College Football

2026 College Football Odds: Best Bets For ECU-Bama, SMU-FSU

04 Sep 2026, 18:04 · FOX Sports

Sam Panayotovich
FOX Sports Betting Analyst

Buckle up for another six-month sports betting voyage here at FOX Sports.

We know you’re here for informed wagers and I assure you I vet everything through multiple handicappers, oddsmakers and betting buddies who know what they’re doing. Those that do well in this racket know the "how, what and why" and that’s always my goal.

Also, this will never be the place for a million picks or five-team parlays. These will always be the wagers I love the most and ones that I’m betting with my own money.

Let’s go to work.

(2026 Record: 0-0, +0.0 units)

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Oregon State @

No. 23 Houston

If you’ve listened to "Bear Bets" all summer, you’ll know I’m high on the Cougars this season. They won 10 games a year ago and are one of only 12 teams in the country that returns its head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and starting quarterback. That’s the definition of stability, a college football rarity these days. There are plenty of 20.5s available, though a handful of sportsbooks moved out to -21. One former Vegas bookmaker told me he makes the game closer to -27. Let’s hope he’s right.

Sammy P's Pick: Houston -20.5

East Carolina @

No. 13 Alabama

The last time we saw the Tide, they were pummeled by Indiana in the College Football Playoff. I still can’t believe the final score was 38-3 and Alabama couldn’t muster 25 rushing yards. Kalen DeBoer went out and added five transfers to the offensive line room, so he’s actively trying to rectify the issue. But it’ll take time. Bama is also giving the offensive keys to freshman quarterback Keelon Russell. Meanwhile, twenty of East Carolina’s 22 starters are upperclassmen. I believe the Pirates can avoid a blowout.

Sammy P's Pick: East Carolina +28

UNLV @

Hawaii

Ah, the good ol’ weather handicap. Hurricane Lowell is headed toward the great state of Hawaii and Saturday night’s game will undoubtedly be affected by the elements. One FOX Weather headline reads, "Lowell poised for dramatic turn toward Hawaii, raising threat of intense wind, surf and rain." Yikes. The total has already dropped from 58.5 to 56.5 and, honestly, it could get much lower as we get closer to kickoff. Good luck to these offenses as they try to string together long scoring drives in inadequate playing conditions.

Sammy P's Pick: Under 56.5 combined points scored

No. 19 SMU @

Florida State

Does anybody like FSU on Monday night? Anybody? Bueller? I talk with multiple Las Vegas bookmakers every week, and they’re all singing the same tune. The public is betting SMU like they have Tuesday morning’s paper. And understand that thousands of parlays from the weekend will roll into SMU -3 or SMU moneyline to end the holiday weekend. One former bookmaker turned bettor told me this week, "There’s only one way to bet the game. It’s Florida State or pass." We’ll be against the masses here and that’s okay.

Sammy P's Pick: Florida State +3

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