Stonehill vs Ohio Picks and Prediction for Saturday September 26 2026

The Stonehill Skyhawks visit the Ohio Bobcats at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET with coverage on ESPN+. Stonehill enters at 1-3 after a 36-14 loss at Massachusetts, while Ohio returns home after dropping a 41-36 shootout at South Alabama. This will be the first meeting between the programs, and it presents Stonehill with another demanding road matchup against an FBS opponent. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more NCAAF predictions throughout the season.

Stonehill Faces Its Second Straight FBS Road Test

Stonehill’s 1-3 record includes a 24-6 loss to Bryant, a 21-3 victory at New Haven, a competitive 42-35 loss at New Hampshire and last week’s 36-14 defeat at Massachusetts. The Skyhawks have therefore spent much of September away from home, and the trip to Athens will be their fourth road assignment in five games.

The 36-14 loss to Massachusetts was Stonehill’s first game against an FBS opponent in program history. UMass built a 36-7 advantage before Stonehill added a late touchdown, illustrating the depth problem an FCS program can encounter as an FBS matchup progresses. Stonehill has nevertheless shown offensive potential, particularly in the 35-point performance at New Hampshire.

The challenge is sustaining that production against Ohio. Stonehill cannot afford extended empty possessions because Ohio just demonstrated that it can score at a much higher rate than UMass. The Skyhawks’ best chance of covering a large number is shortening the game, avoiding turnovers and preventing Ohio from creating an early multi-score advantage.

Ohio Has an Opportunity to Rebound at Home

Ohio returns to Athens after a frustrating 41-36 loss at South Alabama. Scoring 36 points on the road and still losing tells the story: the Bobcats generated enough offense to win but could not get the defensive stops required. This matchup provides an opportunity for Ohio to correct those problems against an FCS opponent before moving deeper into its schedule.

The offensive performance at South Alabama is particularly relevant to the point spread. Unlike some heavy favorites that need to prove they can create separation, Ohio has just shown it can put 36 points on the board in an FBS road environment. Against a Stonehill defense that surrendered 42 to New Hampshire and 36 to Massachusetts, the Bobcats should have opportunities to build an early lead.

Ohio’s primary betting concern is the size of the number. Stonehill has already played three road games and scored 35 at New Hampshire, so the Skyhawks are capable of contributing enough offense to threaten a massive spread. Ohio should be able to win comfortably, but there is a significant difference between asking the Bobcats to win the game and asking them to cover four touchdowns.

Stonehill vs Ohio Picks and Prediction

Pick: Ohio -24.5 or Better

Ohio’s 36-point performance at South Alabama gives the Bobcats enough offensive upside to create separation against a Stonehill defense that has allowed at least 24 points in three of four games. Stonehill is also playing its second consecutive FBS opponent and fourth road game in five weeks. Ohio should have the depth advantage to pull away as the game progresses, but I would want the number below 25 rather than chasing a spread into the high twenties.

Pick: Over 51.5 or Lower

Stonehill’s recent games provide enough evidence that the Skyhawks can become involved in higher-scoring contests. The New Hampshire game produced 77 combined points, Massachusetts scored 36 against them, and Ohio is coming off a game in which the Bobcats scored 36 themselves. Ohio could do much of the work toward this total, while even 10-14 Stonehill points would give the over a realistic path at 51.5 or lower.

Final Picks: Ohio -24.5 or Better and Over 51.5 or Lower