Many changes will come in the 2024 college football season, with conference realignments, player transfers, head coaching changes and a new playoff format. But one thing is unchanged: the excitement of Week 0 with FBS teams on the field to start the regular season many consider the best in sports.
Four games are on the schedule for Saturday, August 24: the highly-ranked Florida State Seminoles vs. the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Dublin, Ireland, in the most anticipated game; the Montana State Bobcats vs. the New Mexico Lobos in a clash of Big Sky and Mountain West teams; ACC newcomer SMU Mustangs taking on the Nevada Wolf Pack; and the Delaware State Hornets traveling to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors as East Coast meets far, far, far West Coast.
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Those itching for a competitive game in this tease of an opening week might be disappointed. All four games feature double-digit spreads. In a twist, FCS Montana State is actually the heavy favorite against New Mexico, although Hawaii is favored by nearly 40 points against FCS Delaware State. That second game is expected to be such a blowout that BetMGM isn’t offering moneyline odds.
Here’s a deeper look at the two FBS vs. FBS games on the schedule.
Kickoffs listed below are in Eastern time. All rankings used here are from the Associated Press Top 25 poll. All odds are from BetMGM and update live.
No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Location:Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
How to watch: Noon ET on ESPN
This year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic features a team on a mission: The Seminoles believe they were disrespected last season by not being invited to the College Football Playoff. Is revenge on tap? Maybe, but even if it isn’t the first goal on the Seminoles’ checklist, Florida State is favored entering this game against Georgia Tech in Dublin.
All eyes will be on the new FSU offense. Former Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will be under center. It’s his first FSU start, but he’s not alone as a newbie, with two of his top targets, wide receiver transfers Malik Benson and Jalen Brown, suiting up for FSU for the first time. The Seminoles will have eight days after their long flight across the Atlantic before they play their second game, but these are notable games right away. FSU’s first two games are against ACC opponents, with Boston College following this one.
The most important person for the 2024 Georgia Tech football program won’t be in uniform. That’s because a team polo or jacket is more appropriate for offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who is in his second season. Faulkner helped elevate the Yellow Jackets’ offense, which went from the bottom 1o in the country in scoring in 2022 (17.2 points per game) to one that averaged more than 30 points per game last season. That helps balance the fact the team’s defense is just bad. GT allowed the 13th-most yards per game (438.2) in the country last season.
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Twice last season, GT defeated ranked opponents, and junior quarterback Haynes King has the tools to keep up in a high-scoring duel. King’s name is on the official watch lists for both the Manning Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. A bowl game for a second straight year is possible for the Yellow Jackets.
SMU vs. Nevada
Location:Mackay Stadium, Reno, Nevada
How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
SMU is a huge favorite in its first game as a member of the ACC. The Mustangs are expected to place a lot of crooked numbers on the scoreboard against Nevada. Last season SMU managed 38.7 points per game, a figure exceeded by only seven teams among the 133 in the FBS last season.
For SMU, this opening game is an opportunity to evaluate a few skill position transfers, namely running back Brashard Smith, who came from Miami. SMU will likely hand the ball to several talented backfield options in Smith, senior Jaylan Knighton and junior LJ Johnson Jr. Both Knighton and Johnson rushed for more than 400 yards last season. Knighton, who led the team with 745 rushing yards on 136 carries last season, is another former Miami Hurricane. SMU coach Rhett Lashlee, who was Miami’s offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021, has brought over a handful of former Hurricanes to SMU.
The Mustangs won’t need directions to find their way into the end zone at Mackay Field. The question is which offensive options will have the ball in their hands.
This is the seventh time these schools have met on the football field, but the first since 2009, when they were both members of the WAC. The head-to-head series is split evenly at three wins each, although SMU has won the last two.
(Photo of Haynes King and Dontae Smith: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
