College Football Week 0 ESPN Games: Predictions & Odds

Summer is almost over, and that means the college football season is upon us. There isn’t much action in Week 0, but ESPN will showcase a doubleheader to start the season with a bang. North Carolina will face TCU in Dublin to kick off the broadcast, while Virginia will host North Carolina State shortly after the first game ends. Check out the College Football predictions below to make sure you start the season on the right foot!

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Featured College Football Games This Week

There aren’t many games this week since most teams are opening their schedules on Labor Day as is tradition. However, there are some NCAA football predictions that can be made, especially with the ESPN games. 

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. TCU Horned Frogs in Dublin, Ireland, 12 p.m. ET (ESPN)

USC Trojans vs. San Jose State Spartans, 3 p.m. ET (NBC)

Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina State Wolfpack, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

North Dakota State Bison vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 5:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN)

Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Sacramento State Hornets, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN Plus)

Stanford Cardinal vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, 7 pm. ET (ACC Network)

Florida State Seminoles vs. New Mexico State Aggies, 7 p.m. ET (CW)

UNLV Rebels vs. Memphis Tigers, 10 p.m. ET (FOX)

Matchups with the Biggest National Attention

The most eyeballs will be on the season opener between TCU and North Carolina. It is one of the two Power Four matchups of the day, and everyone is curious to see what the Tar Heels will be like this season. UNC swung for the fences by hiring Bill Belichick after firing Mack Brown just before the 2024 regular season finale with NC State, but Belichick’s first season did not go well.

UNC administrators and the staff talked a big game, but most observers rightfully pegged this as a disaster in the making. The Tar Heels were blown out by 34 points in their home opener, against this same TCU team, and they finished the 2025 season 4-8 with a 2-6 record in ACC play.

The other Power Four tilt is a non-conference game between two ACC teams. We have seen the ACC do this several times in recent years, and the Virginia Cavaliers will host the NC State Wolfpack in a game that won’t count in the conference standings. NC State has won four straight games and six of the last seven tilts against Virginia.

Games That Could Impact the Rankings

The only ranked team in action on Saturday is USC. It’s extremely unlikely that the Trojans lose in the Coliseum to San Jose State, so they won’t really move in the rankings. TCU has the potential to move into the Top 25 with a very convincing win against North Carolina on Saturday, but no other teams are likely to be ranked after this week’s games.

NCAAF Picks & Predictions

After their 48-14 beatdown of North Carolina in Kenan Stadium last year, it’s a bit surprising to see TCU only favored by eight points in the rematch between these two teams. The Tar Heels had another tumultuous offseason and experienced a lot of roster turnover. Fifth-year senior Billy Edwards Jr. will start the season under center for UNC, but he can’t inspire a lot of faith. Edwards put up decent numbers during his one season as a starter at Maryland, yet he couldn’t win the Wisconsin starting job last year and threw just 16 passes on the season. 

Conversely, Harvard graduate transfer Jaden Craig looks set to thrive at the next level. Craig put up great numbers over his last two seasons with the Crimson, and there is no doubt that he can quickly pick up a new system given his education. Although Craig isn’t much of a dual threat, he is poised in the pocket, and that’s why the Horned Frogs are the first of my college football picks this week.

My other top play in Week 0 is New Mexico State +31.5 on the road against Florida State. Mike Norvell is feeling the heat after the Seminoles have completely cratered the last two years. Norvell signed a big extension following FSU’s great 2023 campaign, but the Seminoles are just 7-17 and 3-13 in ACC play since that point. If it wasn’t for a massive buyout, FSU would have parted ways with Norvell already.

New Mexico State is perennially one of the least talented teams in FBS, but Florida State is a mess that shouldn’t be this much of a favorite anymore. The Seminoles thought they turned the corner after a big win over Alabama to start last season, but they lost four straight games after rising to No. 8 in the rankings and failed to make a bowl game once more. Additionally, FSU won’t want to show much with new quarterback Ashton Daniels given that the Seminoles are hosting SMU the following week in a nationally televised game on Labor Day night.

Predicted Winners

TCU figures to be one of the biggest winners on Saturday. USC should cruise to a win over San Jose State, and Eastern Michigan is almost a double-digit favorite against FBS debutante Sacramento State.

Potential Upsets to Watch

NC State is a very live underdog against Virginia. The Wolfpack have a very talented quarterback in third-year starter C.J. Bailey, and many pundits were surprised that Bailey decided to return to Raleigh given the numbers he has put up. Bailey’s only poor performances last year were against elite defenses, as eight of his nine interceptions came against Duke, Notre Dame, and Miami (FL).

Games That Could Be Closer Than Expected

New Mexico State should keep it within the number, and Jacksonville State could also give North Dakota State a real run for its money. The Bison were more dominant at the FCS level, but the Gamecocks have been playing in the FBS for a longer time, and they have figured a few things out when it comes to roster depth and recruiting.

NCAAF Odds & Betting Preview

There aren’t many college football betting odds in Week 0, so it’s a rather short list this week. That will change in Week 1 when every team opens its season.

TCU -8 vs. North Carolina, O/U 47

Florida State -31 vs. New Mexico State, O/U 52.5

Eastern Michigan -10.5 vs. Sacramento State, O/U 52

Stanford -3.5 vs. Hawaii, O/U 48.5

USC -38 vs. San Jose State, O/U 61

UNLV -4.5 vs. Memphis, O/U 56.5

Virginia -5.5 vs. North Carolina State, O/U 53

North Dakota State -6.5 vs. Jacksonville State, O/U 47.5

How the Betting Markets Compare

You won’t see big differences between sportsbooks when it comes to betting odds this early in the season. No sportsbook is going to want to take a definitive stand given all the unknowns heading into Week 0.

Factors That Could Move the Odds

A late injury or a surprise start could move the betting odds prior to kickoff. Mike Norvell has already said FSU is not listing a depth chart ahead of this week’s game, so that could mean there are a few interesting lineup decisions in store. 

Final College Football Predictions

North Carolina State and Jacksonville State are my top two college football upset picks. The Wolfpack have a quarterback that can move the chains, while the Gamecocks have what it takes to go into the Fargodome and walk out victorious. Jacksonville State went 9-5 last season, and the Bison aren’t as dominant as they were during the 2010s. 

Biggest Takeaways Before Game Day

It’s important not to overreact to Week 0 results. Fans and pundits do this every season, as we want to jump to conclusions based on what we just saw without considering this may just be a one-time result. Don’t get caught up in the punditry or spend too much time watching game film for these early season games. 

Games Worth Following This Week

The UNLV and Memphis game is worth watching as these are two of the better Group of Five teams in the country. The Rebels went 10-4 and boasted one of the top offenses in the country last season, while the Tigers are excited for the Charles Huff era. 

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