 ERA) face Skubal in the opener of the three-game series.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

Aaron Judge is hoping to skip a minor league rehabilitation assignment before returning to the New York Yankees as he nears the three-month mark in his recovery from a stress fracture in his right rib.

“If I tell them I’m ready to go play, I think we’re ready to go play,” Judge said Thursday before the Yankees concluded a three-game series with Houston. “I’m not a pitcher. I’m a position player. I can get my reps down here in the cage. I’m in every game. I’m sitting there in the dugout watching every game, feeling the environment, feeling the energy, so I don’t think there’s going to be much of a difference.”

Judge skipped a rehab assignment in 2023 when he missed 42 games with a fractured right big toe after crashing into the right-field fence at Dodger Stadium. In 2019, he appeared in five minor league games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when he missed two months with a strained left oblique.

“He said that to me, too,” manager Aaron Boone said. “If and when we get to that point, we’ll work through all that.”

(Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Judge began taking swings in the indoor batting cages Tuesday. The three-time AL MVP also recently started doing some running and throwing in the outfield.

The Yankees’ captain declined to offer a target date for his return, but said he’s not feeling anything other than normal soreness.

“Obviously, there’s soreness from not doing anything for the past couple of weeks, but now we’re building that up and we’re in a good spot,” Judge said. “So, there has not been any setbacks, which is the greatest thing.”

Judge missed his 74th game Thursday night since he last played on May 31. The Yankees entered 39-34 without him during that stretch, including 11-6 in their past 17 games.

The 35-year-old slugger’s only homer in the final 18 games before he went on the injured list was a game-ending, two-run shot to beat Tampa Bay 2-0 on May 24 that snapped an 11-game drought without an RBI, the longest of his career.

Judge is hitting .248 with 17 homers and 38 RBIs. He was initially injured attempting to avoid second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. on a diving catch in Houston on April 26 and batted .263 with seven homers and 20 RBIs in 31 games before being sidelined.

“I feel great,” Judge said. “So, I think that’s one reason why we’re kind of speeding through this and really doing more outside, doing more in the cage. Things are feeling good.

“Now it’s about volume, trying to get my volume back up since I haven’t played in quite a long time. So just build up the volume so I can go out there and finish the season strong.”

Judge won a batting title last season when he hit a career-high .331 with 53 homers and 114 RBIs in 152 games. He missed 10 games from July 26 to Aug. 4 with a flexor strain in his right elbow that he sustained on a throw to home plate July 22 in Toronto. He underwent a plasma-rich platelet injection and did not require offseason surgery.

Cruz’s Tommy John Surgery Decision Coming Soon

(Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)

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A day after getting diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, reliever Fernando Cruz is awaiting the findings from Dr. Keith Meister to see if he needs surgery.

Cruz was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after allowing his fifth homer since the All-Star break a day earlier and telling the Yankees he felt pain. An MRI showed the tear and Cruz should know in two to three days if surgery is necessary.

In his second season with the Yankees, Cruz is 4-6 with a 3.13 ERA in 61 appearances. He allowed a tying, two-run homer to Jeremy Pena on a fastball in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s 9-7 loss to the Astros and has a 5.52 ERA in 17 appearances since the All-Star break.

“I made the decision to let (them) know because I knew I was affecting the New York Yankees,” Cruz said. “I wasn’t affecting Fernando Cruz, and obviously the MRI came back in a way that nobody wants, nobody expected, but it’s just part of this game and I think we’re waiting for options to come down and make the best decision.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

The 2025 trade deadline marked the start of a new era for the Minnesota Twins as they shifted toward a youth movement. The veterans are gone, the young core is in place and the growing pains are showing up in the American League Central standings.

Sitting 6.5 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox, the Twins signaled they were fully leaning into the future. Following the recent promotion of top infielder Kaelon Culpepper, the Twins officially called up their top organizational prospect, outfielder Walker Jenkins.

Selected No. 5 overall in the 2023 MLB Draft out of South Brunswick High School (NC), Jenkins entered the professional ranks as one of the premier prep hit tools in his draft class. He holds the top spot in the Twins’ farm system and ranks No. 15 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100.

Jenkins will join a long list of top Twins draft picks to make the major league roster. With his debut set for Friday night, he joins outfielder Byron Buxton (selected second overall in 2012) and infielder Royce Lewis (selected first overall in 2017).

The 6-foot-3 outfielder has been nothing short of productive in the minor leagues. Across 265 games and 997 at-bats, Jenkins has posted a .303 career batting average to go along with 33 home runs, 145 RBIs, 57 stolen bases, and 187 strikeouts.

The Twins have built quite the young core and four of their top-10 prospects could make their debuts within the next two seasons. Alongside Jenkins and Culpepper, the group features 2026 No. 3 overall pick Vahn Lackey and 2025 first-round infielder Marek Houston.

With a youth movement underway, all eyes are on how the long-term vision unfolds for a Twins team chasing both the White Sox and Cleveland Guardians in an unpredictable AL Central.

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Inter Miami CF announced Thursday that Cristian Alberto Kily González has been appointed as the club’s new first team head coach, replacing Guillermo Hoyos.

“González will officially assume his duties once he receives the corresponding work permits. Guillermo Hoyos will provisionally continue in charge of the team until the arrival of the new head coach and his coaching staff,” the club said in a statement.

Inter Miami sits in second place in the Eastern Conference standings with 39 points through 21 games. The coaching change comes during a five-match winless streak, with the club recording four losses and one draw between MLS regular season and Leagues Cup play.

González previously managed Argentine clubs Rosario Central, Unión de Santa Fe, and Platense. As a player, he began his career with Rosario Central in 1993 before moving to Europe to play for Valencia, Zaragoza, and Inter Milan. He also represented the Argentina national team, playing alongside current Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi during World Cup qualifiers in 2005.

Hoyos initially took over as interim manager in April, stepping over from his role as Inter Miami sporting director to replace Javier Mascherano. 

The front office named Hoyos permanent manager following the World Cup. Hoyos began his managerial stint with a 6-1-1 record, taking 19 of 24 points while the team scored 26 goals in eight matches.

Inter Miami hosts CF Montreal Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Argentina Related Stories

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NEW YORK — It’s the fifth inning at Citi Field. The Brewers are leading the majors in wins, and they’re leading this particular Tuesday night game against the Mets by a run when Cooper Pratt pops one up to shallow right field. 

Pratt stood in the box and briefly looked up at the ball sailing beyond first base and toward the foul line. After a beat, he jogged to first base. The ball dropped between three Mets fielders, and Pratt took a big turn, thought about going to second, but ultimately stayed put. Behind him, Brewers first base coach Spencer Allen was visibly upset. But as Pratt turned around and stepped on the bag, Brewers skipper Pat Murphy had already sent David Hamilton out to run for him. 

Milwaukee’s rookie shortstop, who recently signed an eight-year contract worth just north of $50 million, was yanked in a one-run game in August. 

“It will never happen again,” Pratt said after the Brewers’ extra-inning loss that he watched from the dugout. “I’ve got to be better. It’s stuff that can’t happen. It’s not winning baseball.”

(Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

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In the third inning, Pratt also twice failed to execute a bunt attempt. So, Murphy’s decision to bench Pratt was supposed to be a lesson about focus. The real lesson might be that Milwaukee has been teaching this same class for a while now. The final exam is still the one they failed last October. 

The Brewers (83-51) have the best record in baseball. Again. They had it last year too, finishing at 97-65, and it meant nothing once the Dodgers swept them out of the NLCS. 

So a 22-year-old shortstop getting benched for not immediately jogging to first and failing a bunt attempt isn’t really about Pratt. It’s a proxy for the heavy expectations that are hanging over a winning organization that’s routinely punching above its weight. It’s about accountability. 

“I’m not trying to be Johnny hard-ass here,” Murphy said. “It’s just, for a young player coming into the league, you have to build habits.”

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Does accountability during a Tuesday night in August actually translate into a different result in October? Or are Murphy’s Brewers just doing what Murphy’s Brewers always do, right up until the games matter most?

Ironically, Hamilton – Pratt’s replacement — made a throwing error in the 10th inning that allowed the Mets to walk it off with a victory. So it was the rookie’s replacement who made the costlier mistake. Murphy later said, after watching the video, that Pratt’s lack of hustle on the bloop single wasn’t as egregious as he initially perceived. 

“It’s for the player and the team,” Murphy said. “I love [Pratt] and I believe in the kid immensely. But he’s got to be a player who does those things. He’s not going to hit 30 homers at this point in his career. He’s a great defender and a really capable offensive player, and he can’t have that. It’s just not tolerated by anybody, and it sends a message to everybody else, too. You’ve got to run.”

(Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Murphy has a reputation of benching players or yanking them mid-game to enforce things like hustle and fundamentals. He once benched right fielder Sal Frelick for missing the cutoff man. This year, he pulled left-hander Robert Gasser mid-count after he fell behind against Randy Arozarena. This isn’t new. Murphy has no tolerance for physical or mental lapses. 

Still, Pratt’s benching was received differently than some of the other examples. This isn’t May. It’s August in a division race that’s all but decided. The Brewers are getting prepared to battle in October, aiming to reach the World Series for the first time since their lone appearance in 1982. The conversation in the clubhouse afterward was just that. After Pratt handled his mistake like a pro in front of the cameras, his teammates reiterated that Murphy’s discipline was more about World Series preparation.

“In my personal opinion, I don’t really think it had a whole lot to do with not going to second there,” unofficial Brewers captain Christian Yelich said on Wednesday. “I think it was a culmination of events with a greater goal in mind for six weeks from now, if you want my honest opinion on it.”

Disciplining a lack of hustle and focus earlier in the season is easier to do. But disciplining approach and performance under playoff pressure is much more difficult, and that’s what cost Milwaukee last October.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

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The Brewers were bounced in four games by Los Angeles in a painful NLCS sweep last year. There were no signature moments, just a complete absence of the Brewers’ brand of baseball. That typically includes no power, plenty of runs, lots of walks, and a high contact rate. Murphy and the Brew Crew, after being eliminated from the postseason, claimed they were emotionally “zapped” by their dramatic and demanding NLDS against their division-rival Cubs.

“It was a heavy series. It was a long series. It was a hard series,” Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers told me of last year’s NLDS against the Cubs. “We celebrated it hard. And then two days later, we had to play the Dodgers. What I learned, personally, was that we need to treat these games, regardless of who we’re playing, just as games. We can’t lose sight of the ultimate goal. 

“But I think along the way, you kind of get wrapped up in how emotional it was. And then there’s not enough time to recover from that, recharge. So you lose focus a little bit. Once you lose focus in the playoffs, it’s near impossible to recapture that.”

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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The Brewers are doing it again this year. They’re preaching focus and accountability all season, and it’s not clear what will actually stop them from being outclassed by star power and playoff experience in a seven-game series. Hustling out of the box is not the same as hitting home runs off the best rotation in baseball. 

We didn’t get to see Milwaukee stick to their usual winning approach against the reigning champions last year, since they were emotionally drained by the time they faced the Dodgers. If they meet again this October, the Brewers have to demonstrate that grinding out at-bats, being last in home runs, near the top of the league in strikeouts thrown, and their small-ball identity can actually hold up against elite bullpens. We already know their brand of ball works against a random Tuesday rotation arm in August. 

“I don’t think you can prevent it or play any less intensely,” Murphy told me of how the Brewers can avoid being exhausted after the first round of the playoffs. “But I think awareness is big. You don’t plan for it now. It’s just there. So when the time comes, be prepared.”

Are there reasons to believe things will be different this postseason? 

Their pitching staff has remained elite despite trading away a key piece in Freddy Peralta. Emerging arms like NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski have stepped up, and it will be fascinating to see how opposing hitters approach his relentless triple-digit heaters in October. The rotation’s 3.47 ERA is ranked third in the majors behind the Yankees and Tigers. The bullpen’s 3.29 ERA is also ranked third in MLB. 

But when president of baseball operations Matt Arnold had the chance to give the Brewers the undisputed best rotation in baseball by trading for Tarik Skubal, he blew it. Instead of being super aggressive, putting their top farm system to use at the trade deadline, Arnold & Co. settled for right-hander Dustin May, while Skubal went to Hollywood. With Skubal and Misiorowski leading the pitching staff, the Brewers would’ve become the favorites to win the World Series.

(Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

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The organization, at least, is a full year removed from the Dodgers loss, with lessons learned, and Murphy, the back-to-back NL Manager of the Year, has had plenty of time to recalibrate what it means to be playoff-ready. The clubhouse has fully bought in to Murphy’s team culture, evidenced by Pratt’s display of accountability, and his Brewers teammates who spoke to the rookie in the dugout immediately after he was benched. 

“Coming from a guy who’s been benched multiple times by Murph, it’s not always 100 percent directed at the person getting benched, and there’s a thousand different reasons,” Frelick said on Wednesday. “From the past, when I’ve seen guys get benched, including myself, it’s usually when a few days have piled on of not [playing] to that standard. A message needs to be sent. I don’t think anybody was surprised when it happened last night.”

Pratt says it won’t happen again. That’s fine, but the Brewers said something like that about themselves last October too, and it happened again anyway, just in a different form. The only version of this story that matters is the one written in the Fall Classic. Everything before that is just Milwaukee grading its own homework.

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The final week of the NFL preseason is underway, and some quarterbacks are making some strong final impressions before the regular season gets started.

Both Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel had standout showings, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza didn’t have as great a night. Beyond the gridiron, there were multiple deals done on Thursday in the NFC West as the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the year ahead. 

Here are the headlines you need to know from Thursday around the NFL. 

After plenty of speculation and criticism surrounding his selection at No. 13 overall, quarterback Ty Simpson continued his strong preseason on Thursday.

Simpson led the Rams to three scoring drives against the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while adding 11 yards on the ground.

Head coach Sean McVay still hasn’t officially named a backup quarterback behind MVP Matthew Stafford. Stetson Bennett has been in the system for a few years, but with Simpson continuing to impress, he’s certainly made a case for himself to be considered for the job. 

The Las Vegas Raiders played their starters against the San Francisco 49ers, and veteran Kirk Cousins once again looked every bit the part.

However, the story was completely different for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. For the second consecutive week, the former Indiana star and Heisman Trophy winner struggled on the field, throwing another interception.

Mendoza took over late in the first quarter and played into the third. He completed just 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards and a pick. 

Head coach Klint Kubiak has been on record all offseason favoring a redshirt year for Mendoza to learn behind Kirk Cousins. So, Thursday’s performance might not mean much for Mendoza in the long run.

The Cleveland Browns named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter earlier this week, with Shedeur Sanders winning the backup job. With the top two spots solidified, former third-round pick Dillon Gabriel had a clear runway to show he’s worthy of being Cleveland’s third-string quarterback.

Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. It’s unclear if head coach Todd Monken plans to carry three quarterbacks this season, leaving both Gabriel’s roster spot and the future of Arkansas rookie Taylen Green up in the air.

If Gabriel wanted to establish himself as a viable option at some point this season, he certainly proved it. If he’s not in the long-term plans for the Browns, he might have put enough on film to show the other 31 teams in the league that he’s worth a serious look ahead of final roster cuts.

The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $90 million contract extension with defensive lineman Leonard Williams on Thursday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $30 million, tying Williams with Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea for fifth-highest among interior defensive linemen. Williams was entering the final year of a three-year, $64.5 million contract.

The 32-year-old earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording seven sacks, 62 combined tackles, and 58 quarterback pressures. 

Originally selected sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams was acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants during the 2023 season. The extension follows major offseason deals by Seattle for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

The Miami Dolphins agreed to trade wide receiver Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter on Thursday. 

The move reunites Atwell with the Rams five months after he departed Los Angeles in free agency to sign a one-year contract with Miami in March.

Atwell was originally selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and appeared in 64 games over four seasons with the franchise. He rejoins head coach Sean McVay’s offense to complement a receiving room featuring Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. 

Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick out of Auburn who appeared in five games as a rookie, joins Miami to provide depth in the backfield. The Rams open their regular season against San Francisco on Sept. 10, while Miami opens against Las Vegas on Sept. 13.

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are both navigating contract standoffs with their young star cornerbacks ahead of the regular season, according to ESPN.

The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez remain far apart in negotiations despite early optimism, ESPN reported Thursday. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously said the team offered a deal to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in team history, but Devon Witherspoon’s four-year, $132 million contract extension with Seattle raised the market benchmark. 

Gonzalez admitted this week that the process has been “frustrating.” He has two years remaining on his rookie deal. 

Meanwhile, the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter do not appear close to a contract extension either, according to ESPN. Porter remains on Pittsburgh’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. 

Injury News & Notes

• Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is being evaluated for a concussion after what head coach Robert Saleh labeled a “cheap” hit during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears.
• Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played against the Rams during Thursday night’s preseason finale. He led a scoring drive on his only series of action, completing a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
• Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
• The Colts are officially activating wide receiver Alec Pierce from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

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The Cincinnati Reds visit the San Francisco Giants on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 6:45 p.m. PT from Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA.

The San Francisco Giants enter at 52-78 (.400), while the Cincinnati Reds sit at 62-69 (.473). Carson Whisenhunt (3-4, 7.03 ERA in 32 innings) takes the mound for the Giants, opposed by Chase Burns (14-2, 2.52 ERA in 136 innings).

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Reds vs. Giants

[–>
• When: Monday, August 24, 2026 at 6:45 p.m. PT
• Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOX Sports

Players to Watch

The Reds have a clear advantage on the mound with Chase Burns. The projected starter enters at 14-2 with a 2.52 ERA, 159 strikeouts over 136 innings, a 1.11 WHIP and a .208 opponent batting average. He has also delivered 11 quality starts.

Burns will face a Giants lineup that ranks 10th in batting average at .247 but owns an MLB-low .305 on-base percentage. If he attacks the strike zone and gets ahead early, San Francisco could have a difficult time building sustained offense. Another strong start would give Cincinnati a chance to take control from the opening innings.

Elly De La Cruz can take over a game with his power, speed or both. He is batting .262 with 21 home runs, 58 RBI and 22 stolen bases this season. He also enters the matchup with momentum after going 4-for-6 with a homer, a double and four runs scored Saturday against Arizona.

De La Cruz draws a favorable matchup against projected Giants starter Carson Whisenhunt, who has allowed opponents to bat .300 while posting a 1.84 WHIP over 32 innings. San Francisco has also surrendered 105 stolen bases this season. If De La Cruz reaches base, the pressure starts immediately.

Rafael Devers remains San Francisco’s biggest threat in the middle of the order. He leads the club with 26 home runs and 70 RBI—production the Giants badly need from a lineup that ranks 27th in the majors in RBI. With Bryce Eldridge expected to miss the series, even more of the offensive responsibility falls on Devers.

The challenge is significant against Burns, who has consistently limited damage. But Devers gives the Giants their best chance to change the game with one swing. If he can punish an early mistake or force Burns to work deep into counts, San Francisco has a chance to keep things close.

The game could turn quickly depending on how Carson Whisenhunt handles Cincinnati’s lineup. The projected starter is 3-4 with a 7.03 ERA, 23 strikeouts over 32 innings, a 1.84 WHIP and a .300 opponent batting average. He is still searching for his first quality start.

Cincinnati can attack in several ways. The Reds rank sixth in the majors with 169 home runs and have added 89 stolen bases, giving them the power and speed to capitalize on nearly any mistake. Whisenhunt must limit traffic, navigate the top of the order and keep the ball in the park. If he does, the Giants can stay within striking distance.

Reds vs. Giants Odds

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Two weeks of preseason games are in the books, and we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

This past week’s slate of preseason games, plus joint practices, brought us more glimpses of what we could expect to see in the regular season. But it brought some drama, too. Deshaun Watson was named the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback on Monday after making pointed remarks to the team’s fans following his lackluster performance on Saturday. There’s also an unusual storyline developing with players who might wind up playing college football in the next couple of weeks. 

So, with only one more preseason week to go, here are our takeaways from the latest slate of preseason games. 

1. Deshaun Watson Didn’t Deserve The Starting Job In Cleveland. He Got It Anyway.

Deshaun Watson was booed after completing just 5 of 12 passes in the Browns’ preseason game against the Bills on Saturday. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

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Ralph Vacchiano: Deshaun Watson showed everyone on Saturday why he shouldn’t be the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback, with a terrible on-field performance and an even worse one off the field.

Then, Todd Monken gave him the job anyway. 

Maybe that’s a sign that the new Browns coach had nothing but bad options in his quarterback competition, but his choice still couldn’t have been any worse. He went with a 30-year-old who’ll surely be an ex-Brown next season over a somewhat promising young quarterback, Shedeur Sanders. And he did it two days after Watson was terrible in a preseason game against the Bills (5 of 12 for 36 yards and an interception) and then showed an incredible lack of self-awareness (and an abundance of immaturity) when he whined about being booed.

“I think the whole world knows it has nothing to do with the performance,” Watson said. “It’s a little more personal than that. So, I think that’s a disrespectful thing.”

OK, that’s a little rich and a lot outrageous, coming from the man who got the biggest fully-guaranteed contract in NFL history from the Browns in 2022 (five years, $230 million) even though he hadn’t played in two years and was accused of sexual misconduct by 27 women. He then rewarded that startling generosity by only being healthy enough to play in 19 games over the last four seasons — and not particularly well, either.

Even without that bad moment, though, Monken still made the wrong choice. The coach had been leaning this way, multiple team sources told me, in part because the Browns’ early schedule is overloaded with road games (their first two and six of their first nine), and Monken thought Watson’s veteran presence would help his young team. But Watson’s play didn’t warrant that faith. He was just 16 of 27 for 162 yards and an interception in two preseason games. His passer rating of 61.0 was even a notch below Sanders’ 65.2.

So while it’s true that there was no good option here, it’s also true that really is no upside to Watson, who is understandably reviled by what seems to be a majority of the Browns’ fan base. Starting Sanders at least would’ve given them hope that he can get better, something to look forward to other than the QB-rich 2027 draft.

Instead, Monken latched on to the anchor that has been scraping the Browns along rock bottom for the last five years. Sanders will surely get a shot later this season. But as usual in Cleveland, any hope for the future is delayed.

2. Yes, The Pipeline To The Pros Goes Both Ways

Jack Pyburn, who is on the Buccaneers, is one of a handful of NFL players who are in college football’s transfer portal. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Greg Auman: The most backwards trend of the NFL preseason? Marginal players testing the waters of playing in NFL preseason games and  … going back to college.

It seems impossible, but these days, if you can get a judge to rule the right way, traditional lines of amateurism and eligibility can disappear. The NCAA’s shift to a five-year eligibility model wasn’t intended to be backdated for athletes who had exhausted their window – and signed a pro contract, gotten paid and even played for NFL teams.

But that’s really happening, leaving general managers to wonder if they’ll lose players off their roster to the allure of NIL money from colleges. Tight end Dae’Quan Wright, an undrafted rookie with the Browns, put his name in the transfer portal. Cleveland has since waived him, setting him up to play for LSU this fall.

“Man, ain’t this s— crazy?” Browns coach Todd Monken said. “I mean, I don’t even know what to say … I wondered why Lane Kiffin reached out a week ago. Now I know. I didn’t call him back, guess I should have.”

Speaking of LSU, consider Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted rookie linebacker Jack Pyburn, who had two sacks in Tampa Bay’s preseason opener. He’s also one of the players granted a temporary restraining order that could allow him to return to college football. He played at LSU last year, and that sets up the man-bites-dog possibility of an NFL player leaving early for college.

The fall semester at LSU started on Monday, and NFL rosters will be cut from 90 players to 53 by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. It’s unlikely the Bucs will keep Pyburn for their 53, but he has (had?) a good shot at their practice squad. That pays $247,500 for a full season, and Pyburn could make three or four times that much on the Van Wilder go-back-to-college route.

Pyburn said after Saturday’s preseason game that his agents had told the Bucs that college was a potential “backup plan,” but when pressed as to what he might decide if choosing between an NFL practice squad and going back to college, he was noncommittal.

“Ultimately, that’s a decision I’m going to have to make with my family, talk to my agents and see what’s the best business decision and what’s the best option for me and my future career,” he said.

Yes, it’s NFL “respect my decision” season.

Players would have to repay their NFL employers to regain college eligibility. Pyburn got a $15,000 bonus and $100,000 in guaranteed salary, but it’s possible that college NIL payments could also be covered by “offset” language standard in such contracts, normally intended so if NFL Team B pays a player to be on their practice squad, that subtracts from the money NFL Team A was on the hook for by their guarantee.

The league will have to sort out the ramifications. Can a player already passed over once in the draft get another shot, like baseball players do? This was already happening with basketball and G League players showing up on college rosters, but for NFL teams, it’s made roster-building even more complicated by the idea that players can make more money playing football at a lower level.

3. Stetson Bennett Commands Offense, Cements Role As Rams’ Backup QB

Stetson Bennett threw for 181 yards and led the Rams to a score in four of the five drives he played on Saturday. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

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Eric D. Williams: With Jimmy Garoppolo no longer on the roster, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay’s search for someone to fill that void, should reigning MVP Matthew Stafford suffer an injury during the regular season, appears to be over. In the battle between Ty Simpson and Stetson Bennett, the Alabama product cracked the door open with a sparkling performance in a Week 1 preseason win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

But Bennett may have closed the door by playing well in a 34-0 victory over the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. The Georgia product finished with two rushing touchdowns in the first half, leading the Rams to scoring drives on four of his five possessions. Bennett finished 19 of 31 for 181 yards, with no touchdown passes and no interceptions for a 77.5 passer rating. 

Ty Simpson also played solidly, finishing 8 of 12 for 73 yards in the second half. Simpson led the offense on one scoring drive. However, Bennett impressed McVay by the way he led the offense, with quarterbacks coach and associated offensive coordinator Dave Ragone calling the plays – although he didn’t like Bennett reaching for the pylon with the ball on his first rushing touchdown.

“I loved the fact that he used his legs,” McVay said. “We’ll learn from reaching the ball into the end zone, even though I challenged that and we were successful. We don’t want to leave ourselves susceptible to losing the ball out of the end zone where it goes for a touchback.

“But he did a great job. I thought he got an opportunity to really showcase a lot of his skills.”

4. Daniel Jones Primed To Pick Up From Where He Left Off Last Season

Daniel Jones is practicing in full just less than a year after his Achilles tear. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

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Ben Arthur: Watching the Indianapolis Colts quarterback at Wednesday’s joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons, it was impossible for me to tell that he tore his Achilles just eight months ago.

Everything you want your passer to do — drop back, scramble, throw on the move, evade pressure — Jones looked normal in doing so. Oh, and he was carving up the Falcons’ secondary as well. With Indianapolis’ rushing attack struggling, Jones was near perfect in the pass game, targeting various receivers. 

We still need to see Jones move and perform in games. But all the early signs suggest that he can pick up from last season, when he was playing the best ball of his career before a broken leg slowed him down and the Achilles injury ended his season. 

“I think with any major rehab process, you’re always kind of progressing and getting back and getting used to doing everything, building up the reps on it, building up just your conditioning level,” Jones said Wednesday. “I feel really good and there’s nothing I don’t feel good doing.”

The Colts’ pass-catching situation around Jones is a bit shaky at the moment, given star tight end Tyler Warren (groin) and wide receiver Alec Pierce (offseason ankle surgery) are currently sidelined. But when they return, they’ll add to a group that features one of the league’s best slot receivers in Josh Downs and recent signee Keenan Allen, who’s been a dominant force on third down. 

That’s a cast of receivers Jones can find success with. 

“I think it could be really special, to be honest,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said of the pass-catching group. “Alec (Pierce) obviously is a hell of a football player, which you guys know. [Josh] Downs, Tyler [Warren], and then adding Keenan [Allen] to the fold. I think we can do a lot with those guys and move bodies around and find matchups.” 

5. Let’s Have A Conversation About Chiefs Breakout Rookie WR Cyrus Allen

Cyrus Allen has been one of the hiefs’ most productive receivers in training cmap. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

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Henry McKenna: If you’ve been following training camp for Kansas City, you’ve heard of Allen. If you’re the type who combs X for potential breakout stars in fantasy football, you’ve heard of Allen. If you’re obsessed with NFL rookies and the draft, you’ve heard of Allen. 

His training camp highlights have been crazy. And Andy Reid didn’t slow the hype’s momentum.

“He’s done a nice job,” Reid said of Allen. “The quarterback trusts him.”

This was the first week of training camp. Allen was a sixth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech.

It felt like a big proclamation, particularly given that Rashee Rice has a history of missing time due to injuries and suspensions and Xavier Worthy has failed to live up to his first-round hype. 

Since then, Allen has played well — steadily doing what he could to move up the depth chart. That included scoring touchdowns with the first-team when paired with Patrick Mahomes. That also included beating first-round cornerback Mansoor Delane in 1-on-1s and team drills (7×7 and 11×11), per reporters on the scene.

But here’s the truth for anyone expecting the second coming of Tyreek Hill. The folks at Arrowhead Pride broke it down with depth. But it’s likely — perhaps even overly optimistic — to project 60 for Allen. And only six receivers converted 60 targets into 500+ receiving yards in 2025.

But before he wows in the box score, he’ll need to land in the WR3 spot. Given that he was playing behind Tyquan Thornton and Jaylen Royals in the second preseason game, Allen appears to be WR5. For what it’s worth, Hill had 83 targets, 61 catches, 593 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. That would be a great year for Allen.

So keep an eye on him. He’s a real playmaker. But let’s stay reasonable for a rookie in a Chiefs’ offense that has a lot of mouths to feed.

6. De’Zhaun Stribling Shows Kyle Shanahan Knows How To Evaluate WRs

De’Zhaun Stribling had four receptions for 46 yards in the 49ers’ preseason win over the Chargers. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

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Williams: NFL draft analysts were up in arms over the San Francisco 49ers taking Ole Miss product De’Zhaun Stribling in the second round, believing the organization had reached for a player that some consensus draft boards had going later in the draft.

However, through two weeks of preseason play, Stribling has acquitted himself nicely. Stribling is tied for the league lead with 11 catches for 109 yards, with a long of 32 yards. He finished with four catches for 46 yards in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers this week. 

I had a chance to watch Stribling in a joint practice at the Chargers’ facility. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, Stribling is an easy mover with suction-cup hands that can make contested catches in congested areas.

Along with that, Stribling has the potential for explosive playmaking ability to do something after the catch, a key attribute in Shanahan’s offense. With Ricky Pearsall out for the year and Brandon Ayiuk no longer on the roster, Stribling should find a significant role in San Francisco’s offense this season.

“I love how he handles himself,” Shanahan said about Stribling. “He takes coaching well and never seems to take anything personally. He’s been a real fun guy to coach so far.”

7. Bills’ Thin WR Corps May Be More Of A Problem Than Ever

Khalil Shakir missed practice time and the Bills’ preseason game against the Browns this past week. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: One great NFL mystery of this generation will surely be why the Buffalo Bills, with arguably the best quarterback in the league in Josh Allen, keep failing to surround him with top-end receivers. And once again, heading towards a season they hope will end in a Super Bowl, that failure is being exposed.

Though they are getting a solid performance this summer from D.J. Moore, the veteran “No. 1” wideout they acquired from the Chicago Bears, the rest of the corps is falling apart. Keon Coleman, their second-best receiver last season (38 receptions for 404 yards and four touchdowns), is nursing a concerning sprained toe. Khalil Shakir, last season’s top wideout (72 receptions for 719 yards and four touchdowns), missed the joint practices and preseason game against the Browns last week with an undisclosed injury. And rookie Skyler Bell, their fourth-round pick, has missed two weeks with a groin injury.

That leaves Allen right now with Moore, who cost the Bills a second-round pick in March, Joshua Palmer (22 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns) last season, and … not much else.

That, of course, is not how the Bills see it. One team source told me their belief is that Allen can win with almost anyone around him, and that he can take what looks like a below-average group and make them much better. They are also convinced that Moore, at age 29, can reverse his steep, two-year decline simply by playing with an elite quarterback.

It’s a gamble, of course, because otherwise all the pieces are in place in Buffalo: A powerful running game led by James Cook, a top offensive line, a top-10 defense that gets a boost from the addition of edge rusher Bradley Chubb. And of course, the brilliance of Allen will always give them a shot.

Still, it’s hard not to imagine what this team would look like with just one elite receiver by Allen’s side. It would make their path to Buffalo’s first Super Bowl in 33 years look a lot easier than it currently is.

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Welcome to the only college football betting guide you’ll need this season, whether you’re a first-time bettor or a seasoned veteran.

From national championship and Heisman futures, to season win totals and weekly betting opportunities, this guide features our top wagers across every market, detailed breakdowns of several teams, CFP contenders, and much more to prepare you for the 2026 season.

To Win National Championship | Conference Winners | Over/Under Win Totals | Heisman Trophy | To Make College Football Playoff 

To Win National Championship

Oregon +750

• This is the year Oregon finally gets over the hump. Over the last two seasons, the Ducks have gone 26-3, with all three losses coming against the eventual national champion (Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana twice in 2025). Despite reaching the CFP quarterfinals and semifinals, the narrative that Oregon can’t win the biggest games still lingers. But with what is arguably Dan Lanning’s most talented roster yet, led by quarterback Dante Moore and star receiver Dakorien Moore, the Ducks have everything they need to finally break through and contend for a national championship. Under Dan Lanning, Oregon is 31-0 when holding opponents under 20 points, and they’ve gone 17-1 in Big Ten conference play since 2024. Additionally, in 2025, the Ducks were tied for the second most road wins in the entire country, which could prove invaluable against USC and Ohio State this season.

Miami +1000

• Coming off a remarkable 2025 season that ended with a trip to the National Championship Game, Miami has reloaded for another title run in 2026. The Hurricanes added former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah to lead the offense alongside running back Mark Fletcher Jr. and 18-year-old phenom Malachi Toney. Despite losing some major talent to the NFL, Miami is expected to have five former five-star recruits on both sides of the ball. Its dominance in the trenches should remain a major strength, and the experience gained from last year’s deep CFP run could be the difference. On paper, the Hurricanes have the talent to be even better than they were a season ago.

Conference Winners

• As stated above, we believe the Ducks are going to have a huge year, and their first step toward a potential national title is winning the Big Ten. Oregon won the conference in 2024 and went 8-1 in Big Ten play last season. Take the value here at +260.

• In Jedd Fisch’s second season at Washington, the Huskies won nine games, improving by three victories from the previous year. Fisch also improved Arizona’s win total in each of his three seasons there, and that trend should continue in Seattle. After an eventful offseason, Washington retained star quarterback Demond Williams, one of the top QBs in the country. The schedule also breaks in the Huskies’ favor, with every major game outside of Oregon being played at home. Washington has gone 25-2 in its last 27 home games, the sixth-best home record of any FBS team since 2022.

• BYU’s only two losses in 2025 came against Texas Tech, as the Big 12 was essentially a two-team race for most of the season. The Red Raiders lost significant talent to the NFL, and their quarterback situation has become much more uncertain following the Brendan Sorsby saga. BYU, meanwhile, brings back quarterback Bear Bachmeier, it has one of the conference’s top defenses, along with a manageable conference schedule. BYU is 5-0 in games decided by three points or fewer over the last two seasons, and it had the 11th best fourth-quarter point differential in 2025. The Cougars have been one of the Big 12’s most consistent programs under Kalani Sitake, and with an experienced team returning, +550 is an appealing price to win the conference.

• A new era has begun in Stillwater. Oklahoma State hired Eric Morris from North Texas and completely reshaped its roster after last season’s 1-11 finish, bringing in nearly 90 transfers. The Cowboys’ rebuild is headlined by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who followed Morris after leading the nation with 4,379 passing yards while throwing 34 touchdowns and completing 68.9% of his passes. Standout running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young also transferred from North Texas, giving Morris a strong offensive foundation as he looks to engineer a major turnaround.

• After starting last season 3-2, Texas won four straight games before it lost to Georgia 35-10 in a game that was much closer than the final score suggested. From there, the Longhorns finished the season with three straight wins, including against Texas A&M, who was undefeated (11-0) at the time. It was also a tale of two seasons for Arch Manning, who came into the season with massive expectations after taking over for Quinn Ewers. After a slow start to the season, Manning found his rhythm down the stretch. From Week 9 on, he ranked seventh in the country with 12 touchdown passes and 10th with 1,493 passing yards, leading the SEC in both categories over that span. Manning and the Longhorns should build that late-season momentum in 2025 to a big run at the SEC title.

• Don’t fear, Lane Kiffin is here. Kiffin won at least 10 games in each of his final four seasons at Ole Miss and now takes over at LSU with a roster built to compete immediately. Quarterback Sam Leavitt will lead the offense, and LSU assembled the nation’s No. 1 transfer portal class for 2026, adding 41 players, including three five-stars and 17 four-stars. Getting the Tigers at +900 is a steal.

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Over/Under Win Totals

Ohio State Over 9.5 Wins

• Since 2016, Ohio State has won at least 10 regular-season games every year, excluding the shortened 2020 COVID season when it went 5-0. With Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith returning, plus the addition of five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr., it’s hard to see the Buckeyes taking a step back.

UCLA Over 6.5 Wins

• UCLA arguably made the best coaching hire of the offseason by bringing in Bob Chesney, who led James Madison to the College Football Playoff last season. Following the blueprint Curt Cignetti used to jump from JMU to the Big Ten, Chesney brings a proven winning culture to Westwood. Chesney led the Dukes to a perfect 8-0 Sun Belt regular season in 2025 and his offenses have scored 50+ points six times in the 28 FBS games he has coached. With quarterback Nico Iamaleava and a very strong transfer portal class, the Bruins should take a significant step forward in 2026.

Wisconsin Over 6.5 Wins

• Luke Fickell has gone just 10-17 in Big Ten play through his first three seasons at Wisconsin, making his tenure a disappointment by almost any measure. However, injuries at quarterback have played a major role, as the Badgers have yet to have a healthy starting quarterback for a full season under Fickell. This offseason might have been his best yet. Wisconsin added more than 30 players through the transfer portal, headlined by highly regarded quarterback Colton Joseph. With one of the easiest conference schedules avoiding Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Washington and Michigan, the Badgers are primed to win at least seven games.

Michigan State Over 3.5 Wins

• MSU has not won more than five games in their last four seasons. However, Sparty has brought in Pat Fitzgerald as their head coach. Fitzgerald is the winningest head coach in Northwestern history and was the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2018. While the roster lacks major talent, Fitzgerald’s experience within the conference is enough to get Michigan State over its low win total.

Georgia Over 9.5 Wins

• With the second-most returning starters (14) in the country, eighth-most returning production and Kirby Smart leading the charge, the Bulldogs are set up for another year of dominance. Georgia went 11-1 in the regular season last year, and has an even easier schedule in 2026. The Dawgs are ranked 20th in strength of schedule in the country, which is dead last in the SEC, and Kirby has led Georgia to 11 or more wins every year except his first year, 2024, and the COVID-year. The back-to-back SEC champions are not only set up for a deep playoff run, but will also hit their Over 9.5 wins with ease.

South Florida Over 8.5 Wins

• South Florida hired one of the most respected recruiters in the country in Brian Hartline to be its head coach. His recruiting expertise came along with him to USF, helping the Bulls pull in the top transfer class in the American conference. At Ohio State, Hartline had a huge impact in recruiting top prospects like Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and many others. Along with that top class and the easiest strength of schedule in the AAC, South Florida and Hartline can surpass expectations and make a big statement in his first year.

Fresno State Over 6.5 Wins

• Matt Entz took over the head coaching job in 2025. In his first season, he led the Bulldogs to a nine-win season. That was in the Mountain West, but now, the Bulldogs will play in a revived Pac-12 conference in 2026. That doesn’t change a thing for Entz and the Bulldogs. They were a defensive nightmare in the Mountain West, finishing with the conference’s No. 1 defense while forcing 26 turnovers, tied for the seventh-most in the nation. Along with having the third-weakest strength of schedule in the Pac-12, Fresno State can easily follow up their nine-win season with seven wins, even in a more difficult conference.

Michigan Under 8.5 Wins

• Year 2 of the Bryce Underwood era will be exciting for Wolverines fans, but it will come with some challenges. The Wolverines hired Kyle Whittingham from Utah to take over the head-coaching duties this offseason. Whittingham can undoubtedly coach and get the job done at Michigan, but in his first year, they will face the reigning national champions Indiana, along with Oregon and their biggest rival, Ohio State. To add to this gauntlet, they will also face Oklahoma, which had one of the top defenses last year and also beat the Wolverines a season ago. In 2025, Michigan ranked a lackluster 54th in total offense, as the Wolverines only averaged 24.6 points per game in conference play, which was eighth in the Big Ten. In his first season, Whittingham will have his hands full with the second-hardest strength of schedule in the Big Ten. Take the Under.

Nebraska Under 6.5 Wins

• In 2025, Nebraska went 7-5 in the regular season. From Week 8 on, Nebraska only won two games and averaged 17.5 points per game, which was 14th in the Big Ten in that span. Now, heading into 2026, the Cornhuskers lost quarterback Dylan Raiola to Oregon and running back Emmett Johnson to the NFL. With a schedule that features Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon, take Nebraska’s Under.

Notre Dame Under 11.5 Wins

• Notre Dame arguably has the most talented team in the entire country. But Vegas setting this line at 11.5 is asking a lot. That number gives the Irish no room for error. ND plays a Miami team that beat them a season ago and BYU in a hostile road environment in Provo. Take the Under.

Heisman Trophy

• Many thought that Dante Moore would declare for the NFL after Oregon’s CFP semifinal loss to Indiana. However, Moore opted to stay with the Ducks for one last dance. In 2025, the star QB threw for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, while completing 71.8% of his passes. Moore ranked fifth nationally in completion percentage and led all Power 4 quarterbacks with 64 completions of 20 yards or more. There is no reason why Moore should not be the preseason favorite, and at third on the oddsboard (+1100), we love the play.

• In 2025, Darian Mensah led Duke to an ACC Championship, throwing 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He was second in the entire country in passing yards, only trailing Drew Mestemaker. Now, Mensah has transferred to be Miami’s QB1 after the Hurricanes’ national championship run. If Mensah’s numbers were like that at Duke, imagine the boost he is going to get with playmakers like Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr. beside him?

• In 2025, Williams threw for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns and only eight interceptions on a 69.5% completion rate, while also rushing for 611 yards and six touchdowns. The dual-threat QB is primed for a big junior campaign and offers great value at +5500.

To Make College Football Playoff

LSU +160

• LSU has reached the CFP just once since the Playoff format debut in 2014. It might not feel that way because of the Tigers’ dominant 2019 championship run, but that title season remains their lone CFP appearance. Lane Kiffin will change that. Take LSU to return to the Playoff in his first season in Baton Rouge.

BYU +330

• BYU has never made the CFP in its school history. Its closest chance was last year as it just needed to win the Big 12 title game to make it. The Cougars can build off last season and make history in 2026 at +330.

Washington +400

• A 10-2 record would likely get the Huskies into the Playoff. Washington gets Iowa, Penn State and Indiana, three of its toughest conference games, at home. And at +400, this wager offers incredible value.

Arizona +1000

• Arizona quietly went 9-4 in 2025, and the Wildcats have a chance to take another step forward in 2026. Noah Fifita returns for his fourth season as the starting QB, giving Arizona one of the most experienced signal-callers in the country. The schedule sets up well, too. If Arizona can win one of its two toughest road games, at BYU or at Texas Tech, it should have a legitimate path to the Big 12 Championship Game. And if the Wildcats reach that game, their +1000 odds to make the College Football Playoff could offer tremendous value.

UCLA +3000

• Again, Bob Chesney was a massive get for the Bruins. We love the longshot value here at 30-1. We’re high on UCLA overall in 2026.

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