The Ohio Bobcats take on the South Alabama Jaguars in Mobile, AL. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
South Alabama is favored by -6.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -210. The total is set at 51.5 points.
Here’s my Ohio vs. South Alabama prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Ohio vs South Alabama Prediction
- Ohio vs. South Alabama Pick: South Alabama -6.5
My South Alabama vs. Ohio best bet is on the Jaguars to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Ohio vs South Alabama Odds
| Ohio Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 +100 | 49.5 -105o / -115u | +202 |
| South Alabama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -122 | 49.5 -105o / -115u | -250 |
- Ohio vs South Alabama point spread: South Alabama -6.5 (-122), Ohio +6.5 (+100)
- Ohio vs South Alabama over/under: 49.5 (-105o / -115u)
- Ohio vs South Alabama moneyline: Ohio +202, South Alabama -250
Ohio vs South Alabama College Football Preview
Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview
Coming into the season, I thought Ohio would be way down due to a major downgrade at quarterback and receiver. After two games, I have not changed my tune.
And now, the Bobs may be down to a third-string freshman quarterback after the top two got hurt last week in a thrilling win over Jacksonville State.
Speaking of that game, Ohio got extremely fortunate and somehow pulled a rabbit out of its hat despite Jacksonville State (which missed a game-winning 38-yard field goal by a reliable kicker) holding a 447-262 yardage edge. It was the luckiest victory of the week, per my numbers.
Now, following a back-and-forth four-overtime affair (that came after a beating at Nebraska) in which a number of starters got banged up, the Bobs head down to Mobile for a nonconference game against South Alabama, which found itself on the opposite end of the spectrum last week.
South Alabama Jaguars Betting Preview
In a four-point loss to Tulane, the Jaguars actually outgained the Green Wave, 478-424.
Senior quarterback Bishop Davenport played one of the best games of his collegiate career, throwing for nearly 300 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions while adding another 50 on the ground.
Behind an offensive line that has exceeded my preseason expectations through two games, he should have ample opportunities to exploit a vulnerable Ohio secondary in the quick passing game.
Ohio vs South Alabama Pick, Betting Analysis
If South Alabama jumps out to a lead, the Bobcats won't have much recourse with a decimated offense (and super shaky kicking game).
This is a very tough spot for a beat-up Bobs team that certainly doesn't play to the same level away from home.
Ohio is a different team at home, where they hold the nation's second-longest winning streak of 14 games. The Bobcats have also historically crushed ATS (60% since 2005) in Athens.
Incredibly, over the past five seasons, they have gone 18-3 ATS (85.7%) in Peden Stadium vs. FBS competition, covering by nearly a touchdown per game. However, they have been much more pedestrian away from home over that span at 12-14 ATS.
Pick: South Alabama -6.5
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