College Football Odds: How to Bet on the 2026/27 College Football Opening Weekend

College Football Odds: How to Bet on the 2026/27 College Football Opening Weekend

The 2026/27 College Football season officially arrives on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with a thrilling Week 0 opening slate.

The action begins across the pond in Dublin, Ireland, as North Carolina takes on TCU, leading into a full day of games featuring powerhouse programs like USC, Florida State, and a late-night Group of Five showdown between Memphis and UNLV.

Major U.S. sportsbooks - including DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Bet365 - are celebrating opening kickoff with over $2,000 in welcome promotions for new users.

Whether you are backing big favorites against the spread, taking plus-money moneylines, or placing totals, our guide covers step-by-step promo redemptions, live Week 0 odds, tactical betting strategy, and complete broadcast details.

How to Claim the DraftKings $200 Bonus 

Claiming the DraftKings offer takes just a couple of minutes:

Step 1: CLICK HERE or visit DraftKings website to register - this ensures you qualify for the $200 bonus

Step 2: Create your DraftKings Sportsbook account (it only takes about two minutes).

Step 3: Deposit at least $5. Most methods land instantly.

Step 4: Place your first $5+ wager on any sport. Moneyline, spread, total, the choice is yours.

Step 5: You will receive $200 in bonus bets, regardless of the outcome of your qualifying wager. Bonus paid in 8 $25 Bonus Bets

• Day 0: Sign-up, place Qualifying Bet, and get $50 in Bonus Bets, $150 in Bonus Bets remain to be issued
• Day 7: $50 in Bonus Bets issued via click-to-claim, $100 in Bonus Bets remain to be issued
• Day 14: $50 in Bonus Bets issued via click-to-claim, $50 in Bonus Bets remain to be issued
• Day 21: $50 in Bonus Bets issued via click-to-claim, $0 in Bonus Bers remain to be issue
• TOTAL: $200 in Bonus Bets issued over 14 days

FanDuel Promo Code: Bet $5 Get $50 in Bet Reset Tokens for 7 Days

Step One: CLICK HERE or visit FanDuel Sportsbook and register a new account.

Step Two: Place a singular five dollar ($5) wager with real-money daily to be awarded one Bet Reset Token every day for seven days. Your Bet Reset Tokens may be used on any wager.

Step Three: Select your wager, toggle-on your Bet Reset Token, and place your bet! If your bet loses, you will be refunded in Bonus Bets.

Step Four: There is a maximum refund of $50 per Bet Reset Token.

Step Five: Get $50 in Bet Reset token when you bet $5 every day for 7 days

Bet365 Bonus Code CHECK: Get $365 in Bonus Bets

Step One: CLICK HERE or Go to Bet365’s website or click the widget below (New Customers Only).

Step Two: Register using bonus code CHECK.

Step Three: Deposit $10 and wager $10 on any market.

Step Four: Whether your wager wins or loses, you’ll receive $365 in Bonus Bets.

BetMGM: Bet $10, Get $150 (MI, NJ, PA, WV Only)

This is a straight “bet and get” bonus for new users in select states:

Step One: Visit BetMGM’s website to register your account.

Step Two: Deposit $10.

Step Three: Place your first $10 bet on any market.

Step Four: If that bet wins, receive $150 in Bonus Bets in addition to your cash winnings.

This version applies only to: Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

BetMGM First Bet Insurance Up to $1,500 (All Other States)

For all other legal betting states:

Step One: Visit BetMGM or click the widget and enter bonus code OCMAX1500 if prompted.

Step Two: Deposit $10–$1,500.

Step Three: Place your first qualifying wager (straight, parlay, SGP, etc.).

Step Four: If your bet wins, you keep profits + stake.

Step Five: If it loses, BetMGM refunds your stake as Bonus Bets (up to $1,500).

College Football Week 0 Odds (Saturday, August 29, 2026)

Here are the latest odds ahead of the opening day of the College Football season

12:00 PM EDT — Aer Lingus College Football Classic (Dublin, Ireland)

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. TCU Horned Frogs

• Moneyline: North Carolina +295 | TCU −340
• Spread: North Carolina +9 (−110) | TCU −9 (−110)
• Total: Over 47 (−110) | Under 47 (−108)

3:00 PM EDT

San Jose State Spartans at USC Trojans

• Moneyline: San Jose State +3900 | USC −10600
• Spread: San Jose State +39 (−110) | USC −39 (−110)
• Total: Over 61 (−105) | Under 61 (−107)

3:30 PM EDT

NC State Wolfpack at Virginia Cavaliers

• Moneyline: NC State +163 | Virginia −180
• Spread: NC State +4 (−109) | Virginia −4 (−110)
• Total: Over 53 (−110) | Under 53 (−109)

5:30 PM EDT

Jacksonville State Gamecocks at North Dakota State Bison

• Moneyline: Jacksonville State +225 | North Dakota State −275
• Spread: N/A
• Total: Over 46.5 (−108) | Under 46.5 (−105)

6:30 PM EDT

Sacramento State Hornets at Eastern Michigan Eagles

• Moneyline: Sacramento State +330 | Eastern Michigan −375
• Spread: N/A
• Total: Over 53.5 (−113) | Under 53.5 (−105)

7:00 PM EDT

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Stanford Cardinal

• Moneyline: Hawaii +160 | Stanford −175
• Spread: Hawaii +4 (−110) | Stanford −4 (−105)
• Total: Over 48.5 (−110) | Under 48.5 (−104)

7:00 PM EDT

New Mexico State Aggies at Florida State Seminoles

• Moneyline: New Mexico State +3500 | Florida State −7000
• Spread: New Mexico State +32 (−110) | Florida State −32 (+105)
• Total: Over 53.5 (−107) | Under 53.5 (−109)

10:00 PM EDT

Memphis Tigers at UNLV Rebels

• Moneyline: Memphis +159 | UNLV −185
• Spread: Memphis +4 (−104) | UNLV −4 (−110)
• Total: Over 56.5 (−109) | Under 56.5 (−105)

How to Bet on College Football Opening Weekend

Navigating Week 0 requires understanding early-season variance, roster overturn, and neutral-site dynamics:

1. Target Key Underdogs in Conference Clashes: Conference rivalries like NC State (+4) at Virginia feature narrow talent gaps. Taking the points with underdog NC State (+163 moneyline) offers strong plus-money value in early tactical battles.
2. Beware of Massive Non-Conference Spreads: Heavy power-conference favorites like USC (−39) or Florida State (−32) often pull starting quarterbacks early once a commanding lead is established. When betting massive favorites, consider first-half spread bets to avoid late-game backdoor covers by opponents.
3. Exploit High-Pacing Totals: Group of Five night caps like Memphis at UNLV (Over 56.5) feature two up-tempo offensive systems. Betting the Over in non-conference matchups allows you to capitalize before defensive adjustments settle in later in the season.
4. Use Guaranteed Promos for Low-Risk Wins: Offers like DraftKings ($200 in bonus bets) and Bet365 ($365 bonus) payout regardless of whether your initial $5 or $10 wager wins or loses. Use your initial wager on a high-probability favorite to secure bonus funds safely.

College Football 2026/27 Season FAQs

When does Week 0 of the 2026 college football season start?

Week 0 kicks off on Saturday, August 29, 2026, beginning with North Carolina vs TCU in Dublin, Ireland at 12:00 PM EDT.

Which sportsbook offer gives the highest bonus bet return for Week 0?

Bet365 offers $365 in bonus bets on a $10 wager with code CHECK, while DraftKings provides $200 in bonus bets guaranteed on a $5 bet.

Can I place parlays combining multiple Week 0 college football games?

Yes! You can build multi-leg parlays across moneyline, point spread, and total points markets, or build Same Game Parlays (SGPs) on individual games using mobile betting apps.