Get ready, college football fans, because a Vegas expert just dropped a Week 0 parlay that could pay out nearly +300! Thomas Casale, a betting legend with over 30 years of winning experience, has locked in his top picks, and one of them is already shifting lines and making waves across the ACC.
Week 0 Kicks Off With International Flavor and Shifting Lines
The college football season is officially here, hitting us with a seven-game FBS slate on Saturday, dubbed Week 0. This year, the action starts overseas, just like it has the past few years, with Bill Belichick’s North Carolina squad squaring off against TCU in Dublin at noon ET. The latest odds have TCU as an 8.5-point favorite in that opener. Back stateside, we’ve got some big matchups including ACC rivals Virginia, currently at -4, battling NC State. Other spreads include USC at -38.5 against San Jose State, Stanford at -4 facing Hawaii, UNLV at -4.5 battling Memphis, and North Dakota State, making its FBS debut, at -6.5 against Jacksonville State. There’s a lot to unpack, but Casale’s laser focus is on a particular ACC showdown.
Casale Backs NC State to Cover, Citing Overvalued Virginia
One of Casale’s top picks is backing NC State to cover against Virginia, and he initially locked them in at +5.5. That line has since moved to +4, which tells you Casale’s insight has already started influencing the market. This game was originally slated for Brazil, but got moved to Charlottesville, and that relocation had a huge impact on the line. Casale told SportsLine that Virginia went from -3.5 on a neutral field all the way to -5.5 once the home campus was announced. “That’s when I jumped on NC State,” he stated. He felt that 3.5 was a more accurate line and believes Virginia doesn’t have enough of a home-field advantage to justify a two-point swing.
Virginia is coming off an 11-3 campaign in 2026, which Casale thinks makes them a bit overvalued right out of the gate. He expects the Cavaliers to be competitive, no doubt, but he rates both Virginia and NC State as even teams heading into the season. In fact, Casale sees a higher ceiling for the Wolfpack, calling them a “sleeper in the ACC” thanks to quarterback CJ Bailey. Bailey, according to Casale, has the physical tools to become one of college football’s breakout players this season.
The Stakes Are Set for a Wild Start
Week 0 is upon us, and with it, the chance to get in on some early action with a seasoned winner like Thomas Casale. Whether you are eyeing that +300 parlay or just looking for an edge in your own picks, Casale’s insights into games like Virginia vs. NC State are a serious heads-up. With teams hitting the field both overseas and across the country, the season is officially kicking off, and it’s going to be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply