College Football Predictions & Odds Today: Expert Picks for Every Game Tonight

The opening night of Week 1 delivered in a big way, and our college football predictions and odds today help navigate a second full night of NCAA action.

Our expert college football picks find the best betting angle for the evening's biggest games. Meanwhile, the college football predictions for Week 1 go in-depth on the entire weekend, providing the best plays for the marquee matchups, such as Texas vs. Ohio State (Saturday at noon ET).

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🏈 Best college football predictions today

We've compiled the best bets from our college football experts from throughout the week; odds subject to change.

• Michigan State -20.5 (-115 via BetMGM) vs. Western Michigan ⭐⭐
• Appalachian State -4 (-111 via Fanatics) vs. Charlotte ⭐⭐⭐
• Auburn-Baylor Over 57.5 (-108 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Georgia Tech -4.5 (-108 via DraftKings) vs. Colorado ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• UNLV-Sam Houston Over 61 (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐

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💰 College football odds & expert picks for Week 1

College football odds update live in real time.

📊 Western Michigan vs. Michigan State odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Spartan Stadium (East Lansing, Mich.)
• How to watch: FS1

🔮 Western Michigan vs. Michigan State prediction: Michigan State -20.5

Here's why I am predicting the Spartans to cover the spread:

Michigan State isn't a good football team ... yet. Jonathan Smith has the Spartans trending in the right direction, and despite the results not translating yet, I believe the hosts have enough to beat the Broncos comfortably. Western Michigan lost its last 13 meetings with Michigan State. Further, the Broncos were beaten by a combined score of 84-14 by their two Big Ten opponents in 2024.

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📊 Appalachian State vs. Charlotte odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
• How to watch: ESPNU

🔮 Appalachian State vs. Charlotte prediction: Appalachian State -4

Here's why I am predicting the Mountaineers to cover the spread:

It's extremely difficult to assess this in-state duel, with both schools debuting new coaches, quarterbacks, and more in this matchup. However, at the end of the day, Appalachian State has been the better FBS program historically, and I believe the Mountaineers have a slight edge under center. AJ Swann - former LSU and Vanderbilt QB - will complement App State's run game nicely with a good play-action game.

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📊 Auburn vs. Baylor odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: McLane Stadium (Waco, Texas)
• How to watch: FOX

🔮 Auburn vs. Baylor prediction: Over 57.5

Here's an excerpt from our Auburn vs. Baylor prediction on why Mike Spector predicts Auburn-Baylor to finish Over 57.5 on Friday:

"Baylor ranked in the top 10 last year in percentage of snaps that resulted in 20-yard gains (8.7%). And Auburn should do its part in scoring while returning receivers Malcolm Simmons and Cam Coleman, who combined for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns, face a poor Bears pass defense."

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📊 Georgia Tech vs. Colorado odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
• Location: Folsom Field (Boulder, Colo.)
• How to watch: ESPN

🔮 Georgia Tech vs. Colorado prediction: Georgia Tech -4.5

Here's an excerpt from our Georgia Tech vs. Colorado prediction on why Rob Paul predicts the Yellow Jackets will cover the spread against the Buffaloes on Friday:

"Brent Pry doesn't just bring back play-caller Buster Faulkner; the Yellow Jackets also return Haynes King, Jamal Haynes, Keylan Rutledge, and Malik Rutherford - Georgia Tech is No. 18 in returning production ... Given the Yellow Jackets' continuity, especially on offense - where they rank No. 25 in SP+ - Pry's team should be able to lean on its ground attack."

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📊 UNLV vs. Sam Houston odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Shell Energy Stadium (Houston)
• How to watch: CBSSN

🔮 UNLV vs. Sam Houston prediction: Over 61

Here's why I am predicting UNLV-Sam Houston Over 61:

Sam Houston and UNLV are 2-0 to the Over after their respective Week 0 shootouts. The Bearkats gave up 21 points in the second half to Western Kentucky, whereas the Rebels allowed 555 total yards to an FCS opponent (Idaho State). This game has "high-scoring affair" written all over it.

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🔢 More college football odds tonight

Track the latest college football scores for line movement and matchup info.

📊 Tarleton State vs. Army odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Michie Stadium (West Point, N.Y.)
• How to watch: CBSSN

📊 Kennesaw State vs. Wake Forest odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
• How to watch: ACC Network

📊 Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida International odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Pitbull Stadium (Miami)
• How to watch: ESPN+

📊 Western Illinois vs. Illinois odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Memorial Stadium (Champaign, Ill.)
• How to watch: Peacock

📊 Wagner vs. Kansas odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, Kan.)
• How to watch: ESPN+

📊 Central Michigan vs. San Jose State odds

• Date: Friday, Aug. 29
• Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
• Location: CEFCU Stadium (San Jose, Calif.)
• How to watch: FS1

📆 College football schedule today

• Tarleton State at Army, 6 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
• Western Michigan at Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Appalachian State vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
• Kennesaw State at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
• Bethune-Cookman at Florida International, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
• Western Illinois at No. 12 Illinois, 7:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
• Wagner at Kansas, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
• Auburn at Baylor, 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Georgia Tech at Colorado, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• UNLV at Sam Houston, 8:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN)
• Central Michigan at San Jose State, 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

❓ College football betting FAQs

How do college football spread odds work?

When betting on college football, the favorite needs to win by a certain number of points to cover the "point spread" - also known as the betting line. Conversely, the underdog needs to lose by fewer than the points displayed in the spread or win outright to cash. For example, a 3-point favorite would need to win by more than a field goal to reward bettors.

How do college football moneyline odds work?

When betting on college football, the underdog will have the "longer" odds and is typically priced at "plus-money" odds that indicate the profit on a $100 bet. For example, a team with +150 odds would turn a $100 bet into a $150 profit - or a $10 bet into a $15 profit - according to our odds converter.

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