There might not be a full Saturday slate of college football in Week 0, but there's no shortage of Group of Six football in the opening weekend of action.
From North Dakota State's FBS debut to Hawaii's rematch with Stanford to Memphis vs. UNLV in a major G6 clash, my Week 0 Group of Six picks cover all the action as part of our college football picks.
Group of 6 college football top picks for Week 0
| Matchup | Pick |  Probability |
|---|---|---|
 San Jose State vs  USC |
San Jose State TT u13.5 |
54% |
 Jacksonville State vs  North Dakota State |
North Dakota State -6.5 |
54% |
 Sacramento State vs  Eastern Michigan |
Eastern Michigan -8.5 |
54% |
 Hawaii vs  Stanford |
Hawaii +3.5 |
48% |
 New Mexico State vs  Florida State |
New Mexico State TT u10.5 |
55% |
 Memphis vs  UNLV |
UNLV TT o30.5 |
54% |
Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.
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Group of 6 picks for Week 0
San Jose State vs USC: San Jose State team total u13.5
Lincoln Riley doesn't mess around against Group of Six programs. Over the last two seasons, the Trojans have allowed 33 total points across three games against G6 programs.
Two of those teams went on to reach bowl games... San Jose State isn't expected to do that in Ken Niumatalolo's third season. The Spartans are ranked 137th nationally in returning production (24%) and are breaking in a new QB in Hawaii transfer Luke Weaver (seven career turnover-worthy plays, six career TD passes).
Against a USC defense that reloaded via the No. 1 recruiting class and a Top 30 transfer portal class, San Jose State's pass-first offense could struggle to move the ball against a Trojans defense that was Top 40 in EPA per pass last season.
Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State: North Dakota State -6.5
Although this is North Dakota State's first game as an FBS member, the Bison are no strangers to this level. Between 2011 and 2024, NDSU won 10 FCS titles; it also played seven FBS opponents during that stretch and went 5-2. The two losses came to Power Four programs by a combined eight points.
So their FBS debut against Jacksonville State, whom they beat in the 2015 FCS Championship, isn't anything new. And it certainly helps that the Gamecocks lost their best player from last season, Cam Cook, the nation's leading rusher.
While the Bison have a new starting QB in Nathan Hayes, he's been in the program for years and steps into a lineup with multiple returning starters on the O-line. The trench play is what will power NDSU to a decisive win.
Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan: Eastern Michigan -8.5
Like North Dakota State, Sacramento State is making its FBS debut in Week 0, but it's a far different situation. The Hornets took a step back when Troy Taylor left the program and went 18-19 over the past three years before buying their way into the MAC.
Sac State also has a first-year head coach in Alonzo Carter, a roster that's 131st in returning production (32%), and has to travel over 2,000 miles for its first game. That's a recipe for disaster for the Hornets, especially with Eastern Michigan's continuity advantage.
Chris Creighton's team is Top 25 nationally in returning production 62%), which includes being one of the few MAC teams returning its starting QB (Noah Kim). It could be a long day for the Hornets on EMU's gray turf.
Hawaii vs Stanford: Hawaii +3.5
Last season, Hawaii upset Stanford on a walk-off field goal from Kansei Matsuzawa, aka the Tokyo Toe. This season, the Rainbow Warriors travel to Palo Alto to take on the Cardinal. And while an outright win will be difficult to repeat, Hawaii's offense should keep them in the game.
Timmy Chang's star QB, Micah Alejado, is back for the Rainbow Warriors a season after ranking Top 10 in the country in big-time throws (28). And with Chang reloading at wide receiver via the portal, and Pofele Ashlock reportedly being healthy enough to play, Hawaii's passing attack should shine.
Stanford ranked 107th in EPA per pass and 108th in third/fourth down success rate on defense last season.
New Mexico State vs Florida State: New Mexico State team total u10.5
Since Diego Pavia, Jerry Kill, and Tim Beck left New Mexico State for Vanderbilt, the Aggies have been a mess offensively. In each of Tony Sanchez's seasons as head coach, New Mexico State has finished ranked outside the Top 110 in SP+ on offense.
Sanchez's team has also no-showed in its games against Power Four opponents. In two games against P4 teams during Sanchez's tenure in Las Cruces, New Mexico State has scored a combined 12 points.
Florida State's defense is ranked in the Top 30 by SP+ heading into the season and reloaded in the back seven via the transfer portal. Meanwhile, the Aggies have new starters all over their offense, including at QB with Furman transfer Trey Hedden.
Memphis vs UNLV: UNLV team total o30.5
This is one of the best Group of Six games of the entire season, and it's especially fun if you like seeing points scored. In Dan Mullen's debut season at UNLV last year, his offense put up 31+ points in 10 of 13 games against non-P4 opponents.
Even with QB uncertainty in Las Vegas (the Rebels are set to play both Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji), the offense should take advantage of a Memphis defense starting only transfers under new head coach Charles Huff.
That lack of continuity could be a problem, especially early for the Tigers' defense. UNLV also has one of the best running backs in the country in Jai'Den Thomas, who helped the team rank No. 8 nationally in EPA per rush last season.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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