College football betting lines, schedule, odds for Week 0 games: USC, Notre Dame to open 2023 season

A pair of college football playoff contenders kick off the 2023 season as USC and Notre Dame open up on the oddsmakers' books as heavy betting favorites

James Parks | Aug 21, 2023

College football betting lines, schedule, odds for Week 0 games: USC, Notre Dame to open 2023 season /

The traditional Week 0 slate of games opens up every college football season, but this year the first Saturday features a pair of traditional football superpowers on the field, as Notre Dame takes on rival Navy in Ireland and USC opens up at home against San Jose State, giving bettors some intriguing odds to consider in the 2023 kickoff.

Our first look at the Fighting Irish is also our first look at quarterback Sam Hartman, the veteran transfer who holds the ACC's all-time record for touchdown passes after a storied career at Wake Forest, who arrived in South Bend looking for a chance to make a run at the playoff behind one of college football's best offensive lines.

USC and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams take over in primetime against a Spartans team with its own intriguing quarterback prospect, while Jacksonville State plays its first-ever game as a member of the FBS, and we'll get our first glimpse at SEC action as Vanderbilt takes on Hawaii.

Odds courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Notre Dame (-20.5) vs. Navy. Everybody expects a comfortable win for the Irish here, and second-year coach Marcus Freeman will want to use all the attention of being the first game of the season to full effect, and should let Sam Hartman go to work on the Middies' defense.

UTEP (-1) at Jacksonville State. JSU returns their quarterback, top rusher, and primary receiver in its first FBS game, while the Miners should protect their QB well with a group of veterans returning to the line.

Ohio at San Diego State (-3.5). The Aztecs bring back a front seven that should generate pressure well enough while the QB and rushing combo churn out yards, but Ohio returns quarterback Kurtis Rourke and some speedy receivers who can go deep.

Hawaii at Vanderbilt (-16.5). Watch how well the Rainbow Warriors can defend the deeper field with the secondary emerging as the team's likely strength, especially against a Vandy offense led by quarterback AJ Swann that will be efficient and balanced.

San Jose State at No. 6 USC (-30.5). The return of Caleb Williams should herald another lethal offense for the Trojans as they move back into College Football Playoff contention, but the defense will be what keeps this team out of the semifinal. This is our first look at the improvements Alex Grinch has implemented, against a Spartans quarterback in Chevan Cordeiro who was over 3,200 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and 6 picks a year ago.

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