College Football Week 0 Bets to Make Now: Odds & Predictions for Aug. 24
The concept of Week 0 is unique to college football. While some may question the point, the real fans live for it. It's like an appetizer to get our bodies ready before sitting on the couch for 12 hours on a regular Saturday in the fall.
While there may only be four games involving FBS programs - with two including Nevada and New Mexico, two of the nation's worst teams - football is football.
Heck, one of the contests isn't even in North America, but I'm sure the Georgia Tech fans will happily drown their sorrows in Guinness when Florida State pummels their team.
It's been about six months since we've watched any competitive games, so feed us the slop and we'll eat it with a smile.
While three of the games won't impact the college football championship odds much, Florida State is taking the field with a chance to make a statement in front of an Irish crowd that not too long ago was forced to sit through a Northwestern-Nebraska matchup.
Don't sleep on the Seminoles' new conference mate either. SMU could theoretically climb into the College Football Playoff odds conversation this season thanks to its offense. And we should also see the first FCS win over an FBS team, as Montana State, an FCS Championship odds contender, looks to light up Bronco Mendenhall's New Mexico Lobos.
Here are some of the best college football Week 0 bets you can make now via the odds from our college football betting sites.
College football Week 0 schedule
| Kickoff | Matchup | Location | Favorite | How to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noon ET | Florida State vs. Georgia Tech | Aviva Stadium (Dublin, Ireland) | Florida State -11 (-110 via Caesars) | ESPN |
| 4 p.m. ET | Montana State at New Mexico | University Stadium (Albuquerque, N.Mex.) | Montana State -8.5 (-115 via FanDuel) | FS1 |
| 8 p.m. ET | SMU at Nevada | Mackay Stadium (Reno, Nev.) | SMU -27 (-110 via bet365) | CBSSN |
| 11:59 p.m. ET | Delaware State at Hawaii | Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex (Honolulu, Hawaii) | Hawaii -38 (-110 via DraftKings) | Spectrum PPV |
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Prediction: Florida State -11 (-110)
This is the third straight season Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host a Week 0 game. Two years ago it was that hilarious 31-28 Northwestern win over Nebraska that damned Scott Frost's tenure. Last year it was Notre Dame's 42-3 victory over Navy.
This game should offer less ineptitude than Northwestern-Nebraska, but more competitiveness than Notre Dame-Navy. Still, I think the Seminoles are ultimately built to take care of this improved Georgia Tech program.
Mike Norvell loaded up in the transfer portal, and for all his warts, DJ Uiagalelei is a competent college quarterback. Talented playmakers like Malik Benson, Roydell Williams, and Lawrance Toafili also surround him.
The offense should put up enough points against a Yellowjackets defense that was 86th in SP+ last season. While I think Georgia Tech's offense is underrated with players like Eric Singleton Jr. and Jamal Haynes, I don't see Haynes King doing enough to cover.
The Seminoles were ninth in SP+ on defense last season and added Marvin Jones Jr. (Georgia) to a defensive line that Patrick Payton and Darrell Jackson Jr. still lead. The secondary also features a stud in Azareye'h Thomas.
If Florida State plays up to its potential and covers, a $10 bet pays a $9.09 profit.
Best odds: -110 via Caesars | Implied probability: 52.38%
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Montana State at New Mexico
Prediction: Montana State -8.5 (-115)
Either this Montana State team is really good or this New Mexico program is in shambles. Why not both? It might only take to the second game of the college football season to have an FCS team knock off an FBS program.
While I do think Mendenhall was a slam dunk hire by the Lobos, the former BYU and Virginia head coach would have to perform a miracle to make New Mexico competitive this season.
The Lobos are 19-60 over the last seven seasons and finished 124th out of 133 in SP+ last year. The entire offensive line was brought in via the portal, which rarely goes well, and starting QB Devon Dampier is just a true sophomore.
Meanwhile, the Bobcats are chasing an FCS championship and have a weapon at QB in Tommy Mellott on top of an All-American left tackle in Marcus Wehr, a star pass rusher in Brody Grebe, and a former Power 4 running back in Julius Davis.
In a few years Mendenhall will have New Mexico turned around, but it's not happening in Week 0. A $10 bet pays a $8.70 profit if the Bobcats cover.
Best odds: -115 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.49%
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SMU at Nevada
Prediction: SMU -27 (-110)
Talk about two programs going in totally different directions. SMU is pulling in so much money from its boosters that it bought its way into the ACC to capitalize on conference realignment as the program continues to get better.
Nevada on the other hand is one of the worst resourced programs in the country and lost its last successful head coach (Jay Norvell) to a conference rival (Colorado State). The Wolf Pack are on their second coach in three seasons after Ken Wilson was fired for going 4-20 in the two years after Norvell left.
New head coach Jeff Choate helped turn Montana State into an FCS power and might be able to turn around Nevada. But this is a year zero for him with this team being about four years away from competing.
Nevada was 132nd in SP+ last year while SMU was 24th. The Mustangs also return star QB Preston Stone, who had the fourth-most big-time throws in the country last season, per PFF.
Head coach Rhett Lashlee has been loading up in the portal the last few years too, bolstering SMU's roster as it jumps to the ACC.
Players like Justin Osborne, RJ Maryland, Jaylan Knighton, Elijah Roberts, and Jonathan McGill are the reason SMU should blow Nevada out. If Mustangs do that, a $10 bet pays a $9.09 profit.
Best odds: -110 via bet365 | Implied probability: 52.38%
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Delaware State at Hawaii
Prediction: Over 55.5 (-110)
There's no more sicko behaviour than ending a 12-hour day of college football watching by staying up for the Hawaii game. To get us into shape for the season, the football gods have bestowed upon us a Rainbow Warriors game during Week 0.
Given how badly Todd Graham ruined Hawaii in his short time in charge, Timmy Chang has done an admirable job getting this program headed in the right direction. The prodigal son returned and has gone 8-18 in two years.
That might not sound great, but with the shape Hawaii was in when he took over, I think winning five games last year was one of the most impressive coaching feats in the country.
Though the team still doesn't play in a real stadium, I think the Rainbow Warriors can get the island buzzing with an explosive showing on offense in Week 0. Hawaii scored 27-plus in six games last year and QB Brayden Schager was sixth in the country in big-time throws.
Between Schager and wide receivers Steven McBride and Pofele Ashlock, they should score 40-plus against Delaware State. The Hornets are one of the worst FCS teams and went 1-10 last year while losing 62-20 and 57-0 to their two FBS opponents, Miami (OH) and Army.
Hawaii's defense can help cash this Over, too. It was 121st in SP+ last year and 112th in points allowed per game (32.2). If the Over hits, a $10 bet pays out $19.09.
Best odds: -110 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 52.38%
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