College football odds, picks, predictions for Week 1, 2024: Proven model favors Penn State in best bets

While many schools stocked up on talent from the transfer portal during the offseason, No. 14 Clemson enters the season with essentially the same roster as last year. The Tigers return junior quarterback Cade Klubnik and senior running back Phil Mafah, who they will rely on heavily when they face top-ranked Georgia in Week 1 of the college football schedule. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, were able to secure several stars from the transfer portal. Quarterback Carson Beck also returns after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards last season, and Georgia is listed as a 13-point favorite in the Week 1 college football odds, according to SportsLine Consensus.

Other Week 1 matchups include No. 20 Texas A&M (-3) vs. No. 7 Notre Dame, No. 13 LSU (-4.5) vs. No. 23 USC and No. 10 Florida State (-16.5) vs. Boston College. These games are spread out throughout the weekend, with the first kickoffs on Thursday, giving fans plenty of options when it comes to Week 1 college football betting. Before you settle on any college football picks for Week 1 of the 2024 season, be sure to check out the latest college football predictions from SportsLine’s proven model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has produced well over $2,000 in profit for $100 bettors on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It’s also had a profitable season, going 13-9 on top-rated spread picks. Everyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.

Now it has turned its attention to the latest college football odds and week 1 college football betting odds in terms of spread, money line and over/under. Click here to see all the picks.

Top College Football Predictions for Week 1

One of the college picks the model rates highly in Week 1: No. 8 Penn State (-8.5) is coming off a clean sweep of West Virginia at noon ET on Saturday. These teams also met to open the 2023 season, with Penn State covering the spread as a 21-point favorite with a 38-15 win. The Nittany Lions have now covered the spread in six straight games against Big 12 opponents, and are 15-4-1 in their last 20 games overall.

West Virginia has struggled against Big Ten teams, going 2-6 against the spread in its last eight such games. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had 25 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions last season and could improve even more under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnecki. The Nittany Lions outgained the Mountaineers by 170 yards in last year’s opening game and are covering the spread in more than 70% of the model’s simulations. See what other picks the model likes here.

Another prediction: Western Kentucky (+32) stays within the spread with a 7 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday at No. 5 Alabama. The Hilltoppers lost their starting quarterback Austin Reed to the NFL, but head coach Tyson Helton was able to bring in a high-profile replacement from the transfer portal. TJ Finley began his career at LSU in 2020 before stopping at Auburn and Texas State, throwing for 3,439 yards and 24 touchdowns last year.

He’s used to facing SEC opponents, and he has several experienced wide receivers playing alongside him. The Hilltoppers have covered the spread in eight of their last 12 Saturday road games, and their potent offense should be able to do some damage to Alabama’s regrouping defense. According to SportsLine’s model, the Hilltoppers score 16 points, which is enough to cover the spread in well over 50% of recent simulations. You can find the rest of the model’s picks here.

How to Make College Football Picks for Week 1

The model also predicted who will win and who will perform best in each Week 1 FBS matchup, and it projects several underdogs to win outright. You can get every pick for every game only at SportsLine.

So which college football picks can you make with confidence, and which underdogs will win outright? Check out the latest college football odds below, then head to SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread – all based on a proven computer model that has returned well over $2,000 in profit since its inception, and find out.

College Football Odds for Week 1

Here you will find all the tips, odds and predictions for college football in week 1

Thursday, August 29

North Carolina at Minnesota (+1.5, 50.5)

Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State (-3, 54.5)

North Dakota State at Colorado (-9.5, 60.5)

Friday, August 30

FAU at Michigan State (-14, 45)

Oklahoma Temple (-42.5, 59.5)

Western Michigan at Wisconsin (-23.5, 56.5)

TCU at Stanford (+9.5, 60)

Saturday, August 31

Clemson vs. Georgia (-13.5, 48.5)

Penn State at West Virginia (+8.5, 51.5)

Miami (Florida) in Florida (+2.5, 54)

Akron at Ohio State (-48.5, 58)

Colorado State at Texas (-31.5, 60.5)

Western Kentucky at Alabama (-32, 59.5)

Fresno State at Michigan (-20.5, 45.5)

Notre Dame at Texas A&M (-3, 46.5)

UCLA in Hawaii (+14, 54.5)

Sunday, September 1st

USC vs. LSU (-4.5, 64.5)

Monday, September 2

Boston College at Florida State (-16.5, 50)