Category: College Football

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): MEM -9.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

This is meeting No. 63 in Arkansas State’s most-played series. Memphis leads 33-24-5, has won five straight and took the last one 37-3, so the Red Wolves are trying to revive a rivalry that recently became one-sided.

Personnel snapshot

• Arkansas State: Butch Jones enters Year 6 as head coach. 10 starters return—7 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Mason Myers, Wil Saxton, and Tristian Smith. Arkansas State’s offense averaged 382.7 yards and 25.2 points per game last season.
• Arkansas State quarterback: Trey Owens is projected to start for Arkansas State. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• Memphis: Charles Huff continues Year 1 as head coach. 1 starter returns—1 on offense and 0 on defense. A key offensive lineman back is Parker Mitchell. Memphis’ offense averaged 411.6 yards and 32.5 points per game last season.
• Memphis quarterback: Marcus Stokes started Memphis’ Week 0 win over UNLV and completed 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Three quick analysis points

• The schedule twist: Arkansas State is opening on the road for the 22nd time as an FBS program, and its only road-opening win was 18-14 at Texas A&M in 2008. Memphis is daring the Red Wolves to repeat a trick they have pulled once in 21 tries.
• The opener trend: Memphis has won 12 straight home openers and owns 67 home wins since 2014, tied for fifth nationally. Arkansas State’s road-opener history meets one of the country’s most reliable home calendars.
• A first real test at quarterback: Memphis has named Marcus Stokes the starter. He completed 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in the Week 0 win over UNLV. Arkansas St returns 3 defensive starters and ranked No. 6 in FBS sacks per game (3.00), finishing with 39. Memphis returns only one starting offensive lineman, raising the degree of difficulty.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: FirstBank Stadium
TV: SECN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): VAN -30.5
Over/under: 61.5

The setup

Vanderbilt has won both meetings with Austin Peay by a combined 85-10. The Governors are trying to turn a series that has averaged 42.5-5 into an actual fourth-quarter game.

What I’m watching

The question is how long Austin Peay can keep this from becoming a depth game. Vanderbilt averaged 38.5 points per game last season and returns 5 offensive starters. Austin Peay allowed 27.3 points per game. A couple of first-half stops would matter much more than matching Vanderbilt play for play.

Personnel snapshot

• Austin Peay: Jeff Faris enters Year 3 as head coach.
• Austin Peay quarterback: Chris Parson is Austin Peay’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 3,003 yards, 23 TD and 5 INT.
• Vanderbilt: Clark Lea enters Year 6 as head coach. 10 starters return—5 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Glenn Seabrooks III, Miles Capers, and Bryan Longwell. That defense allowed 357.5 yards and 22.8 points per game last season.
• Vanderbilt quarterback: Vanderbilt lists Blaze Berlowitz first on its official Week 1 depth chart. Last season, he threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He gets the fun job of replacing Vanderbilt legend Diego Pavia.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Vanderbilt’s 10 wins and six SEC wins in 2025 were both program firsts. Austin Peay is opening against a team whose new standard is literally unprecedented in school history.
• The location wrinkle: The Commodores have won seven straight at FirstBank Stadium and four straight home openers. Austin Peay’s upset route has to break two Vanderbilt streaks on the same night.
• The quarterback angle: Austin Peay already owns a 35-17 Week 0 win, with Chris Parson throwing for 308 yards and adding 31 on the ground. Vanderbilt is making its debut against a quarterback who has already produced 339 yards in a real 2026 game.

How the game is decided

There’s a reason Vanderbilt is such huge favorites, but lets see how they ease into their new offensive era with a do-it-all QB like Pavia running the show.

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: AmFirst Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): JXST -19.5
Over/under: 54.5

The setup

Both teams are 0-1, but their Week 0 problems were opposites: Eastern Kentucky gained 508 yards and allowed 45 points, while Jacksonville State allowed 373 but produced only 170. One needs stops; the other needs offense.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Jax State’s rebuilt offense settles in. Jax State averaged 28.1 points per game last season and returns 3 offensive starters. E Kentucky allowed 24.3 points per game. E Kentucky 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

• Eastern Kentucky: Walt Wells enters Year 7 as head coach.
• Eastern Kentucky quarterback: Tyler Travers made his first collegiate start in Week 0 and completed 22 of 34 passes for 305 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
• Jacksonville State: Charles Kelly enters Year 2 as head coach. 8 starters return—3 on offense and 5 on defense. The Gamecocks defense allowed 378.8 yards and 27.6 points per game last season.
• Jacksonville State quarterback: Caden Creel returns as Jacksonville State’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 1,341 yards, 8 TD and 4 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The turnover test: Jacksonville State has forced a takeaway in 18 straight games, the longest active FBS streak. Eastern Kentucky lost two turnovers in its opener, so the Gamecocks’ most dependable habit is aimed directly at the Colonels’ first-game leak.
• The quarterback angle: Eastern Kentucky’s Tyler Travers threw for 305 yards, three touchdowns and 9.0 yards per attempt in his first start; Jacksonville State managed 85 passing yards, no touchdowns and 3.7 per attempt. The quarterback tape enters this game 220 yards apart.
• The recent trend: North Dakota State outrushed Jacksonville State 209-85 and held the ball 12:14 longer, while Eastern Kentucky ran for only 65 yards in its opener. Whichever team repairs the ground game first can keep the other’s best passer watching from the sideline.

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 9:00 PM CT
Location: University Stadium (NM)
TV: FS1
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UNM -10.5
Over/under: 46.5

The setup

Central Michigan and New Mexico have never played, but their second-year coaches both reached bowls in their first FBS seasons and combined to go 16-10. This is a first meeting between two rebuilds that arrived ahead of schedule.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether C Michigan can move the ball without living in third-and-long. Last year, their offense ranked No. 95 nationally at 5.5 yards each time it snapped the ball; New Mexico’s defense ranked No. 49 and allowed only 5.8. 6 starters from the offense and 6 from the defense return.

Personnel snapshot

• Central Michigan: Matt Drinkall enters Year 2 as head coach. 8 starters return—6 on offense and 2 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Martin Koivisto, Matthew Nehf, and Jacob Russell. That offense averaged 330.5 yards and 22.5 points per game last season.
• Central Michigan quarterback: Central Michigan named Angel Flores its starter in its official Week 1 notes. Last season, he rushed for 527 yards and eight touchdowns while throwing for 195 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
• New Mexico: Jason Eck enters Year 2 as head coach. 14 starters return—8 on offense and 6 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Malik Aliane, Tyler Lawrence, and Kaden Robnett. The Lobos offense averaged 356.8 yards and 27.1 points per game last season.
• New Mexico quarterback: New Mexico’s official Week 1 depth chart lists James Laubstein, Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae with an OR designation; it does not name one starter.

Three quick analysis points

• The quarterback angle: New Mexico will start a different opening-day quarterback for the 12th straight season, the longest active streak in the FBS, after last year’s starter needed season-ending elbow surgery. The official depth chart still lists James Laubstein, Luke Moga and Toa Fa’avae as an OR, so Central Michigan is preparing for three different styles instead of one known passer.
• The scoring trend: Central Michigan named Angel Flores its starter after he rushed for 527 yards and eight touchdowns but threw only 28 passes last season. His first Chippewas start turns the quarterback position into another running-back spot against the nation’s most improved 2025 run defense.
• The running-game test: Central Michigan ran on 68.1% of its plays and went 5-1 when it reached 150 rushing yards; New Mexico cut its run allowance from 212.92 to 112.77 yards per game, a 100.15-yard improvement that led the FBS. The Chippewas’ identity runs directly into the Lobos’ biggest transformation.

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 2:00 PM CT
Location: Sanford Stadium
TV: SECN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UGA -46.5
Over/under: 56.5

The setup

Georgia and Tennessee State have never met. The Bulldogs enter the blind date with 15 returning starters and only nine scholarship transfers, the fewest in the SEC. Obviously, Georgia as huge favorites, hopes to get plenty of guys on the field in this one as they prepare for a long SEC season.

What I’m watching

The question is how long Tennessee St can keep this from becoming a depth game. Georgia averaged 32.1 points per game last season and returns 6 offensive starters. Tennessee St allowed 26.6 points per game. A couple of first-half stops would matter much more than matching Georgia play for play.

Personnel snapshot

• Tennessee St: Reggie Barlow enters Year 2 as head coach.
• Tennessee St quarterback: Byron McNair is Tennessee St’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 1,558 yards, 9 TD and 6 INT.
• Georgia: Kirby Smart enters Year 11 as head coach. 14 starters return—6 on offense and 8 on defense. Key defenders back include Jordan Hall, Xzavier McLeod, and Quintavius Johnson. That defense allowed 298.0 yards and 17.4 points per game last season.
• Georgia quarterback: Gunner Stockton returns as Georgia’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,658 yards, 24 TD and 5 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The running-game test: Georgia allowed only 81.5 rushing yards per game, fourth nationally. Tennessee State managed 89 rushing yards in its opener – almost exactly what the Bulldogs surrendered to an average opponent all season.
• The scoring trend: Kirby Smart’s Georgia teams are 84-3 when they score at least 30 points. Tennessee State allowed 26 in its opener, so the Tigers’ first mission is keeping the Bulldogs below their historical automatic-win line.
• The quarterback-versus-pass-rush test: Byron McNair is Tennessee St’s most experienced returning passer. Last year he threw for 1,558 yards, 9 TD and 6 INT; 2.5% of his throws were picked off. Georgia returns 8 defensive starters and ranked No. 93 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year. Tennessee St returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

Tennessee St needs a short game: long possessions, no giveaways and one special-teams break. Georgia needs to stay patient, lean on its size and depth, and avoid the kind of early mistake that gives an underdog belief. If the home team controls the line, the depth gap will 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 12:00 PM CT
Location: Jack Trice Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ISU -29.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

Iowa State lists 83 newcomers and Southeast Missouri a program-record 53. That is 136 new players around one matchup – enough for both sidelines to hold orientation.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Iowa State’s rebuilt offense settles in. Iowa State averaged 27.4 points per game last season and returns no offensive starters. SE Missouri allowed 29.9 points per game.

Personnel snapshot

• SE Missouri: Tom Matukewicz enters Year 13 as head coach.
• SE Missouri quarterback: Braylen Ragland is the most experienced quarterback on SE Missouri’s roster after transferring from Alabama St. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• Iowa State: Jimmy Rogers enters Year 1 as head coach. 0 starters return after Matt Campbell took a ton of former Cyclones with him to Penn State. The Iowa State defense allowed 356.5 yards and 20.2 points per game last season.
• Iowa State quarterback: Jaylen Raynor is projected to start for Iowa State. Last season at Arkansas St, he threw for 3,073 yards, 16 TD and 11 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The location wrinkle: New Cyclones quarterback Jaylen Raynor owns 36 career starts and an FBS-leading eight fourth-quarter game-winning drives among active passers. He has also started at Jack Trice Stadium in each of the last two seasons for Arkansas State.
• The running-game test: Iowa State has rushed for at least 150 yards in seven straight games, one of only four active FBS streaks that long. SEMO just held Indiana State to 58 rushing yards, so the underdog’s freshest strength meets the favorite’s longest-running habit.
• The schedule twist: SEMO is 1-29 against FBS opponents and has lost 24 straight in the matchup class. All 30 of those games were on the road – this upset chase has never received home-field training wheels.

How the game is decided

Iowa State needs to start fast — and try to put SEMO away — early. The last thing Rogers needs is a close game in the second half in his first game as head coach.

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 12:00 PM CT
Location: Kroger Field
TV: SECN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UK -23.5
Over/under: 62.5

The setup

Will Stein’s first game at Kentucky comes with Kentucky as the 23.5-point favorite. Meanwhile, Youngstown State is a top 10 FCS team and the Penguins have already played their opener, a 43-10 win over Mercyhurst.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Kentucky’s rebuilt offense settles in. Kentucky averaged 23.0 points per game last season and returns one offensive starter. Youngstown St allowed 30.5 points per game. Youngstown 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

• Youngstown St: Doug Phillips enters Year 7 as head coach.
• Youngstown St quarterback: Beau Brungard is Youngstown St’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 3,230 yards, 26 TD and 3 INT.
• Kentucky: Will Stein enters Year 1 as head coach. 5 starters return—1 on offense and 4 on defense. Key defenders back include Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace, Sam Greene, and Ty Bryant. That defense allowed 374.2 yards and 26.4 points per game last season.
• Kentucky quarterback: Kenny Minchey is projected to start for Kentucky. Last season at Notre Dame, he threw for 196 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

Kentucky’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. Youngstown St must turn every early stop into field position or points; empty possessions will eventually let Kentucky’s 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 12:00 PM CT
Location: Falcon Stadium
TV: MW+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): AF -30.5
Over/under: 58.5

The setup

Air Force is 29-0 all-time against FCS teams, with every game played at Falcon Stadium. Troy Calhoun personally owns 19 of those wins.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Air Force’s rebuilt offense settles in. Air Force averaged 39.3 points per game last season and returns 3 offensive starters.

Personnel snapshot

• Duquesne: Jerry Schmitt enters Year 22 as head coach.
• Duquesne quarterback: Tyler Riddell is Duquesne’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 2,016 yards, 25 TD and 7 INT.
• Air Force: Troy Calhoun enters Year 20 as head coach. 11 starters return—3 on offense and 8 on defense. Key defenders back include Dallas Daley, Blake Fletcher, and Isaac Hubert. The Falcons defense allowed 423.2 yards and 30.3 points per game last season.
• Air Force quarterback: Liam Szarka returns after rushing for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025. He also completed 62.5% of his passes with 9 TDs and 5 INTs.

Two quick analysis points

• The opener trend: The Falcons have won 19 straight season openers, the third-longest active streak in the country, and 20 of their last 21 home openers. This calendar slot has become almost ceremonial.
• The roster reset: Air Force and Texas Tech are the only FBS programs that lost zero 2025 game participants to the transfer portal. At a time when continuity is rare, the Academy literally did not lose a snap.

How the game is decided

Can Dequesne slow the triple-option enough to keep it close for a while? You’d expect a well disciplined game from Air Force, but in week 1, it’s hard to be in sync.

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 11:45 AM CT
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium
TV: SEC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): SC -36.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

South Carolina is expected to win comfortably as a 36.5-point favorite. A win is expected; how quickly it takes control may tell us more about what comes next. South Carolina has not lost to a team outside today’s power-conference tier since 2019.

Personnel snapshot

• The defensive continuity edge: Kent State’s Mark Carney is in Year 2; South Carolina’s Shane Beamer is in Year 6. The clearest difference is on defense: South Carolina returns 5 starters to Kent State’s 2. [S5/S4]
• A get-right spot for the run game: South Carolina managed only 111.1 rushing yards per game last season, but Kent State allowed 191.4. This is the clearest chance for a struggling run game to look improved. That comparison still matters because South Carolina returns 5 offensive starters, while Kent State brings back 2 defensive starters. Thomas Aden and Joel Cordoba are the returning defenders most directly responsible for changing that matchup. [S4/S6/S2]
• The quarterback turnover gap: Dru DeShields returns as Kent State’s starter (2,030 yards, 18 TD and 3 INT in 2025); LaNorris Sellers returns as South Carolina’s starter (2,437 yards, 13 TD and 8 INT in 2025). The useful difference is ball security: Dru DeShields’s 2025 interception rate was 1.2%, compared with 2.7% for LaNorris Sellers. [S10/S9/S11]

Three quick analysis points

• Kent State’s run game repair job: Kent State averaged 3.74 yards per rush play, No. 134 nationally. South Carolina’s defense allowed 4.71 yards per rush play, No. 37 nationally. South Carolina was at least respectable in this area, so this is a clean first test of whether Kent State fixed the problem—not an automatic mismatch. The same head coach and OC have 7 offensive starters back, so this was an obvious offseason fix-it job. [S4/S5/S7]
• South Carolina’s protection repair job: South Carolina allowed a disruptive play on 16.6% of its snaps, No. 128 nationally. Kent State’s defense created a disruptive play on 12.3% of snaps, No. 83 nationally. Kent State had problems here too, so South Carolina has very little excuse if the weakness follows it into Week 1. South Carolina changed its offensive leadership and returns 5 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee. [S4/S5/S7]
• Dru DeShields was willing to test the deep part of the field: On passes thrown at least 20 yards downfield, Dru DeShields went 24-for-46 for 959 yards, 14 TD and 0 INT. Deep throws made up 18.9% of his attempts—about one in every 5.3 throws. [S17]

How the game is decided

Can South Carolina shake off last year’s awful offensive efforts under Mike Shula? Sellers is gifted, but can he play like its 2024 again? If so, South Carolina could win going away and be a darkhorse to pull some upsets in the SEC.

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 11:30 AM CT
Location: Ohio Stadium
TV: BTN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): OSU -50.5
Over/under: 56.5

The setup

Ohio State has won 26 straight season openers. Ball State is attempting to stop a streak older than every player on both rosters.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Ball State can move the ball without living in third-and-long. Their offense ranked No. 135 nationally at 4.4 yards each time it snapped the ball in 2025; Ohio State’s defense ranked No. 1 and allowed only 4.5. Can the Buckeyes be anywhere near that dominant again after losing key players to the NFL?

Personnel snapshot

• The offensive continuity edge: Ball State’s Mike Uremovich is in Year 2; Ohio State’s Ryan Day is in Year 8. Overall continuity is close, but Ohio State’s offense is more settled: 8 starters back compared with 5 for Ball State.
• The first-down matchup: Ball State averaged 131.8 rushing yards per game last season; Ohio State allowed 89.4. With 5 offensive starters back against 3 returning defensive starters, that first-down matchup should decide how much of the playbook remains available.
• The quarterback experience gap: Ball State has officially named Keldric Luster the starter (no meaningful 2025 passing sample); Julian Sayin returns as Ohio State’s starter (3,323 yards, 31 TD and 6 INT in 2025). Ohio State has the clear edge in recent passing reps; Ball State enters with much more uncertainty at the position.

Three quick analysis points

• The history: The Buckeyes are 39-1 against current MAC teams and unbeaten in the last 39 such games. This is the first Ball State-Ohio State meeting, but history has already assigned the conference matchup a shape.
• The scoring trend: Ryan Day is 25-1 in September and 21-1 in regular-season nonconference games. His eight opener wins have come by an average of 25.4 points.
• The turnover test: Ball State returns only two defensive starters, while Julian Sayin produced 13 touchdowns and one interception on deep throws last year. A new defense is being asked to cover the exact part of the field Ohio State uses as a fast-forward button.

How the game is decided

It’s hard to see how Ball State keeps it close. Can the Buckeyes avoid looking ahead to Texas next week?

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.