College football picks today: Week 5 Saturday best bets include Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth play [10/3/2026]
Get college football picks and best bets for Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Today’s college football picks for October 3, 2026 are here, with Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth and Colgate vs. Harvard among the top plays identified by our model across Saturday’s college football schedule.
Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, going over the latest football odds to unearth legitimate betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.
List of college football picks today [10/3, updated 3:03AM ET]
Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 college football best bets, ranked by edge for Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth Over 39.5 points (-113)
- Edge: 5.2%
- Probability: 58.2%
- Matchup: Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth (1:30PM ET)
Our model has identified value on Over 39.5 points in Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth at -113 odds. A 58.2% probability produces an edge of 5.2%, making this the strongest play for today's college football slate.
Colgate vs. Harvard Over 36.5 points (-113)
- Edge: 4.8%
- Probability: 57.9%
- Matchup: Colgate vs. Harvard (7:00PM ET)
Colgate vs. Harvard over 36.5 points carries a 4.8% edge and a probability of 57.9% at -113 odds, according to our model.
Rice +12.5 (-112)
- Edge: 4.5%
- Probability: 57.3%
- Matchup: UTSA vs. Rice (7:00PM ET)
Rice +12.5 vs. UTSA at -112 odds shows a 4.5% edge, supported by a 57.3% probability in simulations.
Connecticut +6.5 (+100)
- Edge: 4.1%
- Probability: 54.1%
- Matchup: Syracuse vs. Connecticut (12:00PM ET)
A 4.1% edge and 54.1% probability makes Connecticut +6.5 vs. Syracuse a value play in the Syracuse vs. Connecticut matchup, per our model.
Rice ML (+430)
- Edge: 3.9%
- Probability: 22.7%
- Matchup: UTSA vs. Rice (7:00PM ET)
Rice ML at +430 presents a 3.9% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 22.7%.
New Hampshire +10.5 (-110)
- Edge: 3.5%
- Probability: 55.9%
- Matchup: Elon University vs. New Hampshire (1:00PM ET)
Our model finds value on New Hampshire +10.5 at -110, supported by an edge of 3.5%.
Ohio State vs. Iowa Over 45.5 points (-105)
- Edge: 3.2%
- Probability: 54.4%
- Matchup: Ohio State vs. Iowa (3:30PM ET)
Our model has uncovered value on Ohio State vs. Iowa Over 45.5 points at -105. A 54.4% probability produces a 3.2% edge, making this a strong play for today's college football action.
Charleston Southern +7.5 (-110)
- Edge: 3.2%
- Probability: 55.6%
- Matchup: Gardner-Webb vs. Charleston Southern (6:00PM ET)
A 3.2% edge on a 55.6% probability makes Charleston Southern +7.5 at -110a solid value play in today's Gardner-Webb vs. Charleston Southern matchup.
Western Michigan vs. BuffaloOver 46.5 points (-105)
- Edge: 3.1%
- Probability: 54.3%
- Matchup: Western Michigan vs. Buffalo (1:00PM ET)
Our model projects value on Over 46.5 points at -105. A 54.3% probability produces a 3.1% edge, making the Over the favorable side in today's matchup.
Bowling Green vs. Miami Ohio Over 43 points (-110)
- Edge: 3.1%
- Probability: 55.5%
- Matchup: Ohio State vs. Iowa (3:30PM ET)
Rounding out our top 10 bets, Bowling Green vs. Miami Ohio Over 43 points at -110 shows a 55.5% probability and a 3.1% edge.
NCAAF best bets summary: Saturday, 10/3/2026
As of 3:03AM ET, here are our top college football bets by edge recommended by our model:
| Matchup | Bet | Odds | Edge | Prob. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth | Over 39.5 points | -113 @ DraftKings | 5.2% | 58.2% |
| Colgate vs. Harvard | Over 36.5 points | -113 @ DraftKings | 4.8% | 57.9% |
| UTSA vs. Rice | Rice +12.5 | -112 @ DraftKings | 4.5% | 57.3% |
| Syracuse vs. Connecticut | Connecticut +6.5 vs. Syracuse | +100 @ Caesars | 4.1% | 54.1% |
| UTSA vs. Rice | Rice ML | +430 @ BetRivers | 3.9% | 22.7% |
| Elon University vs. New Hampshire | New Hampshire +10.5 | -110 @ DraftKings | 3.5% | 55.9% |
| Ohio State vs. Iowa | Over 45.5 Points | -105 @ FanDuel | 3.2% | 54.4% |
| Gardner-Webb vs. Charleston Southern | Charleston Southern +7.5 | -110 @ DraftKings | 3.2% | 55.6% |
| Western Michigan vs. Buffalo | Over 46.5 Points | -105 @ FanDuel | 3.1% | 54.3% |
| Bowling Green vs. Miami Ohio | Over 43 Points | -110 @ Caesars | 3.1% | 55.5% |
List of upcoming college football games to bet on now
- Memphis vs. Charlotte (11:00AM ET, Saturday)
- Michigan vs. Minnesota (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Notre Dame vs. North Carolina (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Alabama vs. Mississippi State (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Stanford vs. Wake Forest (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Boston College vs. Southern Methodist (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- UCF vs. Houston (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- West Virginia vs. Iowa State (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Syracuse vs. Connecticut (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
- Navy vs. Air Force (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
College football offer for Week 5
Make the most of the picks in this article—including Over 39.5 points—with the Bet365 Sportsbook offer below:
Conclusion
Our college football best bets are locked and loaded for October 3, 2026, featuring plays such as over 39.5 points in the Pennsylvania vs. Dartmouth matchup and over 36.5 points in the Colgate vs. Harvard matchup. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.
Our predictions are sourced from current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice, head to our Responsible Gambling hub.
All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.



