Author: uthinkuknowsports

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Allen E. Paulson Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): GASO -25.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Georgia Southern and Charleston Southern have never met. The Eagles are 6-1 against the current OVC, so the first chapter begins with a strong conference-level head start.

What I’m watching

Charleston So lost 20-17 to Lindenwood in Week 0, with Lek Powell completing 18 of 32 for 208 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 315 yards—208 passing and 107 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Charleston So's Gabe Giardina is in Year 4; GA Southern's Clay Helton is in Year 5. GA Southern returns 3 starters—0 on offense and 3 on defense.
• Can the defense dominate: GA Southern allowed 32.3 points per game last season. The standard against Charleston So should be higher than simply winning: the defense needs to control the game without help from the offense. That unit returns 3 starters.
• Familiarity versus a new offense: Lek Powell led Charleston So's passing in Week 0 (18 of 32 for 208 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Max Johnson is the projected starter for GA Southern (432 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT at North Carolina in 2025). Lek Powell was already on Charleston So's roster last season; GA Southern is asking its quarterback to translate past production into a new offense immediately.

Three quick analysis points

• The roster reset: Georgia Southern returns zero offensive starters and only six overall. One player on the roster has started at least 10 straight games – the opener doubles as a mass introduction.
• The location wrinkle: The Eagles have won 17 of their last 19 home openers and are 34-7 in them at Paulson Stadium. Clay Helton is 9-1 in home openers as a head coach, turning opening night into a long-running house habit.
• The quarterback follow-up: Lek Powell handled 32 pass attempts for Charleston So in Week 0. He completed 18 of 32 for 208 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. GA Southern returns 3 defensive starters and ranked No. 97 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year. Week 0 identified who handled the passing game; this matchup is the first chance to see which parts of that performance carry over.

How the game is decided

Charleston So owns the advantage of live game reps, but GA Southern owns a full game of film on the new offense. The result turns on whether the Week 0 strength travels—or whether the same weakness shows up once the opponent has had time to target it.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Galaxy Stadium
TV: FS1
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): TTU -42.5
Over/under: 59.5

The setup

Texas Tech opens as the defending Big 12 champion with an eight-game home winning streak. It allowed fewer than 18 points in every one, the longest such Big 12 home run since 2002.

What I’m watching

Abilene Chrstn lost 21-14 to Lamar in Week 0, with John David Black completing 15 of 25 for 142 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 358 yards—207 passing and 151 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• A veteran FBS core: Abilene Chrstn's Keith Patterson is in Year 5; Texas Tech's Joey McGuire is in Year 5. Texas Tech returns 13 starters—7 on offense and 6 on defense.
• The FCS protection test: Texas Tech produced 41 sacks last season, so Abilene Chrstn's most important personnel question is whether its quarterback ever gets a clean pocket. Texas Tech returns 6 defensive starters, including A.J. Holmes Jr. and Ben Roberts.
• The pressure test: John David Black led Abilene Chrstn's passing in Week 0 (15 of 25 for 142 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT); Texas Tech has officially named Will Hammond the starter (680 yards, 7 TD and 3 INT in 2025). The tougher first assignment belongs to John David Black: Texas Tech produced 41 sacks last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The turnover test: The Red Raiders led the FBS with 32 takeaways and were one of only two teams ranked top-five in scoring, total and rushing defense. Last year's defense did not have one specialty; it had three.
• The running-game test: Texas Tech allowed only 68.1 rushing yards per game, the best FBS mark and one of only two sub-70 seasons since 2010. Abilene Christian's normal run game is entering a statistical brick wall.
• The quarterback follow-up: John David Black handled 25 pass attempts for Abilene Chrstn in Week 0. He completed 15 of 25 for 142 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. Texas Tech returns 6 defensive starters and ranked No. 10 in FBS sacks per game (2.93), finishing with 41. Week 0 identified who handled the passing game; this matchup is the first chance to see which parts of that performance carry over.

How the game is decided

Abilene Chrstn owns the advantage of live game reps, but Texas Tech owns a full game of film on the new offense. The result turns on whether the Week 0 strength travels—or whether the same weakness shows up once the opponent has had time to target it.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 PM CT
Location: Lincoln Financial Field
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): TEM -10.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Rhode Island is 0-11 against Temple, and the schools have not met since Nov. 8, 1975. The Rams are trying to erase an 11-game series deficit after a 51-year intermission.

What I’m watching

Rhode Island beat Merrimack 34-7 in Week 0, with Tyler Budge completing 13 of 29 for 128 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. Rhode Island's Week 1 two-deep lists Devin Farrell first even though Tyler Budge started the opener, so Temple has to prepare for both. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 297 yards—128 passing and 169 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Rhode Island's Jim Fleming is in Year 13; Temple's K. C. Keeler is in Year 2. Temple returns 9 starters—7 on offense and 2 on defense.
• The depth advantage has to show: Temple should have the deeper roster, but Rhode Island's path is to force the new or lightly used starters into an uncomfortable first half. With 7 offensive starters back, Temple should be able to settle the game without exposing every new defensive piece.
• The Week 1 quarterback update: Rhode Island's Week 1 two-deep lists Devin Farrell first even though Tyler Budge started the opener (Farrell threw for 3,745 yards in 2025; Budge completed 13 of 29 passes for 128 yards and one TD in Week 0); Jaxon Smolik is the projected starter for Temple (no meaningful 2025 passing sample). The official Week 1 listing matters more than assuming the Week 0 usage will repeat for Rhode Island.

Three quick analysis points

• The scoring trend: Rhode Island is 2-21 all time against FBS teams and 0-4 since beating UMass in 2021, but three of Jim Fleming's 11 FBS losses came by seven points or fewer. At Temple -10.5, history says the upset is rare but a one-score scare is not.
• The coaching angle: Temple coach K.C. Keeler went 5-2 against Rhode Island while coaching Delaware. The Owls' new season starts with a head coach who already owns seven games of institutional memory on this opponent.
• The turnover test: Rhode Island's two interceptions produced 124 return yards, just 13 fewer than its 137 passing yards, and one return became a touchdown. In the opener, the secondary nearly matched the quarterback's arm by itself.

How the game is decided

Rhode Island owns the advantage of live game reps, but Temple owns a full game of film on the new offense. The result turns on whether the Week 0 strength travels—or whether the same weakness shows up once the opponent has had time to target it.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 PM CT
Location: Wallace Wade Stadium
TV: ACC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): DUKE -9.5
Over/under: 50.5

The setup

Tulane’s 34-27 win last season snapped Duke’s three-game winning streak and tied the all-time series 3-3. Duke now hosts Tulane for the first time since 2014.

Personnel snapshot

• Tulane: Will Hall enters Year 1 as head coach. 5 starters return—2 on offense and 3 on defense. Key defenders back include Chris Rodgers and E’zaiah Shine. Tulane’s defense allowed 384.2 yards and 23.9 points per game last season.
• Tulane quarterback: Tulane has named Zeon Chriss-Gremillion its starter. Last season at Houston, he threw for 108 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.
• Duke: Manny Diaz enters Year 3 as head coach. 8 starters return—4 on offense and 4 on defense. Key defenders back include Luke Mergott, Landan Callahan, and Kimari Robinson. Duke’s defense allowed 424.2 yards and 29.4 points per game last season.
• Duke quarterback: Walker Eget is projected to start for Duke. Last season at San José St, he threw for 3,047 yards, 17 TD and 9 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Duke has won four straight season openers, including a 28-7 upset of No. 8 Clemson. Opening day has become one of the program’s most reliable games, regardless of the logo across from it.
• The recent trend: The Blue Devils just posted consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time in school history. A program founded in 1888 needed 137 years to stack those two seasons together.
• Pressure changed everything for Walker Eget: Walker Eget while at San Jose State completed 35.4% of his passes under pressure last season at 4.3 yards per attempt, with 2 TD and 4 INT (4.0% of throws). From a clean pocket: 65.8%, 8.8 yards per attempt, 15 TD and 5 INT (1.7%). Tulane’s pass rush ranked No. 17 in PFF’s 2025 FBS team grades. In plain terms: make him speed up, and the game changes.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:30 PM CT
Location: Tiger Stadium (LA)
TV: ABC
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): LSU -10.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Clemson becomes the only program to open against four AP top-11 opponents since 2021. The Tigers have turned Week 1 into the part of the schedule most teams save for November.

Personnel snapshot

• Clemson: Dabo Swinney enters Year 18 as head coach. 8 starters return—5 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Harris Sewell and Collin Sadler. Clemson’s offense averaged 392.2 yards and 27.2 points per game last season.
• Clemson quarterback: Christopher Vizzina is projected to start for Clemson. Last season, he threw for 406 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT.
• LSU: Lane Kiffin enters Year 1 as head coach. 8 starters return—5 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Weston Davis and Braelin Moore. LSU’s offense averaged 333.5 yards and 25.5 points per game last season.
• LSU quarterback: Sam Leavitt is projected to start for LSU. Last season at Arizona St, he threw for 1,628 yards, 10 TD and 3 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The location wrinkle: This is Clemson’s first visit to LSU’s Tiger Stadium. A win would make it the first team since UAB in 2000 to win its first-ever trip to Baton Rouge.
• The history: LSU won last year’s meeting 17-10, but Clemson has not lost to the same opponent in consecutive seasons since 2014. The rematch tests a 12-year bounce-back habit.
• The quarterback angle: New LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw 10 touchdowns and three picks at Arizona State, but this is his first LSU start. The opener asks him to learn a new offense while one of the country’s best disruption units tries to shorten the lesson.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Kyle Field
TV: ESPN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): TA&M -41.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

Texas A&M and Missouri State have never met, and the Bears are only beginning their second FBS season. Their first trip into this series is also a trip into a stadium that has drawn 100,000-plus fans 11 games in a row.

Personnel snapshot

• Missouri State: Casey Woods enters Year 1 as head coach. 6 starters return—3 on offense and 3 on defense. Key defenders back include Jared Lloyd, Dylan Dixson, and Christian Ford. Missouri State’s defense allowed 382.8 yards and 28.8 points per game last season.
• Missouri State quarterback: Skyler Locklear is projected to start for Missouri State. Last season at UTEP, he threw for 1,418 yards, 13 TD and 11 INT.
• Texas A&M: Mike Elko enters Year 3 as head coach. 9 starters return—4 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Dalton Brooks, Marcus Ratcliffe, and Dezz Ricks. Texas A&M’s defense allowed 307.4 yards and 23.5 points per game last season.
• Texas A&M quarterback: Marcel Reed returns as Texas A&M’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,932 yards, 25 TD and 10 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The quarterback angle: Marcel Reed is 15-6 as A&M’s starter and has started 18 straight games. He is one of only eight active FBS quarterbacks with 5,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards – a veteran dual threat facing a first-year Missouri State staff.
• The roster reset: A&M retained 65% of its roster but returns only one offensive-line starter, center Mark Nabou Jr. That is the opener’s hidden rebuild: the names around the program are familiar, while four of the five protectors are new.
• The pressure point: The Aggies jumped from 25 sacks in 2024 to 43 last year, fourth nationally, but must replace 25.5 of those sacks. Nearly 60% of the pass rush left the building.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USF -13.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

Brian Hartline’s first game at South Florida comes with South Florida as the 13.5-point favorite. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. Since 2004, South Florida leads 2-0 in 2 meetings; South Florida has won 2 straight in the series; the last meeting was South Florida Bulls 17, Florida Intl Golden Panthers 9 (2008).

Personnel snapshot

• FIU: Willie Simmons enters Year 2 as head coach. 5 starters return—2 on offense and 3 on defense. Key defenders back include Kenton Simmons, Josiah Taylor, and Shamir Sterlin. FIU’s defense allowed 411.5 yards and 29.8 points per game last season.
• FIU quarterback: JJ Kohl is projected to start for FIU. Last season at App State, he threw for 1,465 yards, 12 TD and 2 INT.
• South Florida: Brian Hartline enters Year 1 as head coach. 3 starters return—2 on offense and 1 on defense. A key offensive lineman back is Thomas Shrader. South Florida’s offense averaged 488.7 yards and 45.4 points per game last season.
• South Florida quarterback: South Florida has named Michael Van Buren Jr. its starter. Last season, he threw for 896 yards, 8 TD and 2 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• Where FIU can test South Florida: FIU averaged 5.40 yards per rush play, No. 39 nationally. South Florida’s defense allowed 4.73 yards per rush play, No. 40 nationally. Neither 2025 number creates an automatic edge, which makes this a useful early measure of which unit actually improved. FIU kept the same head coach and OC, with 2 offensive starters returning.
• A clear run game opening for South Florida: South Florida averaged 5.99 yards per rush play, No. 16 nationally. FIU’s defense allowed 5.68 yards per rush play, No. 114 nationally. That is the part of the game South Florida should lean on until FIU proves it has changed. South Florida changed its offensive leadership and returns 2 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• New quarterback, immediate test: JJ Kohl transferred from App State and is expected to make his first start for FIU. Last year he threw for 1,465 yards, 12 TD and 2 INT; 0.9% of his throws were picked off. South Florida returns 1 defensive starter and ranked No. 65 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year. FIU returns only one starting offensive lineman, raising the degree of difficulty.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 5:00 PM CT
Location: Canvas Stadium
TV: USA Net
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): CSU -3
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Wyoming won last year’s Border War 28-0, the first shutout in the rivalry since 2010. Colorado State gets the rematch immediately, but almost none of the same cast: the Rams brought in 76 newcomers.

Personnel snapshot

• Wyoming: Jay Sawvel enters Year 3 as head coach. 6 starters return—4 on offense and 2 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins. Wyoming’s offense averaged 314.7 yards and 16.0 points per game last season.
• Wyoming quarterback: Tyler Hughes is projected to start for Wyoming. Last season at William & Mary, he threw for 2,330 yards, 20 TD and 3 INT.
• Colorado St: Jim Mora enters Year 1 as head coach. 4 starters return—1 on offense and 3 on defense. Key defenders back include Jack Moran, Kenyon Agurs, and Jace Bellah. Colorado St’s defense allowed 426.0 yards and 30.8 points per game last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The ranking clue: Meeting No. 118 is the first nonconference Border War since 1967 and the first nonconference game ever played for the Bronze Boot. Conference realignment changed the paperwork, not the trophy case.
• The roster reset: Only 35 Colorado State players return, 33.3% of the roster, and just five qualify as returning starters. Jim Mora’s debut is less a tune-up than a rivalry game with 76 introductions and a boot on the line.
• The turnover test: Wyoming’s new quarterback Tyler Hughes threw for 2,330 yards, ran for 670 and produced 31 touchdowns at William & Mary last year while throwing only three interceptions. He is making an FBS jump with a stat line that already looks built for this level.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 3:15 PM CT
Location: Kinnick Stadium
TV: BTN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): IOWA -31.5
Over/under: 45.5

The setup

Iowa’s defense has finished top-20 nationally in scoring for 11 straight years and allowed fewer than 20 points in each one. The streak is nearly as old as some freshmen were when they started playing football.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether N Illinois can move the ball without living in third-and-long. N Illinois’ offense ranked No. 132 nationally at 4.8 yards each time it snapped the ball; Iowa’s defense ranked No. 15 and allowed only 5.2. 4 starters from that offensive unit return. Only 3 starters from that defensive unit return, so the old ranking may not carry cleanly into 2026.

Personnel snapshot

• N Illinois: Rob Harley (interim) enters Year 1 as head coach. 4 starters return—4 on offense and 0 on defense. N Illinois’ offense averaged 285.9 yards and 17.1 points per game last season.
• N Illinois quarterback: Taron Dickens is projected to start for N Illinois. Last season at W Carolina, he threw for 3,508 yards, 38 TD and 2 INT.
• Iowa: Kirk Ferentz enters Year 28 as head coach. 6 starters return—3 on offense and 3 on defense. Key defenders back include Jayden Montgomery, Zach Lutmer, and Deshaun Lee. Iowa’s defense allowed 280.4 yards and 18.1 points per game last season.
• Iowa quarterback: Iowa’s job remains open; Jeremy Hecklinski is the most experienced candidate. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.

Three quick analysis points

• The turnover test: Since Phil Parker became defensive coordinator, Iowa is 75-5 when it wins the turnover battle. One extra possession has translated to a 94% win rate.
• The scoring trend: Iowa averaged 29.3 points last year, its best offense since 2018. When the Hawkeyes pair even normal scoring with their decade-long defensive floor, the old rock fight becomes harder to find.
• The quarterback angle: NIU transfer quarterback Taron Dickens threw 38 touchdowns and two interceptions at Western Carolina. His FBS debut comes against an Iowa defense with only three returning starters – elite system versus elite lower-level production, with both samples changing at once.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 PM CT
Location: Beaver Stadium
TV: FS1
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): PSU -24.5
Over/under: 54.5

The setup

Penn State and Marshall have met twice, in 1929 and 1930; the second game was 65-0. The 96-year gap is longer than Beaver Stadium’s current seating bowl has existed.

Personnel snapshot

• Marshall: Tony Gibson enters Year 2 as head coach. 9 starters return—6 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Tariq Montgomery and Jalen Slappy. Marshall’s offense averaged 405.4 yards and 30.8 points per game last season.
• Marshall quarterback: Carlos Del Rio-Wilson returns as Marshall’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,043 yards, 17 TD and 5 INT.
• Penn State: Matt Campbell enters Year 1 as head coach. 4 starters return—2 on offense and 2 on defense. A key defender back is Audavion Collins. Penn State’s defense allowed 326.8 yards and 20.5 points per game last season.
• Penn State quarterback: Rocco Becht is projected to start for Penn State. Last season at Iowa State, he threw for 2,584 yards, 16 TD and 9 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The roster reset: Matt Campbell debuts after Penn State head coaches went 11-4-1 in their first games. History gives the new era about a 72% chance of beginning without a loss before the roster is considered.
• The matchup wrinkle: Penn State added 62 newcomers, including 40 transfers with 337 combined starts. This is a rebuilt team carrying roughly 28 full seasons of starting experience.
• The quarterback angle: Rocco Becht brings 39 starts, 26 quarterback wins, 9,274 passing yards and 64 touchdowns. He is new to Penn State but leads active FBS quarterbacks in wins and starts.

Prediction

I make final predictions on my TikTok/YouTube/Instagram/Facebook pages @uthinkuknowsports.

Full disclosure: I use AI tools to format my research into an article encompassing all of the information.