Opening College Football Week 1 Odds, Spreads & Early Predictions

• 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

The opening college football Week 1 odds show Ohio State as the Power 5 heaviest favorite on the board at -50.5 in their matchup with Akron.

Odds as of August 24th at DraftKings Sportsbook. 

DRAFTKINGS
SPORTSBOOK

Bet $5 & Get $250 in Bonus Bets + 1 Month of NFL+ Premium

LOCK IN PROMO

SIGNUP PROMO

BET $5
GET $250

GET PROMO

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)