A hectic offseason will officially end when the Week 0 college football schedule begins on Saturday, Aug. 24. College football fans can look forward to seeing a top-10 team to open the season, as No. 10 Florida State faces Georgia Tech in Ireland. The Seminoles are coming off an undefeated regular season and are looking for another ACC title, while Georgia Tech is trying to build off its winning record from last year. Florida State is an 11.5-point favorite in the Week 0 college football odds from SportsLine consensus, while the total for points scored is 56.5.
The Week 0 slate also features Nevada vs. SMU (-27.5) on CBS Sports Network, along with a pair of FBS vs. FCS matchups. FCS Montana State is an 8.5-point road favorite at FBS New Mexico, creating an intriguing contest when it comes to Week 0 college football bets. Before locking in any college football picks for Week 0 of the 2024 season, be sure to see the college football betting guide from legendary Vegas handicapper Bruce Marshall.
For years Vegas-based Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter. With a background in play-by-play work and sports information while in college, Marshall joined TGS in 1981 when hired by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as executive editor for many years.
An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Bruce’s vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects.
Now, using his Tech Corner technique that evaluates all the trends, Marshall has turned his attention to the latest college football odds for Week 0 and evaluated each matchup. Head here to see every pick.
Top college football predictions for Week 0
One of the top college football picks Marshall is recommending for Week 0: He says the trends point to SMU covering against Nevada in that 8 p.m. ET kickoff at Mackay Stadium. He also likes the Under (57.5) to hit.
Expectations are high for SMU as it enters its first season in the ACC, especially with quarterback Preston Stone returning. Stone led the Mustangs to a 10-2 record last season, racking up 28 touchdown passes. The defense could be even better than the offense, as the unit ranked inside the top 15 nationally in yards per game allowed, and defensive coordinator Scott Symons stayed with the program.
Nevada is expected to be one of the worst teams in the FBS this season, and it will rely on its rushing attack offensively. The Wolf Pack were held to single digits three times last season, including a 42-6 loss to Wyoming in its finale. They have only covered the spread three times in their last 12 home games, which is one trend that supports Marshall’s picks for this matchup. See which other picks to make here.
How to make college football picks for Saturday, Aug. 24
Marshall has evaluated every other matchup and he’s found a critical 12-3 betting trend in the big FSU vs. Georgia Tech matchup. Get betting analysis for each matchup at SportsLine.
So what college football picks can you make with confidence, and what alarming trend do you need to know about in the week’s biggest game? Check out the latest college football odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams to back, all from the legendary Vegas expert who has won multiple handicapping titles, and find out.
College football odds for Saturday, Aug. 24
See full Week 0 college football picks, odds, predictions here
Saturday, Aug. 24
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (+11.5, 56.5)
Montana State at New Mexico (+8.5, 53.5)
SMU at Nevada (+27.5, 57.5)
Delaware State at Hawaii (-37.5, 55.5)
