The wait is over—college football season is officially back! After months of anticipation, the transfer portal musical chairs have finally settled and the new playoff format is ready to be tested. Now, it’s time to see which teams will emerge as playoff contenders. Saturdays are about to be packed with action all season long, but before we dive into the madness, we ease into things with Week 0. It’s why we are here to give it a go with our college football expert picks for Week 0, including a pick for Hawaii-Delaware State. Check out our guide to college football betting strategy to help find sharp bets on your own!
And if you’re here and want to tail my bets, you should sign up for my OddsShopper Marketplace package, where you’ll find some of the most consistent college football expert picks in our industry. While it’s a lighter slate of just four games—two of which feature FCS opponents—there’s still football to be played, and that means there are bets to be placed. Let’s break down the Week 0 matchups and see where the value lies.
College Football Expert Picks for Week 0
Best Game: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech | College Football Expert Picks
This one’s an easy choice. The marquee matchup of the week features Florida State taking on Georgia Tech in Dublin. Both teams enter the season with big expectations. Florida State is out to prove they belong among the elite after narrowly missing out on last year’s playoff, while Georgia Tech is aiming for a return to relevance after a promising 7-6 campaign.
The betting lines currently have Georgia Tech as a 10.5-point underdog with the total set at 55.5 points. Interestingly, the line has moved down in favor of Georgia Tech, hinting that money is coming in on the Yellow Jackets. The key question is whether this number will dip below the critical 10-point threshold.
While this might not be the most enticing game for betting, I see value in Georgia Tech as the underdog. They’re returning a solid core, including quarterback Haynes King, which should help them hit the ground running. Florida State may have the edge in talent, but with the loss of several key wide receivers and the introduction of DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback, there are some question marks.
Ultimately, I think Florida State will pull off the win, but if the line stays above 10 points, I’m inclined to take Georgia Tech to cover.
College Football Expert Pick for Week 0: Georgia Tech +10.5 -110 at FanDuel
Live Dog: New Mexico +385 vs. Montana State (editor note: Line continues to move)
Now, we get into the real Week 0 shenanigans. Montana State, a perennial FCS playoff team, is heading on the road as a 12.5-point favorite against FBS opponent New Mexico. Frankly, I’m shocked by this line—I feel like I might be missing something.
Montana State is no pushover, but jumping up to play an FBS team is a tall order, and I’m not convinced they’re equipped to dominate this matchup. The real mystery lies with New Mexico. They’re coming off a 4-8 season and have a new head coach at the helm, but there are some intriguing pieces on this roster.
New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier has dual-threat potential, and if the offensive line can hold up, he could cause some problems for the Bobcats. New Mexico has also bolstered their lineup with eight transfers from programs like FAU, UCLA and East Carolina, and their defensive line looks solid.
Sure, New Mexico has a tough road ahead this season, but +385 is way too wide for an FBS team playing at home with some talent on the roster. I’m taking a shot on the Lobos to hang in there and give us a chance to cash in on a big underdog.
College Football Expert Pick for Week 0: New Mexico +385 at FanDuel
Best College Football Expert Pick: Hawaii -39.5 vs. Delaware State
Welcome to Week 0, where betting on a team as a 39.5-point favorite can be a solid play. While I don’t usually make a habit of betting on spreads this large, I’m making an exception here. I locked in Hawaii at -38.5 earlier in the week, but even at 39.5, I’m still comfortable with this number.
Hawaii is in their third year under Timmy Chang, and after a 3-10 and 5-8 start, I believe they’re poised to take a significant step forward this season. They return eight starters on offense, including quarterback Brayden Schager, and they should have no trouble handling Delaware State.
Speaking of Delaware State, they’re not just an FCS school—they’re one of the weakest in the country. They went 1-10 last year, including a loss to Division II Bowie State. In games against FBS opponents last season, they were demolished 57-0 by Army and 62-20 by Miami (OH). I expect more of the same against Hawaii.
Barring some bizarre turnover issues, I’m confident that Hawaii will hang 50+ points in this game. I’m laying the points and backing the Rainbow Warriors to start their season with a statement win.
College Football Expert Pick for Hawaii-Delaware State Week 0: Hawaii -39.5 -110 at FanDuel
