The Alabama A&M Bulldogs take on the Howard Bison in Atlanta, Georgia. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Howard is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -136. The total is set at 45.5 points.
Here’s my Alabama A&M vs Howard predictions and college football picks for Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Alabama A&M vs Howard Prediction
• Alabama A&M vs Howard Pick: Alabama A&M +2.5
My Alabama A&M vs Howard best bet is on the Bulldogs to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Alabama A&M vs Howard Odds
| Alabama A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -113 | 45.5 -113o / -113u | +106 |
| Howard Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -113 | 45.5 -113o / -113u | -136 |
- Alabama A&M vs Howard point spread: Alabama A&M +2.5, Howard -2.5
- Alabama A&M vs Howard over/under: 45.5 (-113 / -113)
- Alabama A&M vs Howard moneyline: Alabama A&M +106, Howard -136
Alabama A&M vs Howard Preview
Alabama A&M Betting Preview
Alabama A&M head coach Sam Shade returns for his second season with the Bulldogs following the eight-year NFL veteran having coached at the high school level, collegiately and also in the NFL in an assistant coaching capacity.
Shade’s Bulldogs will surely be looking to reverse its 2025 fortune that led to Alabama A&M finishing the season with a 4-8 overall record.
The former NFL safety coached at Miles University, where he led the Golden Bears to an SIAC Championship after a 1-9 record in his first season at the helm.
Despite having to re-earn his starting spot following an injury that derailed his 2025 campaign, senior QB Cornelious “Quad” Brown IV will start under center in what will be his eighth season of collegiate eligibility.
That said, redshirt sophomore QB Eric Handley will definitely be lying in wait if Brown is to struggle early-on into the season.
All three of the Bulldogs’ leading receivers from 2025 have left the program, which carries some more uncertainty about A&M’s lack of offensive playmakers.
While the Bulldogs' offensive line will receive reinforcements with two of their three top pocket protectors having gotten hurt in 2025, Shade’s defense will be far more unpredictable with glaring holes in its secondary.
Though concerns regarding the Bulldogs’ offensive efficiency are still looming, Brown is remarkably athletic and will bring a ton of energy to this Alabama A&M offense as he returns under center.
It's safe to say that Shake’s Bulldogs are still a work in progress heading into his second season as head coach, but having a player of Brown's caliber running the offense will certainly open things up down the field.
Howard Betting Preview
Ted White enters his first season as Howard head coach following longtime Bison coach Larry Scott’s departure this past offseason.
White was a Howard legend back in his day, serving as the team’s quarterback from 1995 through 1999.
The former Bison QB has coached at both the collegiate level and in the NFL for over 20 years and brings a ton of experience into his first year as head coach at his alma mater.
Following a 5-7 overall record in Scott’s last year in D.C., the Howard program was more than ready for a change, with both the University’s vice president and AD having played instrumental roles in White’s reunion with the Bison.
White returns with a new vision for the Bison, placing more of an emphasis on discipline, accountability and preserving an overall winning mindset as he brings Howard football into its next era.
The hype surrounding White’s return to Howard has been ample, with the Bison’s spring game drawing a sold-out crowd.
Though the Bison head coach has been open about his aggressive “stop the run at all costs” defensive coaching style, his plans for the offensive side of the football remain unanswered, with many speculating on whether Howard’s offense will be primarily built through the air or on the ground.
There's an ongoing QB competition between longtime Bison QB Ja’Shawn Scroggins, Hampton transfer Isaiah Freeman and second-year backup TJ Russell.
Though the former rush-heavy Bison offense has seen decreases in team rushing yards in each of the last three seasons, Eden James boasts tremendous athleticism and returns as RB1 after having missed the majority of 2025 with an injury.
White’s bunch looks to reign supreme on Saturday evening in what would be the first time a SWAC program has lost consecutive "Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenges" since 2015.
Alabama A&M vs Howard Pick, Betting Analysis
Though the concerns about Alabama A&M’s offense are valid, the Bulldogs will ultimately have the best player on the field in Brown, which could absolutely be the difference-maker on Saturday night.
While this is far from a top-confidence betting spot, I'm willing to take a shot on Alabama A&M at +2.5.
Pick: Alabama A&M +2.5
