2026 Week 0 Picks
2026 Week 0 Picks
2026 Week 0 Picks
2026 Week 0 Picks
UNC +7.5 v TCU - A Frisbee Play
Fan Duel (-112, 1 Unit to win 1.8 Units)
WIN +1.8 Units
I bet this game a month ago when the line was much more favorable. The spread has shot up to 9.5. I would still be on EMU at -9.5 for several reasons. Sacramento State is going to have a long season. That’s why in my futures portfolio I am on the under for the win season total (4.5 wins). In the write up for my pick on the under I have stated multiple reasons for that choice, and I believe it will show in their first game/ road trip of the season. The difference between these 2 rosters is the main reason I’m on EMU. Eastern Michigan is 7th in returning experience graded by Phil Steele, while Sacramento is 116th. I believe the roster discrepancy will be a huge advantage for EMU in their first game of the season, led by QB Noah Kim. I'd take EMU up to -9.5
North Carolina State +6 @ Virginia
Fanatics (-110, 1 Unit to win 1.8 Units)
LOSE -1 Unit
Another bet I made earlier this summer that has a spread that has altered. The line on this game has dropped to 5.5 and the game has moved from Brazil to Charlottesville. I would still take NC State. UVA has a very good roster, their roster is towards the top of total FBS starts in the nation. They are deep and many people expect big things out of them. I however see them hitting a road bump to start the season. Normally UVA has done well in their season openers, 8-2 in their last 10, but they have struggled with NC State in recent years, 1-6 in the last 7. I believe NC State can keep this game close and maybe even keep this trend going with the play of QB CJ Bailey and a defense looking to get back to its 2023 form after 2 less than great seasons.
San Jose State @ USC -10.5 1st Quarter
Bet Rivers (-109, 1 Unit to win 1.8 Units)
LOSS -1 Unit
San Jose State @ USC -23.5 1st Half *Dusk's Darling
Fan Duel (-115, 1 Unit to win 1.7 Units)
WIN +1.7 Units
I expect USC to get out to a big lead early. They should score TD’s on their first couple possessions and keep San Jose out of the endzone as well. USC QB Jayden Maiava has Heisman aspirations this season and some young WRs. I think that will affect the play calling meaning expect the ball to be aired out by USC. Meanwhile, San Jose had a terrible pass defense last year and we should expect much of the same this year, in fact 11 of their top 12 tacklers have left the team. USC gets out to an early lead and covers the first quarter and 1st half spread. I will most likely be parlaying both picks, so if you don't want to bet both individually just put 1 unit on a parlay of both picks.
5 Units Risked
5.3 Units Won
+.3 Units
The day started with a UNC pick. It was a smart pick by our Texas correspondent, Frisbee. He smelled something stinky with all the TCU money and boy was he right. Tip of the cap to our resident Texan.
The pick that was absolutely the wrong side was NC State. They were blown out of the water by Virginia, the wolfpack were chasing their tails all game. NC State had no answers for Virginia, who was in constant control of the game. It was never close besides the opening kickoff.
The pick that hurt the most was USC -10.5 1st Quarter. USC had 4th goal and QB Maiva was tackled at the 1 on a scramble. If he scores there, the 1st quarter spread would have hit. It was a tough beat and could be in the running for worst beat of the year. However, in that game, the Dusk's Darling did hit which was the 1st half spread. I will say about that game, SJ State QB Luke Weaver looked good and should make the Spartans a strong Mountain West team which does not make me feel great about their win total under.
One future I am feeling good about after week 0 is Sac State. They hung around with EMU for a while but overall couldn't keep up. This should spell trouble for future MAC road trips the rest of the season. I loved the EMU play all August and it was a no sweat for most of the game.
The email only parlay had 2/3 legs hit. EMU was no problem and Stanford was able to squeak out a close win against Hawaii. TCU on the other hand could not get out of their own way. So many mistakes made by TCU with turnovers, penalties, and coaching decisions. TCU was down 5 in the redzone in the 2nd half and they chose to go for it on 4th down instead of taking the points. They didn't convert and stayed down 5. Later in the game they got back in field goal range, but had to go for it being down by 5 so late in the game. Again, they didn't convert and gave UNC the ball back. To seal the game TCU was drawn offsides on 4th down with a minute left. UNC didn't look like world beaters, but they made fewer mistakes and got the win.