The 2024 college football season kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 24, when No. 10 Florida State takes on ACC foe Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Seminoles are coming off an undefeated regular season but were controversially left out of the College Football Playoff after quarterback Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending lower leg injury.
Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets went 7-6 in their first full season under head coach Brent Key, winning the Gasparilla Bowl to cap off a campaign that included two upset victories over ranked opponents (Miami and North Carolina).
Can Georgia Tech spring another surprise on Saturday? Let’s dig into the latest odds and make some best bets for this Week 0 clash.
Florida State vs Georgia Tech Odds
College Football odds are current as of Monday, Aug. 19, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Florida State (-440) vs Georgia Tech (+340)
- Spread: Florida State -11.5 (-110) vs Georgia Tech +11.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 55.5 (-110) / Under 55.5 (-110)
Florida State vs Georgia Tech Prediction
Florida State 38, Georgia Tech 24
The Seminoles will look much different this season after 10 key contributors were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Travis, running back Trey Benson, wideout Keon Coleman, and first-round EDGE Jared Verse.
However, Mike Norvell continues to replenish his program with high-level talent, bringing in the nation’s 12th-ranked recruiting class and seventh-best group of transfers.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), running back Roydell Williams (Alabama), and wideout Malik Benson (Alabama) are among the new faces that will play a significant role on offense, which will be anchored by an offensive line that features five seniors.
That experience and cohesion up front — FSU returns over 91% of its o-line snaps from a season ago — should be key against a Georgia Tech defense that returns just 49% of its production and has a new coordinator in Tyler Santucci.
Florida State should dominate the line of scrimmage and cruise to a relatively easy victory.
Florida State vs Georgia Tech Best Bets
Florida State -11 (-110)
The Yellow Jackets should put up points, but I don’t see how they get enough stops to keep this game close.
FSU’s offensive line is one of the deepest in the country and should create plenty of holes for Williams and Caziah Holmes to exploit, especially in the second half.
Lock in the Noles to cover the spread as one of your best college football bets for Week 0.
Over 55.5 Points (-110)
Georgia Tech averaged 31.1 points per game last season and returns 83% of its offensive production from a season ago (seventh-most in the country).
Dual-threat quarterback Haynes King accounted for over 3,500 total yards and 37 touchdowns, while backfield mate Jamal Haynes ran for over 1,000 yards on 6.1 yards per carry.
That duo of juniors should have some success against an FSU defense that is working in some new pieces after being among the best units in the nation last season (15.9 points per game allowed).
