What early betting lines tell us about several College Football Playoff contenders going into 2026
CBS Sports
by
Robby Kalland
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Early betting lines for the 2026 college football season offer a glimpse into how oddsmakers view teams as they prepare for next year's games. With six months until kickoff, these lines provide insight into potential team strengths and weaknesses, even as rosters remain incomplete and key players are yet to be determined. The lines reflect shifts in coaching confidence, player expectations, and roster changes, giving fans a snapshot of which teams oddsmakers believe have the edge heading into the season.
One notable matchup is NC State vs. Virginia, where Virginia is favored by 3.5 points despite playing on a neutral field in Brazil. This reflects faith in Virginia's new quarterback Beau Pribula and its defense, while NC State's defensive struggles from last year leave room for doubt. The game also serves as a rematch from a wild 2025 matchup that saw NC State pull off a comeback win.
In another high-profile clash, TCU opens as a 7.5-point favorite over UNC in Fort Worth. Both teams are breaking in new quarterbacks, but oddsmakers seem more confident in TCU's potential under coach Sonny Cumbacher after last year's dominant home opener. Meanwhile, UNC, now led by Bill Belichick, faces an uphill battle to prove it can turn things around.
The Baylor vs. Auburn game highlights Auburn's rising expectations under new coach Alex Golesh. The Tigers are favored by 7.5 points in Atlanta, a sign of confidence in their improved roster and explosive offense led by quarterback Byrum Brown. For Baylor, the focus is on turning around last year's struggles with a new quarterback, DJ Lagway, but oddsmakers remain skeptical.
Finally, Clemson faces LSU in Baton Rouge, where LSU is heavily favored at 11.5 points. This reflects LSU's success under Lane Kiffin and its top-ranked transfer class, while Clemson continues to rebuild after a disastrous season. The lines suggest LSU
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026