After the long, agonizing offseason without our collective escape from the grind of life, college football is finally back. This weekend will mark the start of the 2026 college football season, beginning with what is projected to be the final year of the traditional Week 0 games. Week 0 puts the spotlight on mid-major and FCS teams that most CFB fans have never watched before, making it a perfect time to talk about some Mountain West football teams, four of whom will begin their seasons in Week 0.
Let’s take a look at my previews and predictions for the Mountain West teams playing in Week 0.
San Jose State Spartans (0-0) at #14 USC Trojans (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 12:00 p.m. PDT
Network: NBC
Spread: USC -38.5
Preview: Coach Ken Niumatololo enters this season with a slightly hotter seat than many fans would have expected at this time last year. After a 7-6 first season with the Spartans in 2024, SJSU had a disastrous 2025 season, going 3-9 with the season lowlight being a 45-point drubbing against fellow 3-9 team Nevada. This is a big season for San Jose State, but they realistically do not have any expectations entering their Week 0 game, seeing as they are facing a team projected by many to contend for the CFP.
USC is heading into an equally important season, with their controversial head coach Lincoln Riley having disappointed throughout his time in L.A. thus far. The Trojans are the lone AP Top 25 team playing in Week 0, and look the part considering their much-improved defense, led by preseason All-American DB Alex Graham. That will give San Jose State’s rebuilt offense some trouble, given they lost previous star quarterback Walker Eget and star receiver Danny Scudero via the transfer portal in the offseason.
The last time these two teams played was during Brent Brennan’s last season with the Spartans, when SJSU actually put up a decent fight, trailing just 21-14 at the half before losing by 28. That was when USC had the standard Lincoln Riley team (game-changing offense, atrocious defense), which is no longer the case. This game, in all likelihood, will not be very competitive. I expect San Jose State to perhaps score once in the first half, before completely losing track of the Trojans the rest of the way.
Prediction: #14 USC 45, San Jose State 10
Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0-0) at North Dakota State Bison (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 4:30 p.m. CDT
Network: CBSSN
Spread: NDSU -7
Preview: The most-anticipated FBS debut ever is finally upon us. 10-time FCS National Champion North Dakota State hosts their first game as an FBS team on Saturday, welcoming reigning Conference USA runner-up Jacksonville State into the Fargo Dome. The best-kept secret in college football is that NDSU has actually been slipping as a program as of late. Now, keep in mind, that means going from winning nine of 11 FCS natties to just one in the last four years, but it is still a noticable drop.
The Bison enter the season with three preseason All-MW nominees: OL Griffin Empey, Jr., DL Keenan Wilson, Jr. and DB Darius Givance, Sr.. The Gamecocks, meanwhile, have eight preseason All-CUSA members, meaning that the Bison have brought a real contender into their building this weekend. The Bison are not going into this game at the height of their power, all while the Gamecocks have a massive head start on them in FBS acclamation. Plus, the Gamecocks are certainly foaming at the mouth to play this game, having been disrespected by most mainstream media outlets with regards to their chances against a new FBS team.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I actually think the Bison will get punched in the mouth in this game. The Gamecocks will jump out to an early lead, likely leading by two scores at the half. NDSU will bring it back closer in the fourth quarter, but Jacksonville State will keep them at arm’s reach late, handing the Bison an 0-1 record to start their FBS stint.
Prediction: Jacksonville State 38, NDSU 30
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (0-0) at Stanford Cardinal (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 1:00 p.m. HST
Network: ACC Network
Spread: STAN -4
Preview: In a return game from their Week 0 matchup a year ago, Hawaii will travel to face Stanford in Week 0 once again. The ‘Bows upset the Cardinal in Honolulu last year, marking their first home win over a power conference team since 2019. The Warriors are a program on the rise, and are fully expected to contend in the Mountain West, perhaps even for the CFP if they can score enough big wins against teams like the Cardinal.
Hawaii enters this season led by projected MW Offensive Player of the Year Micah Alejado, who broke out immediately as a redshirt freshman in 2025, throwing for 3,106 yards, 24 touchdowns, and leading Hawaii to their first winning record since 2019, and just their third such season since 2010. On the other side, this game will mark the home debut for new Cardinal Head Coach Tavita Pritchard, who looks to lead a new, improved offense after jumping straight from his role as Jayden Daniels’ QB coach in Washington. Stanford will certainly remember what Hawaii did to them last year, and will be hungry entering this game.
Hawaii has not beaten a power-conference team on the road since their win over Colorado in 2011, meaning that a win here would be historic. Stanford should be a much improved team in this matchup, however, so I am hesitant to give the edge to Hawaii. I think this will be a close, back-and-forth game that will come down to the wire, but I will ultimately err on the side of caution, with Stanford getting a last-second win.
Prediction: Stanford 27, Hawaii 24
Memphis Tigers (0-0) at UNLV Rebels (0-0)
Date and Time: Saturday, August 29, 2026, 7:00 p.m. PST
Network: FOX
Spread: UNLV -4.5
Preview: One of the games of the week will serve as the Week 0 endcap, as mid-major contenders Memphis and UNLV meet at Allegiant Stadium in what will be a crucial game for that elusive 12th CFP slot. Dan Mullen leads the Rebels’ revamped roster, headlined by the relentlessly disappointing Jackson Arnold, who failed to find any sort of footing with either Oklahoma or Auburn. Rebels fans hope Mullen can work his quarterback magic once again, turning Arnold, at long last, into an actually viable starting quarterback.
Jai’den Thomas will continue to lead the way in the backfield, while Utah transfer Taeshaun Lyons looks to build on his 241-yard performance in his first season in Vegas a year ago. Memphis, meanwhile, has just three preseason American Conference First-Team members, all on defense. The Tigers are entering their first game under Head Coach Charles Huff, who has gained a reputation in recent years for immediately making each team he goes to better. The Tigers will be led by South Carolina transfer Air Noland, who should fit right in with Huff’s fast-paced spread offense.
People seem to forget how bad UNLV’s defense was last year, as well as how bad Mullen’s defenses normally are regardless of situation. This same unit nearly cost UNLV their season opener last year against Idaho State, and it goes without saying that Memphis is a much better opponent. Despite UNLV’s projected defensive talents, Memphis will likely face little to no resistance from UNLV’s defense, with the only shot the Rebels have being if Huff’s offense fails to launch off the bat. Even if that happens, I think the Tigers will still get the win here, with the biggest reason for my mistrust being Arnold. Anthony Colandrea had at least showed some flashes of brilliance for Virginia prior to “rehabbing” in Vegas, but Arnold has truly shown me nothing to indicate that he is a capable starting quarterback, especially against a defense as stout as Memphis’. I fully expect to be proven wrong, but I cannot bring myself to pick the Rebels until Jackson Arnold goes out and proves himself, and the Rebels’ defense shows any sort of improvement.
Prediction: Memphis 35, UNLV 27
