College Football Odds: Early betting lines released for marquee games of 2024 season
The 2024 football season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, in part because conference realignment will take hold and create some thoroughly intriguing matchups. And the early betting lines for more than a dozen games are already out.
Some of the early betting lines include non-conference matchups, while several others highlight early conference showdowns that could shape the College Football Playoff picture.
Let’s take a deep dive into some of the early betting lines listed by FanDuel to see which teams are favored to win some of the marquee matchups in the 2024 season. We begin below.
LSU -6.5 vs. USC
LSU will open the 2024 season by hosting Lincoln Riley and USC, and the game promises to be a good one. Both teams have some major question marks to answer after losing Heisman Trophy quarterbacks — Jayden Daniels for the Tigers and Caleb Williams for the Trojans.
The early betting lines have LSU as a near-touchdown favorite, perhaps not too big a surprise given that the game time has already been set for 7:30 p.m. ET. It’s hard to win at Death Valley at night, and the Tigers will be looking to build on back-to-back 10-win seasons under coach Brian Kelly.
Texas -2.5 at Michigan
Another excellent non-conference matchup between the new Big Ten and the new SEC, this one will pit a pair of 2023 playoff teams against each other. Michigan has considerably more to replace than Texas after losing starting quarterback JJ McCarthy. Texas, on the other hand, will return gunslinger Quinn Ewers.
But this game is at the Big House, which gives Michigan a potential edge in the matchup. It’s also in Week 2, after each team will have a chance to get a real handle on what it’s working with in 2024. That promises to make this one a quality showdown for viewers.
Georgia -3.5 at Alabama
An early season showdown between two traditional SEC powers, this will be one of the first real tests for Kalen DeBoer at Alabama. He’ll have his hands full dealing with Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, who have recruited as well as anyone in the country.
One thing that will bear watching in this one is the development of both quarterbacks. Carson Beck was probably a bit more polished in 2023, but Jalen Milroe really started to come on late and is a more dynamic threat. Which one can will his team to a win in a game Vegas sees as close as a field goal?
Texas -9.5 vs. Oklahoma
The Red River Rivalry will be played in the middle of the season, right on its traditional October date. While Texas will be tested beforehand by the road trip to Michigan, Oklahoma’s toughest road test will come two weeks before at Auburn.
Both teams enjoy a bye beforehand. Unlike Texas, Oklahoma has to replace its starting quarterback after losing Dillon Gabriel to Oregon via the transfer portal. That alone likely plays into the big gap in the spread, with the early betting lines favoring Texas by almost double digits.
LSU -2.5 vs. Alabama
LSU and Alabama have played some absolute thrillers in recent years and the early betting lines are banking on another quality contest in Baton Rouge, where the game went to overtime the last time around. By this point in the season, too, DeBoer should have his feet firmly on the ground.
Talent will be a big question mark in this one. LSU hasn’t been up to snuff on the defensive side of the ball of late, particularly in the secondary. If the Tigers can close that gap they should be able to make it a competitive game against the Crimson Tide in Baton Rouge. At least, that’s what Vegas seems to be expecting.
Ohio State -8.5 vs. Michigan
For the first time in a little while, Ohio State will go into The Game expecting to have the upper hand. The Buckeyes were monsters in the transfer portal, adding some serious talent that should play right away and make a major difference.
Michigan, meanwhile, must replace McCarthy and adapt to life after Jim Harbaugh. Sherrone Moore did a masterful job manning the helm in 2023; now he’ll get to do it full time. Early on, though, Vegas likes the Buckeyes over the Wolverines … and by a decent margin.
Georgia -1.5 at Texas
One week after the Red River Rivalry, Texas will turn around and head home to host powerhouse Georgia. It won’t be an easy matchup. Even on the road the early betting lines have the Bulldogs favored to take down the Longhorns, albeit by razor-thin margins.
This game will be the first true traditional SEC test for Texas, so it should be a great measuring stick game. And with the playoff expansion, it likely won’t be a disqualifying game. But it could very well be a major game for playoff seeding, so expect to see both teams come out throwing haymakers.
Other Early Betting Lines
Colorado -7.5 vs. North Dakota State
Texas A&M -1.5 vs. Notre Dame
Georgia -12.5 vs. Clemson
Clemson -9.5 vs. NC State
North Carolina -1.5 at Duke
Michigan -11.5 at Washington
Florida State -3.5 vs. Clemson
Oregon -1.5 vs. Ohio State
Georgia -4.5 at Ole Miss
Georgia, unsurprisingly, is favored in each of its games. It’s a whopping 12.5-point favorite over Clemson, as well as a smaller 4.5-point favorite over Ole Miss. Naturally, Georgia will be favored to reach the College Football Playoffs. Other games of interest? How about Colorado vs. North Dakota State? With a 7.5-point line there, Vegas seems to be expecting continued but slow growth for the Buffaloes. Florida State also checks in as a 3.5-point favorite over Clemson, perhaps the early ACC favorite. In any case, there are certainly some intriguing early betting lines for college football diehards.