Week Zero

2026 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 1

Typically we don’t engage in college football’s “Week Zero”, but I found enough compelling matchups to go ahead & get this pigskin party started. Unfortunately, your humble Godfather of Cyberspace has been laid up (again) for reasons y’all don’t need or want to know about, which means I am focused on inconsequential diversions like football. Can I exceed last season’s record of 53-70?? Who knows?? Can Zach secure another season victory while also boosting his 56-67 mark?? Perhaps. We’ll see.  

North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5)

A year ago the Horned Frogs annihilated the Tar Heels by a 34 point margin in Chapel Hill. UNC, under the guidance of (alleged) legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick, went on to finish 4-8. They’ve hired well-traveled Bobby Petrino to be the offensive coordinator and (hopefully) improve their 19.25 points/game, which was 120th nationally. TCU was 9-4, including an overtime victory over USC in the Alamo Bowl, and finished in the middle of the pack of a highly competitive Big 12. The game kicks off from Dublin, Ireland at noon on Saturday, and though it might be closer than last season, I think the favorites will handle their business. Zach doesn’t believe Belichick’s particular skillset translates well to college football.

My Pick: TCU

Zach’s Pick: TCU

North Carolina State at Virginia (-5.5)

I have high hopes that the Wolfpack, who were 8-5 and finished last season with a win over Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl, can be even better this year. Quarterback CJ Bailey returns for his junior campaign after throwing for over 3100 yards & 25 touchdowns last year. His 68.8% completion rate ranked him 15th nationally in 2025. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were 11-3, but lost the ACC title game in overtime. They return 65% of their production from last season and will have former Missouri QB Beau Pribula under center. NC State will win alot of games, but I don’t  think this will be one of them. Zach foresees a high scoring game and won’t be surprised if NC St. pulls off the upset.

My Pick: Virginia

Zach’s Pick: NC St.

New Mexico State at Florida State (-31.5) 

Mike Norvell enters his 7th season at the helm in Tallahassee, although I’m not sure why. Norvell is the Seminoles’ third coach since the legendary Bobby Bowden retired in 2009, but he has a collective record of 38-34. This is probably a crucial year for him…or atleast it should be. The Aggies were equally atrocious a season ago, finishing 4-8. Florida St.’s brand may have lost some cache in recent years, and I don’t know if they’ll be any more successful this season, but they’ll probably defend the home field with relative ease this weekend. The points make Zach a bit squeamish, but ultimately he’s leaning toward the favorites to cover.

My Pick: Florida St.

Zach’s Pick: Florida St.

Hawaii at Stanford (-4)

Stanford hasn’t been relevant in college football since QB Andrew Luck departed in 2011, and they haven’t had a winning season since 2018 (unless you want to give them credit for the Covid abbreviated 2020 campaign). Conversely, the Rainbows finished last season with a bowl victory and a 9-4 record. Hawaii defeated Stanford with a walkoff field goal in Honolulu a season ago, and I expect another competitive game Saturday night. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Hawaii

Zach’s Pick: Hawaii

Memphis at UNLV (-5.5)

The Tigers are a middle-of-the-pack AAC team that finished last season 9-4 and lost the Gasparilla Bowl. As a matter of fact, they ended the year on a four game losing skid. The Runnin’ Rebels finished atop the Mountain West last season, a conference that looks very different now after several teams departed to form a new Pac 12. UNLV was 10-4, but lost their final two games, including the Frisco Bowl. I used to love these kinds of games. It’s a 10pm kickoff, which means after all of the marquee matchups are over and the day seems to be done…BAM…more football. Now though, I’ll be fortunate to stay awake thru the 3rd quarter. At any rate, I believe the home team favorites will come out on top. Zach is anticipating yet another high scoring shootout, and he also likes the home team.

My Pick: UNLV

Zach’s Pick: UNLV

2022 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 1

They’re calling this Week 0 in college football circles, probably because it’s not a full schedule and none of the matchups are that appealing. However, we play by our own rules here, and I choose to believe that a few games might turn out to be more entertaining than anyone thought they’d be. Ultimately any football is better than no football at all, right?? We are glad to be back for another season, and in case y’all need your memory refreshed I scored the overall victory last year with a 57-69 mark, while Zach was 49-77. Obviously we’d both like to improve this season, but we’ll see how it goes. Enjoy.

Nebraska (-12) vs. Northwestern 

When I was a kid the Cornhuskers were a force to be reckoned with, winning three national titles as recently as the mid 1990’s. However, they haven’t had a ten win season in a decade and haven’t posted a winning record since 2016. Moving to the Big Ten in 2011 probably wasn’t the smartest decision. Head coach Scott Frost is 15-29 in four years at the helm, and I have to think he needs to do much better this season. Conversely, the Wildcats has had some solid years since Pat Fitgerald became the coach in 2006, although they’ve finished 3-9 two of the past three seasons. I’m intrigued  by the fact that the game is being played in Dublin. It’s a 12:30pm kickoff here, meaning that it’ll be 5:30pm in Ireland. The points scare me a bit, but I’m rolling with the favorites. Zach agrees that Frost is on the hot seat and thinks Nebraska will win, but foresees a close contest. 

My Pick: Nebraska 

Z’s Pick: Northwestern 

Charlotte at Florida Atlantic (-7.5)

It’s a battle of C-USA foes, which doesn’t matter to me anymore since my Thundering Herd has migrated to the Sun Belt Conference. I suppose I’ll still watch the game though if I’m not doing anything more exciting Saturday night. The 49ers have only had one winning season since resurrecting the football program in 2013, while the Owls had a couple of good years under Lane Kiffin until he bolted for greener pastures. Willie Taggart enters his third year with only a 10-14 overall record in Boca Raton. Atlantic has the home field, and I think they’ll win…by less than a touchdown. Conversely, Zach thinks the home team’s high powered offense will lead them to a decisive victory.

My Pick: Charlotte 

Z’s Pick: Florida Atlantic 

Wyoming at Illinois (-10)

Occasionally these two programs will have a successful campaign, but they’ve both been mediocre at best in recent years. The Cowboys have won ten games since 1996, while the Illini last achieved that mark in 2001. I foresee a close, hard fought game decided late in the 4th quarter by a turnover or fantastic special teams play. Zach thinks Wyoming will win easily. 

My Pick: Illinois

Z’s Pick: Wyoming 

North Texas (-1) at Texas-El Paso

Don’t be fooled…they may both be located in the state of Texas, but the two schools are about a nine hour drive apart. Does that matter?? Not really…I just thought it was interesting. The Mean Green had a couple of nine win seasons not long ago, but have had losing records three years in a row. The Miners have only won more than six games twice in the past decade. I will not be watching this game since it is only available on an obscure streaming platform I won’t bother downloading. It’s essentially a pick ‘em and in those situations I like the home team. Zach likes North’s passing game to rack up the points. 

My Pick: UTEP

Z’s Pick: North Texas

Vanderbilt (-6.5) at Hawaii 

A few years ago I would have been pumped for this game because it kicks off at 10:30pm on the CBS Sports Network. Sadly it seems that I am far less of a night owl than I once was, so whether or not I make it thru the entire contest is a real toss up. At any rate, the Commodores are the forgotten member of the SEC for a reason…they’ve only had a winning record twice in the past decade and won five games total in the previous three seasons. The Rainbow Warriors aren’t great either, but they did have a ten win season as recently as 2019. Perhaps the oddsmakers know something the rest of us don’t, but I’m going with the home underdogs. Conversely, Zach doesn’t like Hawaii’s terrible defense and sees Vandy getting the easy win. 

My Pick: Hawaii 

Z’s Pick: Vanderbilt