There might be no position that’s tougher to play in the NFL than cornerback. Oftentimes, cornerbacks are tasked with having to stop opposing receivers by themselves, being forced to be in lockstep with them for a few seconds and potentially swatting the ball away. 

So, which cornerbacks are the best at holding their own against opposing wide receivers? We ranked the 10 best cornerbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The position might not get as much buzz as edge rusher, but several cornerbacks bring a ton of value. Denver Broncos star Pat Surtain II won Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, and Seattle Seahawks standout Devon Witherspoon just became the highest-paid player in the history of the position after helping his team to a Super Bowl title. 

Let’s take a closer look at our top 10 cornerbacks in the NFL. 

Sauce Gardner was named first-team All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

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Ben Arthur: Gardner hasn’t been able to recreate the highs of his first two NFL seasons, when he was a first-team All-Pro. Traded midseason last year from the New York Jets to the Colts, Gardner also battled injuries to finish 2025. But his elite physical traits and youth (24 years old) can get him back into the top-five conversation at his position. 

Prior to his Colts’ debut in Week 10 last season, the former No. 4 overall pick had faced No. 1 receivers at the NFL’s highest rate (minimum of 125 matchups), according to Next Gen Stats. He’d also forced tight window throws at the highest rate in the league (52%). 

Cooper DeJean has alsp played safety over his first two NFL seasons. (Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Ralph Vacchiano: The real beauty of DeJean is that he might eventually be good and versatile enough to land on this list and the top 10 safeties too. He has mostly played slot corner for the Eagles, but he’s dabbled at safety and the Eagles seem intent on playing him there even more in their base defense in 2026. It’s hard to take him out of the slot, though, where he’s emerged as an All-Pro and still hasn’t allowed a touchdown in his two NFL seasons. 

DeJean exploded last season with two interceptions and 16 passes deflected, and that’s after he showed off his big-game chops as a rookie with his Super Bowl pick-six. With his speed, range and instincts, the Eagles can play him literally anywhere in their defensive backfield. And they probably will.

Jaycee Horn had a career-high five interceptions last season. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

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Greg Auman: Horn, 26, had as many interceptions last year (five) as in his first four years in Carolina combined, with two games with two picks. The Panthers gave the former first-round pick a four-year, $100 million contract last year, and he’s made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons. 

Carolina’s defense was middling last year — 16th in points and yards allowed — and that will need to improve if they want a winning record in 2026 or a repeat as NFC South champs. Horn staying healthy is ultimately the key — he played in just 22 of 51 games his first three years in Carolina, but has missed just three games in the last two seasons.

Denzel Ward was named a Pro Bowler for the fifth time in his career last season. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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Bucky Brooks: The crafty CB1 is a masterful technician who routinely blankets elite wideouts on the perimeter. Ward can match speedsters stride for stride while mixing in enough physicality to disrupt their flow and rhythm on the outside. He also shows outstanding instincts, awareness, and ball skills contesting throws in his area, whether playing bump-and-run or sitting and clueing the quarterback from distance. 

Ward’s consistency and steadiness in coverage make it easy to build a game plan around his talents on the island.

Quinyon Mitchell doesn’t have an interception in the regular season, but he has four picks in the postseason. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Vacchiano: Mitchell gets overlooked a lot, even on his own team, but it’s only a matter of time before everyone knows him. He finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting two years ago and was an All-Pro last season, even though he’s still looking for his first regular-season interception. Don’t let that stat quirk fool you, though. He has four interceptions in five career playoff games, and in the regular season, he has 29 pass deflections in his 32 starts. And opposing offensive coordinators and quarterbacks are wising up and doing their best to avoid throwing in his direction. 

The public recognition will come when the interception numbers increase. But Philly’s secret is out all over the NFL, where they know he soon may be in the conversation for the best corner in the league.

Trent McDuffie was traded to the Rams for a first-round pick and more over the offseason. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

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Eric D. Williams: Part of a handful of significant offseason acquisitions that include trading for Myles Garrett and signing teammates Jaylen Watson, McDuffie offers versatility for the Rams, with an ability to play on the perimeter and inside as a slot defender. A two-time All-Pro, McDuffie won two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling three interceptions, 34 pass breakups, and eight forced fumbles in four seasons. 

A Southern California native, McDuffie joins his hometown team and a Rams squad that was in need of a significant upgrade in the secondary. The Rams allowed Sam Darnold to throw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game.

Devon Witherspoon recently became the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Williams: The Illinois product recently signed a new deal, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history ($33 million annually). On the field, Witherspoon is the tone setter for one of the best defenses in the league, with an ability to impact the game as a sticky coverage defender, a sure tackler in the running game and an effective blitzer. 

With the help of Witherspoon, the Seahawks held opposing quarterbacks to a league-low six yards per completion in 2025.

Christian Gonzalez secured the game-sealing inteception in the Patriots’ AFC Championship Game win against the Broncos. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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Henry McKenna: Look no further than the Super Bowl to see Gonzalez’s value. Look no further than his insane, layout pass breakup on Rashid Shaheed. That game was an absolute rout — with really one exception: Gonzalez was dominant. 

And because quarterback Drake Maye’s play declined in the playoffs, it’s safe to say that Gonzalez was the Patriots’ best player in 2025 when including the postseason. In 21 games last year, he allowed 55 catches on 117 targets (second most in the NFL) with a 47% completion rate, two touchdowns and one interception. Teams kept testing him. He kept denying anything that came his way.

Derek Stingley Jr. has 14 interceptions over the last three seasons. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Arthur: After injury issues plagued the end of his LSU tenure and start of his NFL career, few defensive players have been more dominant than Stingley. He’s the ultimate playmaker — 14 interceptions and 46 pass breakups since 2023 — and has been virtually unstoppable in coverage. The former No. 3 overall pick allowed a completion rate of just 37.9% when targeted in zone last season, the lowest mark by any qualified defender since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats. 

Stingley played arguably the best ball of his career last season during the Texans’ nine-game winning streak, allowing zero yards three times (!) and not more than 45 in any of the other six.  

Pat Surtain II has been named a Pro Bowler four times in the first five years of his career. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

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Brooks: There aren’t many shutdown corners in today’s game, but the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year meets the criteria with his sticky coverage and versatile game. Surtain is a rare find: a high-IQ defender with A-plus man-to-man skills, plus exceptional zone awareness and playmaking ability. 

As a scheme-friendly playmaker who is comfortable shadowing WR1s or playing strictly on the outside, the two-time All-Pro is a defensive coach’s dream as a CB1.

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Did anybody see Indiana winning the Big Ten last year, let alone the national championship? 

A dark horse always emerges in college football — it’s just a matter of whether you see it coming. Will it be a team with a favorable schedule? A transfer-filled roster? A squad with returning starters and a chip on its shoulder? Or a new coach in a new place?

Let’s take a look at which sleeper teams can win their conferences in 2026. Or, dare we even say, make a run at a national championship. 

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+2800 to Win ACC, +1600 to Make CFP

The Outlook: Last season, a 7-5 Duke team walked away with the ACC crown. If that proved anything, it’s that this year’s conference race is completely up for grabs. In Year 1 under James Franklin, there is a path for the Virginia Tech Hokies to win the ACC title. Bringing in the No. 4 transfer class in the ACC and returning the fourth-most production in the conference, including 14 starters, should help Franklin tremendously. Everyone knows about his big game struggles at Penn State, but in his first season at Virginia Tech, that shouldn’t be as big of a concern. The Hokies’ biggest games this year are on the road against Clemson and Miami. If they can split those two matchups, they could be in really good shape to play in the ACC Championship, as the remainder of the schedule is light. 

Biggest Games: Week 6 vs. Georgia Tech, Week 8 @ Clemson, Week 12 @ Miami

Player to Watch:

The former No. 1 tight end in the Class of 2024 transferred with Franklin from Penn State. Reynolds was the No. 4 tight end in the transfer portal after posting 26 catches for 257 yards during his sophomore season with the Nittany Lions. Franklin loves to feature his tight ends, so expect that to continue at Virginia Tech, with Reynolds serving as his top option.

+2200 to Win Big Ten, +360 to Make CFP

The Outlook: An experienced coach bringing in 23 of his former players, combined with a very favorable schedule, is a recipe for success. After a disappointing season last year, Penn State hired Matt Campbell from Iowa State. Campbell landed the No. 4 overall transfer class and the top class in the Big Ten. The former Iowa State head coach posted a 72-55 (.567) record in Ames, recording eight winning seasons and leading the program to its first double-digit winning season in school history. Penn State’s schedule is incredibly favorable, featuring five of the Big Ten’s worst defenses from last year, including the bottom three. This lines up perfectly for Campbell and the Nittany Lions to make a serious push for the conference title game. Joel Klatt also thinks Penn State was one of the biggest winners of the Big Ten’s 2026 schedule draw.

Biggest Games: Week 6 vs. USC, Week 7 @ Michigan, Week 10 @ Washington

Player to Watch:

Hansen was the Cyclones’ leading rusher last year, finishing with 952 yards on 188 carries. He ended the 2025 season with five straight 100-yard rushing games. In 2024, Hansen rushed for 752 yards and 13 touchdowns for Iowa State. Now, he’s following his coach to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions another game-breaking option in the backfield.

+1100 to Win SEC, +210 to Make CFP

The Outlook: Somebody has to dethrone the back-to-back SEC champions, right? Year two of John Mateer — who was looking like a Heisman contender before his hand injury last season — could have Oklahoma lifting the SEC title in Atlanta. The Sooners return the second-most starters in college football with 14. Six of those returning players are back on that Sooners’ defense, which arguably could have been the most disruptive defense in the nation and ranked No. 1 in the SEC last season. The Sooners allowed just 15.5 points and 272.5 yards per game, had the most sacks (45) and most tackles for loss (99). With Brent Venables dialing up a defense that can cause havoc, and a Heisman-caliber quarterback returning to lead the offense, the Sooners could very well claim the top spot in the SEC.

Biggest Games: Week 2 @ Michigan, Week 4 @ Georgia, Week 5 vs. Texas (neutral field), Week 11 vs. Ole Miss, Week 12 vs. Texas A&M

Player to Watch:

Mateer’s top target returns with him. In his sophomore season, Sategna was fourth in the SEC in receiving yards and led the Sooners in all receiving categories, hauling in 67 catches for 965 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned second-team All-SEC honors as both a receiver and an all-purpose player. Sategna recorded 100+ receiving yards in four games and led the Sooners in receiving yards eight times. As Oklahoma’s primary punt returner, he also racked up 318 yards, the third-most in the SEC.

+2250 to Win Big 12, +1200 to Make CFP

The Outlook: Kenny Dillingham isn’t new to being the dark horse and winning the conference. That’s exactly what Arizona State did in 2024 on its way to a College Football Playoff appearance. Dillingham had running back Cam Skattebo and quarterback Sam Leavitt then. Now, neither of them are playing for the Sun Devils, but Dillingham knows how to lead an explosive offense, and he’s reloaded with talent through the transfer portal. The Sun Devils brought in two of the top four receivers in the portal in Reed Harris (Boston College) and Omarion Miller (Colorado), along with four-star quarterback Cutter Boley (Kentucky).

Biggest Games: Week 2 @ Texas A&M, Week 7 @ Texas Tech, Week 13 vs. Arizona

Player to Watch:

Miller broke out in a big way for Colorado, becoming its top target last season. He posted 808 yards and eight touchdowns on 45 catches, earning himself All-Big 12 second team honors. When he entered the transfer portal, he was rated the fourth-best receiver available. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound receiver had 1,258 yards and 10 touchdowns in three years at Colorado.

+700 to win AAC, +1100 to Make CFP

The Outlook: South Florida made a splash hire with Brian Hartline, Ohio State’s former wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator. Hartline, known for his recruiting, hit the ground running at USF, bringing in the top transfer class in the AAC. With some of the conference’s top coaches having left for new jobs this year and USF facing a favorable schedule, the race for the top spot is wide open. Hartline and the Bulls have a real chance to make a run at the conference title.

Biggest Games: Week 2 @ Army, Week 11 vs. Memphis, Week 13 vs. Tulane

Player to Watch:

Of course, Hartline went after wide receivers in the portal, and his top-ranked addition was at the position. The Purdue transfer was one of the first players to commit to USF when the transfer portal opened. In his second season at Purdue, Branch hauled in 14 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns. With Hartline’s track record with pass catchers, it’s safe to say Branch will be in good hands. If he emerges as USF’s top target, he could be in for a big year with the Bulls.

+290 to Win Mountain West, +1500 to Make CFP

The Outlook: The longtime FCS powerhouse, North Dakota State, has been dominant long enough to debut at No. 26 in RJ Young’s Ultimate 138 rankings. Now, it’s time to play with the big boys in the FBS as the Bison join the Mountain West. Boise State dominated the conference for so long, but now the Broncos have moved on to the Pac-12, opening the door for this powerhouse program to take over. The Bison return eight starters from last season’s 12-1 team. They will be ready for the Mountain West. Will the Mountain West be ready for them?

Biggest Games: Week 1 vs. Jacksonville State, Week 6 @ UNLV, Week 11 @ Hawai’i 

Player to Watch:

Woolen started every game for the Bison during his sophomore season, leading the team with 86 tackles. The first-year starter also recorded five tackles for loss, three interceptions and nine pass breakups. His performance earned him second-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors. He earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling 18 tackles against North Dakota. The Bison will need another big year from Woolen in their first season in the FBS.

+650 to Win Pac 12, +5000 to Make CFP

The Outlook: After a 9-4 season last year in the Mountain West, the Pac-12 came calling. In the revamped conference, the Fresno State Bulldogs can rise to the top and win the Pac-12 in their first year. The Bulldogs return 13 starters from last year’s team, the third-most in college football. Second-year coach Matt Entz isn’t new to winning. He was part of six FCS national championship teams at North Dakota State, four as a defensive coordinator and two as a head coach in 2019 and 2021. Entz’s defensive prowess helped the Bulldogs become the No. 1 defense in the Mountain West last season. Fresno State ranked first in the conference and seventh nationally in total yards allowed, while only one Mountain West team allowed fewer points. That defense also forced the seventh-most turnovers (26) in the country.

Biggest Games: Week 6 vs. Boise State, Week 7 @ San Diego State

Player to Watch: 

A major contributor to those 26 turnovers was this junior cornerback, who had a knack for getting the ball back for the offense. Harris grabbed five interceptions, tied for the third most in college football last season, and added a forced fumble. But Harris did more than create turnovers, as he also ranked second on the team with 54 tackles and recorded six tackles for loss. Under a defensive-minded coach like Entz, expect Harris to have another big year as the Bulldogs enter the Pac-12.

+850 to Win MAC, +15000 to Make CFP

The Outlook: After being hired following the 2024 season, Matt Drinkall led Central Michigan to its most wins since 2021 with a 7-6 record. Two of those losses came by one possession. With an offense and defense that ranked in the top 20 in multiple categories, those one-possession losses could very well turn into wins this season. The Chippewas’ defense forced a turnover in every game, including matchups against Michigan and Pitt. Returning the third-most starters in the MAC should help second-year coach Drinkall propel Central Michigan to the top of the conference.

Biggest Games: Week 6 @ Ohio, Week 7 vs. Western Michigan, Week 8 vs. Miami (OH)

Player to Watch:

The senior quarterback is set for a big year after battling injuries and primarily serving as the backup last season. Flores played in nine games in 2025 and still led the Chippewas in rushing touchdowns (8) while ranking second on the team in rushing yards (527). Flores added 195 yards through the air, completing 19 of his 28 passes for two touchdowns. Now that Flores is set to take over as QB1, expect the dual-threat quarterback to remain dangerous with his legs and take a big leap in the passing game.

+700 to Win C-USA, +50000 to Make CFP

The Outlook: Last season’s champions are being doubted. In his first year as Kennesaw State’s head coach, Jerry Mack led the Owls to 10 wins and a conference championship. Entering this season, the Owls have three first-team all-conference players: offensive lineman Nikola Milovac, linebacker Baron Hopson and defensive back Tyler Hallum. The last team to repeat as C-USA champions was UTSA in 2021 and 2022. Will the Owls be next?

Biggest Games: Week 3 @ Tennessee, Week 6 vs. Jacksonville State, Week 8 vs. Liberty, Week 13 @ Western Kentucky

Player to Watch: 

Jones transferred from Michigan before the 2025 season and made an immediate impact for the Owls’ defense. The former four-star recruit recorded 29 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Jones also added an interception and three pass breakups in his first season with the Owls. Now, he returns to the KSU defense ready to make another big impact.

+1800 to Win Sun Belt, +40000 to Make CFP

The Outlook: Four of Appalachian State’s losses last season came by one possession, leaving the Mountaineers with a 5-8 record. With a new offensive coordinator, the No. 1 incoming transfer class in the Sun Belt and their second-leading rusher returning, the Mountaineers are set up for success. Head coach Dowell Loggains helped lead LaNorris Sellers and South Carolina to the program’s best season since 2013. As the offensive coordinator, Loggains lifted the Gamecocks to a top-10 offense, while Sellers had his best year with 30 total touchdowns and more than 3,400 total yards. Now, Loggains will work with former four-star dual-threat quarterback Malachi Singleton, hoping to unlock a dangerous ground game featuring Singleton and Jaquari Lewis.

Biggest Games: Week 2 @ East Carolina, Week 6 vs. Old Dominion, Week 8 vs. James Madison

Player to Watch: 

While splitting carries last year, Lewis was still the Mountaineers’ second-leading rusher with 618 yards and led the team in rushing touchdowns during his freshman season. Lewis ran for a career-high 175 yards and found the end zone twice in a win against Marshall. Loggains will give his running backs a heavy workload, and the sophomore proved he’s up for it after a strong freshman season. Lewis will be the Mountaineers’ top back this season, so watch for him to be a dynamic piece of the ground game.

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According to the odds, LeBron James is expected to accomplish another career first this upcoming season.

For the first time ever, he will average fewer than 20 points per game. 

Now, that’s just a projection, as opposed to a sure thing. As of Aug. 20, DraftKings Sportsbook has James at -160 to average 18+ points per game next season, and at +180 to average 20+ points, meaning he’s favored to land in the 18-19 PPG range. 

Why is that newsworthy? Well, again — it’s never happened. 

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James will enter his 24th NBA season, and here are his averages by year: 

LeBron James PPG By Season

2003-04: 20.9
2004-05: 27.2
2005-06: 31.4
2006-07: 27.3
2007-08: 30
2008-09: 28.4
2009-10: 29.7
2010-11: 26.7
2011-12: 27.1
2012-13: 26.8
2013-14: 27.1
2014-15: 25.3
2015-16: 25.3
2016-17: 26.4
2017-18: 27.5
2018-19: 27.4
2019-20: 25.3
2020-21: 25
2021-22: 30.3
2022-23: 28.9
2023-24: 25.7
2024-25: 24.4
2025-26: 20.9

There you have it. James has never come in at under 20 a night, and the closest he got to averaging fewer than 20 was in his rookie season and his 23rd season. He averaged just under 21 both years. 

While his role in Philadelphia has yet to be revealed to the public, there is the idea floating that James will become more of a facilitator for a Sixers team that features Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, three multi-time All Stars.

Maxey averaged 28.3 points last season, Embiid averaged 26.9 and Brown averaged 28.7 with the Celtics. 

James does have experience with dishing. The lone season he played dedicated point guard came in 2019-20 with the Lakers. That year, he led the NBA in assists (10.2), and he’s averaged over seven assists 15 times in his career. 

Only once has he averaged fewer than six assists in a season — his rookie year, when he averaged 5.9.

James’ average could also simply come down to how many shot attempts he gets. He has shot over 50% from the field 15 times in his career, and he’s never shot fewer than 17.6 times per game outside last season, when he took 15.3 shot attempts. 

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Despite winning all there is to win in soccer, sometimes even the GOAT can lose his cool in the heat of competition.

Lionel Messi faces a potential fine from Major League Soccer after swiping at the head of Philadelphia Union forward Quinn Sullivan during Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw at Subaru Park.

Video from Wednesday shows Messi tapping Sullivan on the back of the head during a confrontation.

According to MLS competition guidelines, any individual that was seen contacting the face, head, or neck of an opponent in a manner that incites or escalates a confrontation will receive a minimum of a fine. The MLS Disciplinary Committee reviews such incidents.

The contact occurred amid an altercation in stoppage time. In the 104th minute, Miami defender Ian Fray stepped over Quinn Sullivan, leading the two players to tangle and fall to the ground. Sullivan’s younger brother, Cavan, intervened and scuffled with Miami midfielder Yannick Bright. 

The referee issued red cards to both Cavan Sullivan and Bright for violent conduct.

(Photo by Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Before the incident late in stoppage time, Messi provided the offense for Miami. He scored his first goal since the August 8 death of his father, then added a second goal five minutes later to reach 922 career goals. He moved past defender Kai Wagner for the second finish.

Despite two goals from the reigning MVP, Miami failed to secure a victory. The club is on a four-match winless streak, which includes two losses in the Leagues Cup and a recent loss to Nashville. 

Miami remains in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, seven points behind Nashville.

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Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has missed multiple practices this week after sustaining a hip injury, and now it’s unclear if he will be available when the Lions face the New Orleans Saints in week 1 of the NFL regular season, per ESPN.

Detroit’s head coach, Dan Campbell, explained on Thursday that, “It flared up a little bit, it’s a little aggravated. But we feel good long-term about him. We’ll rest him for a little bit here and letting it calm down.” That rest very well might include the first game of the regular season, as Campbell said “I don’t know. I feel like we’ll be OK, but I don’t know,” when asked about that possibility.

Sam LaPorta’s 2025 ended prematurely thanks to a herniated disc, and it’s possible his 2026 will begin late due to his hip. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

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LaPorta, 25, appeared in just nine games in 2025 thanks to a herniated disc in his back that ended his season early. He averaged a career-best 12.2 yards per reception with 40 receptions on 49 targets – fourth-most on the team even in just roughly half a season – with three touchdowns before the injury. And, after undergoing surgery to repair the issue, is expected to once again play a significant role in the Lions’ offense.

While it’s a short-term concern, Campbell has already said the long-term isn’t an issue for the Lions. Which means that LaPorta will still be expected to be central to the Lions’ offense in 2026, now run by new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

LaPorta was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2023, thanks to what is still a career-best 889 receiving yards on 120 targets, in 17 games and 14 starts. Behind LaPorta on the tight end depth chart for Detroit are Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin and Jackson Meeks.

NFL Related Stories

Wright, 28, has spent his entire pro career with the Lions, and made eight starts in 2025 before a trachea injury saw him placed on injured reserve. Conklin was a fifth-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in the 2018 NFL Draft, and has also played for the New York Jets and Los Angeles Chargers; the Lions are his third team in three years, and he lost his job as a starting tight end after five games in 2025 and was targeted just 10 times in 13 games, after averaging 58 receptions and 554 receiving yards from 2021-2024. Meeks has been shuffled back-and-forth between the practice and active roster for the Lions, and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2025 – while he’s listed as a wide receiver, the 6-foot-2 wideout is also a backup tight end for Detroit.

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Just days from now, the college football season kicks off. That’s got sharp bettors and the public masses giving more scrutiny to College Football Playoff futures odds.

And interestingly, Caesars Sports is rooting for three teams that it usually wouldn’t be, including the favorite.

“Ohio State is a good position for us. Georgia and LSU are also good for us,” Caesars head of football trading Joey Feazel said. “That’s not usually what we see, especially with LSU.”

Feazel dives into the state of CFP futures odds, including insights on the two teams drawing the most action so far.

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Taking Tickets, Making Money?

That’s the question for backers of Notre Dame and Texas. 

At Caesars, the Fighting Irish are No. 1 in ticket count and money to win the national title, and the Longhorns are No. 2 in both measures.

Notre Dame is the +600 second choice in 2026 college football national championship odds, right behind +575 favorite Ohio State. Texas is the +700 third choice.

“The obvious teams that have been bet all year long will continue to get bet, and that’s Notre Dame and Texas,” Feazel said. “Notre Dame’s schedule is crazy easy. They’ll be double-digit favorites in every game they play in, except against Miami.”

And even against the Hurricanes, on Nov. 7, lookahead lines have the Irish as 6.5-point home favorites.

Conversely, Texas has a top-five strength of schedule. But that’s not keeping early bettors off the Longhorns in CFP futures odds.

“For Texas, it’s really the anticipation of Arch Manning getting in his groove and this team living up to its potential,” Feazel said.

Backing The Buckeyes

Favored Ohio State is drawing the third-most tickets and fourth-most money in College Football Playoff futures at Caesars. Feazel understands the attraction, particularly this season.

“Year after year, the Buckeyes are a powerhouse,” he said. “This year, they’ve got a quarterback in Julian Sayin who’s not being talked about enough. And they probably have the top wide receiver in next year’s NFL Draft, with Jeremiah Smith.”

In the 2024-25 season, Ohio State won the CFP championship, topping Notre Dame 34-23 in the title game. Last year, the Buckeyes bowed out in the quarterfinals, losing to Miami 24-14.

Entering this season, along with being the CFP favorite, Ohio State is atop the AP preseason poll.

“Ohio State is expected to be the No. 1 team in the Big Ten and expected to get revenge vs. Indiana,” Feazel said, while noting that we’ll see how good the Buckeyes really are in Week 2. “They’re gonna be tested with that second game at Texas.”

And Ohio State’s Oct. 17 road clash vs. Indiana looms large, as well. The defending national champion Hoosiers — who beat Miami 27-21 in the title game — are the +750 co-fourth choice in CFP futures, along with Oregon.

And speaking of Oregon …

Lucky Ducks?

In early August, Feazel noted that in Big Ten futures, Oregon was much more popular this season than the past two years, following the Ducks’ 2024 exit from the Pac-12.

Similarly, Dan Lanning’s squad is pretty popular in 2026 college football national championship odds, as well.

“They’re betting Oregon, which is unusual. The Ducks are getting a little more attention. They’re fourth in ticket count and third in money,” Feazel said.

As noted above, Oregon is the +750 co-fourth choice in Caesars’ College Football Playoff odds.

“Oregon is usually a good position for us. But that’s not the case this year.”

Feazel cited one other notable liability for Caesars.

“Bettors are gonna look really good if Oklahoma gets it done,” he said. “The Sooners were really competitive last year, and people believe in [quarterback] John Mateer.”

At +2400 — 11th on Caesars’ CFP oddsboard — Oklahoma is certainly an attractive payout. A $100 bet would profit $2,400.

Favorable national championship outcomes, as noted above, include Ohio State, Georgia and LSU. Georgia is the +825 sixth choice at Caesars, followed by Miami at +1000, then LSU at +1600.

LSU tends to draw massive support from Caesars’ Louisiana customer base. But apparently, even with all the excitement around new coach Lane Kiffin — who darted from Ole Miss — Tigers backers are keeping their powder dry for the moment.

I Like Big Bets and I Cannot Lie

One big bet on one huge long shot can easily create a sportsbook’s largest liability. That’s a regular occurrence, and it’s repeated this season at Caesars with this wing-and-a-prayer wager on a Big Ten bottom-feeder.

“We took a $3,000 bet on Rutgers at 500/1, to pay out $1.5 million,” Feazel said, before stating what might be obvious. “That’s not something we’re concerned about.”

Other notable national championship bets at Caesars, all on legit contenders:

• $15,000 Ohio State +600. If the Buckeyes win their second title in three years, then the bettor profits $90,000 (total payout $105,000).
• $10,000 Oregon +800. A Ducks crown would net $80,000 profit (total payout $90,000).
• $10,000 Texas +725. If the Longhorns break through, then the customer profits $72,500 (total payout $82,500).

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A.J. Brown wears the number one on his jersey. And that made sense in just about every way during the New England Patriots’ joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles this week. 

He was the best receiver on either team during the sessions. He was the Patriots’ No. 1 weapon. He was worth a first-round pick — a “1” — in a trade between the two teams this offseason. And he was the No. 1 point of interest as fans and media members watched practices.

It’s because of the trade, of course. It’s because of the drama that unfolded between Brown and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. It’s about Brown’s criticisms of the “passing game” when he was in Philly. It’s about Brown openly mocking his own lack of production in 2025.

And it’s about the fresh start in New England. 

“He looks a little better, a little faster,” Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell said after practice Wednesday. “He’s going to keep getting better. … He just gives you so many tough battles and tough assignments. It was really just great to go out there and compete with him again today.”

With Brown’s unpredictability, however, there’s always the wonder of: What will he do next — on the field and off it? (And will something go wrong?) That’s why a reporter asked Hurts if he’d give any advice to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye about getting the most out of Brown.

“I think Drake has had a lot of success already, so I don’t know what my advice would do,” Hurts said Wednesday. “I just think he needs to continue the progression that he’s on.”

Brown didn’t speak to Hurts before or after that first practice. Nor did Brown connect with Eagles WR1 DeVonta Smith on day one. But during the second day, Brown walked over to Smith to chat for a few minutes. Brown then found Hurts after practice on Thursday.

“It’s not about no closure or anything,” Brown said after Wednesday’s joint practice. “It’s love. I won a Super Bowl ring with them. It’s always going to be love no matter how anyone feels. I love Philly and I will always love Philly. But I’m here now and this is where my feet are and that’s where I’m focusing.”

It felt inauspicious when Brown started competitive drills on Wednesday in a one-on-one against former teammate Quinyon Mitchell. Though Brown created easy separation on a fade route, running directly downfield for the end zone, Maye underthrew the ball and Mitchell logged a relatively easy pass breakup. But Brown argued it wasn’t exactly clean.

“Q got away with a little holding,” Brown said with a laugh. “I won, he pulled himself back into the play, and I just have to finish the play. My right hand didn’t get to the ball quick enough. My left hand got on the ball. That’s on me. … That could have been a 40-yard bomb, but now it’s a long foul ball. Those are the things I’m focusing on.”

That play did not, however, prove predictive of how Brown would fare over the two days when he had more than 10 catches in team drills and countless touchdowns. He spent most of the two days running against Mitchell — with a few matchups against cornerback Riq Woolen, the No. 2 option in Philly.

In one case, Maye’s ball placement to Brown proved simply impossible to defend, with the Patriots QB dropping the pass over Woolen for a big catch-and-run for Brown. 

Brown’s most dominant play came in an 11-on-11 red zone drill. He couldn’t get open in the end zone, trying to work to the sideline, where Mitchell had outside leverage (blocking Brown’s path). Maye looked at the situation and, while it was a no-throw look, the QB threw it that way anyway. Brown fought back for the ball and a touchdown. It was a sign of how much Maye has come to trust Brown. They had no business attempting — let alone completing — the play.

They did it, anyway.

The Eagles, meanwhile, were feeling Brown’s absence — and then some. Top receivers Smith and rookie Makai Lemon were both out with hamstring strains, which left Hurts to work with Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks and Britain Covey, among others. Hurts threw three interceptions in 7-on-7s on Wednesday and then threw two more in 11-on-11s on Thursday.

This passing offense might require patience from the fans in Philly. I’m just not sure that we can expect patience from the fans in Philly.

Other Observations From Patriots-Eagles Joint Practice:

Saquon Barkley Looks Ready To Take Over Philly’s Offense (Again)

Saquon Barkley looked about as quick and explosive as I’ve seen him. This is the time of year when teams blow smoke about breakout players and resurgent players and best-shape-of-their-life players. But it’s not an exaggeration to say that the 29-year-old running back dominated the Patriots’ defense on the first day of practice. He was solid on day two. 

(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)

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It was all the more impressive considering the Eagles’ struggles in the passing game. It’s easy to imagine that, without Brown, Barkley could become the lifeblood of the unit, both as a runner and pass-catcher.

“We’ll see the Saquon of two years ago,” Eagles tackle Lane Johnson said after day one. “We’ll see the big plays. We’ll see him flexed out at receiver. We’ll see him in the screen game. You saw a bit of it [Wednesday].” 

If that’s true (and it looked like it might be), the Eagles will once again be dangerous, even without Brown.

Beware Of Dontayvion Wicks And Other One-On-One Wonders

Be careful of what you see in one-on-one drills (like in the video below) — as opposed to what’s reported about team drills. They can tell two different stories. Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredible to watch the drama unfold in a one-on-one. But it’s also not exactly real football like an 11-on-11 or even a 7-on-7. (There’s also a reason you’ll mostly see one-on-one clips on social media. Because of team rules, it’s generally OK to record one-on-ones but it’s not allowed, league-wide, for reporters to record 7-on-7s and 11-on-11s.) 

So that’s all to say: Some guys shine in one-on-ones and then disappear in 11-on-11s … when it counts. And in these practices, Eagles receiver Dontayvion Wicks was one of those guys. Many members of the fantasy community have already turned him into their darling — or sleeper. 

I’d like to offer a word of caution: Wicks had every reason to shine in team drills, with Smith and Lemon injured — and Patriots cornerbacks Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis also injured. Yet in all his work with Hurts on day one, Wicks had two catches on three targets — and the missed pass wasn’t just an incompletion (in 7-on-7), it tipped off Wicks’ hands and deflected into the hands of Patriots safety Charles Woods. On day two, Wicks had another drop and, later, he saw Marcus Jones undercut his route for an interception on Hurts.

Patriots LT Will Campbell Has A Big Booster After Postseason Struggles

After the Super Bowl, there was as much interest in Patriots left tackle Will Campbell as any offensive lineman in recent memory — at least in New England. Campbell struggled mightily during the playoffs, and those issues culminated in the Super Bowl when he allowed 14 pressures and a sack against the Seattle Seahawks. 

It was a terrible performance by the rookie, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. But listen to what five-time All-Pro tackle Johnson had to say about spending the offseason working with Campbell.

“Will just kind of reminds me of myself in a way. Just a country kid, drafted first round, so I know the kind of pressures that are on guys like that. And so, for me, I thought he had a really good rookie season,” Johnson said Wednesday. “You can see him getting better. He looks thicker, bigger. He’s healed up from his knee injury.”

I’ve referred to Gonzalez’s absence already in this postcard. The Pro Bowl corner was not on the field for any of the Patriots’ three joint practices with the Eagles and the Colts. It feels like it wasn’t that big of a storyline, because the opponents’ top receivers (Smith and Alec Pierce) weren’t on the field either. 

But Gonzalez is the Patriots’ most important defender. It’s a big deal he’s not there.

It’s a bigger deal that New England still hasn’t exactly clarified why he’s not there. Head coach Mike Vrabel hasn’t outright said that Gonzalez is injured. The coach also hasn’t outright confirmed that Gonzalez is holding in. But that’s what’s clearly happening, even if no one will admit it. 

The cornerback wants a big contract, and while the Patriots and Gonzalez’s camps did discuss an extension back at the combine in February, per a source, there doesn’t seem to have been much progress.

 

“Josh [McDaniels] is incredible, man. He’s making my job a lot easier, and he’s creating matchups for me, moving me around.” — A.J. Brown, who worked with four different offensive coordinators in four years in Philly

   Long-Term View

For the Eagles, it’s really about getting their top two receivers, Smith and Lemon, healthy. Barkley, Hurts and tight end Dallas Goedert are good players. But this offense will need help at receiver to truly reach its full potential. 

That isn’t to say Philly should rush Smith and Lemon back. The Eagles have the Commanders in Week 1 and the Titans in Week 2. Both are beatable — perhaps even without those two guys. But by Weeks 3 and 4, when they’ll have to face the Bears and the Rams, the Eagles will want their receivers healthy and in-sync with Hurts.

Philly’s defense is definitely going to be good — but maybe not transcendent. Given what we saw from the Patriots’ offense (which posted really strong performances), it seems good teams will be able to move the ball on the Eagles. And so the offense won’t be able to rely quite as much on the defense.

For New England, it’s really starting to look like Super Bowl or bust. The Patriots have now drubbed the Colts and the Eagles over three total days of joint practices. Drake Maye appears to have continued to progress in the ways the Patriots wanted. He had a boneheaded interception each day, so it’s not perfect. But Brown makes life a whole lot easier. And defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones and receiver Romeo Doubs, both offseason additions, are quietly proving their worth, too. 

The Patriots still need some help off the edge. There are also some lingering questions about the quality they’ll get from their interior offensive line. But on the whole, this team will be in terrific shape when it gets Gonzalez and Davis back in the starting lineup. There’s continuity. There’s more talent. There might be a tougher schedule, but the Patriots took the time and spent the money to fortify themselves against the increased degree of difficulty.

NFL Related Stories

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Kalshi and Polymarket both offer prediction markets for the 2026-27 Premier League season, giving soccer fans a way to trade on league futures and individual matches. 

The new Premier League season begins with Arsenal defending its title against newly promoted Coventry City while Manchester City is entering a new era under Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola’s departure.

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Last December at the winter meetings, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his confidence in the composition of his roster. 

There was “really no big splash,” he claimed, that needed to be made. 

Nonetheless, a few days later, the Dodgers gave Edwin Díaz the highest average annual salary ever for a reliever when they signed him to a three-year, $69 million deal. One month after that, they signed Kyle Tucker for four years and a staggering $240 million, a deal that set a record for present-day average annual value.

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

–>

The moves for the best closer and player on the market felt superfluous, but at the very least, both players figured to be additive to the Dodgers’ roster and their quest to win a third straight World Series title. 

Now, those two massive signings could be their undoing. 

Tucker, whose home struggles in particular seem to be getting to him, has been a replacement-level player and is offering little at the plate or in the field. Díaz has been even worse, with an ERA of 11.85 through 16 appearances, and is back on the injured list for the second time this year. 

The Dodgers’ elite rotation, star-studded lineup and October pedigree, of course, could make up for their blemishes elsewhere. 

But as it stands now, these are the five biggest threats to a Dodgers three-peat: 

1. Kyle Tucker’s Disaster Season

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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On the road this year, Tucker has an .820 OPS, a respectable tally in line with his career norms. 

At Dodger Stadium, however, he has been one of the worst players in baseball. Tucker has the lowest home OPS (.558) among all qualified hitters in the sport. 

At some point during the Dodgers’ last homestand, where Tucker went 0-for-19, Roberts could tell the frustration was getting to his right fielder. He could see from Tucker’s reactions to at-bats.

It got to the point where Roberts gave Tucker a Saturday off against NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski to try to clear his head. It did not appear to work. The next day, Tucker returned to the lineup and went 0-for-3, dropped a fly ball at the wall and leisurely jogged over to retrieve it in front of a booing home crowd.

One game later, he dropped another fly ball. He is not making up for his struggles at the plate with sharp defense or good baserunning, and is in fact also having the worst defensive season of his career by outs above average. The poor play looks worse when the effort also appears unenthusiastic, nonchalant or apathetic, all criticisms of Tucker at past stops.

This year, however, is unlike any before it. Over the past seven seasons, Tucker never had an OPS under .800. This year, it is under .700. For the first time since his rookie year as a 21-year-old, he is a below-league-average hitter. 

While the struggles are much more evident at home, he’s also chasing more overall than he had in any of his last three seasons, whiffing more than he had in any of his last five seasons and struggling to access his pull-side power. His hard-hit rate and average exit velocity are the lowest of his career, and his bat speed has slowed compared to recent years. 

“I don’t know the answer,” Roberts said. “We are digging.”

2. An Aging, Injured (And Maybe Fatigued) Roster

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

–>

One of the reasons the Dodgers added Tucker, 29, was to inject some youth into the oldest position player group in the sport. 

Tucker and All-Star center fielder Andy Pages are the only starting position players on the team under the age of 30, and that age and declining athleticism might finally be showing. 

One example? 

The Dodgers rank 23rd in sprint speed and 28th in stolen bases and have grounded into the most double plays in the sport. The only player with a bolt — defined by Statcast as any run in which a player’s sprint speed is at least 30 feet per second — is Hernández. He has one on the season, but he is also enduring the worst offensive year of his career. 

Mookie Betts is also having the worst offensive season of his career, though he has shown signs of life over the last two weeks. 

“He’s crucial,” Roberts said of Betts. “He’s going to be in the middle of things. He’s got the experience, the talent. He’s an emotional guy, and I say that in the sense of when he’s going well, guys feed off that energy. And when he’s not, you’re sort of trying to find it in him and get it in him.”

Freddie Freeman is having another terrific year, but his slugging numbers are way down in the second half. Will Smith hasn’t played since June due to a neck issue and was having his worst offensive season prior to being sidelined. His expected return before season’s end will be crucial, especially with backup catcher Dalton Rushing also sidelined. 

Some of the Dodgers’ most trusted bullpen arms are also hurt or regressing, perhaps wearing down after two straight trips to the World Series. In addition, the Dodgers’ defense — a surprising hallmark of the club in the first half — has declined considerably since the break.

3. Edwin Díaz And The Scuffling Bullpen 

(Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

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A year ago, the Dodgers signed reliever Tanner Scott for four years and $72 million and watched him struggle enough that he ultimately did not appear in a playoff game. 

To remedy their ninth-inning concern, they signed Diaz this offseason to be their shutdown closer. 

It has, again, not gone to plan. 

Nine months later, they’re right back where they started. Díaz missed three months after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. He returned in late July and proceeded to allow runs in six of nine appearances before going back on the IL, this time with neck inflammation. He allowed at least one baserunner in all but one of those nine outings.

Opponents are hitting .441 against his four-seamer and .323 against his slider. His strikeout rate is the lowest of his career. His walk rate is the highest of his career. In addition, his arm slot continues to drop, perhaps a subconscious reaction to his physical ailments. Díaz was working to remedy that issue as well as his posture on the mound in an effort to get less rotational and more direct to home plate when he allowed another three runs Monday in Colorado.

The Dodgers remain hopeful they can get him right before October, but time is running short. And he’s not the only reason the Dodgers’ bullpen ranks 23rd in ERA since the start of July. Coincidentally, Scott — who is 18-for-20 in save opportunities this year — has emerged as one of the Dodgers’ only reliable high-leverage options of late. 

Blake Treinen and Will Klein are on the IL. Alex Vesia has an ERA over 6.00 in August, while hard-throwing Edgardo Henriquez has an ERA over 6.00 over his last 12 appearances. Evan Phillips has an ERA over 5.00 since returning from Tommy John surgery. 

A particularly grueling stretch of games — Thursday is just the Dodgers’ second off day this month — plus a shorter bullpen with Shohei Ohtani no longer pitching in the Dodgers’ six-man rotation haven’t helped matters, either. The Dodgers will likely shift some of their starters to the bullpen in October again, but their relief pitching still looks like one of their top concerns. 

4. They Haven’t Looked Great In Nearly Two Months

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

–>

Sandwiched between sweeps of the last-place Royals and the last-place Rockies, the Dodgers lost three of four games to the first-place Brewers last week. 

The Dodgers have a .500 record against teams that are .500 or better (33-33) and have a .500 record overall since the start of July (21-21). Over that time, their offense ranks 18th in OPS and they’ve been swept by the Diamondbacks, Red Sox and Cubs. 

Asked if he’s concerned that this is just who the Dodgers are now, Roberts pushed back. 

“I don’t think that’s who we are,” Roberts said. “I think we’ve done it long enough, individually, collectively. But I do think that just saying you’re going to come out of it is not the right way to look at it.” 

It’s worth pointing out that last year’s world champion Dodgers went 10-14 in July and 25-27 combined in July and August (and the 2024 champion Dodgers went 11-13 in July), so they can clearly work their way out of a second-half funk. 

Still, prior to sweeping the Rockies this week in Colorado, Roberts expressed concerns about the consistency of the offense as a whole, the plan of attack at the plate and the lack of urgency on a pitch-to-pitch basis. 

“This has been four, five, six weeks of below-average production from our offense,” Roberts said during the home series loss to the Brewers. “Our pedigree, what we typically do, is control the zone, grind at-bats, create stress. We’re not doing that.” 

5. The National League Is Better And Deeper This Year

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

–>

This might be a good time for a reminder about the randomness of postseason baseball. 

In 2024, the Dodgers needed to win two straight elimination games, including a bullpen game, to get past San Diego in the NLDS. In 2025, the Blue Jays came two outs — and one foot — away from winning the World Series. 

Anything can happen in October. 

But even beyond the postseason’s unpredictability, the road ahead is more treacherous. The Dodgers got to face the 83-79 Reds in last year’s wild-card series after the Mets’ late-season collapse. That two-game sweep felt more like an exhibition. 

This year, as the NL West rival Padres and Diamondbacks vie for the final playoff spot, every potential NL playoff matchup offers danger. That’s one reason a first-round bye is so important this year and why the Dodgers were frustrated last Sunday about losing the series and, in conjunction, the season series to the Brewers. 

They’d still have a bye if the season ended today, but the Braves will be pushing the Brewers and Dodgers for one of the top two NL seeds until the end. 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

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The college football schedule is loaded with marquee matchups that could have major implications on conference races and the College Football Playoff.

And even though kickoff is still months away for many of these matchups, bettors can already get in on the action. While plenty can change between now and the latter portion of the season, sportsbooks have already released early lines for some of the biggest games of the season.

Here is a look at our rankings of the biggest games on the 2026 college football schedule, along with the early odds for each matchup.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

20.   Penn State @ Michigan

Date: Oct. 17
Spread: Michigan -6.5
Moneyline: Michigan -265, Penn State +215
O/U: 51.5

What To Know: A preseason top-20 matchup featuring two Big Ten rivals at the Big House. This mid-October showdown should have major conference and Playoff implications. The last time these two teams met, Michigan beat Penn State 24-15 in Happy Valley behind a dominant rushing attack. 

19.   Michigan @ Oregon

Date: Nov. 14
Spread: Oregon -13.5
Moneyline: Oregon -535, Penn State +400
O/U: 53.5

What To Know: This late-season clash should have plenty on the line. This will be the second time these two historic programs have met since conference realignment, with Oregon going into Ann Arbor as the No. 1 team in the country in 2024 and winning 38-17. Vegas expects another big Oregon win.

18.   Houston @ Texas Tech

Date: Sept. 19
Spread: Texas Tech -13.5
Moneyline: Texas Tech -550, Houston +410
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: This matchup might not carry the same name recognition as some of the others, but it should have major implications in the Big 12. Texas Tech is the heavy conference favorite coming off a 12-2 season, while Houston enters the year ranked and is expected to take a major step forward in 2026.

17.   Georgia @ Ole Miss

Date: Nov. 7
Spread: Georgia -4.5
Moneyline: Georgia -205, Ole Miss +170
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: A rematch of last season’s thrilling CFP quarterfinal matchup in which Ole Miss shocked Georgia in New Orleans. Most of the stars from that game will return in 2026, with Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy leading Ole Miss’ offensive attack and Gunnar Stockton returning for the Bulldogs. This early-November matchup will be crucial in a loaded SEC race. Despite being on the road, Vegas believes the Dawgs will turn the tables on the Rebels this year.

16.   USC @ Indiana

Date: Nov. 14
Spread: Indiana -10
Moneyline: Indiana -425, USC +330
O/U: 58.5

What To Know: The defending national champions take on the preseason No. 15-ranked Trojans. Many believe this is the year USC takes that next step. To prove it, the Trojans will have to beat a team like Indiana in a hostile road environment, something they haven’t done in their first few seasons in the Big Ten.

15.   Texas @ LSU

Date: Nov. 14
Spread: Texas -3
Moneyline: Texas -155, LSU +130
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: This mid-November matchup should have major Playoff implications, with two of the SEC’s top teams going at it in Death Valley. Lane Kiffin vs. Steve Sarkisian under the lights. 

14.   USC @ Penn State

Date: Oct. 10
Spread: Penn State -1.5
Moneyline: Penn State -120, USC +100
O/U: 56.5

What To Know: Another Big Ten matchup, this time featuring a West Coast vs. East Coast battle between two teams looking to break into the top tier of the conference. While they might not carry the same expectations as Ohio State, Indiana or Oregon, both are among the best of the next tier. Can either make the jump in 2026?

13.   Ohio State @ USC

Date: Oct. 31
Spread: Ohio State -7.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -285, USC +230
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: The last time Ohio State and USC played was in 2017, when the Buckeyes defeated the Trojans in the Cotton Bowl. The preseason No. 1 Buckeyes will travel to the Coliseum, where USC went undefeated in 2025 and is 22-5 over the last four seasons. 

12.   Alabama @ LSU

Date: Nov. 7
Spread: LSU -3.5
Moneyline: LSU -185, Alabama +154
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: Same rivalry, different look. Kalen DeBoer vs. Lane Kiffin. Kiffin served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2014-2016. Now, he’s LSU’s head coach. This early-November showdown features two teams that should be hovering around the CFP bubble. 

11.   Indiana @ Michigan

Date: Oct. 24
Spread: Indiana -6
Moneyline: Indiana -245, Michigan +200
O/U: 52.5

What To Know: This will probably be Michigan’s biggest home game of the season. With a tough schedule that features Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana, this might be the Wolverines’ best chance to take down one of the Big Ten’s top dogs and earn the marquee win they could need to make the CFP in Year 1 under Kyle Whittingham.

10.   Oklahoma @ Michigan

Date: Sept. 12
Spread: Michigan -1.5
Moneyline: Michigan -122, Oklahoma +102
O/U: 46.5

What To Know: An early-season Big Noon Kickoff matchup on FOX between No. 10 Oklahoma and No. 16 Michigan. The Wolverines open as slight home favorites in a rematch of last year’s Week 2 game, when the Sooners beat Michigan 24-13 in Norman. Can Michigan flip the script in 2026? This game should be a pivotal matchup early in the season. 

9.   Oregon @ USC

Date: Sept. 26
Spread: Oregon -5.5
Moneyline: Oregon -250, USC +205
O/U: 58.5

What To Know: Two former Pac-12 teams now in the Big Ten will square off at the Coliseum in late September. This Week 4 matchup could be Oregon’s first major test of the season. Last year, the Ducks beat USC 42-27 in Eugene. 

8.   Oklahoma @ Texas

Date: Oct. 10
Spread: Texas -6
Moneyline: Texas -225, Oklahoma +185
O/U: 48.5

What To Know: The Red River Rivalry returns with a preseason top-10 matchup. In 2025, the Longhorns’ 23-6 win over Oklahoma helped turn their season around after a slow 3-2 start. Texas’ defense forced Sooners QB John Mateer into three interceptions and gave Oklahoma’s offensive fits all day. 

7.   Georgia @ Alabama

Date: Oct. 10
Spread: Georgia -3
Moneyline: Georgia -155, Alabama +130
O/U: 50.5

What To Know: Alabama has won the last three regular-season matchups against Georgia. However, in last year’s SEC Championship Game, Georgia dismantled Alabama 28-7. The Dawgs open as three-point road favorites. The last time these two teams met in Tuscaloosa, Alabama won a 41-34 thriller in 2024.

6.   Ohio State @ Texas

Date: Sept. 12
Spread: Texas -1.5
Moneyline: Texas -118, Ohio State -102
O/U: 47.5

What To Know: These two teams met in a thrilling CFP semifinal that ended with Jack Sawyer’s memorable 83-yard scoop-and-score to send the Buckeyes to the national title game. Ohio State followed that up in 2025 by beating Texas again, this time in Week 1 at home when the Longhorns were the No. 1 team in the country. Once again, this matchup opens as essentially a pick ’em, with the books giving the home Longhorns a slight edge. This game should set the tone for the season for both prestigious programs.

5.   Miami @ Notre Dame

Date: Nov. 7
Spread: Notre Dame -6.5
Moneyline: Notre Dame -218, Miami +180
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: These two teams were at the center of the debate over the final Playoff spot last season. Ultimately, Miami got the nod and turned it into a run to the national championship game before falling to Indiana. Notre Dame has been thinking about that decision all offseason, setting the stage for a massive preseason No. 4 vs. No. 7 matchup that could have even bigger implications by the time they meet. The Irish open as 6.5-point home favorites, but Miami defeated Notre Dame 27-24 in Week 1 of 2025, a loss that ultimately came back to haunt the Irish and helped keep them out of the playoff.

4.   LSU @ Ole Miss

Date: Sept. 19
Spread: Ole Miss -1.5
Moneyline: Ole Miss -130, LSU +110
O/U: 57.5

What To Know: Can you script it any better in Hollywood? Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss last November in dramatic fashion to join conference rival LSU. Kiffin led the Rebels to new heights during his tenure, going 55-19 with four 10-win seasons and the program’s first-ever CFP appearance in 2025. Now, he will walk back into enemy territory in one of the most hostile environments the sport may ever see. And lucky for us, we won’t have to wait long for this highly anticipated matchup. The Week 3 showdown is practically a pick ’em, with Kiffin returning to Oxford as the slightest of underdogs.

3.   Oregon @ Ohio State

Date: Nov. 7
Spread: Ohio State -6
Moneyline: Ohio State -230, Oregon +190
O/U: 52.5

What To Know: Preseason No. 1 and No. 2 will square off in an early-November showdown in Columbus. The two schools did not meet last season, but they faced off twice in 2024. Oregon defeated Ohio State 32-31 in a midseason thriller in Eugene before the Buckeyes got their revenge, throttling the Ducks 41-21 in the Rose Bowl on their way to winning the national championship. Dante Moore, Julian Sayin, Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah Smith — what more can you ask for?

2.   Michigan @ Ohio State

Date: Nov. 28
Spread: Ohio State -13.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -550, Michigan +410
O/U: 46.5

What To Know: THE. GAME. After 2,191 days and four straight losses to the Wolverines, Ohio State finally beat Michigan in 2025. The Buckeyes open as double-digit favorites this year, but they also entered the 2024 matchup as 20.5-point favorites before being upset by Michigan at home. The Game always delivers, and it should once again on Thanksgiving weekend on FOX.

1.   Ohio State @ Indiana

Date: Oct. 17
Spread: Ohio State -1.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -110, Indiana -110
O/U: 48.5

What To Know: The last two national champions will square off in a mid-October showdown that could be the “Game of the Year.” The two teams last met in the Big Ten Championship Game, with the Hoosiers pulling off the upset over the then defending champs. Indiana carried that momentum all the way to a perfect 16-0 season and its first-ever national championship. Could this matchup once again determine the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP? Who will win the battle of the past two champs? The game opens as essentially a pick ’em.

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