The first week of college football, with the funniest branding in sports of Week 0, has arrived. The official kickoff to the season, is a great appetizer for a long season ahead. And of course, as the storied tradition goes, we always start our season abroad, in the football capital of the world. Ireland.
University of North Carolina (0-0) vs Texas Christian University (0-0)
Bill Belichick will try to right the ship after a publicly rough start to his college career. After going 4-8 in his first season with North Carolina, his seat is getting hot since the lack of success has come with too much off the field drama (very uncharacteristic of his tenure in New England). TCU on the other hand, had a 9-win season in 2025, even winning a Bowl Game against USC.
Currently, TCU is a -8.5 favorite in this game. While that may sound about right, this game is being played in Ireland. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic has showcased some crazy games, and huge upsets since its inception, including a Georgia Tech victory over a 10th ranked Florida State in 2024.
The chaos and the early-season jitters mean anything can happen. I think TCU may win outright, but not by more than a touchdown.
Pick: North Carolina University +8.5
San Jose State University (0-0) vs University of Southern California (0-0)
The Spartans take on the Trojans in what should be a game for USC to dust off the cobwebs and showcase their offense. No one is really expecting much from San Jose State in this one, especially with them struggling in the Mountain West last season.
USC, who has been disappointing in their own regard, needs to have a fast start to the season. They have had a strong offense, but have struggled on defensively at times, especially against above average teams. They may have an answer for that with their new defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson, who previously was the head coach at TCU for over 20 years. I expect USC to just let it fly on both sides of the ball, and to win by 40.
Pick: University of Southern California -38.5
North Carolina State University (0-0) vs University of Virginia (0-0)
NC State finished off a pretty solid season last year, totaling 8 wins and a bowl victory. One of their wins was actually against UVA, in a 38-35 shootout on the road. They return a 3rd year QB in CJ Bailey, who has had some success and needs to have a big season to cement himself as a true NFL prospect.
UVA had a surprise 11-win season but did lose the ACC championship game to Duke (which was also a pretty big surprise). They are unranked to start this season and have added former Mizzou QB Beau Pribula to lead them hopefully to another ACC Title Game (maybe with a more positive result.
As much as I do like UVA, I think NC State can keep it close enough to make it interesting.
Pick: North Carolina State University +4.5
Jacksonville State University (0-0) vs North Dakota State University (0-0)
A matchup between FCS defectors, Jacksonville State gets to welcome the dominant force of NDSU. North Dakota State destroyed much of the FCS, winning the National Championship an absurd 10 times since 2011. Hoping to expand on that unprecedented success, the Bison get the luxury of having their home fans with them for their first game. The North Dakota State Bison have a record of 186-21 since 2011.
Jacksonville State has found success in their first few seasons in the FBS, going 27-14 to start their tenure. They have done well in Conference-USA, and have won exactly 9 games in each season.
It may be a good battle, and I may be overhyping the Bisons, but I don’t care.
Pick: North Dakota State University -6.5
University of Memphis (0-0) vs University of Nevada Las Vegas (0-0)
There is a lot of hype with this UNLV squad, sporting two former highly rated Quarterbacks in Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji. Arnold is starting, and the ceiling is high, but that has been the case in the past as well during his tenures at Oklahoma and Auburn. He will need to put it all together to presumably end his college career on a high note.
Memphis has been relevant and in the mix for the last few seasons, finding themselves ranked in the top 25 on multiple occasions. They started last season 6-0, and then 8-1, before losing their final 3 games, including their Bowl Game against NC State.
Memphis has a better track record in recent times, but I feel the tide has changed in Vegas.
Pick: University of Nevada Las Vegas -4.5
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