College Football Moneyline Picks Today: Week 0

Chris Vasile - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Chris Vasile • Betting Analyst 13+ years betting experience
Updated: Aug 29, 2026 , 11:47 AM ET • 4 min read

The offseason is over. Chris Vasile picks every Week 0 game for August 29, including an underdog the market is giving just a 37% chance to win.

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors  Micah Alejado NCAAF
Photo By - Reuters Connect. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado (12) celebrates.

Everybody's undefeated, until today.

Sixteen teams enter today's Week 0 slate with clean records, offseason optimism, and absolutely no evidence yet that everything they've spent the last eight months selling us will actually work. By Saturday night, half of them will have their first loss, and the sky will be falling.

Here are my college football moneyline picks for all eight games on the Week 0 slate, with more analysis available in our college football picks. Our Robert Criscola broke down today's most popular college football public picks.

College football moneyline picks for Week 0

For help understanding Kalshi probabilities, please see our odds calculator.

Matchup Kalshi
Probability
North Carolina UNC vs TCU TCU TCU 74%
San Jose State SJSU @ USC USC USC 98%
NC State NCST @ Virginia UVA NC State 36%
Jacksonville State JVST @ North Dakota State NDSU North Dakota State 70%
Sacramento State SAC @  Eastern Michigan EMU Eastern Michigan 77%
Hawaii HAW @ Stanford STAN Hawaii 37%
New Mexico State NMSU @ Florida State FSU Florida State 98%
Memphis MEM @ UNLV UNLV UNLV 63%

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of the best prediction market apps.

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Expert Week 0 CFB moneyline picks

North Carolina vs TCU: TCU

Kalshi probability: 74%

There's plenty of optimism surrounding both new-look offenses, but I'm more willing to buy into TCU immediately. The Horned Frogs rushed for 258 yards against North Carolina last season, and a more physical approach under new OC Gordon Sammis should give Harvard transfer Jaden Craig a favorable setup in his first Power Four start.

Our Rob Paul backs a convincing win for the Frogs with his North Carolina vs. TCU prediction.

San Jose State vs USC: USC

Kalshi probability: 98%

I really wanted to make a case for San Jose State, but the most I could come up with is that they do, in fact, have a football team. Not a very good one, but it's still a team. Unfortunately for the Spartans, USC is bigger, stronger, faster, and just flat-out better... as seen by the massive 38.5-point spread. Sure, anything can happen, but USC is trading at 98%, which is all you need to know. 

JD Yonke takes the Trojans on a lopsided spread with his San Jose State vs. USC prediction.

NC State vs Virginia: NC State

Kalshi probability: 36%

I'm backing NC State to pull off the upset behind CJ Bailey, who threw for more than 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. NC State has also won four straight meetings with Virginia, including a 35-31 victory last year, and I'll take the proven quarterback at plus money against a Cavaliers team breaking in Beau Pribula.

Our Jason Ence backs the Wolfpack to cover with his NC State vs. Virginia prediction.

Jacksonville State vs North Dakota State: North Dakota State

Kalshi probability: 70%

North Dakota State isn't your typical program making the jump from the FCS after going 12-1 last season, and I expect the Bison to look the part immediately. Jacksonville State's rushing attack will test them, but NDSU's strength in the trenches and a massive home-field advantage in Fargo should be enough to secure a win in its FBS debut.

Ed Scimia has the Bison to win by a touchdown with his Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota prediction.

Sacramento State vs Eastern Michigan: Eastern Michigan 

Kalshi probability: 77%

There's a ton of change surrounding Sacramento State as it enters its first FBS season with a new head coach and 75 new players on the roster. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan brings back Noah Kim after he led the MAC in passing yards last season, and that continuity at quarterback should help the Eagles take care of business at home.

Our Chris Hatfield expects the Eagles to win by double digits with his Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan prediction.

Hawaii vs Stanford: Hawaii

Kalshi probability: 37%

If there's one Week 0 team I'm willing to believe in early, it's Hawaii. QB Micah Alejado gives the Rainbow Warriors plenty of reason for optimism entering 2026, and against a Stanford program still searching for answers, I'll back Hawaii to start the season by making an early statement on the road.

JD Yonke has the Under as his best Hawaii vs. Stanford prediction.

New Mexico State vs Florida State: Florida State

Kalshi probability: 98%

I also wanted to build out a case for New Mexico State as the underdog at 2%, because who doesn't love chaos, but the Aggies are void of any real firepower in this fight. Florida State might not be what we think they are, but I can assure you this: If Mike Norvell loses this game, he will be strapped to a rocket and sent to Mars by morning. 

JD Yonke has the Seminoles winning big with his New Mexico State vs. Florida State prediction.

Memphis vs UNLV: UNLV

Kalshi probability: 63%

Both teams enter Week 0 believing they can contend for a conference title, but I'm more comfortable buying what Dan Mullen is building at UNLV. Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji give the Rebels two experienced options at quarterback, while Memphis enters Saturday with considerably more uncertainty under center.

Our Chris Hatfield backs the Tigers for the cover with his Memphis vs. UNLV prediction.


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Chris Vasile Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Chris Vasile is a betting analyst with over 13 years of experience breaking down soccer betting markets, with additional coverage across the WNBA and NFL. He focuses on finding numbers that are slow to adjust — whether it’s due to scheduling spots, player usage, or recent form — and explaining why a line is worth playing. His work has appeared across major betting and sports media platforms, including Covers, VSiN, BetMGM Network, and SportsGrid, where he’s delivered sharp analysis on both mainstream and niche markets. At Covers, he contributes to major tournament coverage and daily betting content, with a particular focus on soccer. He also runs the Game Day Wagers YouTube channel, where he shares daily picks and betting insights tailored for serious bettors.

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