Friday Forecast: SDS Staff picks 3 season-opening matchups against the spread (Week 0)
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Our crew here at Saturday Down South is ready for another season of college football. Across the regular season, we’ll be providing our picks for 5 games each and every week until the College Football Playoff has been set in December.
Since we have an abbreviated Week 0 ahead of us on Saturday, our staff has made 3 picks each for TCU vs. North Carolina in Dublin, Ireland, NC State at Virginia and Memphis at UNLV.
It’s a new year, folks. Let’s get right into it.
(All odds are via DraftKings as of Thursday, August 27. Point spreads might not necessarily reflect current odds.)
Week 0 Picks ATS
Here’s how the SDS crew picked the 3 most intriguing games in Week 0 (against the spread). Looking to join in on the fun? Think one of us is horribly wrong and want to stick it to us? Check out our guide on the best sports betting apps to score a sign-up bonus at your book of choice.
North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5) (Dublin, Ireland)
Spenser Davis: Both of these programs have been a mess this offseason and I’m not particularly bullish on either for 2026. But I think the market may be underestimating what Bobby Petrino can do as a play-caller. Arkansas, for all its struggles under Sam Pittman, was top 15 nationally in yards per play in each of the last 2 seasons. Carolina’s defense might not be much better, but the offense certainly will be. That’s enough for me to take the points. PICK: UNC +7.5
Andy Olson: The Ireland game became an annual thing again in 2022. Of the previous 4 games, 3 have been decided by a field goal. Though I think North Carolina is likely in for a disappointing 2026 season, I’m feeling a UNC cover with this 7.5-point line. I find it highly appealing that TCU can win this 28-21 and Carolina would cash. PICK: UNC +7.5
Adam Spencer: I’ll zag here. Why are we confident in Bill Belichick? It was super exciting when the Tar Heels scored the opening touchdown against TCU last year. That was about the only good thing that happened in Chapel Hill in 2025. I don’t care if this game is played on the moon, give me the Horned Frogs to win by 10+ points. PICK: TCU -7.5
Ethan Stone: Everyone remembers TCU’s shellacking of North Carolina to start 2025, but that’s not really helpful when considering this game since both rosters were massively overhauled this offseason. Bobby Petrino is the new OC in Chapel Hill, and I refuse to believe Bill Belichick is going to trot out another 48-14 disaster like he did in Year 1. Plus, a lot of folks seem to think this one is a TCU lock – and you know how that usually goes. I lean with the Horned Frogs straight up, but I think we’re going to see a much closer game this time around. PICK: UNC +7.5
NC State at Virginia (-5.5)
Spenser Davis: I prefer Virginia at -4.5, but I’ll still take the Cavs here at this price. I’m not a big believer in NC State’s defense and I think Virginia can win this game by a touchdown on its home field. New quarterback Beau Pribula should be a good fit in Tony Elliott’s offense. PICK: Virginia -5.5
Andy Olson: I went back and forth on this a few times. It’s the type of game I can easily see being decided by anywhere from 3 to 7 points. I’m going to ride with the team with the QB advantage to deliver the cover. PICK: NC State +5.5
Adam Spencer: I had to watch Beau Pribula attempt to throw the ball down the field for my Missouri Tigers last year. It was not a pleasant experience. The guy is a heck of a runner, but even an average NC State defense should be able to keep Pribula from making explosive plays through the air. Give me the Cavs to win, but not by 6+ points. PICK: NC State +5.5
Ethan Stone: NC State is the flashy pick here because of quarterback CJ Bailey – who is great, no doubt – but I’m rolling with Virginia because of the Cavs’ experience in the trenches. Boring, I know. Not to mention, the Hoos get this one at home and -5.5 is a pretty favorable line. PICK: Virginia -5.5
Memphis at UNLV (-5.5)
Spenser Davis: Memphis is just a total rebuild. The Tigers hired Charles Huff to replace Ryan Silverfield and ex-Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry will be calling plays on that end. I know there have been some questions about UNLV’s quarterback situation, but I expect Dan Mullen will figure out a way to still have an explosive offense. PICK: UNLV -5.5
Andy Olson: Part of me really wanted to take Memphis with the points, but I can’t quite talk myself into it. I’m mindful that UNLV failed to deliver the cover for me last year. And I’m still not over Mullen’s loaded 2019 team at Florida almost losing to a mediocre Miami squad. But 5.5 isn’t enough for me to take Memphis in Sin City. I like the Rebels to win by a touchdown. PICK: UNLV -5.5
Adam Spencer: Well, we’re all aligned on this one, it seems, which is a sure sign of impending doom. I like the hires Memphis made, as Spenser detailed above, but it’ll take time to regroup after losing Ryan Silverfield. I’m not sure if I’m buying the UNLV-to-the-Playoff hype, but I do like the Runnin’ Rebels to get the win in this Week 0 matchup before the new Memphis coaching staff has time to settle in. PICK: UNLV -5.5
Ethan Stone: As I mentioned in this year’s iteration of the College Football Playoff Club, I’m very high on Dan Mullen and the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels entering 2026. The Rebels should have a competent defense and, while they didn’t quite cut it in the P4 ranks, Alex Orji and Jackson Arnold are both intriguing options under center for a G6 program. Memphis, on the other hand, is entering a new era with Ryan Silverfield off to Arkansas, which means one thing: uncertainty. UNLV also gets this one at home. Give me the Runnin’ Rebels. PICK: UNLV -5.5
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Ethan Stone is a Saturday Down South News Editor and an advocate for the return of the Seattle Supersonics.
