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The college football season officially kicks off with Week 0 matchups as two contests highlight the opening slate. North Carolina and TCU renew their rivalry after meeting in the 2025 campaign opener, while USC faces San Jose State in a significant mismatch. Both games present distinct betting opportunities as teams look to improve on previous seasons.
The Tar Heels endured a disappointing 2025 season under new head coach Bill Belichick, finishing with a 4-8 record after opening with a 48-14 loss to TCU. North Carolina’s offense and defense both struggled throughout the year, with few victories that appeared convincing. The program hopes for improvement this season, though rebuilding efforts typically require extended timelines to show meaningful results.
TCU enters the matchup with renewed optimism at the quarterback position. Jaden Craig, a transfer from Harvard where he enjoyed individual success, now leads the Horned Frogs offense. Running back Jeremy Payne returns to anchor the backfield following a strong 2025 campaign, potentially creating a more dynamic offensive attack than the previous year.
From a betting standpoint, TCU’s team total of 27.5 points appears favorable, with the offense expected to score a touchdown in each quarter against the struggling North Carolina defense. The game total of 46.5 has already declined from the opening number, suggesting reduced offensive expectations overall.
San Jose State faces a significant challenge against USC, which has dominated the Spartans in three consecutive matchups by a combined score of 146-38. The Spartans finished last season at 3-9 overall and 2-6 in Mountain West Conference play, indicating substantial roster deficiencies entering this contest.
USC enters ranked 14th nationally with legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations. Quarterback Jayden Maiava recorded 3,711 passing yards and 24 touchdowns last season, while running back King Miller provides continuity in the backfield. The Trojans lost wide receiver Makai Lemon to the NFL, creating uncertainty at that position despite overall roster strength.
The USC team total sits at 50.5 points, a figure that appears inflated given expected game script and coaching decisions. With a substantial talent advantage, the Trojans likely substitute starters in the second half rather than accumulating excessive scoring. Backing the under on USC’s team total presents value, while King Miller scoring two or more touchdowns at +195 odds offers an attractive prop bet.
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