College football is back in full swing, and the games Thursday through Monday will surely have a major impact on who wins the college football championship.
With over 15 intriguing matchups, the top college football betting sites have plenty of Week 1 college football predictions to choose from.
Perhaps the most underrated game this week is Thursday's contest between FCS championship favorites North Dakota State and Deion Sanders' Colorado State.
The Buffaloes have both Heisman Trophy contenders in Shedul Sanders and Travis Hunter, while the Bisons have a rich history of beating FBS programs.
But the biggest game of Week 1 opens the schedule on Saturday with Clemson facing Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the winner seeing their College Football Playoff odds increase significantly.
Several other games featuring AP Top 25 programs are sure to produce an upset or two.
College Football Picks and Predictions Week 1
North Dakota State vs Colorado State PredictionNorth 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 State Prediction (Coming Soon)Miami vs Florida State 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 Prediction (Coming Soon)Boston College vs Florida State Prediction (Coming Soon)
Be sure to check out the rest of our Week 1 college football predictions.
Saturday College Football Odds
College football odds provided by DraftKings and are subject to change. See the latest college football scores for line history and matchup information.
North Dakota State vs Colorado State odds
When: Thursday, August 29 (8 p.m. ET) Where: Folsom Field (Boulder, Colorado) 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 ever and Colorado shouldn't be favored by double digits. I think North Dakota State has a better chance of winning than Colorado covering. I don't think Colorado will be favored by more than 7 points by the time this game comes around, but people love Sanders' teams.
North Carolina vs Minnesota odds
When: Thursday, August 29th (8pm 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 has skyrocketed in the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year odds and North Carolina has yet to decide who will replace him. Also, I'm not sure why the Tar Heels are favored on the road by two points given how inconsistent they have been with Maye. Minnesota has several stars in A'Rontay Elsery, Darius Taylor and Jah Joyner. The line should move in the Golden Gophers' direction.
Temple vs. Oklahoma odds
When: Friday, August 30 (7 p.m. ET) Where: Memorial Stadium (Norman, Oklahoma) How to watch: ESPN Money Line: OFF Spread: Temple +42.5 (-112) | Oklahoma -42.5. (-108) Total: 59 (-108/-112)
Temple has fallen from a top Group of 5 program to one of the worst and has no chance of beating an Oklahoma team with a chance to make the playoffs in the SEC, and while Jackson Arnold's performance as a QB remains questionable, this betting odds could balloon to -44.5 by kickoff.
TCU vs. Stanford odds
When: Friday, August 30 (10:30 p.m. ET) Where: Stanford Stadium (Stanford, California) How to watch: ESPN Moneyline: TCU (-325) | Stanford (+260) Spread: TCU -9 (-110) | Stanford +9 (-110) Total: 60.5 (-108/-112)
Last year both teams had some of the most entertaining games against Colorado. Stanford will be in its second year under head coach Troy Taylor and I think it will be more competitive. That being said, I expect TCU to be favored by double digits on kickoff, but I expect the Cardinal to win.
Clemson vs Georgia odds
When: Saturday, August 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, the game of the week is a neutral-site matchup between the favorite to win the ACC Championship and the favorite to win the SEC Championship. But Georgia is the much better team on paper, and Clemson is a step back. The Bulldogs should be -14.5 going into the game.
Penn State vs West Virginia odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (noon ET) Where: Milan Puskar Stadium (Morgantown, West Virginia) How to watch: FOX Moneyline: Penn State (-298) | West Virginia (+240) Spread: Penn State -8 (-122) | West Virginia +8 (+102) Total: 51.5 (-110/-110)
These two teams met in last year's season opener with Penn State winning by 23 points. This time around, it'll be in Morgantown and Garrett Green could have an even better record for West Virginia this year. Still, Penn State should have the bigger advantage and likely will by Saturday.
Virginia Tech vs Vanderbilt odds
When: Saturday, August 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 wasn't much to get excited about during Clark Lea's time at Vanderbilt, but Virginia Tech is expected to be a breakout team. The Hokies are leading the country in returning players and are poised to make their presence known in Nashville. Expect the line to move even more in the direction of Brent Pry's team.
Akron vs. Ohio State odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (3:30 p.m. ET) Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio) How to watch: CBS Money Line: OFF Spread: Akron +50 (-110) | Ohio State -50 (-110) Total: 59 (-112/-108)
You can't blame Joe Moorhead for struggling in Akron, as it's one of the toughest jobs in the country, but will he lose to Ohio State by less than 50 points? Probably not. Even with Will Howard as the new QB, the Buckeyes will be favored by 52.5 points when the game begins.
Colorado State vs Texas State odds
When: Saturday, August 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 has been good this season and has star wide receiver Torii Horton, but Texas State should have a five-touchdown advantage in their first game as members of the SEC. Expect Quinn Ewers to score enough points that Arch Manning will be left to clean up.
Miami vs Florida odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (3:30 p.m. ET) Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Gainesville, Florida) How to watch: ABC Moneyline: Miami (-135) | Florida (+114) Spread: Miami -2.5 (-115) | Florida +2.5 (-105) Total: 54 (-110/-110)
Miami is loaded with talent, but many of coach Mario Cristobal's key players were acquired through the transfer portal and he doesn't have the ability to call the shots. That said, Florida has the toughest schedule in the country and Billy Napier is in a tough spot. The Hurricanes should be favored by at least 3.5 to 1.
Western Kentucky vs Alabama odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (7 p.m. ET) Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) 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 has transferred to star in the NFL's Hard Knocks and TJ Finley is the new starting QB. Finley is a third-time transfer and will start against Alabama for the third time. Cullen DeBoer may be new to Tuscaloosa, but Jalen Milroe should put on a show on offense. The line should continue to trend in the Crimson Tide's direction.
Notre Dame vs Texas A&M odds
When: Saturday, August 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)
This game has dual Duke ties, as former Blue Devils head coach Mike Elko now coaches Texas A&M and his former starting QB Riley Leonard is now at Notre Dame. This game is my favorite on paper and will be a bloody one, with the Aggies only being down two points before kickoff.
Fresno State vs Michigan odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (7:30 p.m. ET) Where: Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Michigan) How to watch: NBC Moneyline: Fresno State (+900) | Michigan (-1600) Spread: Fresno State +21 (-108) | Michigan -21 (-112) Total: 45.5 (-112/-108)
Sherone Moore's first game as Michigan's full-time head coach will likely be overshadowed by the Connor Stallions situation, but that doesn't mean the Wolverines won't beat a Fresno State team that lost Jeff Tedford in mid-July for health reasons. Good luck to Tim Skipper. Michigan should be at least -24.5.
New Mexico vs Arizona odds
When: Saturday, August 31 (10:30 p.m. ET) Where: Arizona Stadium (Tucson, AZ) 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)
I have a good feeling about this team, even though New Mexico just blew a three-point lead to an FCS team in Week 0. Obviously Bronco Mendenhall has already worked his magic, and I think the Lobos could give Arizona a tougher fight than expected in Brent Brennan's first game at the helm. I don't expect this line to move much.
USC vs LSU odds
When: Sunday, September 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 experience losing to top 25 teams in non-conference openers, but are the Tigers favored by just four teams? Lincoln Riley's USC teams are one of the most overrated in the country. Both of these teams lost Heisman Trophy winners at QB, but LSU has the more talent and should be -5.5 by kickoff.
Boston University vs Florida State odds
When: Monday, September 2 (7:30 p.m. ET) Where: Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, Florida) 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 losing to Georgia Tech in Week 0? Absolutely. But the Seminoles need to pull off a major upset at home against Boston College. Eagles quarterback Thomas Castellanos is entertaining, but the Seminoles should win by three touchdowns. Bill O'Brien is getting too much respect from the line in his first college head coaching game in a decade.
College Football Picks Roundup: Week 1
College Football Week 1 Upset Predictions (Coming Soon)College Football Week 1 Parlay Predictions (Coming Soon)North Dakota State vs Colorado State Player Props (Coming Soon)Shedul Sanders Player Props (Coming Soon)North Dakota State vs Colorado State Parlays (Coming Soon)College Football Week 1 Friday Predictions and Best Bets (Coming Soon)TCU vs Stanford Player Props (Coming Soon)College Football Week 1 Saturday Predictions and Best Bets (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 Predictions (Coming Soon)USC vs LSU Player Props (Coming Soon)USC vs LSU Parlays (Coming Soon)
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