College Football Predictions Week 1 2024: Picks & Odds

College football is back in full force with games from Thursday through Monday that are sure to shake up the college football championship odds.

With over 15 marquee matchups, there's a plethora of college football predictions for Week 1 to be made with the top college football betting sites.

Maybe the most underrated game of the week takes place Thursday between North Dakota State, an FCS Championship odds favorite, and Deion Sanders' Colorado program.

The Buffaloes have both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, two contenders by the Heisman Trophy odds, while the Bison have a rich history of upsetting FBS programs.

But the biggest game of Week 1 gets the Saturday slate underway with Clemson and Georgia playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The winner will get a massive boost to their College Football Playoff odds.

With several other g ames involving AP Top 25 programs, there's bound to be an upset or two.

College football picks & predictions Week 1

• North Dakota State vs. Colorado prediction (coming soon)
• North Carolina vs. Minnesota prediction (coming soon)
• Temple vs. Oklahoma prediction (coming soon)
• TCU vs. Stanford prediction (coming soon)
• Clemson vs. Georgia prediction (coming soon)
• Penn State vs. West Virginia prediction (coming soon)
• Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt prediction (coming soon)
• Akron vs. Ohio State prediction (coming soon)
• Colorado State vs. Texas prediction (coming soon)
• Miami vs. Florida prediction (coming soon)
• Western Kentucky vs. Alabama prediction (coming soon)
• Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M prediction (coming soon)
• Fresno State vs. Michigan prediction (coming soon)
• New Mexico vs. Arizona prediction (coming soon)
• USC vs. LSU predic tion (coming soon)
• Boston College vs. Florida State prediction (coming soon)

Don't miss the rest of our Week 1 college football picks.

College football odds for Saturday

College football odds via DraftKings and subject to change. Follow the latest college football scores for line history and matchup info.

• When: Thursday, Aug. 29 (8 p.m. ET)
• Where: Folsom Field (Boulder, Colo.)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: North Dakota State (+280) | Colorado (-355)
• Spread: North Dakota State +10 (-112) | Colorado -10 (-108)
• Total: 60.5 (-108/-112)

This is the biggest trap game in the history of trap games and there's no way Colorado should be a double-digit favorite. I think North Dakota State has a better chance of winning than Colorado does of covering. By the time this game kicks, I'd like to think Colorado wouldn't be more than a 7-point favorite, but the public loves Sanders' team. 

• When: Thursday, Aug. 29 (8 p.m. ET)
• Where: Huntington Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
• How to watch: FOX
• Moneyline: North Carolina (-125) | Minnesota (+105)
• Spread: North Carolina -2 (-110) | Minnesota +2 (-110)
• Total: 51.5 (-112/-108)

Drake Maye is shooting up the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds, and North Carolina isn't sure who's replacing him yet. And I'm not sure why the Tar Heels are a 2-point road favorite given how inconsistent they were with Maye. Minnesota has a few studs in Aireontae Ersery, Darius Taylor, and Jah Joyner – this line should move in the Golden Gophers' direction.

• When: Friday, Aug. 30 (7 p.m. ET)
• Where: Memorial Stadium (Norman, Okla.)
• How to wat ch: ESPN
• Moneyline: OFF
• Spread: Temple +42.5 (-112) | Oklahoma -42.5. (-108)
• Total: 59 (-108/-112)

Temple has gone from a top-tier G5 program to one of the worst, and it doesn't stand a chance against an Oklahoma team that might make a playoff push in the SEC. While Jackson Arnold remains a question at QB, this betting line could balloon to -44.5 by kickoff.

• When: Friday, Aug. 30 (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Stanford Stadium (Stanford, Calif.)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: TCU (-325) | Stanford (+260)
• Spread: TCU -9 (-110) | Stanford +9 (-110)
• Total: 60.5 (-108/-112)

Both of these teams' most entertaining games last year were against Colorado. I think Stanford is going to be a lot more competitive in Year 2 under Troy Taylor. With that said, TCU will probably be a double-digit favorit e by kick, but I'd take the Cardinal to cover.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (noon ET)
• Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
• How to watch: ABC
• Moneyline: Clemson (+440) | Georgia (-600)
• Spread: Clemson +13.5 (-108) | Georgia -13.5 (-112)
• Total: 48.5 (-112/-108)

On paper this is the game of the week with the ACC Championship odds favorite playing the SEC Championship odds favorite at a neutral site. However, Georgia is the far superior team on paper and Clemson has taken a step back. The Bulldogs should be -14.5 by game time.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (noon ET)
• Where: Milan Puskar Stadium (Morgantown, W.Va.)
• How to watch: FOX
• Moneyline: Penn State (-298) | West Virginia (+240)
• Spread: Pen State -8 (-122) | West Virginia +8 (+102)
• Total: 51.5 (-110/-110)

These two teams played in the season opener last year with Penn State winning by 23 points. This time it's in Morgantown and Garrett Greene could be even better for West Virginia this year. Still, Penn State should be favored by more, and probably will be by Saturday.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (noon ET)
• Where: FirstBank Stadium (Nashville)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: Virginia Tech (-535) | Vanderbilt (+400)
• Spread: Virginia Tech -13.5 (-112) | Vanderbilt +13.5 (-108)
• Total: 48 (-112/-108)

There's been little to get excited about during Clark Lea's tenure at Vanderbilt, while Virginia Tech is expected to be a breakout team. The Hokies lead the country in returning production and are set to make a statement in Nashville. Expect this line to move further in the direction of Brent Pry's team.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (3:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
• How to watch: CBS
• Moneyline: OFF
• Spread: Akron +50 (-110) | Ohio State -50 (-110)
• Total: 59 (-112/-108)

You can't blame Joe Moorhead for struggling at Akron, it's one of the hardest jobs in the country. But can he lose by less than 50 to Ohio State? I doubt it. Even with a new QB in Will Howard, the Buckeyes will probably be favored by 52.5 when the game starts.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (3:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium (Austin, Texas)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: OFF
• Spread: Colorado State +32.5 (-112) | Texas -32.5 (-108)
• Total: 60 (-112/-108)

Colorado State will be better this season and has a star at wide receiver in Tory Horton. But this Texas team should be favored by five touchdowns as it p lays its first game as a member of the SEC. Expect Quinn Ewers to score enough that Arch Manning will see some mop-up duty.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (3:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Gainesville, Fla.)
• How to watch: ABC
• Moneyline: Miami (-135) | Florida (+114)
• Spread: Miami -2.5 (-115) | Florida +2.5 (-105)
• Total: 54 (-110/-110)

Miami is so talented, but so many of Mario Cristobal's key players are transfer portal additions, plus you can't trust Cristobal to manage a game. With that said, Florida has the toughest schedule in the country and Billy Napier is on the hot seat. The Hurricanes should be favored by at least 3.5.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (7 p.m. ET)
• Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: Western Kentucky (+3000) | Alabama (-10000)
• Spread: Western Kentucky +31.5 (-112) | Alabama -31.5 (-108)
• Total: 59.5 (-110/-110)

It's a new era in … Bowling Green, Kentucky? Austin Reed is off to the NFL to be on Hard Knocks and TJ Finley is the new starting QB. This is actually the third different team Finley, a three-time transfer, has started with against Alabama. Kalen DeBoer may be new to Tuscaloosa, but Jalen Milroe will put on a show in his offense. The line should keep moving in the Crimson Tide's direction.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (7:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Kyle Field (College Station, Texas)
• How to watch: ABC
• Moneyline: Notre Dame (+124) | Texas A&M (-148)
• Spread: Notre Dame +3 (-115) | Texas A&M -3 (-105)
• Total: 46.5 (-112/-108)

There's a double Duke connection in this game with former Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko now le ading Texas A&M and his former starting QB Riley Leonard now at Notre Dame. This game is my favorite on paper and will be a blood bath. The Aggies should be only 2-point dogs by kick off.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (7:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
• How to watch: NBC
• Moneyline: Fresno State (+900) | Michigan (-1600)
• Spread: Fresno State +21 (-108) | Michigan -21 (-112)
• Total: 45.5 (-112/-108)

Sherrone Moore's first game as Michigan's full-time head coach will probably be overshadowed by the Connor Stalions situation. But that doesn't mean the Wolverines won't crush a Fresno State squad that had Jeff Tedford step down due to health reasons in mid-July. Good luck to Tim Skipper, Michigan should be at least -24.5.

• When: Saturday, Aug. 31 (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson, Ariz.)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: New Mexico (+2200) | Arizona (-8000)
• Spread: New Mexico +31.5 (-112) | Arizona -31.5 (-108)
• Total: 58.5 (-108/-112)

New Mexico just blew a three score lead to an FCS team in Week 0, and I actually feel better about this team. Clearly Bronco Mendenhall is already working his magic, and I think the Lobos could play Arizona tougher than expected in Brent Brennan's first game at the helm. I don't expect this line to move much. 

• When: Sunday, Sept. 1 (7:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas)
• How to watch: ABC
• Moneyline: USC (+154) | LSU (-185)
• Spread: USC +4 (-108) | LSU -4 (-112)
• Total: 64 (-112/-108)

Sure, Brian Kelly has a history of losing non-conference openers to Top 25 teams, but the Tigers are favored by only four? Lincol n Riley's USC team is one of the most overrated in the country. Both these teams lost Heisman winners at QB, but LSU is more talented and should be -5.5 by kickoff.

• When: Monday, Sept. 2 (7:30 p.m. ET)
• Where: Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, Fla.)
• How to watch: ESPN
• Moneyline: Boston College (+490) | Florida State (-675)
• Spread: Boston College +15.5 (-110) | Florida State -15.5 (-110)
• Total: 50 (-110/-110)

Can Florida State win in 2024-25 despite the loss to Georgia Tech in Week 0? Definitely, but the Seminoles need a huge bounce-back game at home against Boston College. For as fun as Eagles' QB Thomas Castellanos is, the Seminoles should blow them out by three touchdowns. Bill O'Brien is getting far too much respect from the line in his first game as a college head coach in a decade.

College football picks roundup: Week 1

• College football Week 1 upset picks (coming soon)
• College football Week 1 parlay picks (coming soon)
• North Dakota State vs. Colorado player props (coming soon)
• Shedeur Sanders player props (coming soon)
• North Dakota State vs. Colorado parlay (coming soon)
• College football Week 1 predictions & best bets for Friday (coming soon)
• TCU vs. Stanford player props (coming soon)
• College football Week 1 predictions & best bets for Saturday (coming soon)
• College football Week 1 player props (coming soon)
• Big Ten predictions (coming soon)
• SEC predictions (coming soon)
• Big 12 predictions (coming soon)
• College football Week 1 expert picks (coming soon)
• USC vs. LSU player props (coming soon)
• USC vs. LSU parlay (coming soon)

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