AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementHere are my five favorite college football long-shot futures and college football picks to make ahead of the 2026 NCAAF season, headlined by the Houston Cougars and head coach Willie Fritz. College football long shot futures for 2026Pick OddsHouston to win the Big 12+1600 at BetMGMI think Houston Cougars head coach Willie Fritz is the most underrated coach in the country. Fritz has won big at Sam Houston State, Georgia Southern, and Tulane, and guided Houston to 10 wins last yearThe Cougars rank No. A 10-2 Houston team would still be very much in the mix for qualifying for the Big 12 Championship Game. In this year's spring game, Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception.