2024 college football Week 0 picks against the spread, odds, Vegas lines, trends: Betting expert reveals picks

The 2024 college football season has finally arrived, with the Week 0 college football schedule taking place on Saturday. The slate is headlined by an ACC matchup between No. 10 Florida State and Georgia Tech in Ireland, which is hosting a college football game for the ninth time. FSU went unbeaten last season but was left out of the College Football Playoff, so its 73 returning players will be motivated to get off to a strong start this season. The spread has been moving toward Georgia Tech though, as the Seminoles have dropped from 13-point favorites to 10.5-point favorites in the Week 0 college football odds via SportsLine consensus.

Saturday's schedule also features Nevada vs. SMU (-27.5) at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network, along with a pair of FBS vs. FCS matchups. New Mexico (FBS) is a 13.5-point home underdog against Montana State (FCS), which will be the largest underdog spot for an FBS team against an FCS team if the line holds. Hawaii is -39.5 against Delaware State in the nightcap at 11:59 p.m. ET. Before locking in any college football picks for Week 0 of the 2024 season, be sure to see the college football betting guide from legendary Vegas handicapper Bruce Marshall .

For years Vegas-based Marshall was synonymous with The Gold Sheet, the famed sports betting newsletter. With a background in play-by-play work and sports information while in college, Marshall joined TGS in 1981 when hired by the legendary Mort Olshan and served as executive editor for many years.

An in-demand guest on numerous sports talk radio and TV shows across the country, Bruce's vast array of editorial work has been featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the New York Post and many other outlets. He has won various handicapping titles and also is working on several book projects.

Now, using his Tech Corner technique that evaluates all the trends, Marshall has turned his attention to the latest college football odds for Week 0 and evaluated each matchup. Head here to see every pick .

Top college football predictions for Week 0

One of the top college football picks Marshall is recommending for Week 0: He says the trends point to SMU covering against Nevada in an 8 p.m. ET kickoff at Mackay Stadium.

SMU is taking a step forward as a program this season, moving from the AAC to the ACC after going 11-3 (8-0 AAC) last year. Quarterback Preston Stone racked up 3,197 passing yards and 28 touchdowns despite missing the final two games due to a broken fibula. He is facing a Nevada team that is coming off back-to-back 2-10 seasons under former head coach Ken Wilson, who was replaced by Texas defensive coordinator Jeff Choate.

Nevada quarterback Brendon Lewis threw for just 1,313 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games (10 starts), and he is back under center this year. The Wolf Pack are 1-10 in their last 11 home games, and they have only covered the spread two times in their last 10 Saturday home games. SMU has gone Under in 10 of its last 15 games, so Marshall is backing the Mustangs to cover in a game that goes Under the total. See which other picks to make here .

How to make college football picks for Saturday, Aug. 24

Marshall has evaluated every other matchup and he's found a critical 12-3 betting trend in the big FSU vs. Georgia Tech matchup. Get betting analysis for each matchup at SportsLine .

So what college football picks can you make with confidence, and what alarming trend do you need to know about in the week's biggest game? Check out the latest college football odds below, then visit SportsLine to see which teams to back, all from the legendary Vegas expert who has won multiple handicapping titles , and find out.

College football odds for Saturday, Aug. 24

See full Week 0 college football picks, odds, predictions here

Saturday, Aug. 24

Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (+10.5, 55.5)

Montana State at New Mexico (+13.5, 54.5)

SMU at Nevada (+27.5, 55.5)

Delaware State at Hawaii (-39.5, 54.5)