College Football Week 1 Odds & Picks: Sleepers & Longshots
The best time to hit on a longshot bet is probably at the start of the season when it is not known how good a team is. With a full slate of games this week, there are plenty of options for potential college football longshot bets. Now, most teams play soft opponents in Week 1, making it a little more challenging to pick underdogs capable of pulling off an upset to get the 2024 college football season underway.
But we have a few options for you. Here are our top longshot picks and sleepers for College Football Week 1.
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College Football Week 1 Longshot Bets
(Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)
Keep in mind that these teams are underdogs for a reason. The vast majority of them will lose. But the following are games we think the underdog has a solid chance of winning if a few things can go their way against the betting favorite.
North Dakota State (+270) vs. Colorado (-9.5)
- Thursday, August 29 @ 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Folsom Field in Boulder, CO
It is a little surprising the spread is as big as it is for this game. Colorado is a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team, and FBS teams are typically better than Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) teams. However, North Dakota State University (NDSU) is 9-4 all-time vs. FBS teams. While the Buffaloes can throw, they don't have much else going for them. The offensive line is questionable on its best days, and the defense can't stop anyone.
They will score some points. However, the NDSU defense will make Colorado work for every yard it gains. But Colorado’s defense will get decimated by the Bison. North Dakota State may win this one by 10. If Colorado wins, it will certainly not be by 10+ points.
South Dakota State (+260) vs. Oklahoma State (-9.5)
- Saturday, August 31 @ 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+
- Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Oklahoma State is a good team with a veteran quarterback and the best running back in the country working behind a solid offensive line. However, the Jackrabbits are not just any old FCS team - they are the two-time defending National Champions working on a 29-game winning streak.
Their last loss was to Iowa (who had an excellent defense) to start the 2022 season. Oklahoma State had one of the worst defenses in the FBS last season, and there is no telling what it will look like this season. The question becomes whether Ollie Gordon II will decimate an excellent South Dakota State defense.
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is 15-0 against FCS teams. It would not be shocking if he were to make it 16-0 this weekend or if his record were to become 15-1.
Boston College (+490) vs. Florida State (-15.5)
- Monday, September 2 @ 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
- Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL
Seminoles fans learned two things the hard way last weekend in the loss to Georgia Tech:
- DJ Uiagalelei cannot replace Jordan Travis.
- There is a reason why Uiagalelei is a two-time transfer, and it’s not because his skillset is in demand.
Florida State (FSU) was supposed to crush Georgia Tech, but Boston College (BC) is a lot like the Yellow Jackets. They are a decent passing team and a pretty good running team. The FSU offense will not magically become productive, nor will the defense keep a veteran BC backfield from running for 200+ yards.
At the least, BC will win against the spread (ATS), if not outright.
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: