SportsJaw
LeaderboardToday's GamesBest BetsConsensus PicksMake Picks
Login / Sign In
Today's GamesToday’s Best BetsConsensus PicksTeam PredictionsHead-to-Head MatchupsSJ CoinsAbout SportsJawContact UsLogin / Sign In
HomeMatchupsMake PicksLeaders
SportsJaw

The social platform for sports bettors.

Explore SportsJaw

  • Today’s Picks
  • Best Bets
  • Leaderboard
  • Make Picks
  • Consensus Picks
  • Team Predictions
  • Head-to-Head

Picks by Sport

  • NFL Picks
  • NCAAF Picks
  • NBA Picks
  • NCAAB Picks
  • MLB Picks
  • NHL Picks

About SportsJaw

  • How It Works
  • SJ Coins
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

© 2026 SportsJaw. For entertainment purposes only. SportsJaw does not accept or place wagers.

NCAAF MatchupsSat 4:00 PM ET
Lamar
Cardinals
2-1
versus
Nicholls St.
Colonels
2-2
NCAAF · LAMAR at NICHOLL

Your Picks on Lamar vs Nicholls St.

Picks close 15 minutes before game time (ET)
Spread
Moneyline
Total

Lamar Cardinals vs Nicholls St. Colonels Predictions

Game time: September 26, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET

Article updated Sep 23, 2:30 AM EDT

By SportsJaw Editorial Team

Lamar brings a national ranking into this September 26 matchup. Nicholls has documented early-season playmakers, but the available comparison supports a Pass at the supplied SportsJaw prices.

Matchup overview

Lamar's national ranking and Nicholls' early turnover production frame this 2026 college football matchup. The September 21 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll placed the Cardinals No. 15 and identified Nicholls as their September 26 opponent. Nicholls had generated 10 takeaways through its first three games, offering a concrete reason to examine the underdog beyond the price. Those credentials describe different aspects of the teams, however. A poll position and an early takeaway total do not establish how their offenses and defenses compare, leaving a substantial hurdle to recommending either side.

At a glance

Game: Lamar Cardinals vs. Nicholls St. Colonels, September 26, 2026, college football.

Lamar: No. 15 in the September 21 AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, with a 2-1 record and 296 poll points. The poll listed the Cardinals as idle in Week 3.

Nicholls: Was 2-1 entering September 19 after opening Southland play with a 31-28 victory over UTRGV.

SportsJaw moneyline: Lamar -390; Nicholls +280.

SportsJaw spread: Lamar -8.5 (-113); Nicholls +8.5 (-113).

SportsJaw total: Over 46.5 (-113); under 46.5 (-113).

Lamar Cardinals outlook

Lamar's strongest documented credential is its standing in the September 21 coaches poll. The Cardinals held the No. 15 position with 296 points, providing a dated measure of recognition among the poll's voters. Their listed 2-1 record supplies another basic season marker. Neither figure identifies the particular offensive or defensive strength that might decide this game.

That distinction matters when considering the two ways to back Lamar. At -390 moneyline, the Cardinals only need to win, but the price requires a strong assessment of their chances to justify the risk. At -8.5 (-113), a victory alone is insufficient: Lamar must win by at least nine points. The ranking does not measure an expected winning margin.

The available Lamar information does not include individual game results, scoring production or player statistics. Consequently, there is no documented basis for identifying a quarterback advantage, a productive rushing attack or a defense equipped to limit Nicholls' passing game. Calling any of those a Cardinals strength would go beyond what the current reporting establishes.

The Week 3 idle listing also deserves a narrow interpretation. It confirms a break in Lamar's schedule, but it does not establish improved health, additional player availability or a preparation advantage. Those would require separate information. The Cardinals have a recognizable national credential, yet the details needed to translate that credential into a moneyline valuation or a spread recommendation remain missing.

Nicholls St. Colonels outlook

Nicholls' September 18 preview provides a more detailed picture, although its statistics precede the scheduled September 19 game at Sam Houston. The Colonels were then 2-1, having begun Southland play with a 31-28 win over UTRGV. They established a 14-0 lead but still needed an onside-kick recovery after UTRGV scored with one minute remaining to secure possession late.

Senior quarterback Ean Rodrigue threw a career-high four touchdown passes in that victory. Senior receiver Jackson Dufrene accounted for three receiving touchdowns while gaining 100 yards on five catches. That performance identifies an actual productive passing connection. It does not establish how consistently Nicholls can reproduce that output, particularly without a corresponding profile of Lamar's pass defense.

The defense contributed three takeaways against UTRGV. Senior linebacker Kennon Loftin recorded 12 tackles and an interception, bringing his three-game tackle total to a team-leading 24, or 8.0 per game. Fifth-year defensive back Jhamal Shelby Jr. had four pass breakups and one interception through the same opening stretch.

Nicholls reported 10 takeaways through three games, third-most in the FCS, alongside an average of 3.33 penalties per game that the school reported as first in the subdivision. Those figures support early strengths in turnover creation and penalty frequency. The close finish against UTRGV also shows that an early lead and multiple takeaways did not produce a comfortable margin. This is a useful early snapshot, rather than a complete assessment of Nicholls entering September 26.

Key matchup factors

The reporting dates materially limit the comparison. Lamar's record and ranking come from September 21, while Nicholls' detailed statistical profile ends before its September 19 game. Treating those records as equally current would obscure that difference. The available information does not establish Nicholls' result from that intervening game, so the Colonels' earlier 2-1 record cannot be presented as their confirmed record entering this matchup.

Turnovers also require an opponent-specific comparison. Nicholls' takeaway production is documented, but Lamar's ball-security record is not. There is therefore no basis for assuming that the Colonels will continue producing takeaways at their early rate against this opponent.

The prices offer separate decisions, rather than one general judgment about the favorite. Nicholls could cover +8.5 without winning, while Lamar could win without covering -8.5. Likewise, the 46.5 total requires an assessment of combined scoring. Neither a coaches-poll ranking nor a takeaway count provides that assessment. Poll points are a ranking measure, not a win probability, public betting percentage or SportsJaw user vote.

Prediction

Pass. Lamar -390 moneyline and -8.5 (-113) spread each require more support than a national ranking and a 2-1 record provide. The ranking is relevant context, but there is no sufficiently detailed comparison to establish that either price offers value. A projected score would introduce precision that the available performance information cannot support.

The strongest argument for taking a position is Nicholls' combination of passing production against UTRGV, early takeaways and low penalty frequency. Those are tangible achievements that warrant consideration when evaluating Nicholls +8.5 (-113). The counterargument is substantial: those numbers precede another scheduled game, and Lamar's corresponding strengths and weaknesses are not documented. That prevents converting an interesting underdog profile into a supported wager.

Nicholls +280 moneyline needs its own case for an outright victory, which is also absent. Over 46.5 (-113) and under 46.5 (-113) lack a supported combined-scoring comparison. With no established value at the exact supplied prices, the final recommendation is Pass, with no selected winner or projected score.

ConfidenceSlight lean
SportsJaw pick

Pass

Sources

  • Nicholls State University AthleticsColonels and Kats Square Off in Huntsville
  • UTRGV AthleticsFootball Receiving Votes in AFCA FCS Coaches Poll - Week 3

SportsJaw Cardinals vs Colonels game preview analysis and predictions incorporate current odds, injury reports, team statistics and market data. Information is updated regularly, but lines and player availability can change. Please confirm current information before wagering. View history of past Cardinals vs Colonels matchups or learn how our predictions work.

Keep browsing

More NCAAF matchups

Compare predictions, consensus picks and recorded odds for other NCAAF games on this slate.

View all NCAAF games
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Texas Longhorns-5 (-106)
Tennessee Volunteers+5 (-110)
O/U56
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Illinois Fighting Illini+27 (-110)
Ohio St. Buckeyes-27 (-110)
O/U53.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Wake Forest Demon Deacons+12.5 (-110)
Louisville Cardinals-12.5 (-110)
O/U58.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
San Diego St. Aztecs+3 (-110)
Toledo Rockets-3 (-110)
O/U52
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Ball St. Cardinals+3.5 (-115)
Kent St. Golden Flashes-3.5 (-105)
O/U51
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Colorado Buffaloes+10 (-110)
Baylor Bears-10 (-110)
O/U55.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
UNLV Rebels-13.5 (-112)
Akron Zips+13.5 (-108)
O/U52.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Virginia Tech Hokies-14 (-105)
Boston College Eagles+14 (-115)
O/U48.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
Colorado State Rams+13.5 (-110)
UTSA Roadrunners-13.5 (-110)
O/U58
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
New Hampshire Wildcats+3.5 (-106)
Sacred Heart Pioneers-3.5 (-120)
O/U45.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 12:00 PM
PRPresbyterian College+7.5 (-106)
Marist Red Foxes-7.5 (-120)
O/U46.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 12:30 PM
Columbia Lions-6.5 (-113)
Georgetown Hoyas+6.5 (-113)
O/U51.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 12:30 PM
Holy Cross Crusaders+4.5 (-113)
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns-4.5 (-113)
O/U49.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 12:45 PM
South Alabama Jaguars+20.5 (-110)
Kentucky Wildcats-20.5 (-110)
O/U54.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
LILindenwood+26.5 (-110)
Eastern Michigan Eagles-26.5 (-110)
O/U49.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
North Dakota Fighting Sioux-17.5 (-113)
Indiana St. Sycamores+17.5 (-113)
O/U58.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
Yale Bulldogs-14.5 (-113)
Cornell Big Red+14.5 (-113)
O/U50.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
Stony Brook Seawolves-9.5 (-106)
Fordham Rams+9.5 (-120)
O/U57.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
Lehigh Mountain Hawks-11.5 (-113)
Pennsylvania Quakers+11.5 (-113)
O/U48.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
Drake Bulldogs-14.5 (-113)
Davidson Wildcats+14.5 (-113)
O/U53.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:00 PM
NENew Haven+9.5 (-120)
MEMerrimack Warriors-9.5 (-106)
O/U46.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 1:30 PM
UCLA Bruins-1.5 (-110)
Maryland Terrapins+1.5 (-110)
O/U56.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 1:30 PM
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles-14.5 (-113)
Wofford Terriers+14.5 (-113)
O/U46.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
South Dakota Coyotes+1.5 (-106)
Youngstown St. Penguins-1.5 (-120)
O/U64.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Notre Dame Fighting Irish-28 (-105)
Purdue Boilermakers+28 (-115)
O/U58
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Northern Illinois Huskies+10 (-105)
Georgia State Panthers-10 (-112)
O/U55.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Furman Paladins+3.5 (-120)
Richmond Spiders-3.5 (-106)
O/U44.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks+15.5 (-113)
Austin Peay Governors-15.5 (-113)
O/U51.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Maine Black Bears+5.5 (-113)
Elon Fighting Christians-5.5 (-113)
O/U46.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
San Diego Toreros+4.5 (-113)
STSt. Thomas - Minnesota-4.5 (-113)
O/U57.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Butler Bulldogs-8.5 (-113)
Valparaiso Crusaders+8.5 (-113)
O/U50.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 2:00 PM
Chattanooga Mocs-9.5 (-113)
The Citadel Bulldogs+9.5 (-113)
O/U47.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 2:30 PM
Colgate Red Raiders+3.5 (-113)
Villanova Wildcats-3.5 (-113)
O/U47.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:00 PM
Hawaii Rainbows-3 (-110)
Wyoming Cowboys+3 (-108)
O/U44.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Oklahoma Sooners+14 (-110)
Georgia Bulldogs-14 (-108)
O/U44.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Boise St. Broncos-7 (-118)
Western Michigan Broncos+7 (-102)
O/U49.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Mississippi Rebels+3 (-105)
Florida Gators-3 (-115)
O/U59
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Iowa Hawkeyes+5.5 (-110)
Michigan Wolverines-5.5 (-110)
O/U38.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Utah Running Utes-8 (-110)
Iowa St. Cyclones+8 (-108)
O/U48.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
New Mexico Lobos-11.5 (-110)
New Mexico St. Aggies+11.5 (-110)
O/U48.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Connecticut Huskies+3.5 (-112)
Miami-OH RedHawks-3.5 (-105)
O/U51.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
TCU Horned Frogs-3 (-112)
Central Florida Golden Knights+3 (-108)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Gardner-Webb Bulldogs+23.5 (-110)
Marshall Thundering Herd-23.5 (-110)
O/U51.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Robert Morris Colonials+28.5 (-110)
Buffalo Bulls-28.5 (-110)
O/U44.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Western Carolina Catamounts-1.5 (-113)
East Tennessee St. Buccaneers+1.5 (-113)
O/U65.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 3:30 PM
Virginia Military Keydets+17.5 (-113)
Samford Bulldogs-17.5 (-113)
O/U47.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 4:00 PM
Houston Cougars-18.5 (-110)
Georgia Southern Eagles+18.5 (-110)
O/U56.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 4:00 PM
NONorth Carolina Central+32.5 (-110)
East Carolina Pirates-32.5 (-110)
O/U52.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 4:00 PM
Rhode Island Rams-24.5 (-113)
NONorth Carolina A&T+24.5 (-113)
O/U53.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 4:00 PM
Texas Southern Tigers+2.5 (-113)
Alcorn St. Braves-2.5 (-113)
O/U58.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 4:00 PM
Western Illinois Leathernecks+6.5 (-113)
NONorth Alabama Lions-6.5 (-113)
O/U54.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 4:15 PM
Vanderbilt Commodores+9.5 (-110)
Auburn Tigers-9.5 (-110)
O/U55
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 5:00 PM
Nebraska Cornhuskers-5.5 (-110)
Michigan St. Spartans+5.5 (-110)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 5:00 PM
Wisconsin Badgers+10 (-110)
Penn St. Nittany Lions-10 (-108)
O/U44.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 5:00 PM
South Florida Bulls-17.5 (-110)
Bowling Green Falcons+17.5 (-110)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 5:00 PM
Illinois St. Redbirds-20.5 (-113)
Northern Iowa Panthers+20.5 (-113)
O/U58.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
James Madison Dukes-6 (-110)
Old Dominion Monarchs+6 (-110)
O/U45
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
Delaware Blue Hens+19.5 (-110)
Virginia Cavaliers-19.5 (-110)
O/U52.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
Incarnate Word Cardinals+30.5 (-110)
Texas State Bobcats-30.5 (-110)
O/U64.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
LOLong Island+34.5 (-110)
Fla. International Golden Panthers-34.5 (-110)
O/U51.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
Towson Tigers+3.5 (-120)
Delaware St. Hornets-3.5 (-106)
O/U50.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 6:00 PM
Campbell Camels-18.5 (-113)
Hampton Pirates+18.5 (-113)
O/U57.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 6:30 PM
Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns-10 (-110)
Charlotte 49ers+10 (-108)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Oklahoma St. Cowboys+1.5 (-110)
West Virginia Mountaineers-1.5 (-110)
O/U60.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
South Carolina Gamecocks+12.5 (-110)
Alabama Crimson Tide-12.5 (-110)
O/U54
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Kansas St. Wildcats-6.5 (-110)
Cincinnati Bearcats+6.5 (-110)
O/U55.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Southern Miss. Golden Eagles+18.5 (-110)
Tulane Green Wave-18.5 (-110)
O/U52.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Middle Tenn. St. Blue Raiders+7 (-105)
Jacksonville St. Gamecocks-7 (-115)
O/U51.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Kennesaw St. Owls+6 (-110)
Arkansas State Red Wolves-6 (-110)
O/U52.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Cal Poly-SLO Mustangs+3.5 (-104)
Eastern Washington Eagles-3.5 (-122)
O/U59.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
ALAlabama A&M-2.5 (-113)
Florida A&M Rattlers+2.5 (-113)
O/U51.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
WEWest Florida+6.5 (-120)
SOSoutheast Missouri State-6.5 (-106)
O/U52.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Southern U. Jaguars+20.5 (-106)
Jackson St. Tigers-20.5 (-120)
O/U57.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
TETexas A&M-Commerce+3.5 (-120)
McNeese St. Cowboys-3.5 (-106)
O/U51.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Prairie View A&M Panthers-11.5 (-113)
Grambling St. Tigers+11.5 (-113)
O/U54.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
SOSouth Carolina State-14.5 (-113)
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats+14.5 (-113)
O/U56.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:00 PM
Southern Illinois Salukis-17.5 (-113)
Murray St. Racers+17.5 (-113)
O/U54.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:30 PM
Oregon Ducks-3 (-112)
USC Trojans+3 (-105)
O/U62
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:30 PM
Texas A&M Aggies+8.5 (-110)
LSU Tigers-8.5 (-110)
O/U52
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:30 PM
Troy Trojans+3 (-108)
Utah State Aggies-3 (-112)
O/U47.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 7:30 PM
Arizona Wildcats-10 (-112)
Washington St. Cougars+10 (-105)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:30 PM
Appalachian St. Mountaineers+14 (-108)
NC State Wolfpack-14 (-112)
O/U55
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 7:45 PM
Missouri Tigers+6.5 (-110)
Mississippi St. Bulldogs-6.5 (-110)
O/U58.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
Tulsa Golden Hurricane+7 (-110)
Arkansas Razorbacks-7 (-110)
O/U50.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
Florida Atlantic Owls-13.5 (-110)
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks+13.5 (-110)
O/U57.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
UTUtah Tech+7.5 (-120)
Northern Colorado Bears-7.5 (-106)
O/U49.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
Idaho St. Bengals-9.5 (-113)
Southern Utah Thunderbirds+9.5 (-113)
O/U62.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
Portland St. Vikings+7.5 (-113)
Weber St. Wildcats-7.5 (-113)
O/U66.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 8:00 PM
Mercer Bears+3.5 (-122)
Abilene Christian Wildcats-3.5 (-104)
O/U49.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 9:00 PM
UMass Minutemen-4.5 (-110)
Sacramento St. Hornets+4.5 (-110)
O/U48.5
View matchup and picks
NCAAFSat 9:00 PM
Oregon St. Beavers-10.5 (-110)
UTEP Miners+10.5 (-110)
O/U55.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 9:00 PM
Missouri St. Bears+34.5 (-110)
SMU Mustangs-34.5 (-110)
O/U59.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 10:00 PM
Rice Owls+13.5 (-105)
Fresno St. Bulldogs-13.5 (-115)
O/U44.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 10:00 PM
Montana Grizzlies+2.5 (-113)
UC Davis Aggies-2.5 (-113)
O/U61.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 10:30 PM
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets-3.5 (-105)
Stanford Cardinal+3.5 (-115)
O/U48.5
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 10:30 PM
Air Force Falcons-5.5 (-110)
Nevada Wolfpack+5.5 (-110)
O/U50
View matchup and consensus
NCAAFSat 10:30 PM
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks+21.5 (-113)
Montana St. Bobcats-21.5 (-113)
O/U57.5
Matchup Coming Soon
NCAAFSat 11:00 PM
Minnesota Golden Gophers+10 (-110)
Washington Huskies-10 (-110)
O/U46
View matchup and consensus