College football picks, predictions against the spread for Week 0 matchups originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
College football is back – and there is intrigue in every viewing window Saturday.
TCU and North Carolina open the season at 12 p.m. at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Will Bill Belichick get off the hot seat to start Year 2? Or will Sonny Dykes hand North Carolina another blowout loss like the 48-14 Labor Day steamrolling on ESPN last season?
No. 14 USC is the only ranked team in action. The Trojans face San Jose State at 3 p.m. on NBC. NC State faces Virginia in a fun ACC matchup in the same window.
Two schools are making FBS debuts. North Dakota State takes on Jacksonville State, and Sacramento State faces Eastern Michigan. Hawai'i takes on Stanford, and Florida State meets New Mexico in the 7 p.m. window, and that sets up a Group of 6 gem between Memphis and UNLV at 10 p.m. ET.
We pick every game against the spread for Top 25 teams, but we're picking all eight Week 0 games to get the season started. Last year, we were 222-76 S/U and 138-154-6 ATS.
Here are our Week 0 predictions against the spread (odds according to Caesars).
SN 140: Greatest teams since 1886 | Greatest teams by decade|Greatest personalities
Week 0 picks against the spread Saturday, Aug. 29North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5) (12 p.m., ESPN)
Harvard transfer quarterback Jaden Craig had 48 TDs and 10 interceptions the last two years. Will he be that efficient against North Carolina's defense that gave up 30-plus points five times last season? Five of the last six Aer Lingus Classic matchups have been decided by three points or less, and North Carolina hangs around with the help of a few turnovers.
Pick: TCU wins 27-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
MORE: Five storylines to track for 2026 season
San Jose State at No. 14 USC (-38.5) (3 p.m., NBC)
That's a huge number for the Trojans. San Jose State is coming off a 3-9 season – but the Spartans were 2-3 ATS. USC averages 60.4 points per game in its last five matchups against Group of 6 schools – but they have allowed 15 points per game. Will new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson be a game changer for a team with playoff hopes?
Pick: USC wins 48-13 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
NC State at Virginia (-5.5) (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
This could be the best game of the week. The Cavaliers are a 5.5-point favorite led by fifth-year senior Beau Pribula – who transferred from Missouri. NC State quarterback CJ Bailey is generating NFL buzz, too, so this should be a tight matchup. The Wolfpack are 4-0 against the Cavaliers under coach Dave Doeren – and that includes a 35-31 victory last season.
Pick: NC State wins 30-27 in an UPSET
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State (-6.5) (5:30 p.m., ET, CBS Sports Network)
Welcome the Bison to the FBS. It's a tough opener against Jacksonville State, a program with nine wins each of the last two seasons. North Dakota State opens with a new quarterback in Nathan Hayes and running back in DJ Scott. The line has dropped through the summer – but we're counting on the Fargodome advantage to kick in.
Pick: North Dakota State wins 28-19 and COVERS the spread.
Sacramento State at Eastern Michigan (-10) (6:30 p.m., ESPN+)
Welcome the Hornets to #MACtion. Eastern Michigan is a heavy favorite, but the Eagles had just one double-digit victory last season. Noah Kim led the MAC with 602 passing attempts last season. Sacramento State has a portal-heavy roster under first-year coach Alonzo Carter — including a completely overhauled secondary. Quarterback Carson Conklin transferred back to Sacramento State after a year at Fresno State. Eastern Michigan allowed a FBS-worst 232.1 rushing yards per game last season. This could be a one-score game.
Pick: Eastern Michigan wins 26-18 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
New Mexico State at Florida State (-31.5) (7 p.m., The CW)
It's a critical year for the Seminoles under Mike Norvell, and quarterback Ashton Daniels is the key. New Mexico State allowed 165 rushing yards per game last season – but they were 6-4 ATS as an underdog. Trey Hedden – a Furman transfer – threw 13 interceptions last season. The Seminoles will convert those turnovers to build momentum for the Labor Day showdown against SMU.
MORE: Seven intriguing transfer quarterbacks to watch
Pick: Florida State wins 45-10 and COVERS the spread.
Hawai'i at Stanford (-6) (7 p.m., ACC Network)
Hawaii is a popular Mountain West Conference sleeper pick – and the Warriors beat the Cardinal 23-20 last season. Stanford coach Tavita Pritchard makes his debut with Michigan transfer quarterback Davis Warren. It's a dangerous spot against Miach Alejado – who had six games with three TD passes last season.
Pick: Stanford wins 24-22 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Memphis at UNLV (-5.5) (10 p.m., Fox)
This game should be fun. Jackson Arnold – a two-time transfer in the SEC with Oklahoma and Auburn – makes his debut with Dan Mullen. Running back Jai'Den Thomas had 1,036 rushing yards and 12 TDs last season on seven yards per carry. Memphis is re-setting with coach Charles Huff – and the two-deep is mostly rebuilt roster through the portal. The Rebels were 1-4 ATS as a home favorite last season – but we'll go through the trend.
Pick: UNLV wins 30-20 and COVERS the spread.
Leave a Comment