College Football Upsets Today: Virginia, North Dakota State on Upset Watch?

After eight long months, we will see FBS college football action this Saturday, August 29, starting with North Carolina and TCU squaring off in Dublin, Ireland. And with college football back so is the potential for upsets every week.

The Dublin game kicks off five months of non-stop CFB games, culminating in the College Football National Championship Game in Las Vegas on January 25, 2027.

It all starts today with a small eight-game slate in Week 0, with No. 15 USC the lone ranked team in action as a massive favorite. We also have a conference game in the ACC between NC State vs. Virginia, which highlights our top upset picks today.

Below, we’ll break down our upset picks for Saturday’s college football games, including NC State vs. Virginia and Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State, including spreads and payouts from PrizePicks Team Picks.

Pick college football winners and spreads on PrizePicks now!

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Week 0 College Football Upset Picks – Saturday, August 29

Here are the two college football games to target today for potential upsets, including the spreads from PrizePicks Team Picks. We'll look toward two road teams to pull off potential .

• NC State vs. Virginia (-3.5) - 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
• Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State (-7) - 5:30 p.m. - CBSSN

With PrizePicks Team Picks, you can now make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders! Learn more about how to make picks here.

North Carolina State vs. Virginia: CFB Upset Watch Today

Once scheduled to be played in Brazil, we will now get a Week 0 conference game in Charlottesville, Va., between North Carolina State (8-5 in 2025) and Virginia. Virginia (11-3 in 2025) is coming off a loss in the ACC title game, where a College Football Playoff berth was on the line. 

Last season, five of Virginia's 11 wins came by one score, including three wins in overtime. The Cavaliers ultimately lost, 27-20, to Duke in the ACC Championship Game, costing them a berth in the Playoff. 

Virginia will now need to replace its QB, as Chandler Morris is trying to make the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster. Enter Missouri transfer Beau Pribula, who threw for 1,941 yards, 11 TDs, and 9 INTs in 10 games in the SEC in 2025.  

Even with 11 wins and Morris last year, the Cavaliers struggled on offense at times, ranking 54th in passing offense at 239.1 yards per game. Per 247Sports, the Cavaliers didn't improve in the offseason, as they had the lowest-rated recruiting class in the ACC. 

After a midseason slump that saw NC State lose four straight to D1 schools, the Wolfpack rebounded to win four of their last five games, covering the spread in all their wins.

They are one of the rare teams that return both their QB and RB, as QB CJ Bailey and RB Duke Scott are back after strong 2025 efforts. Bailey, after a season with 31 total TDs, adds Buffalo transfer WR Victor Snow to his huddle. Snow was All-MAC First Team in 2025, finishing with 815 yards and 8 TDs.

The Wolfpack won this matchup, 35-31, last season, and are 4-0 vs. the Cavaliers under coach Dave Doeren. Despite coming in as the underdog, NC State has not lost in Charlottesville since 2006.

Make your NC State vs, Virginia prediction on PrizePicks now!

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Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State: CFB Upset Watch Today

After decades of dominating the FCS and winning 10 national titles in 15 years, the North Dakota State Bison are moving up to the FBS. Their prize for moving up is a matchup with Jacksonville State, which made the same move four years ago.

In Jacksonville State’s three FBS seasons, it's won at least nine games in each, winning Conference USA twice and playing in three bowl games. But they are the underdog here, catching a touchdown on the spread.

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks return one of the best dual-threat QBs in Caden Creel, who rushed for 1,076 yards last year, third-most among all FBS quarterbacks, while finishing fourth in CUSA in passer rating.

They tend to slow the game down with their rushing attack, ranking top-five nationally in rushing attempts per game in all three years since making the jump to the FBS. 

The Bison should handle the transition to FBS well and are a pick by many media members to take the Group of 6 spot in the College Football Playoff.

However, NDSU lost two of their star offensive players to the NFL in QB Cole Payton (2,719 pass yards, 777 rush yards, 29 total TDs) and WR Bryce Lance (1,079 yards, 8 TDs). Junior QB Nathan Hayes will be put to the test early vs. a very good Gamecocks defense

The Bison’s move to FBS was a long time coming, but being favored by 7 points in their first game might be a little steep vs. a Jacksonville State team that has already found success year after year at this level.

Make your Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State prediction on PrizePicks now — including on the winner and spread!

Make Week 0 College Football Upset Picks on PrizePicks

The 2026 college football season is officially here with Week 0, and with that, a chance for some early upsets. Can NC State continue its dominance over Virginia despite being the underdog? How will North Dakota State play in its first FBS game vs. a tough Jacksonville State team?

You can make your college football predictions every week of the 2026 season on PrizePicks — including teams to pull off upsets.

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Pick More or Less on player stats, or pick game winners, spreads, and totals to earn real money if you're right! In eligible states, you can combine Team + Player picks for bigger payouts.

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