College Football Week 0 Touchdown Scorer Odds & Picks (2024)
If all feels right in the world, that's because it is. Why? College football is back. That means first & anytime touchdown scorer props are available for the betting pleasure of fans at their favorite online sportsbook or betting app.
We've done a deep dive into the four games on the schedule for this weekend. The following are our favorite first & anytime touchdown scorer prop picks for College Football Week 0. Players are listed with their first touchdown scorer odds and their anytime touchdown scorer odds in parenthesis.
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Week 0 Best College Football Touchdown Scorer Picks
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:
The offensive line is being rebuilt this year, but the Yellow Jackets struggled against the run last season. Even if Georgia Tech's run defense is better, Florida State will try establishing the run to take pressure off DJ Uiagalelei.
Expect running back Roydell Williams to be the first to score, but it would not be shocking to see the team use its 250+ pound QB to get in the end zone.
Georgia Tech is working on developing a passing game after being primarily a running team for years. They had a decent passing game last year, but their offense still had the best rushing attack in the conference.
With four starters back on the offensive line, we expect the team to see more success running the ball with Jamal Haynes (a 1,000+ yard rusher last season). But it was Haynes King who led the team in rushing touchdowns last season with 10 (to seven for Haynes).
Montana State vs. New Mexico
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Tommy Mellott (QB – Montana State) | +500 (-174)
- Scottre Humphrey (RB – Montana State) | +380 (-260)
- Adam Jones (RB – Montana State) | +800 (+124)
The Bobcats are an absolute powerhouse on the FCS level and have a ton of talent from last year's squad coming back, including their quarterback, most of the offensive line and a few running backs.
While they were a capable passing team when they needed to be, their strength was in the run game. It would be surprising if they did not rely on what they do best against a rebuilding New Mexico team.
Last season, Montana State recorded 41 rushing touchdowns to 20 receiving. Scottre Humphrey led the way with 14, followed by Tommy Mellott with eight. Adam Jones had one but only had three carries.
Devon Dampier may be the best bet for the Lobos as he is a mobile QB who could be running for his life early and often behind a completely rebuilt offensive line. He had four rushing touchdowns in limited time last season.
It is more likely he scores off a scramble than a running back on a set rushing play. The run game will likely have a hard time getting on track behind an inexperienced offensive line facing a veteran Montana State defense.
Next to Dampier scoring on a scramble, Caleb Medford may have the best chance as Dampier's No. 1 wide receiver.
SMU vs. Nevada
Odds via FanDuel:
- Jaylan Knighton (RB – SMU) | +470 (-172)
- LJ Johnson Jr. (RB – SMU) | +700 (-106)
- Jake Bailey (WR – SMU) | +800 (+116)
- RJ Maryland (TE – SMU) | +650 (-106)
- Preston Stone (QB – SMU) | +1600 (+270)
This game could get ugly early. SMU is coming off an 11-win season that saw the offense finish 16th in total offense and eighth in scoring. With most of the talent coming back, it shouldn't take long for the offense to get into a rhythm against a poor, rebuilding Nevada team.
Nevada's defense could take a massive step forward with new head coach Jeff Choate (former Texas defensive coordinator). His best position unit is probably the linebackers, so it may be wise to lean toward the receivers when betting on first touchdown odds.
SMU can run the ball and probably will against the Wolfpack. But their strength is in the passing game. Preston Stone threw for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns last season; Nevada's defense was 112th against the pass last season and 114th in scoring.
With how both teams look on paper, don't be shocked if SMU pitches a shutout in this game. Nevada has been one of the worst teams in college football for the last two seasons. It will make strides in its first year under Choate, more so on the defensive than the offensive side of the ball.
But if they do score, it will be on the ground in garbage time. Sean Dollars was the leading rusher last season with 527 yards and six touchdowns.
Delaware State vs. Hawaii
Odds via FanDuel:
- Brayden Schager (QB – Hawaii) | +500 (-182)
- Pofele Ashlock (WR – Hawaii) | +280 (-580)
- Landon Sims (RB – Hawaii) | +420 (-280)
- Koali Nishigaya (WR – Hawaii) | +700 (-114)
- Alex Perry (WR – Hawaii) | +900 (+116)
- Cam Barfield (RB – Hawaii) | +800 (+112)
- Hawaii Defense | +3100 (+350)
As expected, Hawaii focused on developing the passing game under new head coach Timmy Chang last season. It improved throughout the year and is poised to take a big step forward this season. However, QB Brayden Schager will probably not have his No. 1 target, Steven McBride.
That just means Pofele Ashlock will likely be his No. 1 for the day and the best choice to score first (hence, the short odds). If not him, the other wide receivers are solid choices for this pass-happy offense.
However, it is worth noting that Hawaii, a mediocre FBS team, is playing Delaware State, a dreadful FCS team. It is not uncommon for good FCS teams to struggle, but a team that went 1-10 last season... Yeah, this one is going to get ugly quick.
It would not be shocking to see any of the receivers score. The running backs could also score during garbage time when Hawaii tries to run out the clock. As bad as the Delaware offense will be, it would not be shocking to see the Rainbow Warriors score on defense.