SportsLine Model Projects LSU, Cal to Cover in Week 1
AI-generated image · US National Wire
Advanced simulations suggest LSU will outpace Clemson and California will upset UCLA as the 2026 college football season kicks off.
As college football returns for Week 1, the SportsLine projection model is signaling value on two specific matchups involving LSU and California, according to reporting from CBS Sports.
LSU enters its matchup against Clemson as a 10.5-point favorite at sportsbooks including DraftKings Sportsbook. The SportsLine model, which simulates every FBS game 10,000 times and has been updated for the 2026 season to better account for the transfer portal, projects a 30-17 victory for the Tigers. The model indicates LSU will cover the spread in 55% of its simulations. The Tigers are led by head coach Lane Kiffin, who recently added transfer portal players wide receiver Jayce Brown, running back Dilin Jones, and quarterback Sam Leavitt.
In the matchup between California and UCLA, the Golden Bears are listed as 1.5-point underdogs. Despite UCLA winning seven of the last 10 meetings in the series, CBS Sports reports that the Underdog has gone 7-1 against the spread in the last eight games between these two programs. Cal features returning quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who recorded 18 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns last season. The SportsLine model projects California to win the game 27-22.
Other notable lines mentioned by CBS Sports include Michigan as a 27.5-point favorite over Western Michigan, Texas as a 30.5-point favorite over Texas State, and Alabama as a 28.5-point favorite against East Carolina.