ESPN's SP+ predicts final score of every Week 0 matchup

Week 0 kicks off later this week with 4 FBS matchups, including 2 games that feature ACC programs.

Florida State-Georgia Tech headlines Week 0 action as they kick things off in Dublin, Ireland. SMU-Nevada is the only other game this week featuring a power-conference program. The other games will be contested between New Mexico and Montana State followed by Hawaii and Delaware State.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly published SP+ score predictions for all 4 games on Monday afternoon:

IT'S WEEK 0. TIME FOR WEEK 0 SP+ PICKS.

Florida State (-11.5) 39, Georgia Tech 20
Montana State (-9.5) 34, New Mexico 20
SMU (-27.5) 42, Nevada 15
Hawaii 47, Delaware State 9https://t.co/P1obDUJz9q

— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) August 19, 2024

Connelly has Florida State winning 39-20 over the Yellow Jackets in Dublin. That’s a significantly-bigger margin than the betting markets are currently projecting. At FanDuel, you can bet on FSU -10.5 against Georgia Tech. Amongst other storylines, this will be the Florida State debut for quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

Connelly’s numbers project SMU to win 42-15 over Nevada on Saturday. The Mustangs are making the move to the ACC this fall after winning 11 games a year ago. SP+ score projection in this instance is right in-line with Vegas expectations (27.5 points at DraftKings).

SP+’s projection for Hawaii-Delaware State is also roughly equal to the betting line at most shops. Per FanDuel, Hawaii is a 38.5-point favorite over Delaware State.

FCS Montana State is a 10-point favorite over New Mexico at DraftKings. SP+ backs up that line, projecting Montana State to win 34-20 over New Mexico.

FSU-Georgia Tech will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon as the first game of the college football season.