College Football Picks Against the Spread: Week 0 ATS Predictions
The 2026 college football season kicks off with an expanded Week 0 slate, through true fans know FCS action starts on Thursday. These college football picks against the spread will avoid FCS action - for now.
From a USC rout to a possible Hawaii upset, these college football predictions for Week 0 should fill your Saturday card.
🏈 College football picks against the spread: Week 0 ATS predictions
See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 0 based on the latest college football odds.
| Matchup | Pick |
|---|---|
| San Jose State vs. USC | USC -38.5 (-105 at FanDuel) |
| Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State | North Dakota State -7 (-105 at BetMGM) |
| Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan | Eastern Michigan -10 (-108 at DraftKings) |
| Hawaii vs. Stanford | Hawaii +4.5 (-115 at bet365) |
💰 My best ATS picks for Week 0
USC -38.5 (-105 at FanDuel)
San Jose State’s defense is ripe for the picking, and Lincoln Riley has an established quarterback to do the picking in Jayden Maiava. The real move here should be to target USC’s team total - 49.5 at +100 at FanDuel - but for the ATS curious, this spread should prove profitable.
Riley has gone 5-1 ATS against Group of Six teams in the first two weeks of the season in his four years at USC. When he has an advantage, he needs to press it. Otherwise, Riley’s tenure in Hollywood looks even more questionable than no Playoff appearances already suggest.
I had another look at this one in my San Jose State vs. USC early predictions.
North Dakota State -7 (-105 at BetMGM)
The North Dakota State Bison are underappreciated. This line should be closer to 10 points, not stuck at a touchdown.
North Dakota State has the interior advantage against most of the Group of Six. Anytime it is a home favorite of only a touchdown, just go hit that “Bet” button. Jacksonville State is relying on Division II transfers along its defensive line; that is a recipe for disaster against a Bison offensive line. Sure, they were at the FCS level a year ago, but that is a step up from Division II, not to mention that was pretty much the best offensive line year in and year out in the FCS.
Furthermore, the first game as an FBS team should create a raucous atmosphere in the Fargodome.
💡 More Week 0 predictions
Want more college football betting advice? Check out all of our college football analysis and expert predictions for Week 0.
Eastern Michigan -10 (-108 at DraftKings)
As ready as North Dakota State is to move up to the FBS, the Sacramento State Hornets are just as much not ready. The university was adamant on finding a home, though, even if home was in the MAC.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are far from a perfect team, but they return the most production in the conference, and that FBS experience should put Sacramento State on its heels early and often.
A decisive win could be an Eastern Michigan building block toward some MACtion noise this season.
Hawaii +4.5 (-115 at bet365)
Get ready to see a moneyline bet on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in both an upsets column and a best bets column by week’s end. So, taking Hawaii against the spread at the Stanford Cardinal should be an obvious choice.
The Warriors have the edge at quarterback and in offensive scheme, Micah Alejado ready to further excel in Timmy Chang’s offense.
Not even an optimistic Cardinal fan can claim it is a good sign when your quarterback - Davis Warren - last saw genuine action in 2024 at Michigan while throwing nine interceptions compared to seven touchdowns.
Any offensive sluggishness should provide plenty of an opportunity for Alejado to keep up with Stanford.
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