College football returns on Saturday, August 29, with a Week 0 slate that offers bettors everything from massive favorites to several games that could come down to the final possession.
The schedule includes TCU and North Carolina meeting in Dublin, USC beginning its season against San Jose State, North Dakota State playing its first game as an FBS program, and a late-night matchup between Memphis and UNLV that could eventually have College Football Playoff implications.
Here is our college football betting preview and pick for every major Week 0 game. Odds are subject to change.
North Carolina vs. TCU
- Spread: North Carolina +8 (-110) / TCU -8 (-110)
- Moneyline: North Carolina +260 / TCU -320
- Total: 47.5
North Carolina and TCU kick off the Week 0 schedule with an international matchup in Dublin, Ireland. TCU enters as a solid favorite, and we think the Horned Frogs are the better bet despite laying more than a touchdown.
International openers introduce some additional uncertainty, but TCU appears better positioned to handle it. The Horned Frogs have a roster capable of competing near the top of the Big 12 and should have an advantage in overall depth.
The relatively low 47.5-point total suggests oddsmakers aren’t expecting a wide-open shootout. That makes covering eight points slightly more difficult, but we still expect TCU to gradually create separation in the second half.
Our Pick: TCU -8 (-110)
San Jose State vs. USC
- Spread: San Jose State +38 (-115) / USC -38 (-105)
- Total: 59.5
USC begins its season at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum against a San Jose State program that has never defeated the Trojans. USC is 6-0 in the all-time series, including a 56-28 victory when these programs last met in 2023.
The question isn’t whether USC should win, which is why oddsmakers have not offered a moneyline bet on this game. It is whether the Trojans can build a margin of nearly 40 points.
San Jose State remains an experienced program under Ken Niumatalolo and should be capable of putting together enough offense to make the number uncomfortable. USC may also have little incentive to continue attacking aggressively once the outcome is settled. A point spread of 38 leaves very little margin for error for the favorite.
Our Pick: San Jose State +38 (-115)
NC State vs. Virginia
- Spread: NC State +5.5 (-105) / Virginia -5.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: NC State +180 / Virginia -220
- Total: 53.5
This matchup was originally scheduled in Brazil before being moved to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, giving Virginia a legitimate home-field advantage rather than playing at a neutral international venue.
Virginia is coming off an 11-win 2025 season and enters 2026 with one of the more experienced rosters in college football. Transfer quarterback Beau Pribula will lead the Cavaliers, who surprisingly received only one vote in the preseason AP poll despite last year’s success.
NC State is dangerous enough to keep this competitive, but the location change matters. Rather than laying 5.5 points on a neutral field, Virginia now gets NC State in Charlottesville. We think that pushes the advantage clearly toward the Cavaliers.
Our Pick: Virginia -5.5 (-115)
Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State
- Spread: Jacksonville State +7 (-110) / North Dakota State -7 (-110)
- Moneyline: Jacksonville State +225 / North Dakota State -275
- Total: 46
One of the most interesting games on the entire Week 0 schedule will also be historic. North Dakota State officially begins its first season at the FBS level after moving into the Mountain West following one of the most dominant runs in FCS history. The Bison won 10 FCS national championships before making the jump.
Jacksonville State shouldn’t be dismissed. The Gamecocks have already demonstrated that former FCS powers can quickly become competitive at the FBS level, and quarterback Caden Creel returns to an experienced offense.
Still, this is more than simply NDSU’s FBS debut. It is also a home game in Fargo, and the atmosphere should be exceptional for such a significant moment in program history. Seven points is about as high as we’d want to go, but we’re backing the Bison.
Our Pick: North Dakota State -7 (-110)
Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan
- Spread: Sacramento State +9.5 (-105) / Eastern Michigan -9.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Sacramento State +285 / Eastern Michigan -370
- Total: 52.5
Sacramento State is another former FCS program entering unfamiliar territory. The Hornets begin their first FBS season—and their first season as a MAC member—with a conference road game at Eastern Michigan.
That makes this particularly difficult to handicap. Sacramento State has upgraded its roster for the transition and brings back several notable contributors, including running back Jamar Curtis and defensive lineman Xavier Williams.
Eastern Michigan has the advantage of stability, FBS experience, and home field, but laying nearly 10 points against a motivated opponent in an opener feels aggressive. Sacramento State doesn’t necessarily need to win for bettors to cash. Keeping this within one score will do the job.
Our Pick: Sacramento State +9.5 (-105)
Hawaii vs. Stanford
- Spread: Hawaii +5.5 (-110) / Stanford -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Hawaii +180 / Stanford -220
- Total: 49
This may be one of the more appealing underdog spots on the Week 0 board. Hawaii beat Stanford 23-20 in Honolulu last season and returns quarterback Micah Alejado, who helped lead the Rainbow Warriors to wins over both Stanford and California in 2025.
Stanford will counter with Michigan transfer Davis Warren at quarterback. Warren won the starting job after missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL, but he threw seven touchdowns against nine interceptions during his previous significant action at Michigan.
The Cardinal do get the rematch at Stanford Stadium, but we’re not convinced there is enough separation between these teams to justify 5.5 points. Hawaii winning outright wouldn’t surprise us.
Our Pick: Hawaii +5.5 (-110)
New Mexico State vs. Florida State
- Spread: New Mexico State +31 (-115) / Florida State -31 (-105)
- Total: 53
Florida State enters Week 0 as another enormous favorite, laying 31 points at home against New Mexico State. Mike Norvell’s team has already shifted its preparation toward the Aggies, and there have been encouraging reports surrounding receiver Jayvan Boggs and the development of the Seminoles’ offense during camp.
The difficulty is the number. Florida State needs to win by more than four touchdowns, so even a comfortable 35-10 victory wouldn’t get bettors there. We still prefer the Seminoles. Florida State should hold substantial advantages in size, speed, and depth, while New Mexico State enters the year attempting to rebound from recent struggles.
If the Seminoles avoid an early-season offensive stumble, this has blowout potential.
Our Pick: Florida State -31 (-105)
Memphis vs. UNLV
- Spread: Memphis +5.5 (-110) / UNLV -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Memphis +180 / UNLV -220
- Total: 57
The final game of the Week 0 slate might also be the best. Memphis travels to Allegiant Stadium for the first meeting between these programs, and both teams have established themselves among the country’s strongest Group of Five programs. UNLV is 30-12 since the beginning of 2023, while Memphis went 29-10 over the comparable three-season stretch cited when the matchup was announced.
UNLV enters Year 2 under Dan Mullen with legitimate championship expectations. Mullen has openly described the Memphis game as a matchup with playoff implications, and the Rebels should benefit from beginning the season at home.
Memphis is good enough to make this competitive, particularly with a total of 57 suggesting plenty of scoring opportunities. However, UNLV’s combination of offensive upside and home-field advantage makes the Rebels our preferred side. This is the Week 0 game we’re most interested in watching.
Our Pick: UNLV -5.5 (-110)
Week 0 College Football Betting Odds Provided By Bovada.LV (SportsBettingLegal Bovada Review) | USA Today
