The 2026-27 college football season officially kicks off this weekend with a full Saturday of Week 0 matchups. It’s time to lock in our CFB Best Bets before the games get underway. Check out these CFB Picks for Saturday’s Week 0 slate. Without further ado, let’s jump into the top CFB Predictions for the week. 

CFB Week 0 Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday, 8/29

Our CFB Best Bets kick off with Saturday’s matchup between San Jose State and No. 14 USC. Plus, we’ll dish out CFB predictions for New Mexico State vs. Florida State. Be sure to check out more CFB picks below, including college football player props. Good luck!  

 

 

 

San Jose State vs. USC Prediction: Saturday, August 29th

USC begins its season with an easy home matchup against San Jose State. The Trojans are large favorites to win, but we’re looking at the total for this game. Their potent offense should set the tone for a high-scoring contest overall. 

Quarterback Jayden Maiava headlines the USC offense as a dark horse Heisman contender. The Trojans scored 35.8 points per game and ranked 8th nationally in total offense last year with Maiava. Though key pass-catchers departed to the NFL, they still boast tons of talent in the receiving corps. Blue-chip freshmen Trent Mosley, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, and Mark Bowman can make immediate impacts while sophomores Tanook Hines and Corey Simms already have a rapport with Maiava. 

Plus, USC has one of the best running back duos in the country. Waymond Jordan and King Miller make up a dynamic 1-2 punch after both averaged more than 6.0 yards per carry last season. It’s hard to see San Jose State stopping the Trojans much in this matchup. The Spartans allowed 32.5 PPG a year ago, which ranked 121st out of 136 FBS teams. 

USC also has a recent history of putting up big point totals against inferior opponents early in the season under head coach Lincoln Riley. Last year, the Trojans scored 73 and 59 points against Missouri State and Georgia Southern, respectively, in the first two weeks. They also had 66 and 56 points in the 2023 and 2022 season openers against non-power conference opponents. USC can and should score 50+ points on their own here. 

Meanwhile, San Jose State should be good for a score or two to help with the total. Transfer quarterback Luke Weaver gives the offense some upside, especially in the second half of a blowout loss. USC’s defense has never been strong under Riley, and new DC Gary Patterson won’t fix things overnight. 

New Mexico State vs. Florida State Prediction: Saturday, August 29th

Florida State is hoping for a bounce-back season after going 5-7 last year. We’ll see how the Seminoles fare against better competition, but they should at least begin the campaign strong. An easy home matchup against New Mexico State provides a prime opportunity to back FSU. 

Despite the subpar record last season, Florida State dominated its two non-power conference opponents. The Seminoles reeled off 77-3 and 66-10 wins over East Texas A&M and Kent State, respectively. Their talent level is miles ahead of New Mexico State, and that should show on the scoreboard. Notably, this is the first time FSU will face a non-power team in its season opener since 2022, when it beat Duquesne by 40 points.

Florida State should be motivated to win big this weekend with tougher matchups coming up. The Seminoles have their ACC opener against No. 19 SMU looming next week. Then, they take on No. 13 Alabama the following week. Locking in a convincing victory to begin the season seems like a must for a program desperate to return to national relevance. 

On that note, head coach Mike Norvell will want his offense to get rolling with those aforementioned tougher opponents on deck. Quarterback Ashton Daniels transfers in from Auburn with the athletic and talented profile to thrive in Norvell’s system. Daniels has plenty of weapons around him, with Duce Robinson and Micahi Danzy headlining the WR corps. Running backs Ousmane Kromah and Quintrevion Wisner give FSU plenty of firepower in the rushing attack as well. 

The Seminoles’ offense should have no issues scoring early and often this week. New Mexico State ranked 97th in the country in total yards allowed per game last year. In their lone power-conference matchup, the Aggies suffered a 42-9 defeat to Tennessee. They also lost 38-3 to Texas A&M the season prior. 

Let’s back Florida State to cover the spread as a large home favorite. The Seminoles are 4-1 against the spread when favored by 30+ points over the past three seasons. It’s also likely they keep their foot on the gas in the second half with those games against SMU and Bama upcoming. 

 

 

 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks