Category: College Football Game Previews

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:30 AM CT
Location: Acrisure Stadium
TV: CW
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): PITT -16.5
Over/under: 49.5

The setup

Pitt leads Miami Ohio 2-0, but the schools have not met since 1949. The Panthers are also 35-6 against the current MAC – a very old series sitting inside a very modern conference advantage.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Miami OH can move the ball without living in third-and-long. That offense ranked No. 83 nationally at 5.7 yards each time it snapped the ball; Pitt’s defense ranked No. 30 and allowed only 5.5. 5 starters from the offense and 5 from the defense return. That is the matchup most likely to tilt field position.

Personnel snapshot

• Continuity is nearly even: Miami OH’s Chuck Martin is in Year 13; Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi is in Year 12. The returning-starter totals are close—Miami OH has 9 (5 offense, 4 defense), while Pitt has 11 (6 offense, 5 defense).
• The protection problem: Pitt brings back no offensive-line starters. Miami OH produced 41 sacks last season and returns 4 defensive starters, including Roosevelt Andrews III and Malcolm McCain. Protection is the personnel battle most likely to change the game.
• The quarterback experience gap: Thomas Gotkowski is the projected starter for Miami OH (503 yards, 4 TD and 0 INT in 2025); Mason Heintschel returns as Pitt’s starter (2,098 yards, 15 TD and 7 INT in 2025). Pitt has the clear edge in recent passing reps; Miami OH enters with much more uncertainty at the position.

Three quick analysis points

• The quarterback angle: Pitt was the only FBS team last season whose true freshmen led it in both passing and rushing. Quarterback Mason Heintschel and running back Ja’Kyrian Turner are young, but they are no longer unknown.
• The running-game test: Turner averaged 94.6 rushing yards and 6.4 per carry from Nov. 1 through the end of last season. The sophomore label hides a runner who finished 2025 at an all-conference pace.
• The defensive challenge: Pitt allowed only 2.7 yards per rush last year. Just six ACC defenses stayed below 3.0 over a full season in the past decade, and Pitt owns three of those six seasons. How the game is decided

Miami OH needs easy offense: a short field, a quarterback run or a quick pass that breaks a tackle. If Pitt makes every drive travel the full field, its advantage should grow with each obvious passing down.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: TDECU Stadium
TV: ESPN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): HOU -20.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Houston won last year’s meeting 27-24 in overtime even though Oregon State outrushed it 189-82. The rematch starts with a warning: owning the ground game did not equal owning the scoreboard.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Oregon St can move the ball without living in third-and-long. That offense ranked No. 122 nationally at 5.1 yards each time it snapped the ball; Houston’s defense ranked No. 43 and allowed only 5.7. 5 starters from the offense and 6 from the defense return. That is the matchup most likely to tilt field position.

Personnel snapshot

• Oregon St: JaMarcus Shephard enters Year 1 as head coach. 10 starters return—5 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Takari Hickle, Jacob Schuster, and Aiden Sullivan. That defense allowed 379.8 yards and 29.4 points per game last season.
• Oregon St quarterback: Braden Atkinson beat out Maalik Murphy to be the Oregon State starter at QB. Atkinson threw 34 TDs and 11 INTs last year at Mercer.
• Houston: Willie Fritz enters Year 3 as head coach. 12 starters return—6 on offense and 6 on defense. Key defenders back include Khalil Laufau, Sione Fotu, and Brandon Mack II. The Cougars defense allowed 347.8 yards and 22.8 points per game last season.
• Houston quarterback: Conner Weigman returns as Houston’s starting quarterback. Houston says he started all 13 games in 2025, threw for 2,705 yards and 25 TD, and ran for 700 yards and 11 more scores. His 36 total TD led the Big 12.

Three quick analysis points

• The schedule twist: Oregon State carries a nine-game road losing streak into JaMarcus Shephard’s debut. Its last road win was a 21-0 shutout at San Diego State in September 2024.
• The quarterback angle: New Beavers quarterback Braden Atkinson won the Jerry Rice Award after throwing for 3,596 yards and 34 touchdowns in 11 games at Mercer. He topped 300 yards eight times; now the degree of difficulty jumps to No. 23 Houston.
• The matchup wrinkle: Oregon State’s leading returning wide receiver caught only 12 passes for 144 yards, while its leading returning tight end had 17 catches for 185. The new quarterback is walking into a pass-catching room that is nearly as new as he is.

How the game is decided

Oregon St needs easy offense: a short field, a quarterback run or a quick pass that breaks a tackle. How will Atkinson hold up against the Houston defense?

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Doyt L. Perry Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): BGSU -2.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

This is the first Bowling Green-Tarleton State meeting and Tarleton’s first game against a MAC team. The Texans arrive ranked No. 5 in the FCS, so this is a first date with upset credentials.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Bowling Green’s rebuilt offense settles in. Bowling Green averaged 20.5 points per game last season and returns 2 offensive starters. Tarleton St allowed 18.6 points per game. Tarleton St does not need to match the home team’s depth; it needs to force a few early punts and keep the number of possessions down.

Personnel snapshot

• Tarleton St: Todd Whitten enters Year 11 as head coach.
• Tarleton St quarterback: Kaden Anderson is the most experienced quarterback on Tarleton St’s roster after transferring from Wyoming. Last season at Wyoming, he threw for 1,849 yards, 10 TD and 6 INT.
• Bowling Green: Eddie George enters Year 2 as head coach. 3 starters return—2 on offense and 1 on defense. That offense averaged 306.8 yards and 20.5 points per game last season.
• Bowling Green quarterback: Austin Novosad is projected to start for Bowling Green. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.

Three quick analysis points

• The scoring trend: Tarleton already beat Prairie View A&M 49-30 while piling up 505 yards. Bowling Green’s opener is against an offense with live reps and 49 points already on the odometer.
• The roster reset: Bowling Green added 55 players this offseason, and 77.4% of its roster arrived in the last two years. More than three of every four Falcons are still relatively new to the nest.
• The quarterback angle: Only one Bowling Green quarterback returns from 2025. The Falcons added Division II efficiency standout Jay Kastantin and Oregon transfer Austin Novosad, turning the opener into a quarterback reveal against a defense that just allowed 331 passing yards.

How the game is decided

Bowling Green’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. Tarleton St must turn every early stop into field position or points; empty possessions will eventually let the home team’s size and depth take over.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
TV: FS1
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): NEB -23.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Ohio and Nebraska have never met, but Frank Solich makes this feel like a reunion anyway. His 173 career wins split almost perfectly between the schools – 58 at Nebraska and 115 at Ohio – and he will receive a Legends Award before joining the coin flip.

What I’m watching

There is no overwhelming statistical mismatch here, which puts more pressure on execution. Ohio averaged 6.2 yards each time it snapped the ball last year; Nebraska allowed 5.9.

Personnel snapshot

• Ohio: John Hauser enters Year 2 as head coach. 6 starters return—1 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Nehemiah Dukes, Charlie Christopher, and Jack Fries. That defense allowed 352.1 yards and 24.4 points per game last season.
• Ohio quarterback: Nick Poulos is projected to start for Ohio. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• Nebraska: Matt Rhule enters Year 4 as head coach. 12 starters return—6 on offense and 6 on defense. Key defenders back include Cameron Lenhardt, Williams Nwaneri, and Vincent Shavers Jr.. That defense allowed 329.5 yards and 27.1 points per game last season.
• Nebraska quarterback: Anthony Colandrea is projected to start for Nebraska. Last season at UNLV, he threw for 3,275 yards, 23 TD and 8 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The roster reset: Nebraska’s roster owns 1,467 college games and 494 starts, and 83 of its 115 players are at least in Year 3. That is 72% of the team past the freshman-sophomore stage – an unusually old group for an opener against a rebuilt Ohio offense.
• The turnover test: Nebraska committed only 11 turnovers last season, the fewest in school history and ninth-fewest in the FBS. For a 23.5-point underdog, Ohio’s fastest route to chaos is stealing possessions from a team that almost never donated them.
• New quarterback, immediate test: Anthony Colandrea transferred from UNLV and is expected to make his first start for Nebraska. Last year he threw for 3,275 yards, 23 TD and 8 INT; 2.1% of his throws were picked off. Ohio returns 5 defensive starters and ranked No. 66 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year. Getting the ball out before obvious passing downs will be central to the game plan.

How the game is decided

Colandrea and the Nebraska offense need to be dynamic, something that didn’t happen with Dylan Raiola and Emmett Johnson in the backfield last year. If that happens, Nebraska doesn’t just win this one running away, it also becomes a darkhorse contender in the Big Ten.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)
TV: FOX
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): IU -40.5
Over/under: 55.5

The setup

Indiana opens its title defense after going 16-0, the first major-college team to reach that record since Yale in 1894.

What I’m watching

Man, if only it were 2025. Last season, North Texas finished No. 3 nationally at 7.6 yards each time it snapped the ball; Indiana was No. 16 at stopping offenses, allowing 5.2.  But 0 starters return for North Texas, and 8 starters are back from a dominant defensive unit for the Hoosiers.

Personnel snapshot

• North Texas: Neal Brown enters Year 1 as head coach. 0 starters return—0 on offense and 0 on defense. The North Texas defense allowed 381.9 yards and 26.5 points per game last season.
• North Texas quarterback: Tayven Jackson is projected to start for North Texas. Last season at UCF, he threw for 2,151 yards, 10 TD and 8 INT.
• Indiana: Curt Cignetti enters Year 3 as head coach. 12 starters return—4 on offense and 8 on defense. Key defenders back include Stephen Daley, Mario Landino, and Tyrique Tucker. That defense allowed 266.0 yards and 11.7 points per game last season.
• Indiana quarterback: Josh Hoover is projected to start for Indiana. Last season at TCU, he threw for 3,472 yards, 29 TD and 13 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The coaching angle: Curt Cignetti is 27-2 at Indiana, the most wins by an FBS coach in his first two seasons at a school. The Hoosiers went from turnaround story to national champion before he collected loss No. 3.
• The history: Indiana is 27-3 in nonconference home openers since 1953 and has won 13 straight since 2001. North Texas’s last win in this series came in Denton in 2011; Bloomington has been a different assignment.
• The quarterback angle: For the third straight season, Indiana will start a first-year Hoosier transfer at quarterback. Josh Hoover follows Heisman winner and No. 1 NFL pick Fernando Mendoza, so the most pressurized handoff in college football is becoming an annual Bloomington routine.

How the game is decided

First down decides it. If North Texas stays on schedule, its quarterback gets the full playbook; if Indiana creates second-and-long, the defense can dictate the next two snaps.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Bridgeforth Stadium
TV: ESPNU
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): JMU -6.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

Billy Napier’s first game at James Madison comes with James Madison as the 6.5-point favorite. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. James Madison won last year’s meeting 31-13.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Liberty can move the ball without living in third-and-long. Last season, the Liberty offense ranked No. 63 nationally at 6.0 yards each time it snapped the ball; James Madison’s defense ranked No. 9 and allowed only 5.0. 6 starters from that offensive unit return. Only 2 starters from that defensive unit return, so the old ranking may not carry cleanly into 2026. That is the matchup most likely to tilt field position.

Personnel snapshot

• Liberty: Jamey Chadwell enters Year 4 as head coach. 10 starters return—6 on offense and 4 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Joep Engbers, Aaron Fenimore, and D.J. Geth. The Flames offense averaged 389.5 yards and 25.6 points per game last season.
• Liberty quarterback: Deshawn Purdie is projected to start for Liberty. Last season at Wake Forest, he threw for 618 yards, 6 TD and 3 INT.
• James Madison: Billy Napier enters Year 1 as head coach. 3 starters return—1 on offense and 2 on defense. A key defender back is Amar Thomas. The JMU defense allowed 266.6 yards and 18.4 points per game last season.
• James Madison quarterback: Either Camden Coleman and JC Evans will start for JMU, but Napier is remaining tight-lipped about it.

How the game is decided

This feels like a coin flip. It’s hard to know what James Madison will look like in 2026 after the change in head coach and so few starters back. And Liberty has 10 starters back and a former Power 4 QB at the helm.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: JMA Wireless Dome
TV: ACC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): SYR -33.5
Over/under: 55.5

The setup

Syracuse is 23-0 against FCS opponents since the major-college split in 1978. New Hampshire is trying to become the first exception in nearly half a century.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Syracuse’s rebuilt offense settles in. Syracuse averaged 20.2 points per game last season and returns 2 offensive starters. New Hampshire allowed 23.2 points per game.

Personnel snapshot

• New Hampshire: Sean Goldrich enters Year 1 as head coach.
• New Hampshire quarterback: Brooks Bentley is New Hampshire’s most experienced returning passer. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• Syracuse: Fran Brown enters Year 3 as head coach. 7 starters return—2 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Antoine Deslauriers, Gary Bryant III, and Demetres Samuel Jr.. The Syracuse defense allowed 427.7 yards and 34.9 points per game last season.
• Syracuse quarterback: Steve Angeli is projected to start for Syracuse. Last season, he threw for 1,317 yards, 10 TD and 2 INT before being hurt about Clemson. Angeli doesn’t mind throwing it deep and testing defenses. He was among the nation’s leaders in 20-plus yard attempts before his injury.

Three quick analysis points

• The location wrinkle: The Orange have won 22 straight Dome games against FCS teams. The venue-specific streak is one game shorter than the entire category streak because Syracuse has been just as automatic indoors.
• The opener trend: Syracuse is 96-34-4 in home openers and has won 10 of the last 12. This first-ever meeting begins in one of the program’s most comfortable calendar slots.
• A first real test at quarterback: Brooks Bentley is New Hampshire’s most experienced returning passer. \Syracuse returns 5 defensive starters and ranked only No. 109 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Brooks Bentley a chance to settle in. New Hampshire returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

Syracuse’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. New Hampshire must turn every early stop into field position or points if it hopes to hang around.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium
TV: TV TBD
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): CONN -19.5
Over/under: 58.5

The setup

Jason Candle’s first game at UConn comes with UConn as the 19.5-point favorite. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. Lafayette has lost 7 straight season openers.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly UConn’s rebuilt offense settles in. UConn averaged 35.3 points per game last season and returns just one offensive starter. Lafayette allowed 28.8 points per game. Lafayette does not need to match the home team’s depth; it needs to force a few early punts and keep the number of possessions down.

Personnel snapshot

• Lafayette: John Troxell enters Year 5 as head coach.
• Lafayette quarterback: Jason Penza is Lafayette’s most experienced returning passer. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• UConn: Jason Candle enters Year 1 as head coach. 1 starter returns—1 on offense and 0 on defense. A key offensive lineman back is Ty Chan. That offense averaged 445.2 yards and 35.3 points per game last season.
• UConn quarterback: Jake Merklinger is projected to start for UConn. Last season at Tennessee, he threw for 173 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

UConn’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. Lafayette must turn every early stop into field position or points; empty possessions will eventually let the home team’s size and depth take over.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: ABC
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ALA -28.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

Alabama is expected to win comfortably as a 28.5-point favorite. Alabama has not lost to a team outside today’s power-conference tier since 2007 when it fell to Louisiana Monroe in Nick Saban’s first year at the helm.

What I’m watching

All eyes will be on Crimson Tide QB Keelon Russell as he makes his first start, but Alabama fans should pay close attention to the run game, which must be better than last season. Alabama was one of the worst teams in the nation at running the ball last year, ranking well outside the top 100 in FBS.

Personnel snapshot

• East Carolina: Blake Harrell enters Year 3 as head coach. 3 starters return—1 on offense and 2 on defense. Key defenders back include Jasiyah Robinson and DJ Johnson Jr.. The ECU defense allowed 351.0 yards and 20.2 points per game last season.
• East Carolina quarterback: Mitch Griffis is projected to start for East Carolina. Last season at Texas Tech, he threw for 357 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.
• Alabama: Kalen DeBoer enters Year 3 as head coach. 7 starters return—3 on offense and 4 on defense. Key defenders back include Yhonzae Pierre, Zabien Brown, and Bray Hubbard. The Alabama defense allowed 296.8 yards and 19.2 points per game last season.
• Alabama quarterback: Alabama has named Russell its starter. Last season, he threw for 143 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

Alabama should win on what is expected to be a hot day in Tuscaloosa. But keep an eye on Ryan Williams-Coleman, who hopes his 2026 season is more like his 2024 freshman year than his 2025 sophomore season.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Michie Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ARMY -36.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Army is expected to win comfortably as a 36.5-point favorite, but this will be an early test before the Black Knight see South Florida next week.

What I’m watching

The early question is whether Army’s rebuilt defense lets Bryant hang around. Bryant averaged 22.7 points per game last season. Army allowed 22.1 points per game and returns 3 defensive starters.  Army’s triple option offense can drain the clock, so a few turnovers can keep a game close that should not be.

Personnel snapshot

• Bryant: Chris Merritt enters Year 8 as head coach.
• Bryant quarterback: Brennan Myer is Bryant’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 1,193 yards, 7 TD and 7 INT.
• Army: Jeff Monken enters Year 13 as head coach. 11 starters return—8 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Henry Appleton and Paolo Gennarelli. That offense averaged 335.8 yards and 24.0 points per game last season.
• Army quarterback: Cale Hellums returns as Army’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 504 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The easiest path for Army’s offense: Army allowed a disruptive play on 6.5% of its snaps, No. 1 nationally. Bryant allowed 30.7 points per game at the FCS level last season. That is the part of the offense Army can use to establish control before depth becomes the larger advantage. The same head coach and OC return with 8 starters from that offensive unit, making the strength more likely to carry into 2026.
• The underdog’s opening against Army: Army’s defense created a disruptive play on 8.9% of snaps, No. 130 nationally. Bryant scored 22.7 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the one area Bryant should test immediately. One successful early drive could turn a depth mismatch into a pressure game for a quarter or two. Army changed its defensive leadership and returns 3 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• Ball security under pressure: Brennan Myer is Bryant’s most experienced returning passer. Last year he threw for 1,193 yards, 7 TD and 7 INT; 3.9% of his throws were picked off. Army returns 3 defensive starters and ranked only No. 130 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Brennan Myer a chance to settle in. Bryant returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

Bryant has to test the rebuilt defense immediately and make its first good drive count. Army should be fine if it tackles cleanly and avoids short fields, but early mistakes are how a heavy favorite gives an underdog belief.

Prediction

I make my final predictions on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook at @uthinkuknowsports.

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