Uthinkuknowsports

Category: College Football Game Previews

Every 2026 college football game preview from UThinkUKnowSports, organized by week with matchup analysis, betting lines, players to watch and predictions.

  • UT Martin vs. West Virginia preview: Can WVU finish?

    UT Martin vs. West Virginia preview: Can WVU finish?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 12:00 PM CT | Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    West Virginia won Rich Rodriguez’s return game, but the 31-24 score hid two completely different halves. The Mountaineers led Coastal Carolina 24-0, then were outscored 24-7 after halftime and needed the full four quarters to survive. UT Martin answered an opening loss to Central Arkansas with a 42-7 win over first-year program Chicago State. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    This is the first meeting. West Virginia should win, but this is a chance to show it can finish cleanly before the schedule becomes less forgiving. For UT Martin, the upset path is obvious: test the secondary that just allowed 373 passing yards and avoid helping WVU’s run-heavy offense with penalties or short fields. [S2/S3/S6]

    Three things to know

    1. Both offenses found their identity on the ground: West Virginia rushed 61 times for 281 yards, with Cam Cook and Michael Hawkins Jr. both topping 100. UT Martin rushed for 216 yards and six touchdowns against Chicago State, led by Tommy Ansley’s 106 yards and three scores. The team that wins early downs can keep the other offense watching from the sideline. [S2/S3]
    2. West Virginia’s secondary has an immediate repair job: Coastal Carolina threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. UT Martin’s Tate Surber did not throw a touchdown last week, but the Skyhawks averaged 10 yards per pass attempt and had three receivers reach 55 yards. An FCS opponent still has a real route to explosive plays if WVU repeats its second-half coverage problems. [S2/S3]
    3. The sloppiness can erase the talent gap: UT Martin committed 13 penalties for 110 yards and turned the ball over twice. West Virginia had seven penalties for 70 yards, including five for 50 yards in a third quarter when Coastal ran 21 plays to WVU’s six. The Mountaineers should control this game, but another penalty-filled stretch could keep it uncomfortable. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricUT Martin 2026West Virginia 2026UT Martin 2025 rankWest Virginia 2025 rank
    Points per game33.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)31.0 (No. 69*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 116
    Points allowed per game21.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)24.0 (No. 92*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 100
    Yards per game386.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)413.0 (No. 60*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 96
    Yards allowed per game331.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)425.0 (No. 106*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 106
    Passing yards per game204.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)132.0 (No. 110*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 103
    Passing yards allowed per game198.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)373.0 (No. 125*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 129
    Turnover margin-3 (FCS; no FBS rank)+1 (No. 30*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 57

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S10]

    Players to watch

    • UT Martin — Tommy Ansley: He rushed 16 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns against Chicago State. The sophomore produced half of UT Martin's six rushing scores. [S3/S8]
    • West Virginia — Cam Cook: The Jacksonville State transfer rushed 30 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns. His 72-yard run on West Virginia's first snap set up a touchdown 47 seconds into the season. [S2/S7]

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    Sources

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

  • Colgate vs. Central Michigan preview: Can CMU recover after blowout loss?

    Colgate vs. Central Michigan preview: Can CMU recover after blowout loss?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 12:00 PM CT | Kelly/Shorts Stadium, Mount Pleasant, MI | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Central Michigan's home opener suddenly feels like an early gut check. The Chippewas did not record a first down until the final minute of the first half and finished with 149 yards in a 38-7 loss at New Mexico. Colgate is 2-0 after following a Week 0 win at Fordham with a 35-10 win over Holy Cross. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    This is the first meeting, and Central Michigan brings two meaningful streaks into it: 17 straight wins over FCS opponents and three straight home-opening wins. Colgate's explosive passing game makes those streaks more than trivia if CMU's offense again cannot stay on the field. [S2/S6]

    Three things to know

    1. CMU's quarterback situation has to produce something: Jadyn Glasser and Angel Flores combined to complete 7 of 16 passes for 30 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Colgate just intercepted Holy Cross three times. If Central Michigan becomes one-dimensional again, the Raiders can attack the run without fearing the pass. [S2/S3/S4]
    2. Colgate can create points without long drives: Jake Stearney threw four touchdown passes, including scores of 64 and 58 yards. Matt Fogler caught six passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns. Central Michigan allowed only 159 passing yards at New Mexico, but the Lobos controlled the game so thoroughly that they did not need to chase big plays. [S2/S3/S4]
    3. The third-down gap explains both openers: Colgate converted 5 of 12 third downs and held Holy Cross to 66 rushing yards. Central Michigan went 2 of 11 on third down and possessed the ball for only 22:31. CMU does not need a spectacular offense yet; it needs enough first downs to keep Colgate's playmakers off the field. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricColgate 2026C Michigan 2026Colgate 2025 rankC Michigan 2025 rank
    Points per game29.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)7.0 (No. 122*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 111
    Points allowed per game12.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)38.0 (No. 110*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 49
    Yards per game438.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)149.0 (No. 126*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 113
    Yards allowed per game259.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)364.0 (No. 81*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 53
    Passing yards per game224.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)30.0 (No. 127*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 118
    Passing yards allowed per game190.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)159.0 (No. 52*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 49
    Turnover margin-1 (FCS; no FBS rank)-2 (No. 107*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 38

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S2/S3/S4/S10]

    Players to watch

    • Colgate — Matt Fogler: He turned six catches into 153 yards and three touchdowns against Holy Cross. His longest score covered 64 yards, so Central Michigan has to know where he is on every snap. [S3/S8]
    • Central Michigan — Nasir Williams: He produced Central Michigan's only touchdown on a 23-yard run and also led the Chippewas with 11 receiving yards. That unusual combination shows how little else worked in the passing game. [S2/S4/S9]

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    Sources

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

  • California vs. Syracuse preview: Early ACC test for two darkhorse contenders

    California vs. Syracuse preview: Early ACC test for two darkhorse contenders

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | ACC Network
    DraftKings snapshot: SYR -3 | Over/under: 56.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    California and Syracuse enter their ACC opener with opposite emotions. Cal erased an 11-point deficit and tied UCLA late in the third quarter, only to allow 21 unanswered points in the fourth and lose 45-24. Syracuse scored touchdowns on six straight possessions and opened with a 66-3 rout of New Hampshire. [S2/S3/S4]

    The opener results need context—Syracuse faced an FCS opponent, while Cal faced a Power Four rival—but the problems and strengths line up directly. Cal’s run defense was gashed; Syracuse showed a balanced offense. Syracuse’s defense created 11 sacks and three turnovers; Cal gave the ball away three times. [S2/S3/S4]

    Three things to know

    1. Cal’s run defense faces the worst possible follow-up: UCLA rushed for 277 yards at 8.7 per carry, including five rushing touchdowns by Anthony Woods and Wayne Knight. Syracuse ran for 238 yards at 5.5 per carry, and freshman Shavane Anderson Jr. needed only 10 attempts to gain 102 yards and score three times. If Cal cannot fix its fits and tackling, Syracuse will not have to expose Steve Angeli to much risk. [S2/S3/S4]
    2. Pressure and turnovers can decide the game: Syracuse recorded 11 sacks and forced three turnovers against New Hampshire. Cal surrendered three sacks, and Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele threw two interceptions as the Bears finished minus-2 in turnover margin. The competition jumps sharply for Syracuse, but Cal cannot give an aggressive defense extra possessions. [S2/S3/S4]
    3. Cal’s offense was more functional than the final score suggests: The Bears gained 410 yards, converted 11 of 21 third downs and held the ball for 34:49. Adam Mohammed added 166 yards from scrimmage. Syracuse dominated an FCS opponent, but it also committed 12 penalties for 125 yards. Cal can make this a real game if it protects the ball and forces the Orange to defend long drives. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricCalifornia 2026Syracuse 2026California 2025 rankSyracuse 2025 rank
    Points per game24.0 (No. 80*)66.0 (No. 6*)No. 96No. 122
    Points allowed per game45.0 (No. 117*)3.0 (No. 10*)No. 77No. 126
    Yards per game410.0 (No. 64*)513.0 (No. 36*)No. 89No. 106
    Yards allowed per game461.0 (No. 112*)159.0 (No. 16*)No. 62No. 126
    Passing yards per game291.0 (No. 38*)275.0 (No. 43*)No. 19No. 80
    Passing yards allowed per game184.0 (No. 63*)99.0 (No. 20*)No. 45No. 122
    Turnover margin-2 (No. 107*)+3 (No. 6*)No. 87No. 135

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S2/S3/S4/S9]

    Players to watch

    • California — Adam Mohammed: In his Cal debut, he rushed 28 times for a career-high 120 yards and a touchdown and caught seven passes for 46 more. He was the Bears' most dependable answer as they erased an 11-point deficit. [S2/S3/S7]
    • Syracuse — Umari Hatcher: He caught eight passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring grabs of 19 and 18 yards. He gives Steve Angeli a proven downfield answer as the competition rises. [S4/S8]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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

  • Florida A&M vs. Miami preview: Can Rattlers slow record duo?

    Florida A&M vs. Miami preview: Can Rattlers slow record duo?

    Thursday, 2026-09-10 | 7:00 PM CT | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | ACC Network
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Miami has only four days between a cross-country road win at Stanford and its home opener against an in-state opponent. The Hurricanes looked every bit like the team that reached last season's national championship game: Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney produced record-setting debuts, and the defense did not allow a touchdown in a 45-6 win. Florida A&M comes in from a 31-13 loss to South Carolina State in which its offense gained only 161 yards. [S2/S3/S6]

    The series is lopsided, but it owns one unforgettable exception. Miami is 11-1 against Florida A&M; the Rattlers' lone win was a 16-13 upset in the first meeting in 1979. For FAMU, staying competitive would require turning the three takeaways it created last week into far more help for the offense. [S3/S5/S6]

    Three things to know

    1. Miami can use this game to fix the one quiet part of its opener: Mensah threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns, but Miami rushed for 121 yards at 3.8 per carry. Florida A&M just allowed South Carolina State to run for 292 yards at 7.7 per attempt. If the Hurricanes want a more complete offense before the schedule toughens, this is the obvious place to test the run game. [S2/S3]
    2. FAMU's offense cannot leave its defense on an island: The Rattlers finished with minus-1 rushing yard, went 4 of 17 on third down and gained 161 yards overall against South Carolina State. Miami held Stanford to 299 yards and two field goals. FAMU created three takeaways last week, but it will need actual drives—not only defensive help—to keep this from getting away early. [S2/S3]
    3. Mensah and Toney already look like a nightmare: Mensah completed 27 of 30 passes for a career-high 401 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. Toney caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three scores, breaking Miami's single-game receiving record. FAMU's first job is not stopping everything; it is preventing that one connection from deciding the game by halftime. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricFlorida A&M 2026Miami 2026Florida A&M 2025 rankMiami 2025 rank
    Points per game16.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)45.0 (No. 35*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 51
    Points allowed per game19.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)6.0 (No. 21*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 6
    Yards per game210.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)549.0 (No. 22*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 48
    Yards allowed per game321.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)299.0 (No. 62*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 12
    Passing yards per game176.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)428.0 (No. 5*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 41
    Passing yards allowed per game173.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)221.0 (No. 85*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 43
    Turnover margin+3 (FCS; no FBS rank)-2 (No. 107*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 12

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S2/S3/S4/S9]

    Players to watch

    • Florida A&M — Justin Bostic: He made six tackles and scored Florida A&M's only defensive touchdown against South Carolina State. The Rattlers forced three turnovers, and Bostic represents the kind of game-changing play they need again. [S3/S7]
    • Miami — Malachi Toney: His 12 catches, 234 yards and three touchdowns set a Miami single-game receiving record, passing Eddie Brown's 220-yard game from 1984. [S2/S3/S8]

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    Sources

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

  • Bowling Green vs. Nebraska preview: Can Huskers take care of business?

    Bowling Green vs. Nebraska preview: Can Huskers take care of business?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 6:00 PM CT | Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE), Lincoln, NE | FS1
    DraftKings snapshot: NEB -25.5 | Over/under: 48.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Nebraska opened with 523 yards and a 49-21 win over Ohio, a much sharper offensive start than last season’s 28.7-point average. Bowling Green now has to recover from a 20-13 home loss to FCS power Tarleton State before making the program’s first trip to Nebraska. [S2/S3/S8/S10]

    The matchup is the first between the programs. Nebraska is trying to turn an experienced roster and a clean opener into a 2-0 start; Bowling Green needs evidence that its promising passing debut can translate into points against a defense that was elite against the pass last season. [S6/S8/S9/S10]

    Three things to know

    1. The run matchup is the biggest warning sign for Bowling Green: Tarleton State rushed for 258 yards at 7.8 per carry, with Tylan Hines accounting for 250. Nebraska immediately produced 248 rushing yards at 5.9 per carry against Ohio. If Bowling Green cannot close those lanes, Nebraska will not need to put the game on its quarterback. [S2/S3]
    2. Bowling Green found a passer, but not enough points: Division II transfer Jay Kastantin completed 24 of 30 passes for 283 yards without an interception, and Jeremiah Scoby caught 10 passes for 103. The Falcons still scored only 13 points and did not throw a touchdown pass. Nebraska allowed just 164 passing yards in its opener after ranking third nationally in passing yards allowed last season. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S10]
    3. One offense finished drives; the other left openings: Bowling Green had 21 first downs, 386 yards and nearly 35 minutes of possession but lost two fumbles and scored 13 points. Nebraska converted 9 of 14 third downs, committed no turnover and scored 49. That gap in finishing is more meaningful than the raw yardage totals. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricBowling Green 2026Nebraska 2026Bowling Green 2025 rankNebraska 2025 rank
    Points per game13.0 (No. 109*)49.0 (No. 30*)No. 121No. 68
    Points allowed per game20.0 (No. 79*)21.0 (No. 85*)No. 74No. 76
    Yards per game366.0 (No. 88*)523.0 (No. 31*)No. 124No. 82
    Yards allowed per game464.0 (No. 113*)303.0 (No. 63*)No. 42No. 30
    Passing yards per game262.0 (No. 52*)275.0 (No. 43*)No. 126No. 68
    Passing yards allowed per game206.0 (No. 79*)164.0 (No. 56*)No. 40No. 3
    Turnover margin-1 (No. 86*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 57No. 57

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S10]

    Players to watch

    • Bowling Green — Jeremiah Scoby: The sophomore tight end caught 10 passes for 103 yards in the opener. He gives the Falcons a reliable target against Nebraska’s experienced secondary. [S2/S5]
    • Nebraska — Jamal Rule: The freshman produced 122 rushing yards and two scores on 15 carries, then added 47 receiving yards and another touchdown. That is 169 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in his college debut. [S3/S7]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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  • Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech preview: Vols face road test in Atlanta

    Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech preview: Vols face road test in Atlanta

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 6:00 PM CT | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA | ESPN
    DraftKings snapshot: TENN -13.5 | Over/under: 55.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Tennessee looked explosive in a 56-9 opener, while Georgia Tech lost 14-13 when its potential game-winning field goal was blocked as time expired. The Vols now get a Power Four road test; the Yellow Jackets get one week to turn a painful finish into a résumé-changing home win. [S2/S3/S5]

    These former SEC rivals have played only once since 1987. Tennessee won that 2017 meeting 42-41 in double overtime and leads the series 25-17-2. [S4]

    Three things to know

    1. Tennessee’s run game meets Georgia Tech’s biggest Week 1 weakness: The Vols rushed for 329 yards at 7.0 per carry. Georgia Tech managed only 51 rushing yards of its own and allowed Colorado to run for 183. If those lines of scrimmage look similar, Tennessee can keep its true freshman quarterback out of obvious passing downs. [S2/S3]
    2. Both young quarterbacks gave their teams reasons to believe: Tennessee true freshman Faizon Brandon completed 13 of 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia Tech’s Alberto Mendoza went 17 of 23 for 237 yards in his first college start without an interception. Week 2 adds pressure neither saw for most of the opener. [S2/S3/S6]
    3. Georgia Tech has to finish drives: The Yellow Jackets gained 288 yards but scored only one offensive touchdown. They settled for two field goals, then had the final kick blocked. Tennessee turned 638 yards into eight touchdowns, so trading threes for sevens is not a workable upset plan. [S2/S3/S5]

    Stat comparison

    MetricTennessee 2026Georgia Tech 2026Tennessee 2025 rankGeorgia Tech 2025 rank
    Points per game56.0 (No. 19*)13.0 (No. 109*)No. 9No. 42
    Points allowed per game9.0 (No. 35*)14.0 (No. 54*)No. 104No. 63
    Yards per game638.0 (No. 12*)288.0 (No. 111*)No. 7No. 11
    Yards allowed per game221.0 (No. 36*)307.0 (No. 66*)No. 92No. 93
    Passing yards per game309.0 (No. 31*)237.0 (No. 61*)No. 6No. 31
    Passing yards allowed per game43.0 (No. 5*)124.0 (No. 35*)No. 113No. 98
    Turnover margin-2 (No. 107*)-1 (No. 86*)No. 44No. 110

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S8]

    Players to watch

    • Tennessee — Mike Matthews: Four catches became 132 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard gain. He gave Brandon a downfield answer immediately. [S2/S7]
    • Georgia Tech — Jordan Allen: He set career highs with eight catches and 113 receiving yards in the one-point loss to Colorado. [S3/S5]

    HE SAID IT

    • Tennessee coach Josh Heupel: “For a young player, he managed and stayed within himself extremely well, which is the expectation as a whole.” Brandon now makes his first road start and first start against a Power Four defense, so Georgia Tech will test the poise Heupel praised. Source
    • Georgia Tech coach Brent Key: “We did not play a good football game. Whether that ball goes in at the end, that makes zero difference.” The ending was painful, but Key’s point is the real warning before Tennessee: Georgia Tech rushed for only 51 yards and repeatedly lost situational downs. Source

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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

  • Georgia State vs. Kennesaw State preview: Hot starts collide

    Georgia State vs. Kennesaw State preview: Hot starts collide

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 6:00 PM CT | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium, Kennesaw, GA | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Georgia State just turned the page on a 1-11 season by setting program records for points and victory margin in a 59-10 opener. Kennesaw State followed a 10-win Conference USA championship season with a 47-0 shutout. Both looked overwhelming against FCS opponents; this in-state matchup is the first useful test of how much carries over. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    For Georgia State, a road win would make the opener feel like the start of a real turnaround. For Kennesaw State, it is a chance to protect an eight-game home winning streak and show that last year’s breakthrough was not a one-season spike. [S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Both teams just ran over somebody: Georgia State rushed for 284 yards and six touchdowns; Kennesaw State ran for 297 and six. That is 581 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns combined, so the first defense forced to bring extra bodies into the box may also be the first one exposed through the air. [S2/S3/S4]
    2. The opener defenses were just as dominant: Georgia State allowed 209 yards and recorded five sacks. Kennesaw State allowed 160 yards, held West Georgia to 0 of 12 on third down and never allowed a red-zone trip. The opponent level rises, but both defenses enter with proof they can wreck a drive. [S2/S3/S4]
    3. Georgia State was cleaner with the ball: Cameran Brown completed 15 of 20 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and Georgia State had no turnover. Rickie Collins was efficient and added two rushing scores for Kennesaw State, but the Owls lost two turnovers. In a much tighter game, that difference can decide it. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricGeorgia St 2026Kennesaw St 2026Georgia St 2025 rankKennesaw St 2025 rank
    Points per game59.0 (No. 13*)47.0 (No. 34*)No. 123No. 47
    Points allowed per game10.0 (No. 38*)0.0 (No. 1*)No. 130No. 65
    Yards per game563.0 (No. 17*)508.0 (No. 37*)No. 77No. 50
    Yards allowed per game209.0 (No. 31*)219.0 (No. 34*)No. 133No. 102
    Passing yards per game279.0 (No. 41*)211.0 (No. 78*)No. 38No. 53
    Passing yards allowed per game125.0 (No. 36*)181.0 (No. 60*)No. 109No. 67
    Turnover margin0 (No. 60*)-2 (No. 107*)No. 128No. 99

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S8]

    Players to watch

    • Georgia State — Dennis Murray Jr.: He scored twice in two different ways—a 30-yard reception and a 14-yard run—while seven different Panthers reached the end zone. [S2/S3]
    • Kennesaw State — Rickie Collins: He completed 18 of 23 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, then rushed seven times for 51 yards and two more scores. His legs are the extra problem Georgia State did not see from most of NC A&T’s offense. [S4/S7]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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  • Georgia Southern vs. Clemson preview: How do Tigers respond after being embarrassed?

    Georgia Southern vs. Clemson preview: How do Tigers respond after being embarrassed?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 6:30 PM CT | Memorial Stadium (Clemson, SC), Clemson, SC | ACC Network, ACCNX
    DraftKings snapshot: CLEM -26.5 | Over/under: 57.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Clemson’s home opener suddenly feels like a response game. The Tigers were overwhelmed 51-10 at LSU, gaining only 145 yards and allowing 644. Georgia Southern arrives after a 31-0 win, but that shutout came against an 0-2 FCS opponent that managed only 35 total yards. This matchup is less about comparing the final scores than seeing which opening-night performance was closer to the truth. [S2/S3/S4]

    Clemson can earn the 100th home-opener win in program history. Georgia Southern gets a rare chance to attack a brand-name opponent that is trying to steady itself after a humiliating loss, but the Eagles also have to prove their clean opener travels from Charleston Southern to Death Valley. [S1/S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Clemson has to prove it can sustain a drive: The Tigers converted only 1 of 13 third downs, punted 10 times and finished with 145 yards against LSU. Georgia Southern held Charleston Southern to five first downs and 2 of 12 on third down. The opponent changes dramatically, but Clemson cannot treat those numbers as automatic fixes. [S2/S3/S4]
    2. Georgia Southern’s defense goes from the easiest test to a wounded giant: The Eagles allowed 35 yards—zero rushing—and protected their first shutout since 2023 with a late interception. Clemson managed only 40 rushing yards at LSU after averaging 124.4 last season. If Georgia Southern can make Clemson’s run game work for every yard, the pressure inside Death Valley will grow quickly. [S2/S3/S4/S8]
    3. Max Johnson gives the Eagles a grown-up answer at quarterback: Johnson completed 28 of 39 passes for 281 yards and found Ashton Hollins for a 59-yard touchdown. Clemson starter Christopher Vizzina went 10 of 16 for only 83 yards with an interception at LSU. Johnson has played at LSU, Texas A&M and North Carolina, so the atmosphere will not be new; the question is whether Georgia Southern can protect him against Power Four speed. [S2/S3/S4/S6/S7]

    Stat comparison

    MetricGA Southern 2026Clemson 2026GA Southern 2025 rankClemson 2025 rank
    Points per game31.0 (No. 69*)10.0 (No. 116*)No. 74No. 83
    Points allowed per game0.0 (No. 1*)51.0 (No. 123*)No. 113No. 29
    Yards per game424.0 (No. 57*)145.0 (No. 128*)No. 54No. 64
    Yards allowed per game35.0 (No. 1*)644.0 (No. 127*)No. 134No. 55
    Passing yards per game281.0 (No. 39*)105.0 (No. 117*)No. 47No. 24
    Passing yards allowed per game35.0 (No. 4*)335.0 (No. 118*)No. 108No. 120
    Turnover margin0 (No. 60*)0 (No. 60*)No. 30No. 57

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S8]

    Players to watch

    • Georgia Southern — Ashton Hollins: The Illinois transfer caught eight passes for 106 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown. His 6-foot-5 frame gives Max Johnson a large target against Clemson’s secondary. [S2/S3/S6]
    • Clemson — Sammy Brown: He tied for the team lead with 10 total tackles against LSU. After Clemson allowed 644 yards, its returning leading tackler becomes central to whether the defense can settle down at home. [S4/S7]

    Looking for a prediction?

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

    Sources

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

  • Memphis vs. Boise State preview: Group of Six showdown

    Memphis vs. Boise State preview: Group of Six showdown

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 5:00 PM CT | Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID | USA Net
    DraftKings snapshot: BOIS -7.5 | Over/under: 52.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Memphis arrives 2-0 after winning at UNLV and then rushing for 335 yards in a 42-24 victory over Arkansas State. Boise State is 0-1, but that record needs context: the Broncos led No. 2 Oregon by 10 and were still tied in the fourth quarter before losing 34-27. This is an early test of which Group of Six contender has the more repeatable formula—Memphis’ balance or Boise State’s ability to trade punches with elite competition. [S2/S3/S4/S7]

    The history is short but useful. Memphis won the only previous meeting 35-32 in 2023, and current Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen completed 11 of 14 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns that day. Now the Tigers make their first trip to The Blue, where a Boise win would quickly change the conversation after the Oregon loss and a Memphis win would give the Tigers two quality road victories before mid-September. [S5/S6/S8/S11]

    Three things to know

    1. Memphis’ ground game meets the part of Boise State’s defense that held up: Jaylin Carter rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns while Manny Covey added 103 as Memphis averaged 7.0 yards per carry against Arkansas State. Boise State allowed Oregon to run for only 119 yards at 4.8 per carry, so this is strength against strength. If the Broncos can make Marcus Stokes carry the offense, his two-interception Week 1 game becomes much more relevant. [S2/S3/S9]
    2. Boise State needs more than Maddux Madsen: Madsen threw three touchdown passes without an interception at Oregon, but Boise State rushed for only 93 yards on 36 attempts—2.6 per carry. Memphis just held Arkansas State to 109 rushing yards at 3.8 per carry. If the Broncos cannot create a dependable run game, Memphis can focus its pressure and coverage on a quarterback who completed barely half his passes in Eugene. [S2/S3/S10]
    3. The explosive-pass matchup could decide it: Oregon threw for 378 yards and averaged 9.9 yards per pass against Boise State. Memphis did not throw often against Arkansas State, but its 15 attempts produced 188 yards—12.5 per pass. Boise State has to decide whether to crowd the line against Carter and Covey or protect a secondary that just allowed four Oregon receivers to gain at least 57 yards. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricMemphis 2026Boise St 2026Memphis 2025 rankBoise St 2025 rank
    Points per game34.5 (No. 58*)27.0 (No. 77*)No. 36No. 61
    Points allowed per game22.5 (No. 90*)34.0 (No. 104*)No. 45No. 111
    Yards per game470.5 (No. 50*)274.0 (No. 115*)No. 35No. 24
    Yards allowed per game447.0 (No. 111*)497.0 (No. 117*)No. 60No. 39
    Passing yards per game205.5 (No. 80*)181.0 (No. 95*)No. 65No. 51
    Passing yards allowed per game308.0 (No. 113*)378.0 (No. 127*)No. 84No. 15
    Turnover margin+1 (No. 30*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 23No. 57

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S12]

    Players to watch

    • Memphis — Jaylin Carter: He turned 19 carries into 183 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas State, including a 74-yard run. The Southern Miss transfer has already rushed for 280 yards in two games. [S2/S7/S9]
    • Boise State — Maddux Madsen: He kept Boise State within one score of No. 2 Oregon by throwing for 181 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also played in the only prior Memphis meeting, completing 11 of 14 passes for 175 yards and two scores in 2023. [S3/S10/S11]

    Looking for a prediction?

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

    Sources

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

  • Robert Morris vs. Akron preview: Can the Zips bounce back after opening loss?

    Robert Morris vs. Akron preview: Can the Zips bounce back after opening loss?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | InfoCision Stadium, Akron, OH | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Akron’s opener was essentially over by halftime: Wake Forest led 28-3 on the way to a 38-16 win. The Zips now get their home opener against a Robert Morris team that is 2-0 and has allowed only 16 points, but the Colonials’ latest win came against Division II West Virginia State. Akron needs more than a win; it needs evidence that the explosive plays allowed at Wake will not define the season. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    Robert Morris has already won a conference road game and a home game. Now the Colonials make their first jump to FBS competition in 2026 with a receiver who has scored five touchdowns in two weeks. That makes this a dangerous confidence game for Akron, not an automatic reset. [S2/S4/S9]

    Three things to know

    1. Akron has an interesting quarterback decision: First-time starter Cibastian Broughton completed 21 of 26 passes, but they produced only 111 yards and no touchdowns; he did lead Akron with 82 rushing yards. Brayden Roggow entered in the fourth quarter, completed all seven passes and threw two touchdowns. The box score does not settle the job, but it gives Robert Morris two very different styles to prepare for. [S3/S5/S8]
    2. The explosive-pass matchup should worry Akron: Wake Forest hit touchdown passes of 72 and 78 yards while throwing for 356 against the Zips. Robert Morris receiver Galen Combs answered with two catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns against West Virginia State. The opponent is changing, but Akron has to prove it can keep another vertical threat in front of the defense. [S2/S3/S5/S7]
    3. Robert Morris has been much cleaner with the ball: The Colonials gained 427 yards without a turnover in their latest win. Akron produced 305 yards and one turnover at Wake Forest, while 28 completions became only 156 passing yards. Akron’s path to a comfortable home opener starts with turning all of those short completions into drives that actually reach the end zone. [S2/S3/S5]

    Stat comparison

    MetricRobert Morris 2026Akron 2026Robert Morris 2025 rankAkron 2025 rank
    Points per game28.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)16.0 (No. 101*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 114
    Points allowed per game8.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)38.0 (No. 110*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 78
    Yards per game356.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)305.0 (No. 106*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 94
    Yards allowed per game203.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)559.0 (No. 125*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 81
    Passing yards per game228.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)156.0 (No. 104*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 79
    Passing yards allowed per game111.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)356.0 (No. 122*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 86
    Turnover margin0 (FCS; no FBS rank)-1 (No. 86*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 49

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S10]

    Players to watch

    • Robert Morris — Galen Combs: He turned two catches into 84 yards and two touchdowns against West Virginia State. Combined with his three-score opener, he has five receiving touchdowns in two games. [S2/S7/S9]
    • Akron — Cibastian Broughton: In his first college start he completed 21 of 26 passes without an interception and led Akron with 82 rushing yards. His legs produced more explosiveness than the passing game. [S3/S5/S8]

    Looking for a prediction?

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

    Sources

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