How To Bet College Football Week 0
- Georgia Tech’s Offense vs. Florida State’s Rebuilt Roster: Discover why Georgia Tech’s explosive offense might keep this Dublin showdown closer than the odds suggest.
- SMU Primed for a Blowout?: Find out why SMU’s first ACC game against a struggling Nevada team could be a lopsided affair in Week 0.
- Week 0 Betting Insights You Can’t Miss: Learn the key betting angles and strategies for cashing in on these early-season college football matchups.
College Football Week 0 kicks off on Saturday, August 24, 2024, with a pair of must-watch games. While the majority of college football action doesn’t start until Labor Day weekend, college football betting diehards will have their eyes on the following Week 0 games looking for early season wins.
Now I know you are wondering “Why should I bet on college football Week 0?”
Week 0 is a unique and valuable opportunity for everyone betting on college football. The abbreviated schedule and the presence of marquee matchups like Florida State vs. Georgia Tech and SMU vs. Nevada provide an early look at how teams are shaping up, both on the field and in the eyes of oddsmakers. Don’t consider these games as just appetizers before the main course; they’re the first real test of the season, a chance to set the tone for the weeks to come.
How To Bet College Football Week 0
First up is the Aer Lingus College Football Classic live from Aviva Stadium in Dublin featuring the 12-point betting favorite Florida State Seminoles battling the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackers. The game total is 56.5 points. Next up are the 26-point favorite SMU Mustangs at Mackay Stadium in Reno to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack where the game point total is 57.
How To Bet Flordia State Vs. Georgia Tech
The Flordia State is the heavy favorite in their Dublin showdown with Georgia Tech. The Seminoles enter the 2024 season with championship aspirations, a formidable reputation, and, as always, a target on their backs. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech, under the second-year leadership of Brent Key, is eager to build on last season’s surprises and establish themselves as more than just another ACC middleweight.
The Yellow Jackets have fond memories of Dublin, having defeated Boston College there in 2016. However, this time they’re up against a different beast. Florida State, fresh off an undefeated regular season, albeit with a roster that’s undergone significant changes, is a team on a mission. The Seminoles are favored by 12 points, a margin that’s both tempting and daunting for bettors considering how early it is in the season. With college football Week 0 odds in the spotlight, the challenge is to decipher whether the Seminoles will cover the spread or if Georgia Tech can keep it close.
Historically, the Seminoles have dominated this matchup, winning 15 out of 27 encounters, including the most recent in 2022. Yet, history can be a double-edged sword; it creates expectations and burdens teams with the weight of past successes. Florida State will be without some of their key players from last season. Gone are quarterback Jordan Travis, leading rusher Trey Benson, and standout wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman. Stepping up under center is, DJ Uiagalelei, the Oregon State transfer with a wealth of experience, who has been handed the keys to the offense. Uiagalelei’s resume is impressive—over 8,000 passing yards, 57 touchdowns, and a 30-10 record as a starter. But can he gel quickly enough with his new teammates to make an impact in this season opener?
On the other side, Georgia Tech’s offense looks potent, with Haynes King returning under center and a solid offensive line ready to pave the way for a dynamic rushing attack. The Yellow Jackets led the ACC in rushing last season, averaging over 200 yards per game, and they’ve retained much of that core. The question is whether this offensive prowess can translate to success against a Seminoles defense that is expected to be one of the most stingy in the ACC.
Brent Key’s squad exceeded expectations in 2023, and there’s a sense of optimism in Atlanta. However, the defensive side of the ball remains a concern. New defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci has been tasked with overhauling a unit that struggled mightily last year. If Georgia Tech’s defense can’t step up, Uiagalelei and the Seminoles’ new-look offense might have a field day, even if they are still finding their feet.
In a game like this bettors must weigh the risks. Can Georgia Tech’s rushing attack control the tempo and keep the game close? Will Florida State’s new pieces fit seamlessly into Mike Norvell’s system? And perhaps most crucially, how will playing in Dublin affect both teams, far from the familiar confines of their home stadiums?
This game is all about matchups. Can Georgia Tech’s offense, led by King and Haynes, keep pace with Florida State? More importantly, can their defense make enough stops to keep it close? I’m betting that they can. Georgia Tech’s experience on offense and Florida State’s uncertainty at quarterback make this a game where the points are valuable.
Sure, the Seminoles have the edge in talent, especially on defense, but Week 0 games have a way of being unpredictable. If Georgia Tech can avoid turnovers and control the tempo, this could be a one-score game late in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jackets have the tools to keep this one within reach, making them a compelling pick against the spread.
Bet On Flordia State Vs. Georgia Tech
How To Bet SMU vs Nevada
As the sun sets on the Emerald Isle showdown, our attention shifts to the wild, wild West, where the SMU Mustangs are saddling up to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack in Reno. This game, which sees the Mustangs as heavy favorites, is another intriguing Week 0 matchup that’s caught the attention of bettors everywhere. SMU enters this game as a 26-point favorite, a line that’s already moved significantly since it opened at SMU -18.5, reflecting the market’s confidence in the Mustangs. But is it warranted? Let’s dig into the numbers.
SMU is riding high, coming off an 11-3 season and gearing up for their first campaign as a member of the ACC. The Mustangs have been on an upward trajectory, and the 2024 season promises to be one of their most important in recent history. With a potent offense that averaged 40 points per game last season, SMU is expected to light up the scoreboard. But as we know, expectations and reality don’t always align, especially in the unpredictable world of college football betting.
Nevada, on the other hand, finds itself in a much different place. The Wolf Pack are coming off back-to-back 10-loss seasons, and new head coach Jeff Choate faces the daunting task of rebuilding a program that’s been in free fall. The good news for Nevada? They’re playing at home. The bad news? Just about everything else.
The Wolf Pack’s defense was abysmal last season, giving up nearly seven yards per play. Against an explosive SMU offense, that’s a recipe for disaster. Quarterback Brendon Lewis, who struggled mightily in 2023, will need to show significant improvement if Nevada is to have any chance of covering the spread, let alone pulling off an upset. But let’s be honest—this game has all the makings of a one-sided affair, where the only real question is whether SMU will cover the spread and by how much.
The betting lines for this game have moved in favor of SMU, with the spread increasing and the total climbing from its opening number. This movement suggests that the betting public is firmly backing the Mustangs, but it also raises a red flag for sharp bettors. Is the line move an overreaction, or is it justified based on the glaring disparities between these two teams?
For those looking to bet on college football odds, this game offers a classic dilemma. Do you ride with the favorites, banking on SMU’s high-powered offense to overwhelm a porous Nevada defense? Or do you take a contrarian approach, hoping that the Wolf Pack, in front of their home crowd, can keep it respectable? It’s a tough call, but that’s what makes betting on college football so exhilarating. It’s not just about picking winners; it’s about finding value, reading the market, and making informed decisions based on the available data.
College Football Week 0 Betting Opportunities
Week 0 is a unique and valuable opportunity for those of you betting on college football. The abbreviated schedule and the presence of marquee matchups like Florida State vs. Georgia Tech and SMU vs. Nevada provide an early look at how teams are shaping up, both on the field and in the eyes of oddsmakers. Don’t look at these games as just appetizers before the main course; they’re the first real test of the season, a chance to set the tone for the weeks to come.
Whether you’re betting on the established power of Florida State or the upset potential of Georgia Tech, the explosive offense of SMU, or the desperate grit of Nevada, Week 0 college football betting offers something for everyone. Remember, Week 0 is about finding value and identifying potential upsets. Do your research, shop around for the best odds, and most importantly, have fun.
