Here’s a betting preview for Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29, 2026, for Week 0 in College Football and Week 3 of the NFL Preseason, concentrating on matchup edges, market numbers, personnel, and angles rather than simply picking every favorite.
College Football — Saturday, August 29
North Carolina vs. TCU — Noon ET
Odds: Open TCU -6.5. Current TCU -8.5
The most interesting storyline is UNC’s offense. North Carolina averaged only 19.3 points and 288.8 yards per game last season, but Bobby Petrino takes over the offense. Petrino has a track record of significantly improving offenses, and TCU enters the opener without starting safety Jacob Fields because of a suspension.
NC State at Virginia — 3:30 ET
Odds: Opening: Virginia -3. Current: Virginia -4
Virginia is coming off an 11-win season and enters 2026 with an extraordinary amount of experience.
But NC State has the healthier roster. The Wolfpack’s significant players are largely available, while Virginia WR Rico Flores and RB Solomon Beebe are out and LB Kam Robinson’s status has been uncertain.
Virginia is also breaking in transfer QB Beau Pribula, while NC State brings back dangerous dual-threat quarterback CJ Bailey.
San Jose State at USC — 3 ET
Odds: Open: USC -35.5. Current USC -38.5.
San Jose State is rebuilding after a 3-9 season and has considerable roster turnover. Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver takes over at quarterback, and the Spartans are implementing Craig Stutzmann’s Spread & Shred offense.g a 35-40 point margin.
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State — 5:30 ET
Odds: Open: ND State -10; Current Odds: ND State -7
North Dakota State enters FBS football after winning 10 FCS national championships from 2011-24. Jacksonville State is essentially the blueprint for a successful FCS-to-FBS transition, winning 27 games in its first three FBS seasons.
Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan — 6:30 ET
Odds: Opening: Current: EMU -9.5.
An unusual matchup because Sacramento State is playing its first game as an FBS member and its first MAC game, with a new head coach.
Eastern Michigan has the continuity advantage, but this is a difficult game to price because Sacramento State’s new roster/system has very little reliable FBS data.
Hawai’i at Stanford — 7 ET.
Odds: Open: Stanford -3. Current: Stanford -4.5
Hawai’i QB Micah Alejado gives the Warriors an offensive ceiling. Hawai’i is being projected as a potentially much-improved team in 2026. Meanwhile Stanford begins a new coaching era under Tavita Pritchard.
This is exactly the type of opening-week game where quarterback continuity can be worth more than the market initially assumes.
New Mexico State at Florida State — 7 ET
Odds: Open: FSU -28.5. Current: FSU -31.5.
New Mexico State improved to four wins last season, but Tony Sanchez is only 7-17 at NMSU entering Year 3.
The talent gap is enormous, and FSU’s defensive structure should present serious problems for Furman transfer QB Trey Hedden. But that’s a big line.
Memphis at UNLV — 10 ET
Odds: Open: UNLV -3. Current: UNLV -4.5.
UNLV has become one of the more consistent Group of Five programs, reaching the Mountain West title game and a bowl in three straight seasons. Memphis lost coach Ryan Silverfield to Arkansas and he was replaced by Charles Huff. Jason Semore was hired as the defensive coordinator and then left for Georgia Tech two weeks later.
NFL Preseason — Friday, August 28
Washington at Baltimore
Current Odds: Baltimore -3; Total: 36.5
Washington is 1-1, while Marcus Mariota remains sidelined with an MCL sprain. Athan Kaliakmanis and Sam Hartman are expected to carry significant quarterback work. Washington’s offensive line has been a huge negative and was dominated in joint practice by Baltimore’s defense. The Ravens will likely go with rookie Joe Fagnano for most of the game and he’s looked solid. Don’t expect any starters in this game unless they are competing for a position.
Seattle at Kansas City
Current Odds: Seattle -1; Total: 34.5
But both teams enter 0-2, and Kansas City has managed only one offensive touchdown through two preseason games. Seattle plans to start Drew Lock. No starters should play in this game even though Patrick Mahomes wants to play.
Cincinnati at Philadelphia
Current Odds: Philadelphia around -2.5; Total: 36.
This is a roster-depth game more than anything else, with many players effectively auditioning for jobs ahead of Sunday’s 53-man cuts.
Giants at Jets
Current Odds: Giants -3; Total: 37.0
The Jets appear settled at QB2 with Cade Klubnik, leaving Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe fighting for depth/practice-squad status.
That typically means the later portions of the game involve quarterbacks playing behind backup offensive linemen and with roster-bubble receivers.
Houston at Carolina:
Current Odds: Houston -1; Total: 35.6.
Houston defense was all over Bryce Young in a joint practice. No Carolina starters will play this week. Expect a lot of KyleTrask and Kenny Pickett for the Panthers. Davis Mills and Brett Rypien will go for Houston with Graham Mertz out.
Atlanta at Miami:
Current Odds: Atlanta -3.5; Total: 36.5.
Atlanta is one of the few teams who will play their starters, which is why they are the road favorite. However, Michael Pnix Jr. (knee) has not played yet. Jack Strand and Cooper Rush played well last week. But it appears that Tua Tagovailoa will be the backup and start on Friday. Malik Willis is expected to play some after the offense has struggled in practice.
Tampa Bay over Jacksonville:
Current Odds: Jacksonville -3; Total: 35.
There’s no need to play Baker Mayfield, so expect a lot of Jake Browning and Jalon Daniels for the Bucs. They were great last week, going a combined 25 of 29. Trevor Lawrence has not played in preseason for the Jags, which means more of the same with Nick Mullens, Carter Bradley and Joey Aguilar playing.
New Orleans at Dallas:
Current Odds: Dallas -1.5; Total: 38.5.
New Orleans hasn’t played Tyler Shough yet and if they think he’s the answer at QB, they’ll play Zach Wilson and Spencer Rattler. Both are vying for the backup job. Dallas should just get ready for the regular season. Sam Howell and Joe Milton have been battling for QB2, though Milton should have the edge.
Arizona at Green Bay:
Current Odds: Green Bay -1; Total: 36.
The story is Mike LaFleur against Matt LaFleur. Carson Beck is not likely to play for Arizona due to injury, which means a lot of Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis. Green Bay has Kyle McCord, who should get most of the snaps.
Minnesota at Denver:
Current Odds: Denver -3.5; Total: 37.5.
This is all about the backup quarterbacks. Carson Wentz may have surpassed J.J. McCarthy, who could be dealt. Bo Nix played last week and is not expected to play this week. That means Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Sidham will duel for the backup role.
Saturday NFL preseason
There are just two games.
Detroit at Indianapolis — 1 ET
Colts -3.5 | Total 36.5.
This is one where we actually have useful rotation information.
Indianapolis:
Anthony Richardson: first quarter
Riley Leonard: second quarter
Easton Stick: second half
Daniel Jones: not playing.
Detroit is expected to sit its starters, with Josh Dobbs and rookie Luke Altmyer splitting quarterback work.
Indianapolis has more first-half quarterback motivation and is giving Richardson legitimate work.
Chicago at Tennessee — 6 ET
Titans -2.5 | Total 36.5.
Chicago is 1-1 ATS and 1-1 O/U. Tennessee plans to play Cam Ward and its starters considerably longer, with the working plan calling for more than 30 snaps. Chicago has been less committed to a heavy Caleb Williams workload. He won’t play for Chicago, which means a lot of Case Keenum and Miller Moss, battling for the No. 3 spot behind Tyson Bagent.
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