College football Week 0 betting picks for North Carolina v. TCU and San Jose State vs USC
College Football Returns: Two marquee season-opening matchups headline Week 0
The 2025 college football season officially kicks off this week, and fans are eager to see how several programs have retooled after an eventful offseason.
In one of the week's most intriguing storylines, North Carolina and TCU will square off in a rematch of last season's opening game. The Tar Heels endured a difficult first year under head coach Bill Belichick, finishing with a 4-8 record after a stunning 48-14 defeat to these same Horned Frogs in last year's season opener. The program acknowledges it is in the early stages of a rebuilding effort, with officials cautioning that overnight success should not be expected.
TCU enters the new season with considerably more momentum. The Horned Frogs posted a competitive campaign that included a victory over a ranked Houston team and a thrilling 30-27 overtime win against USC in their bowl game. The program has added quarterback Jaden Craig, a transfer from Harvard who enjoyed individual success at the FCS level. Junior running back Jeremy Payne, who performed well in 2025, returns to anchor the backfield, giving TCU a potentially dangerous offensive combination.
In another Week 0 contest, USC—ranked 14th nationally entering the season—will host San Jose State. The Trojans have dominated this rivalry in recent years, winning the last three meetings by a commanding combined score of 146-38. San Jose State struggled to a 3-9 record last season, including a 2-6 mark in Mountain West play.
USC brings back quarterback Jayden Maiava, who threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns a season ago. Running back King Miller also returns to lead the ground game. The Trojans did lose standout receiver Makai Lemon to the NFL Draft, leaving questions about who will emerge as a primary receiving threat.
Both games represent critical early tests as programs look to establish momentum heading into the heart of conference play.
