Once the August temperatures get so high that you can smell the grass burning on your lawn, you know it’s time for some college football. On Saturday, there are two NCAA Football games on the schedule to serve as an appetizer for the real first Saturday of action coming up on August 31st.
Starting things off at noon is a battle of Atlantic Coast Conference rivals who crossed the Atlantic to play in Dublin, Ireland. Dating back to 1988, college football has experimented with games played in Ireland.
It was first known as the Emerald Classic and is now dubbed the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. This year, FSU will play the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets, a team that the Seminoles haven’t gone up against since October of 2022.
Florida State Seminoles (#10) @ Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
- Point Spread: FSU -10.5, Tech +10.5
- Moneyline: FSU -440, Tech +330
- Over/Under: 55.5
The kickoff is set for Saturday at noon, and FSU is favored to best the Yellowjackets by 10.5 points at college football betting sites. Florida State is known for early season struggles, even during the best of times.
The Noles will start DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback, a journeyman who has had stints at Clemson and Oregon State. FSU needed an answer after Jordan Travis was drafted by the New York Jets, and all other potential starters entered the transfer portal.
Uiagalelei needed a legitimate home following the implosion of the Pac-12, and Tallahassee does seem like the perfect fit. CFP sportsbooks predict that FSU will become the ACC Champions and qualify for the 12-team playoffs.
SMU Mustangs @ Nevada Wolf Pack
- Point Spread: SMU -25.0, Nevada +25.0
- Moneyline: SMU -2500, Nevada +1150
- Over/Under: 56.5
The second game of opening Saturday kicks off at 8:00 PM, and the Southern Methodist University Mustangs are projected to roll the Nevada Wolf Pack in Reno, NV’s Mackay Stadium.
The Wolf Pack are expected to do well in the Mountain West this season but are forecasted for a 25-point whooping at home this weekend.
The Mustangs will play their first ACC opponent on Saturday, September 28th, when they invite FSU into Gerald J. Ford Stadium. There is a very good chance that both teams will be undefeated entering that contest, as neither faces any top-ranked programs between now and then.
Based on the preseason betting odds for the CFP National Championship, SMU isn’t expected to compete for a spot in the playoffs. Despite that outlook, both teams should be ranked in the top 25 come the 28th if neither has a loss on their record.
Of course, both of these contests are just a mere sampling of what’s coming up, as all programs will have a game in the books no later than August 31st.
