Week 0 College Football Predictions for 2026: Virginia and New Mexico State Expected to Cover

The 2026 Week 0 college football schedule is set for Saturday, August 29, starting in Ireland and concluding in Las Vegas, featuring eight games with FBS teams.

Among the matchups, No. 14 USC is heavily favored by 39.5 points against San Jose State, while Florida State is a 32.5-point favorite over New Mexico State. The opening game pits North Carolina against TCU in Dublin, with TCU favored by 9.5 points. Virginia is projected to cover a 4.5-point spread against NC State, which has struggled on the road.

SportsLine's model, which has simulated each game 10,000 times, indicates that Virginia has a strong chance of covering against NC State, given the latter's poor performance as a road underdog. Additionally, New Mexico State is expected to cover against Florida State, which has had a disappointing recent record. The model suggests that both teams have favorable odds based on their recent performances.