Category: College Football Game Previews

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USA -12.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

South Alabama leads this tiny series 1-0 and is 10-7 in season openers. Southeastern Louisiana already has a game; the Jaguars own the history while the Lions own the live reps.

What I’m watching

SE Louisiana lost 34-28 to Houston Christian in Week 0, with Kyle Lowe completing 17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The urgent issue is ball security after SE Louisiana gave it away 3 times. That has to improve before any comparison with South Alabama matters.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: SE Louisiana’s Frank Scelfo is in Year 9; South Alabama’s Major Applewhite is in Year 3. South Alabama returns 5 starters—2 on offense and 3 on defense.
• The protection problem: South Alabama brings back one starting offensive lineman, led by Ethan Hubbard. SE Louisiana produced 38 sacks last season. Protection is the personnel battle most likely to change the game.
• The pressure test: Kyle Lowe led SE Louisiana’s passing in Week 0 (17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Bishop Davenport returns as South Alabama’s starter (2,073 yards, 12 TD and 6 INT in 2025). The tougher first assignment belongs to Bishop Davenport: SE Louisiana produced 38 sacks last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The running-game test: South Alabama returns three backs from a rushing attack that averaged 199.8 yards, 18th nationally. The offense may be rebuilding, but its most repeatable shortcut stayed on campus.
• The roster reset: The Jaguars have won three of their last four home openers. That is not an ancient dynasty stat; it is a current habit this roster has personally seen.
• The quarterback follow-up: Kyle Lowe handled 27 pass attempts for SE Louisiana in Week 0. He completed 17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. South Alabama returns 3 defensive starters and ranked No. 98 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year.

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: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): Middle Tennessee -20.5
Over/under: 59.5

The setup

Middle Tennessee and Murray State have played 71 times, with MTSU leading 38-30-3. This is not a buy-game stranger; it is a dormant rivalry with more meetings than many conference series.

What I’m watching

Murray St lost 28-14 to Eastern Illinois in Week 0, with Collin Shannon completing 26 of 40 for 257 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. Murray St could not establish the run, finishing with 63 rushing yards. MTSU allowed 143.1 rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes this a more meaningful follow-up test.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Murray St’s Jody Wright is in Year 3; MTSU’s Derek Mason is in Year 3. MTSU returns 4 starters—1 on offense and 3 on defense.
• The favorite’s run-game test: MTSU averaged only 105.5 rushing yards per game last season. Against Murray St, winning is expected; showing a more dependable run game would be the more useful result. The offense brings back 1 starter.
• The quarterback matchup: Collin Shannon led Murray St’s passing in Week 0 (26 of 40 for 257 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT); Roman Gagliano is the projected starter for MTSU (1,011 yards, 7 TD and 0 INT in 2025). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• The scoring trend: Middle Tennessee has scored in 162 straight home games. The last team to shut the Blue Raiders out in Murfreesboro was Murray State on Sept. 23, 1995, so this opener arrives with a 31-year callback built in.
• The turnover test: MTSU is 56-16 when it wins the turnover battle since the middle of 2012 and 14-6 over the last three seasons. Murray State threw two interceptions in Week 0, making ball security the underdog’s first price of admission.
• The recent trend: Roman Gagliano has topped 200 passing yards in all three career starts; MTSU went 2-1 while he produced 1,093 total yards, eight touchdowns and only one turnover. The new full-time starter already has more than a cameo’s worth of proof.

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: Rice Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): RICE -22.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Rice is favored by 22.5. Hou Christian already has a full 2026 game on film, creating an advantage in live reps but also giving the opponent real tape to study. Rice’s most recent win over a current power-conference program came in 2023 when it beat Houston.

What I’m watching

Houston Christian beat SE Louisiana 34-28 in Week 0, with Cutter Stewart completing 10 of 18 for 173 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 361 yards—200 passing and 161 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Hou Christian’s Jason Bachtel is in Year 3; Rice’s Scott Abell is in Year 2. Rice returns 5 starters—3 on offense and 2 on defense.
• Can the defense dominate: Rice allowed 32.9 points per game last season. The standard against Houston Christian should be higher than simply winning: the defense needs to control the game without help from the offense. That unit returns 2 starters.
• One familiar option, one unknown: Cutter Stewart led Hou Christian’s passing in Week 0 (10 of 18 for 173 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Jacurri Brown is the projected starter for Rice (no meaningful 2025 passing sample).

Three quick analysis points

• Hou Christian is already 1-0: Hou Christian beat SE Louisiana 34-28 in its 2026 opener. Jamaal Hall II caught 2 passes for 71 yards and 1 TD.
• A low-risk test for Rice’s passing game: Rice averaged 5.35 yards per pass play, No. 131 nationally. Hou Christian allowed 30.3 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the right opener for Rice to show that weakness has been repaired; if it still cannot create easy offense, the concern carries into FBS play. Rice kept the same head coach and OC, with 3 offensive starters returning.
• The underdog’s opening against Rice: Rice’s defense allowed 7.74 yards per pass play, No. 114 nationally. Hou Christian scored 17.3 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the one area Hou Christian should test immediately. One successful early drive could turn a depth mismatch into a pressure game for a quarter or two. Rice kept the same head coach and DC, with 2 defensive starters returning.

How the game is decided

Hou Christian owns the advantage of live game reps, but Rice 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: Maverik Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USU -12.5
Over/under: 63.5

The setup

Utah State is 19-2 against Idaho State, 16-1 at home and has won six straight in the series. The last meeting ended 78-28 – a 50-point memory the Bengals are carrying back to Logan.

What I’m watching

Idaho St beat VMI 38-10 in Week 0, with Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin combining to complete 23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT. Idaho St put 366 passing yards on film. Utah State allowed 258.8 passing yards per game last season, so the same approach gets a different test here.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Idaho St’s Cody Hawkins is in Year 4; Utah State’s Bronco Mendenhall is in Year 2. Utah State returns 9 starters—4 on offense and 5 on defense.
• Where points should be available: Idaho St averaged 36.0 points per game last season; Utah State allowed 37.3. That gives the underdog a believable path: score early enough to make the favorite play with pressure.
• The quarterback matchup: Idaho St used Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin at quarterback in Week 0 (23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT); Utah State has officially named McCae Hillstead the starter (no meaningful 2025 passing sample). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Idaho State already beat VMI 38-10, while Utah State is opening fresh. The Bengals bring game speed; the Aggies bring rest and a 16-game nonconference home-opener winning streak.
• The roster reset: Utah State returns only nine starters and 23 letterwinners while welcoming 67 newcomers. Its 35 four-year transfers bring 273 starts, so the roster is unfamiliar but not inexperienced.
• The quarterback follow-up: Idaho St used Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin at quarterback in Week 0. They combined to complete 23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT. Utah State returns 5 defensive starters and ranked No. 41 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.

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: 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.