Category: College Football Game Previews

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 2:30 PM CT
Location: Alamodome
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UTSA -28.5
Over/under: 59.5

The setup

UTRGV did not merely win Week 0; it won 44-0, gained 675 yards and allowed 165. The 28.5-point underdog arrives with a 510-yard advantage already on 2026 tape.

What I’m watching

UT Rio Grande beat UT Permian Basin 44-0 in Week 0, with Garret Rangel and Aidan Jakobsohn combining to complete 22 of 31 for 391 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. UT Rio Grande already established the run, finishing with 277 rushing yards. UTSA allowed 149.6 rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes this a more meaningful follow-up test.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: UT Rio Grande’s Travis Bush is in Year 2; UTSA’s Jeff Traylor is in Year 7. UTSA returns 8 starters—6 on offense and 2 on defense.
• Where points should be available: UT Rio Grande averaged 39.4 points per game last season; UTSA allowed 31.3. That gives the underdog a believable path: score early enough to make the favorite play with pressure.
• The quarterback matchup: UT Rio Grande used Garret Rangel and Aidan Jakobsohn at quarterback in Week 0 (22 of 31 for 391 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT); Owen McCown returns as UTSA’s starter (2,700 yards, 27 TD and 7 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

• UT Rio Grande already cleared 500 yards: UT Rio Grande gained 681 yards in Week 0—404 passing and 277 rushing. That is a much more useful early clue than a preseason projection.
• The running-game test: UTRGV’s first game was balanced chaos: 404 passing yards and 271 rushing, with two 100-yard receivers. UTSA cannot solve the Vaqueros by taking away one player or one phase.
• The turnover test: Garret Rangel and Aidan Jakobsohn combined to complete 22 of 31 passes for 391 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Can they avoid the big mistakes against a FBS team that some believe could challenge for the Group of 6 College Football Playoff spot?

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: Jerry Richardson Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): CLT -17.5
Over/under: 46.5

The setup

Charlotte is favored by 17.5. The Citadel already has a full 2026 game on film, creating an advantage in live reps but also giving the opponent real tape to study. Charlotte’s most recent win over a current power-conference program came in 2021 when it beat Duke.

What I’m watching

The Citadel lost 42-14 to Wofford in Week 0, with Quentin Hayes completing 12 of 20 for 88 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. The urgent issue is ball security after The Citadel gave it away 3 times. That has to improve before any comparison with Charlotte matters.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: The Citadel’s Maurice Drayton is in Year 4; Charlotte’s Tim Albin is in Year 2. Charlotte returns 7 starters—3 on offense and 4 on defense.
• The favorite’s run-game test: Charlotte averaged only 81.8 rushing yards per game last season. Against The Citadel, winning is expected; showing a more dependable run game would be the more useful result. The offense brings back 3 starters.
• The quarterback matchup: Quentin Hayes led The Citadel’s passing in Week 0 (12 of 20 for 88 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT); Conner Harrell is the projected starter for Charlotte (737 yards, 4 TD and 2 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

• A low-risk test for Charlotte’s run game: Charlotte averaged 3.36 yards per rush play, No. 136 nationally. The Citadel allowed 26.7 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the right opener for Charlotte to show that weakness has been repaired; if it still cannot create easy offense, the concern carries into FBS play. Charlotte kept the same head coach and OC, with 3 offensive starters returning.
• The underdog’s opening against Charlotte: Charlotte’s defense created a disruptive play on 10.0% of snaps, No. 121 nationally. The Citadel scored 20.5 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the one area The Citadel should test immediately. One successful early drive could turn a depth mismatch into a pressure game for a quarter or two. Charlotte changed its defensive leadership and returns 4 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• The quarterback follow-up: Quentin Hayes handled 20 pass attempts for The Citadel in Week 0. He completed 12 of 20 for 88 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. Charlotte returns 4 defensive starters and ranked only No. 121 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Quentin Hayes a chance to settle in. 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 2:30 PM CT
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): NAVY -30.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

Navy and Towson have met once: a 41-13 Navy win in 2008. Shun White ran for a school-record 348 yards on only 19 carries, and the Mids finished with 558 – the sequel has a ridiculous rushing benchmark.

What I’m watching

Towson lost 21-18 to Maine in Week 0, with Andrew Indorf completing 15 of 21 for 267 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 379 yards—267 passing and 112 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Towson’s Pete Shinnick is in Year 4; Navy’s Brian Newberry is in Year 4. Navy returns 11 starters—5 on offense and 6 on defense.
• How quickly does the favorite take over: Navy averaged 31.9 points per game last season. Against Towson, the personnel test is whether that advantage shows up immediately or the favorite lets a heavy underdog hang around. The offense returns 5 starters.
• The quarterback matchup: Andrew Indorf led Towson’s passing in Week 0 (15 of 21 for 267 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Navy lists Braxton Woodson first on the Week 1 depth chart (25 career games and three starts; 760 rushing yards and 10 TD plus 516 passing yards and three TD). 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 recent trend: Navy is 21-5 over the last two seasons, the eighth-best winning percentage in the FBS and best outside the power conferences. This is not merely a quirky option team anymore; it has been one of the country’s most reliable winners.
• The roster reset: The twist is experience: Navy ranks 134th of 138 FBS teams in career snaps played. The recent results are veteran-level, while the 2026 roster is almost freshman-orientation young.
• The quarterback follow-up: Andrew Indorf handled 21 pass attempts for Towson in Week 0. He completed 15 of 21 for 267 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. Navy returns 6 defensive starters and ranked only No. 123 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Andrew Indorf a chance to settle in.

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: Neyland Stadium
TV: SECN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): TENN -46.5
Over/under: 66.5

The setup

Tennessee and Furman have not played since 1942, an 84-year gap. The Vols won both old meetings, when the SEC itself was less than a decade old.

What I’m watching

Furman beat Anderson (SC) 20-3 in Week 0, with Jake Garcia completing 15 of 28 for 183 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. Furman already established the run, finishing with 268 rushing yards. Tennessee allowed 152.4 rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes this a more meaningful follow-up test.

Personnel snapshot

• A veteran FBS core: Furman’s Clay Hendrix is in Year 10; Tennessee’s Josh Heupel is in Year 6. Tennessee returns 13 starters—8 on offense and 5 on defense.
• Where points should be available: Tennessee averaged 39.8 points per game last season; Furman allowed 31.0. If those identities survive the roster changes, this is where the favorite should create separation.
• The pressure test: Jake Garcia led Furman’s passing in Week 0 (15 of 28 for 183 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT); Tennessee’s competition remains open, with George MacIntyre the lead candidate (no meaningful 2025 passing sample). The tougher first assignment belongs to Jake Garcia: Tennessee produced 37 sacks last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Josh Heupel is 8-0 in season openers with a 427-96 scoring margin. His five Tennessee openers are 260-58, and every one played at Neyland was won by at least 30.
• The location wrinkle: Neyland Stadium has sold out 28 straight games. Furman’s first trip into this series since World War II comes with more than 100,000 people and no empty-seat relief.
• The quarterback follow-up: Jake Garcia handled 28 pass attempts for Furman in Week 0. He completed 15 of 28 for 183 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. Tennessee returns 5 defensive starters and ranked No. 13 in FBS sacks per game (2.85), finishing with 37. Week 0 identified who handled the passing game; this matchup is the first chance to see which parts of that performance carry over against a SEC defense.

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: Kidd Brewer Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): APP -18.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

App State is favored by 18.5, but that is still close enough for an uneven opener to become a fourth-quarter game.

What I’m watching

Maine beat Towson 21-18 in Week 0, with Eddie Buehler completing 17 of 27 for 199 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 329 yards—199 passing and 130 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Maine’s Jordan Stevens is in Year 5; App State’s Dowell Loggains is in Year 2. App State returns 4 starters—2 on offense and 2 on defense.
• The favorite’s run-game test: App State averaged only 127.6 rushing yards per game last season. Against Maine, winning is expected; showing a more dependable run game would be the more useful result. The offense brings back 2 starters.
• Familiarity versus a new offense: Eddie Buehler led Maine’s passing in Week 0 (17 of 27 for 199 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT); Malachi Singleton is the projected starter for App State (439 yards, 5 TD and 2 INT at Purdue in 2025).

Three quick analysis points

• Maine is already 1-0: Maine beat Towson 21-18 in its 2026 opener. Rashawn Marshall ran 13 times for 81 yards and 1 TD. The offense did not turn the ball over.
• The easiest path for App State’s offense: App State averaged 6.04 yards per pass play, No. 103 nationally. Maine allowed 24.1 points per game at the FCS level last season. That is the part of the offense App State can use to establish control before depth becomes the larger advantage. App State changed its offensive leadership and returns 2 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• What Maine must solve: App State’s defense allowed 7.03 yards per pass play, No. 84 nationally. Maine scored 24.2 points per game at the FCS level last season. Maine needs to find one repeatable way to move the ball; isolated big plays will not be enough if most possessions end quickly. App State kept the same head coach and DC, with 2 defensive starters returning.

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: Fargodome
TV: MW+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): NDSU -39.5
Over/under: 57.5

The setup

This is the first NDSU-Fordham meeting, but the Bison are already 3-0 against Patriot League teams. Fordham is not testing a new conference blind spot; it is the fourth try at a matchup NDSU has never lost.

What I’m watching

Both teams have current film now. Fordham lost 24-14 to Colgate in Week 0, with Gunnar Smith completing 13 of 27 for 116 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. N Dakota St beat Jacksonville State 33-7 in Week 0, with Nathan Hayes completing 14 of 22 for 160 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The clearest early pressure point is Fordham’s offense after it produced 189 yards; this game will show whether that Week 0 result was opponent-driven or a real warning.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Fordham’s Joe Conlin is in Year 9; N Dakota St’s Tim Polasek is in Year 3. N Dakota St returns 8 starters—3 on offense and 5 on defense.
• Where points should be available: N Dakota St averaged 40.8 points per game last season; Fordham allowed 33.6. If those identities survive the roster changes, this is where the favorite should create separation.
• The pressure test: Gunnar Smith led Fordham’s passing in Week 0 (13 of 27 for 116 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT); Nathan Hayes led N Dakota St’s passing in Week 0 (14 of 22 for 160 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT). The tougher first assignment belongs to Gunnar Smith: N Dakota St produced 31 sacks last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The schedule twist: NDSU is 78-1 at home against FCS nonconference teams and 206-30 overall in the Fargodome since 1993. Fordham arrives on a 16-game road losing streak, so the venue trends point in opposite directions with almost comic force.
• The running-game test: Opening-week rushing numbers form a clean mismatch: NDSU gained 209 yards while Fordham allowed 275; Fordham gained 73 while NDSU allowed 85. Both sides of the ground-game ledger favor the Bison.
• The quarterback follow-up: Gunnar Smith handled 27 pass attempts for Fordham in Week 0. He completed 13 of 27 for 116 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. N Dakota St finished last season with 31 sacks. 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 6:30 PM CT
Location: Davis Wade Stadium
TV: ESPNU
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): MSST -28.5
Over/under: 56.5

The setup

Mississippi State leads ULM 4-1-1, but the one Warhawks win came in Starkville in 1995. The upset has already happened in this exact building – it is just 31 years old.

Personnel snapshot

• UL Monroe: Bryant Vincent enters Year 3 as head coach. 4 starters return—3 on offense and 1 on defense. UL Monroe’s offense averaged 323.5 yards and 16.6 points per game last season.
• UL Monroe quarterback: Aidan Armenta returns as UL Monroe’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 1,629 yards, 12 TD and 8 INT.
• Mississippi State: Jeff Lebby enters Year 3 as head coach. 8 starters return—2 on offense and 6 on defense. Key defenders back include Kalvin Dinkins, Zakari Tillman, and Kelley Jones. Mississippi State’s defense allowed 409.3 yards and 30.2 points per game last season.
• Mississippi State quarterback: Kamario Taylor is projected to start for Mississippi State. Last season, he threw for 388 yards, 4 TD and 1 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The roster reset: Mississippi State added 61 new players: 25 four-year transfers, six junior-college transfers and 30 freshmen.
• The matchup wrinkle: The Bulldogs will wear the interlocking MSU helmet mark for the first time since 2003. The visual throwback arrives with one of the least familiar rosters in the country.
• The quarterback angle: ULM quarterback Aidan Armenta completed 65.0% with 11 touchdowns from a clean pocket, but 25.5% with three picks under pressure. Mississippi State ranked only 134th in pass rush grade, making pressure the upgrade that can flip the entire quarterback profile.

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: Michigan Stadium
TV: NBC
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): MICH -27.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Michigan is 8-0 against Western Michigan and 37-1 against the MAC. The Broncos are trying to create both the first series loss and the second conference loss with one result.

Personnel snapshot

• Western Michigan: Lance Taylor enters Year 4 as head coach. 11 starters return—7 on offense and 4 on defense. Western Michigan’s offense averaged 342.7 yards and 24.9 points per game last season.
• Western Michigan quarterback: Broc Lowry returns as Western Michigan’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 1,683 yards, 7 TD and 2 INT.
• Michigan: Kyle Whittingham enters Year 1 as head coach. 10 starters return—7 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Blake Frazier, Jake Guarnera, and Evan Link. Michigan’s offense averaged 396.9 yards and 27.5 points per game last season.
• Michigan quarterback: Bryce Underwood returns as Michigan’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,454 yards, 11 TD and 9 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The recent trend: Kyle Whittingham was 17-4 in openers at Utah, including 14-1 at home. His first Michigan game is new to Ann Arbor but lands in the calendar slot he mastered for two decades.
• The opener trend: Michigan is 11-1 in night games since 2023. Western Michigan won 10 games last year, so the favorite’s night streak is opening against a champion-sized résumé, not a generic MAC visitor.
• Pressure changed everything for Bryce Underwood: Bryce Underwood completed 43.4% of his passes under pressure last season at 5.6 yards per attempt, with 2 TD and 3 INT (3.9% of throws). From a clean pocket: 65.3%, 7.7 yards per attempt, 9 TD and 6 INT (2.3%). W Michigan’s pass rush ranked No. 11 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 6:45 PM CT
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: SEC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): FLA -27.5
Over/under: 59.5

The setup

Florida is 4-0 against FAU, but the 2015 meeting needed overtime. The series is perfect without every chapter being comfortable.

What I’m watching

There is no overwhelming statistical mismatch here, which puts more pressure on execution. FAU averaged 6.0 yards each time it snapped the ball last year; Florida allowed 6.1. 5 starters from the offense and 5 from the defense return. The first team forced into obvious passing downs loses much of its margin for error.

Personnel snapshot

• FAU: Zach Kittley enters Year 2 as head coach. 11 starters return—5 on offense and 6 on defense. Key defenders back include Deshaun Batiste, CJ Doggette Jr., and Leon Hart Jr.. FAU’s defense allowed 436.5 yards and 36.3 points per game last season.
• FAU quarterback: Caden Veltkamp returns as FAU’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 3,433 yards, 19 TD and 17 INT.
• Florida: Jon Sumrall enters Year 1 as head coach. 9 starters return—4 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Jamari Lyons, Myles Graham, and Jaden Robinson. Florida’s defense allowed 376.8 yards and 26.7 points per game last season.
• Florida quarterback: Aaron Philo will be the starter for the Gators.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Florida’s last eight head coaches won their debuts; the last first-game loss was in 1979. Jon Sumrall is inheriting a 47-year opening-night streak before coaching one snap in orange and blue.
• The coaching angle: Sumrall is the only FBS coach to reach a conference title game in each of his first four seasons, and the first to win league titles at multiple schools that quickly. Florida hired a builder whose career has skipped the waiting period.
• The quarterback angle: Caden Veltkamp returns after leading the nation’s No. 1 passing offense at 340.2 yards per game and ranking first with 28.75 completions per game. Florida’s new staff opens against a quarterback who already ran college football’s busiest air attack.

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 9:30 PM CT
Location: Mackay Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): WKU -2.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

Nevada led 13-10 after three quarters last season. WKU then won the fourth quarter 21-3 and the game 31-16, turning a three-point Nevada edge into a 15-point loss in only 15 minutes.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Nevada can move the ball without living in third-and-long. Nevada’s offense ranked No. 116 nationally at 5.3 yards each time it snapped the ball; Western KY’s defense ranked No. 65 and allowed only 6.0. 4 starters from that offensive unit return. Only 3 starters from that defensive unit return.

Personnel snapshot

• Western Kentucky: Tyson Helton enters Year 8 as head coach. 6 starters return—3 on offense and 3 on defense. Western Kentucky’s defense allowed 400.8 yards and 22.8 points per game last season.
• Western Kentucky quarterback: Rodney Tisdale Jr. returns as Western Kentucky’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 1,367 yards, 9 TD and 6 INT.
• Nevada: Jeff Choate enters Year 3 as head coach. 6 starters return—4 on offense and 2 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Zach Cochnauer, Jack Foster, and Snoop Leota-Amaama. Nevada’s offense averaged 302.2 yards and 17.6 points per game last season.
• Nevada quarterback: Carter Jones returns as Nevada’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 1,019 yards, 6 TD and 8 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The roster reset: WKU arrives with 65 players who were not on last year’s roster: 41 transfers and 24 true freshmen. Only 24 letterwinners and seven starters return, so the road opener doubles as a very large group introduction.
• The schedule twist: WKU opens with three road games in 15 days – Nevada, No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Indiana – without a bye. It is the only FBS team playing three straight road games without a break, making Reno the only unranked stop before a top-six doubleheader.
• The turnover test: Nevada edge Dylan LaBarbera led the Mountain West with 17 tackles for loss, eighth-most nationally. WKU quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. threw seven interceptions in 212 attempts last season – roughly one every 30 throws – so LaBarbera’s negative plays could turn ordinary downs into Nevada’s best takeaway chances.

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.