Florida State vs. New Mexico State prediction, pick: The Aggies can cover the spread in Week 0

College football is a sport of rituals.The bands, the tailgates, and, of course, our beloved Ugly Underdogs.

Every Saturday morning during the season, right here in this space, you’ll get to know some of the most unglamorous programs in the country as we build a case for betting our hard-earned money on some awful teams to cover the spread.It ain’t for the faint of heart, but I have a feeling you will have as much, and possibly even more, fun backing the likes of UMass, Akron and Louisiana-Monroe than you will sweating out the 3:30 p.m.

SEC headliner.There is hardly a hotter seat in college football than Mike Norvell’s at Florida State.Now entering his seventh season in Tallahassee, Norvell squandered any credit he had in the bank after leading Florida State to an undefeated campaign in 2023, which ended with the Seminoles being controversially left out of the College Football Playoff.Instead of being motivated by the disrespect, Florida State sank in 2024, winning just two games.Things didn’t get much better in 2025, as the Seminoles finished 5-7, despite starting the campaign with a stunning upset of Alabama.It’s hard to set expectations for Florida State after a four-season roller coaster that saw them win 23 games from 2022-23, and then just seven from 2024-25.What does Norvell need to do to keep his job? Is a winning season enough? Or does Florida State need to get back to where it’s supposed to be, which is among the elites in college football?We aren’t likely to get any of those answers Saturday when Florida State opens its season as a five-score favorite against New Mexico State, but we could get them quickly thereafter.The Seminoles take on SMU in Week 1 and then have a rematch with Alabama in Tuscaloosa in Week 2.The losing coach of the latter could be out of a job by Week 3.Speaking of expectations, you won’t find many programs with lower ones than New Mexico State this season.There are now 138 teams in FBS as we roll out the welcome ma...