After nearly eight long months, college football is back, as Saturday, September 5, features the first full slate of college football games. We can finally dig into a full schedule of matchups, highlighting the most intriguing games, best predictions for PrizePicks, and more.
To kick off the 2026 season, we’ll highlight our three favorite college football predictions for each time slot, beginning with noon games, followed by primetime matchups, and late-night clashes.
Let’s start the festivities with our best college football predictions for noon games today. This includes picks for winners, spreads, over/unders, team totals, and more on PrizePicks.
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East Carolina vs. #13 Alabama Prediction on Over/Under for NCAAF Week 1
Time, How to Watch: 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX
East Carolina vs. Alabama features a 52.5 over/under. In the 2025 season, the Crimson Tide totaled 27.6 PPG (60th percentile), while the Pirates recorded 30.8 PPG (82nd percentile).
Most importantly, each team retained its head coach — Blake Harrell and Kalen DeBoer — from last season, meaning 2025’s numbers carry more weight.
For example, ECU operated with a blistering pace of 21.8 seconds per play (fourth-fewest). However, Alabama averaged a contrasting 27.7 seconds per play (76th percentile for slowest pace). Yet, the Crimson Tide had a 55.8% pass-play rate (90th percentile) that helped stop the clock.
Alabama is replacing QB Ty Simpson, but QB Keelon Russell is an uber-talented former 5-star recruit who may give DeBoer his best signal-caller yet over his Alabama tenure. Russell could be in store for a memorable debut, featuring 243.5 projected pass yards on PrizePicks.
East Carolina QB Katin Houser logged 3,300 passing yards last season and transferred to Illinois. The Pirates landed a promising QB in Texas Tech transfer Mitch Griffis, who made nine appearances while logging 1,553 passing yards for Wake Forest in 2023.
As a sixth-year senior, ECU could comfortably give Griffis the reins to this offense, drawing our attention to last season’s 33.0 passing attempts per game (68th percentile). Griffis is projected for 179.5 pass yards on PrizePicks.
Both of these coaches are more than comfortable operating efficient passing games, as Game On Paper tabbed ECU with 0.18 EPA/Pass (79th percentile) while Bama had 0.16 (73rd percentile) a year ago.
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Ball State vs. #1 Ohio State Prediction on Over/Under for NCAAF Week 1
Time, How to Watch: 12:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network
At first glance, projections for Ball State vs. Ohio State are like grasping at straws, featuring a 50.5-point spread in favor of the Buckeyes. However, the 56.5 over/under catches the eye.
As the 50.5-point spread suggests, this entire over/under is mostly riding on Ohio State’s offense. The Buckeyes, who are an NFL factory, are usually not used to returning much production. While the defense is 78th in returning production, the offense sits eighth, per Bill Connelly of ESPN.
This includes the likes of QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith, RB Bo Jackson, and four starting offensive linemen. Considering that level of experience, last year’s 0.26 EPA/Play (fourth-highest) is likely something we can trust.
Meanwhile, Ball State allowed 0.13 EPA/Play (11th percentile) and 29.9 PPG (32nd percentile). The Cardinals enter their second season under head coach Mike Uremovich, adding weight to 2025’s struggles.
It’s take your pick for OSU, as Sayin (271.5 pass yards), Jackson (89.5 rush yards), and Smith (86.5 receiving yards) all have lofty projections vs. Ball State.
Sometimes, college football is simply about a talent difference — especially when you get into the big dogs like Ohio State. Grambling was the Buckeyes’ most comparable opponent of last season, and they went on to win 70-0.
Make your Ball State vs. Ohio State prediction on PrizePicks!
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Youngstown State vs. Kentucky Prediction on Spread for NCAAF Week 1
Time, How to Watch: 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network
Kentucky football hasn’t surpassed seven wins in four consecutive seasons, but the program finally has some buzz by bringing in former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as head coach.
In the 2025 season, Oregon posted 35.4 PPG (90th percentile) and 0.23 adjusted EPA/Play (93rd percentile). Stein, of course, will have a notable talent dip in Lexington, but the run game has promise thanks to a trio of transfers: Texas RB CJ Baxter, Tennessee OT Lance Heard, and Ohio State OG Tegra Tshabola.
When coaching at Oregon, Stein helped orchestrate a rushing attack that had 5.3 yards per carry (90th percentile) and a 49.3% rush success rate (81st percentile). Saturday’s opponent, Youngstown State, gave up 31.0 PPG, 4.1 yards per carry, and 141.1 rushing yards per game as an FCS school in the 2025 season.
Youngstown State faced one Power Four school last season, and it allowed 41 points, 174 rushing yards, and 5.3 yards per carry against a Michigan State squad that finished with a 4-8 record.
Predict the Youngstown State vs. Kentucky spread on PrizePicks.
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Predicting over/unders can be one of the greatest challenges for your Week 1 predictions, but East Carolina vs. Alabama and Ball State vs. Ohio State bring some trustworthy numbers from the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Kentucky hopes to begin the Will Stein era with a bang.
Don’t wait until kickoff — make college football picks on PrizePicks now. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in on your predictions if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders — now available in 36 states!
Keep it here with the Playbook for continued CFB picks, predictions, futures, and more as we jump into the 2026 season.
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