Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) leads the team onto the field before the game against the Florida State Seminoles for the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
- Week 1 of the 2024 college football season kicks off on Thursday, August 29th
- Top matchups of the week include Georgia vs Clemson and Colorado vs North Dakota State
- Read below for the full opening college football Week 1 odds, lines and spreads
After Week 0 provided the appetizer, the 2024 college football season shifts into high gear with a full slate of games in Week 1. The action starts early, with several exciting matchups on tap for Thursday, August 29th.
Week 1 is packed with high-profile clashes, including Georgia vs Clemson, and Colorado vs North Dakota State. The Bulldogs are listed as 13.5-point favorites over the Tigers in a neutral site game, while Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buff are 9.5-point favorites against the FCS powerhouse North Dakota State Bison.
Elsewhere around college football, Notre Dame is a small underdog at Texas A&M, while Alabama is heavily favored at home against Western Kentucky in Kalen DeBoer’s debut.
Let’s take a look at the Week 1 college football odds and make some early predictions.
College Football Week 1 Opening Odds
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, August 29 | North Dakota State | +9.5 (-108) | +275 |
| 8 p.m. | Colorado | -9.5 (-112) | -345 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Thursday, August 29 | North Carolina | +2 (-108) | +105 |
| 8 p.m. | Minnesota | -2 (-112) | -125 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Friday, August 30 | Florida Atlantic | +12.5 (-110) | +390 |
| 7 p.m. | Michigan State | -12.5 (-110) | -520 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Friday, August 30 | Temple | +43 (-110) | OFF |
| 7 p.m. | Oklahoma | -43 (-110) | OFF |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Friday, August 30 | Western Michigan | +24 (-110) | OFF |
| 9 p.m. | Wisconsin | -24 (-110) | OFF |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Friday, August 30 | TCU | -8.5 (-110) | -340 |
| 10:30 p.m. | Stanford | +8.5 (-110) | +270 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Clemson | +13.5 (-108) | +440 |
| 12 p.m. | Georgia | -13.5 (-112) | -600 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Penn State | -8.5 (-108) | -310 |
| 12 p.m. | West Virginia | +8.5 (-112) | +250 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Virginia Tech | -13.5 (-112) | -535 |
| 12 p.m. | Vanderbilt | +13.5 (-108) | +400 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | UConn | +20.5 (-110) | +850 |
| 12 p.m. | Maryland | -20.5 (-110) | -1450 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Kent State | +24 (-112) | +1100 |
| 12 p.m. | Pittsburgh | -24 (-108) | -2100 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Miami FL | -2.5 (-115) | -142 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Florida | +2.5 (-105) | +120 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Akron | +50.5 (-110) | OFF |
| 3:30 p.m. | Ohio State | -50.5 (-110) | OFF |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Colorado State | +32.5 (-110) | OFF |
| 3:30 p.m. | Texas | -32.5 (-110) | OFF |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Boise State | -13 (-110) | -520 |
| 4 p.m. | Georgia Southern | +13 (-110) | +390 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Old Dominion | +20.5 (-108) | +900 |
| 4:15 p.m. | South Carolina | -20.5 (-112) | -1600 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Western Kentucky | +31 (-110) | +2000 |
| 7 p.m. | Alabama | -31 (-110) | -6500 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Notre Dame | +2.5 (-105) | +120 |
| 7:30 p.m. | Texas A&M | -2.5 (-115) | -142 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Fresno State | +21.5 (-112) | +950 |
| 7:30 p.m. | Michigan | -21.5 (-108) | -1650 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Southern Miss | +28 (-108) | +2000 |
| 7:45 p.m. | Kentucky | -28 (-112) | -6500 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Georgia State | +22 (-110) | +1100 |
| 8 p.m. | Georgia Tech | -22 (-110) | -2100 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Saturday, August 31 | Wyoming | +6.5 (-108) | +195 |
| 10:30 p.m. | Arizona State | -6.5 (-112) | -238 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Sunday, September 1 | LSU | -4.5 (-108) | -192 |
| 7:30 p.m. | USC | +4.5 (-112) | +160 |
| Game Time (Eastern) | Team | Spread | Moneyline |
| Monday, September 2 | Boston College | +18 (-110) | +750 |
| 7:30 p.m. | Florida State | -18 (-110) | -1200 |
Odds as of August 24th at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Colorado vs NDSU Odds & Predictions
All eyes are on Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes as they face the North Dakota State Bison in Week 1 of CFB. Despite being an FCS program, NDSU has a strong track record against FBS teams, going 7-4 since 2006, with three losses by a field goal or less.
The Bison are coming off a dominant season, ranking in the top ten nationally in both total offense (9th) and total defense (7th). Colorado struggled in 2023, finishing 4-8, with a defense that allowed 34.8 points per game, ranking 102nd in FBS.
Colorado loses 4th straight game 😬 pic.twitter.com/5WPfaASfIl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 11, 2023
Colorado opened as 7.5-point favorites, but the line has since moved to 9 or 9.5 at most sportsbooks. The Buffaloes were 7-4-1 ATS last season and 4-2 ATS at home, while NDSU is 9-4 straight up vs FBS teams since 2006.
While Colorado has more talent on paper, especially after utilizing the transfer portal to beef up their roster, I believe North Dakota State will cover the 9.5-point spread in a true nail-biter.
The Bison’s rushing attack, which produced 47 TDs last year, should find success against a Colorado defense that ranked 102nd vs the run in 2023. Look for NDSU to control the clock with their ground game and keep this one within single digits.
Colorado vs NDSU Picks:
- Bison +9.5 (-110)
Georgia vs Clemson Betting Line
The UGA Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers face off in arguably the biggest Week 1 clash of the College Football season. Although Clemson played Georgia tight three seasons ago, bettors favor Georgia to win big this time.
Georgia opened as 7.5-point favorites, but the line has since moved to 13.5 at most sportsbooks. This type of line movement suggests big-money bettors (sharps) have hammered this line. The Bulldogs were 10-4 ATS last season, while Clemson went 6-7 ATS.
Despite being a neutral site game, this matchup heavily favors Georgia. The Bulldogs return Heisman candidate QB Carson Beck, who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 24 TDs last year in his first season as the starter. Georgia’s defense also remains loaded, especially along the defensive line.
Clemson struggled offensively in 2023 under first-year QB Cade Klubnik. The Tigers lose top playmakers Will Shipley and Beaux Collins, making things tougher against UGA’s stout defense. Clemson’s reluctance to use the transfer portal further puts them at a talent disadvantage.
I expect Georgia’s high-powered offense, led by Beck, to fire on all cylinders in this one. The Dawgs averaged over 40 PPG last season, and with Beck having a year of experience, UGA’s offense should be even better. Grab this line before it crosses two TDs.
Georgia vs Clemson Pick:
- UGA -13.5 (-110)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
As college football season approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating the release of Week 1 odds, spreads, and early predictions for the opening games. With the start of the season just around the corner, it’s time to start analyzing the matchups and making informed decisions on where to place your bets.
One of the most highly anticipated games of Week 1 is the matchup between traditional powerhouses Alabama and Miami. The Crimson Tide are coming off another national championship win and are favored by double digits in this game. However, Miami has a talented roster and could potentially pull off an upset if they play to their full potential.
Another intriguing matchup in Week 1 is the game between Georgia and Clemson. Both teams are expected to be contenders for the College Football Playoff this season, making this game a must-watch for fans. The spread for this game is expected to be close, with both teams having strong defenses and explosive offenses.
Other notable games in Week 1 include Ohio State vs. Minnesota, LSU vs. UCLA, and Penn State vs. Wisconsin. These games are sure to provide plenty of excitement and drama as teams look to start their seasons off on the right foot.
When making early predictions for these games, it’s important to consider factors such as injuries, recent performance, and coaching changes. It’s also crucial to keep an eye on any line movements leading up to game day, as these can often indicate where the smart money is going.
As always, it’s important to do your own research and make informed decisions when placing bets on college football games. While early predictions can be helpful in guiding your decisions, nothing is guaranteed in sports betting. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the start of another exciting college football season.