Uthinkuknowsports

Category: College Football

  • UTSA vs. Texas State preview: Expect a ton of points in I-35 showdown

    UTSA vs. Texas State preview: Expect a ton of points in I-35 showdown

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | UFCU Stadium, San Marcos, TX | CW
    DraftKings snapshot: TXST -1.5 | Over/under: 64.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    The I-35 Showdown has flipped: UTSA won the first five meetings, but Texas State has won the last two. UTSA arrives after a 45-16 win over UTRGV; Texas State comes home after a 59-7 loss at Texas. Week 2 will show whether the Bobcats’ rivalry edge survives two very different opening tests. [S2/S3/S4]

    Texas State is favored by only 1.5 points in the current DraftKings snapshot. That fits a rivalry that produced 79 points, six lead changes and 951 yards last season. [S1/S5]

    Three things to know

    1. UTSA’s offense was explosive—and sloppy: The Roadrunners averaged 8.6 yards per rush and gained 525 yards, but committed 11 penalties for 115 yards. Those free yards are more dangerous against a rival than they were against an FCS opponent. [S2]
    2. Texas State’s rushing total deserves context: The Bobcats lost by 52 at Texas but still rushed for 161 yards on 41 carries. UTSA allowed UTRGV to rush for 177, so Texas State has a realistic path to keep the ball away from Owen McCown even after an ugly final score. [S2/S3]
    3. One team protected the ball; one did not: McCown threw three touchdowns without an interception and UTSA had no turnovers. Texas State threw one interception and lost two fumbles. In a series where five of seven games were decided by eight points or fewer, that difference can decide the rivalry. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricUTSA 2026Texas St 2026UTSA 2025 rankTexas St 2025 rank
    Points per game45.0 (No. 35*)7.0 (No. 122*)No. 5No. 13
    Points allowed per game16.0 (No. 67*)59.0 (No. 128*)No. 104No. 132
    Yards per game525.0 (No. 30*)349.0 (No. 93*)No. 28No. 5
    Yards allowed per game422.0 (No. 104*)516.0 (No. 120*)No. 65No. 79
    Passing yards per game275.0 (No. 43*)188.0 (No. 92*)No. 46No. 43
    Passing yards allowed per game245.0 (No. 96*)360.0 (No. 123*)No. 75No. 61
    Turnover margin+2 (No. 12*)-2 (No. 107*)No. 30No. 99

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

    Players to watch

    • UTSA — Owen McCown: He completed 22 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He directed a 525-yard opener without giving UTRGV a short field. [S2/S7]
    • Texas State — Tucker Cusano: He caught three passes for 58 yards at Texas, averaging 19.3 yards per catch in a game where explosive chances were rare. [S3/S8]

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    Sources

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

  • Jacksonville State vs. Ohio preview: Cure Bowl rematch

    Jacksonville State vs. Ohio preview: Cure Bowl rematch

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 5:00 PM CT | Peden Stadium, Athens, OH | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: OHIO -2.5 | Over/under: 48.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    This is not a random nonconference game. Ohio beat Jacksonville State 30-27 in the 2024 Cure Bowl, completing the first 11-win season in Bobcats history after building a 27-7 halftime lead and surviving a late Gamecocks rally. The rematch moves from a neutral field to Athens, where Ohio owns a program-record 13-game home winning streak and has won four straight home openers. [S8/S9/S10]

    Both teams arrive with a result that needs context. Ohio led Nebraska 13-7, trailed by only one at halftime and was within 28-21 in the fourth quarter before losing 49-21. Jacksonville State answered a 33-7 loss at North Dakota State by beating Eastern Kentucky 49-7 and gaining 526 yards. Week 2 should tell us whether the Gamecocks actually fixed their offense and whether Ohio’s good first 36 minutes at Nebraska can last for a full game. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S6/S7]

    Three things to know

    1. Caden Creel looked like two different quarterbacks: Creel completed 12 of 23 passes for 85 yards, no touchdowns and one interception at North Dakota State. One week later, he went 21 of 28 for 327 yards and five touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. Ohio just allowed Nebraska to gain 523 yards and score 35 second-half points, so the Bobcats have to prove that the second Creel does not follow them home. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S6/S7/S11]
    2. Ohio needs more than one lightning strike: Nick Poulos hit Riley Neer for 68 yards on Ohio’s first snap at Nebraska, then finished with 164 passing yards on 31 attempts. Neer had 104 receiving yards; every other Bobcat combined for 60. Jacksonville State held Eastern Kentucky to 90 passing yards and intercepted two passes, so Ohio needs another dependable answer when the first read or first big play is gone. [S2/S3/S6/S7/S12]
    3. Jacksonville State is still replacing the nation’s rushing leader: Cam Cook led the FBS with 1,659 rushing yards for Jacksonville State last season and is now at West Virginia. The new-look Gamecocks rushed for only 85 yards at North Dakota State, then improved to 174 against Eastern Kentucky behind a committee led by Jalen Likely’s 73 yards. Ohio allowed Nebraska to rush for 248 yards, so this is Jacksonville State’s best chance yet to show it can run consistently without Cook. [S2/S4/S5/S7/S13]

    Stat comparison

    MetricJax State 2026Ohio 2026Jax State 2025 rankOhio 2025 rank
    Points per game28.0 (No. 75*)21.0 (No. 87*)No. 72No. 75
    Points allowed per game20.0 (No. 79*)49.0 (No. 120*)No. 82No. 58
    Yards per game348.0 (No. 95*)303.0 (No. 107*)No. 41No. 37
    Yards allowed per game329.0 (No. 71*)523.0 (No. 121*)No. 74No. 51
    Passing yards per game218.5 (No. 74*)164.0 (No. 99*)No. 122No. 109
    Passing yards allowed per game127.0 (No. 37*)275.0 (No. 105*)No. 96No. 48
    Turnover margin0 (No. 60*)-1 (No. 86*)No. 12No. 87

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S16]

    Players to watch

    • Jacksonville State — Jamill Williams: The Albany State transfer caught seven passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky. His touchdown catches covered 13, 55, 30 and four yards, giving Caden Creel both a deep target and a red-zone answer. [S2/S3/S11]
    • Ohio — Riley Neer: He caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown at Nebraska. His 68-yard catch on Ohio’s first snap immediately created the game’s opening touchdown and accounted for nearly two-thirds of the Bobcats’ passing yards. [S6/S7/S12]

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  • Duke vs. Illinois preview: Blue Devils get rematch opportunity against Illini

    Duke vs. Illinois preview: Blue Devils get rematch opportunity against Illini

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL | FS1
    DraftKings snapshot: ILL -7.5 | Over/under: 54.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Defending ACC champion Duke opened with a defense-first 17-3 win over Tulane. Illinois scored 42 in its opener, but UAB outgained the Illini and held the ball for more than 41 minutes. Week 2 will show whether Illinois’ explosive scoring or Duke’s control of the line of scrimmage travels better against a Power Four opponent. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    This is also a rematch of Illinois’ 45-19 win at Duke last season. The Illini lead the series 2-1 and are trying to extend a 10-game nonconference winning streak; Duke gets an immediate chance to show how much its offense has changed. [S4/S5/S9]

    Three things to know

    1. Nate Sheppard meets the soft spot UAB found: Sheppard rushed for 227 of Duke’s 250 rushing yards against Tulane. UAB ran for 194 yards at Illinois and kept the ball for 41:03, so Duke has a clear way to shorten the game and keep Katin Houser on the sideline. [S2/S3]
    2. Illinois scored much faster than it moved the ball: The Illini scored 42 points on 332 yards and only 18:57 of possession. A 65-yard punt return set up one touchdown and a 59-yard interception return produced another. Duke must make Illinois drive the field instead of handing it sudden points. [S3/S4]
    3. The passing-game contrast is hard to miss: Katin Houser completed 13 of 17 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, then ran for another score. Walker Eget went 13 of 26 for 131 yards without a touchdown. Duke won because its defense and run game controlled Tulane, but Illinois can force the Blue Devils to throw if it gets ahead. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricDuke 2026Illinois 2026Duke 2025 rankIllinois 2025 rank
    Points per game17.0 (No. 97*)42.0 (No. 41*)No. 20No. 64
    Points allowed per game3.0 (No. 10*)23.0 (No. 91*)No. 87No. 53
    Yards per game381.0 (No. 80*)332.0 (No. 99*)No. 25No. 80
    Yards allowed per game258.0 (No. 49*)413.0 (No. 101*)No. 121No. 46
    Passing yards per game131.0 (No. 111*)182.0 (No. 94*)No. 11No. 59
    Passing yards allowed per game204.0 (No. 77*)219.0 (No. 84*)No. 134No. 63
    Turnover margin0 (No. 60*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 12No. 38

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

    Players to watch

    • Duke — Nate Sheppard: He carried 35 times for 227 yards and both Duke touchdowns against Tulane. His rushing total alone accounted for nearly 60% of Duke’s 381 yards. [S2/S7]
    • Illinois — Katin Houser: In his Illinois debut, he completed 13 of 17 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, then added a rushing score. It was the sixth four-touchdown game of his college career. [S3/S4/S8]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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  • Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan State preview: 0-10 history

    Eastern Michigan vs. Michigan State preview: 0-10 history

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI | BTN
    DraftKings snapshot: MSU -16.5 | Over/under: 51.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Michigan State’s opener delivered Pat Fitzgerald’s first win as the Spartans’ coach, but it also exposed work to do: five field goals were needed to beat Toledo 30-20. Eastern Michigan arrives 1-1 after turning two San José State takeaways into 14 points but producing only 281 yards in a 27-21 loss. [S2/S3/S4/S6]

    This is also an in-state series Eastern has never won. The Eagles are 0-10 against Michigan State, so a competitive fourth quarter would already look different from most of the history. [S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Michigan State can make Eastern’s third-down problem exhausting: The Spartans ran 83 plays and held the ball for 43:16 against Toledo. Eastern converted only 3 of 16 third downs against San José State. If those numbers repeat, the Eagles’ defense will spend most of the afternoon trying to survive long drives. [S2/S3/S4/S6]
    2. The Spartans moved the ball but kept settling: Michigan State had 26 first downs and 397 yards, but scored only two touchdowns and needed five Liam Boyd field goals. Eastern already showed it can create turnovers and steal points, so red-zone execution matters more here than the final opener score suggests. [S2/S3/S4/S6]
    3. Noah Kim returns to East Lansing: Eastern quarterback Noah Kim previously played at Michigan State and now faces his old program after completing 24 of 43 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown and one interception against San José State. The personal story is obvious; the football question is whether he can improve on four yards per attempt against a defense that just controlled the clock. [S3/S6]

    Stat comparison

    MetricE Michigan 2026Michigan St 2026E Michigan 2025 rankMichigan St 2025 rank
    Points per game24.5 (No. 79*)30.0 (No. 74*)No. 100No. 82
    Points allowed per game22.0 (No. 89*)20.0 (No. 79*)No. 114No. 95
    Yards per game314.5 (No. 103*)397.0 (No. 68*)No. 78No. 99
    Yards allowed per game360.5 (No. 79*)273.0 (No. 50*)No. 113No. 72
    Passing yards per game226.5 (No. 69*)247.0 (No. 56*)No. 61No. 70
    Passing yards allowed per game267.5 (No. 102*)196.0 (No. 70*)No. 20No. 93
    Turnover margin+2 (No. 12*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 106No. 87

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S7]

    Players to watch

    • Eastern Michigan — Amareon Blue: He rushed 11 times for 81 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1. Eastern needs that kind of burst because the rest of its offense averaged only 3.7 yards per play. [S3/S6]
    • Michigan State — Liam Boyd: The Charlotte transfer made five field goals—32, 42, 48, 35 and a career-best 51 yards. He turned stalled drives into 15 points and gave Michigan State a second way to win. [S2/S4]

    HE SAID IT

    • Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton: “We have to run the ball better. Everything comes off of that.” Michigan State allowed Toledo only 77 rushing yards in its opener, and 71 came on one play. Eastern needs a dependable running game, not just another isolated burst. Source
    • Michigan State coach Pat Fitzgerald: “I talked to them early in this process about learning the difference between reacting and responding.” Eastern Michigan just lost after carrying a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter, so each team’s response to late-game pressure is already a live Week 2 storyline. Source

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    Sources

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

  • Arizona vs. BYU preview: Can Wildcats pull the upset, flip Big 12 upside down?

    Arizona vs. BYU preview: Can Wildcats pull the upset, flip Big 12 upside down?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT | FOX
    DraftKings snapshot: BYU -7 | Over/under: 51.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Arizona and BYU are skipping straight from FCS openers into a Big 12 game between teams that combined for 21 wins last season. BYU went 12-2; Arizona went 9-4. The winner gets a conference victory before most of the league has played one, while the loser spends the rest of September with almost no margin for error in the Big 12 race. [S4/S6/S9]

    There is unfinished business from last year’s five-hour game in Tucson. Arizona led by 10 with just over four minutes left, but Bear Bachmeier tied it with 19 seconds remaining and scored the winning touchdown in the second overtime of BYU’s 33-27 escape. This time Noah Fifita and Arizona have to finish the job in Provo, where BYU is 5-3 against the Wildcats. [S6/S9]

    Three things to know

    1. Arizona’s run defense meets BYU’s deepest strength: Arizona held Northern Arizona to minus-seven rushing yards and recorded five sacks. BYU ran for 308 yards against Utah Tech, with 11 players contributing and five different players scoring rushing touchdowns. Both performances came against FCS teams, but strength-versus-strength at the line of scrimmage is the clearest early matchup. [S2/S3/S4/S5]
    2. The turnover totals could make a close game swing hard: BYU forced four Utah Tech turnovers and committed none. Arizona lost two fumbles and threw a late interception after the starters left, finishing minus-two despite winning by 28. Noah Fifita did not throw a pick, but Arizona cannot hand BYU extra possessions after last year’s meeting needed two overtimes. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S9]
    3. Two very different quarterbacks looked ready: Fifth-year Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita completed 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. BYU sophomore Bear Bachmeier went 16 of 20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns, then added 30 rushing yards and another score. Fifita brings 73 career touchdown passes; Bachmeier already owns a 12-win season and last year’s comeback against Arizona. [S3/S4/S6/S7/S8/S9]

    Stat comparison

    MetricArizona 2026BYU 2026Arizona 2025 rankBYU 2025 rank
    Points per game35.0 (No. 56*)63.0 (No. 9*)No. 44No. 27
    Points allowed per game7.0 (No. 25*)7.0 (No. 25*)No. 19No. 16
    Yards per game520.0 (No. 34*)521.0 (No. 33*)No. 42No. 55
    Yards allowed per game193.0 (No. 26*)184.0 (No. 24*)No. 19No. 35
    Passing yards per game314.0 (No. 30*)213.0 (No. 77*)No. 36No. 74
    Passing yards allowed per game200.0 (No. 75*)135.0 (No. 42*)No. 7No. 50
    Turnover margin-2 (No. 107*)+4 (No. 2*)No. 3No. 20

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

    Players to watch

    • Arizona — Noah Fifita: He completed 22 of 29 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, then sat for most of the fourth quarter. Arizona’s fifth-year quarterback is the player most equipped to handle a road conference opener. [S2/S3/S7]
    • BYU — Legend Glasker: The true freshman scored three touchdowns on only five touches—two receiving scores and a rushing touchdown. His debut gives Arizona a new problem that was not on last year’s BYU film. [S4/S5/S8]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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  • Wake Forest vs. Purdue preview: Which offense is real?

    Wake Forest vs. Purdue preview: Which offense is real?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 11:00 AM CT | Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN | FS1
    DraftKings snapshot: WAKE -3.5 | Over/under: 49.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Purdue scored only 18.8 points per game last season, then opened 2026 with 44 points and 523 yards. Wake Forest is coming off a nine-win season and immediately produced 559 yards against Akron. This game tells us whether Purdue’s offensive jump was real and whether Wake’s explosive passing game travels against a Power Four opponent. [S2/S3/S7]

    The programs have not met since 2003. A 2-0 start would give the winner a useful nonconference result before league play becomes the main event. [S1/S4]

    Three things to know

    1. The quarterbacks just produced almost the same opener: Wake’s Gio Lopez threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Purdue’s Ryan Browne answered with 317 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. They combined for 667 passing yards and six touchdowns, so this matchup starts with a very different quarterback conversation than it would have a week ago. [S2/S3/S7/S8]
    2. Wake’s big-play passing is the obvious stress point: Wake scored on passes of 72 and 78 yards, while Carlos Hernandez and Antonio Meeks combined for 258 receiving yards on only eight catches. Purdue held Indiana State to 284 total yards, but it still allowed 218 through the air. [S2/S3/S7/S8]
    3. Both teams gave away too many yards without turning it over: Wake committed 11 penalties for 115 yards; Purdue had nine for 85. Neither offense had a turnover, but 200 combined penalty yards can flip this game once the opponent is good enough to take advantage. [S7/S8]

    Stat comparison

    MetricWake Forest 2026Purdue 2026Wake Forest 2025 rankPurdue 2025 rank
    Points per game38.0 (No. 48*)44.0 (No. 40*)No. 55No. 127
    Points allowed per game16.0 (No. 67*)19.0 (No. 77*)No. 34No. 107
    Yards per game559.0 (No. 20*)523.0 (No. 31*)No. 62No. 102
    Yards allowed per game305.0 (No. 64*)346.0 (No. 75*)No. 26No. 120
    Passing yards per game356.0 (No. 16*)346.0 (No. 20*)No. 58No. 81
    Passing yards allowed per game156.0 (No. 51*)288.0 (No. 109*)No. 46No. 110
    Turnover margin+1 (No. 30*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 110No. 131

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S6]

    Players to watch

    • Wake Forest — Carlos Hernandez: Five catches became 165 yards and a 78-yard touchdown. His 33.0 yards per catch explains how quickly Wake turned a comfortable opener into a blowout. [S2/S7]
    • Purdue — Ryan Browne: He completed 23 of 29 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Purdue’s first Power Four opponent will show how much of that improvement carries over. [S3/S8]

    HE SAID IT

    • Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert: “Our offensive execution didn’t run the ball to the caliber I believe we can, or with the physicality we can play with.” Purdue held Indiana State’s running backs to 10 yards on 11 carries, so Wake’s own concern about rushing physicality meets Purdue’s strongest opener result. Source
    • Purdue coach Barry Odom: “We’re not going to be good enough to overcome 85 yards of penalties.” Wake Forest committed 11 penalties for 115 yards in its opener, so the cleaner team can erase a major self-inflicted weakness shared by both sides. Source

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    Sources

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

  • South Florida vs. Army preview: Clashing styles in early AAC showdown

    South Florida vs. Army preview: Clashing styles in early AAC showdown

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 11:00 AM CT | Michie Stadium, West Point, NY | CBSSN
    DraftKings snapshot: ARMY -1.5 | Over/under: 52.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    South Florida has never played a conference game this early in a season. It is also the Bulls’ first visit to West Point since a 28-0 win in 2003 and the programs’ first meeting since Army answered with a 42-35 win in Tampa in 2004. The series is tied 1-1, but this is the first meeting with both schools in the American Conference. [S4/S5/S6/S7/S8]

    Their openers could not have looked more different. Army ran for 569 yards and gained 648 overall in a 59-3 demolition of Bryant. USF beat FIU 19-9 despite gaining only 208 yards because its defense forced three turnovers and Nico Gramatica made four field goals. This game should show which Week 1 formula can survive a major jump in competition. [S2/S3/S9/S10/S12]

    Three things to know

    1. Army’s option meets the part of USF that looked ready: The Bulls held FIU to 80 rushing yards on 25 carries, but Army’s option is an entirely different test. The Black Knights rushed for 569 yards at 10.0 per carry against Bryant, the fourth-highest rushing total in program history. Bryant is an FCS opponent, so this is the first real test of whether that historic opener travels. [S2/S3/S9/S10]
    2. USF cannot keep asking its defense and kicker to do everything: USF managed one touchdown, 208 total yards and only 2.8 yards per rush against FIU. Army allowed 165 total yards and no touchdowns in its opener. Michael Van Buren Jr. protected the ball, but the Bulls will need more sustained offense if Army turns this into the long-possession game it prefers. [S2/S3/S9/S10]
    3. Turnovers are USF’s shortcut—and Army did not offer one: USF forced three turnovers against FIU and is 17-2 over the last four seasons when it creates at least two. Army did not commit a turnover against Bryant and converted six of nine third downs. If the Black Knights protect the ball again, the Bulls lose the easiest way they found to create points in Week 1. [S2/S3/S9/S10]

    Stat comparison

    MetricSouth Florida 2026Army 2026South Florida 2025 rankArmy 2025 rank
    Points per game19.0 (No. 96*)59.0 (No. 13*)No. 3No. 101
    Points allowed per game9.0 (No. 35*)3.0 (No. 10*)No. 48No. 36
    Yards per game208.0 (No. 120*)648.0 (No. 6*)No. 3No. 110
    Yards allowed per game381.0 (No. 88*)165.0 (No. 18*)No. 84No. 43
    Passing yards per game100.0 (No. 119*)79.0 (No. 124*)No. 18No. 136
    Passing yards allowed per game301.0 (No. 111*)98.0 (No. 20*)No. 112No. 27
    Turnover margin+3 (No. 6*)0 (No. 60*)No. 38No. 38

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S11]

    Players to watch

    • South Florida — Nico Gramatica: He made all four field-goal attempts, including a 53-yarder, and scored 13 of USF’s 19 points. He has now made 11 straight field goals and owns a school-record six makes from at least 50 yards. [S2/S3/S13]
    • Army — Zach Mundell: He needed only four carries to rush for 105 yards and two touchdowns. That tied an Army record, set in 1964, for the fewest carries in a 100-yard rushing game—and the 66-yard score was the longest run of his career. [S9/S10/S12/S14]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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

  • Oregon vs. Oklahoma State preview: Cowboys answer 69-3 rout

    Oregon vs. Oklahoma State preview: Cowboys answer 69-3 rout

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 11:00 AM CT | Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK | ESPN, Disney+
    DraftKings snapshot: ORE -22.5 | Over/under: 59.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Oregon survived a real opener, beating Boise State 34-27 behind 378 passing yards from Dante Moore. Oklahoma State’s reset under Eric Morris began with a 24-10 loss at Tulsa and four turnovers. The Cowboys now get a much harder test—and a chance to show they are not the same team Oregon beat 69-3 last season. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    Oregon is trying to protect a playoff résumé before Big Ten play. Oklahoma State is trying to stop an ugly two-season slide from swallowing a new coaching era after the very first result. [S3/S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Oklahoma State cannot give Oregon extra possessions: The Cowboys lost two fumbles and Drew Mestemaker threw two interceptions at Tulsa. Oregon committed only one turnover against Boise State and still gained 497 yards. A repeat of Oklahoma State’s minus-three turnover margin would give the Ducks too many short fields. [S2/S3]
    2. Dante Moore was the offense: Moore completed 28 of 37 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Oregon ran for only 119 yards, so Oklahoma State’s clearest path is to make the Ducks prove they can win without Moore controlling the game. [S2]
    3. The score hid some Oregon warning signs: Boise State held the ball for almost six minutes longer, Oregon committed 10 penalties for 90 yards and the Ducks converted only 4 of 12 third downs. Oklahoma State still needs enough offense to take advantage, but Oregon was not as clean as 497 yards sounds. [S2]

    Stat comparison

    MetricOregon 2026Oklahoma St 2026Oregon 2025 rankOklahoma St 2025 rank
    Points per game34.0 (No. 60*)10.0 (No. 116*)No. 12No. 136
    Points allowed per game27.0 (No. 97*)24.0 (No. 92*)No. 9No. 122
    Yards per game497.0 (No. 41*)368.0 (No. 85*)No. 16No. 130
    Yards allowed per game274.0 (No. 52*)361.0 (No. 80*)No. 7No. 116
    Passing yards per game378.0 (No. 8*)241.0 (No. 60*)No. 39No. 116
    Passing yards allowed per game181.0 (No. 60*)227.0 (No. 87*)No. 4No. 121
    Turnover margin-1 (No. 86*)-3 (No. 126*)No. 30No. 106

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

    Players to watch

    • Oregon — Dante Moore: He completed 28 of 37 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception against Boise State. [S2/S6]
    • Oklahoma State — Wyatt Young: He caught eight passes for 84 yards, leading Oklahoma State in both categories during an otherwise uneven debut at Tulsa. [S3/S7]

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

  • Western Kentucky vs. Georgia preview: Hilltoppers face test

    Western Kentucky vs. Georgia preview: Hilltoppers face test

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 11:45 AM CT | Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA | SEC Network
    DraftKings snapshot: UGA -35.5 | Over/under: 52.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Georgia’s 63-3 opener was exactly what a national-title contender wanted: the starters dominated, Gunner Stockton was nearly perfect and most of the first team was resting before halftime. Western Kentucky’s opener was the opposite. The Hilltoppers went to Nevada expecting to build on last year’s 31-16 win and instead lost 49-14. [S2/S3/S7/S8]

    This is Georgia’s last tune-up before SEC play begins at Arkansas. For WKU, it is the middle game of a brutal three-week road swing that goes Nevada, preseason No. 3 Georgia and preseason No. 6 Indiana. The Hilltoppers are the only FBS team scheduled to face two preseason top-10 teams outside conference play, so the real goal is to show the Nevada result did not expose a season-long problem. [S6/S7]

    Three things to know

    1. WKU’s run defense is walking into an awful matchup: Nevada rushed for 323 yards at 7.7 per carry against the Hilltoppers. Georgia then opened with 272 rushing yards at 10.1 per carry against Tennessee State. Those opponents were very different, but the basic problem is clear: WKU has to fix its tackling and run fits immediately or Georgia may not need to ask Stockton to do much at all. [S3/S8]
    2. Ajay Allen was WKU’s one reliable answer: Allen rushed 21 times for 102 yards and both Western Kentucky touchdowns. The rest of the Hilltoppers combined for 62 rushing yards, and quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. averaged only 5.1 yards per pass attempt. Georgia just held Tennessee State to 109 total yards and 10 on the ground, so Allen has to keep WKU out of obvious passing situations. [S2/S3/S8/S10]
    3. Do not let WKU’s passing-defense number fool you: Nevada threw for only 163 yards, but it attempted just 16 passes because the run game was averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Georgia completed passes to 15 players for 388 yards and five touchdowns, all by different receivers. WKU did not prove it can stop the pass; Nevada simply had no reason to keep throwing. [S3/S8/S14]

    Stat comparison

    MetricWestern KY 2026Georgia 2026Western KY 2025 rankGeorgia 2025 rank
    Points per game14.0 (No. 106*)63.0 (No. 9*)No. 63No. 39
    Points allowed per game49.0 (No. 120*)3.0 (No. 10*)No. 38No. 8
    Yards per game367.0 (No. 86*)660.0 (No. 5*)No. 45No. 50
    Yards allowed per game486.0 (No. 114*)109.0 (No. 6*)No. 96No. 14
    Passing yards per game203.0 (No. 84*)388.0 (No. 7*)No. 22No. 78
    Passing yards allowed per game163.0 (No. 55*)99.0 (No. 21*)No. 80No. 60
    Turnover margin-1 (No. 86*)0 (No. 60*)No. 114No. 73

    *The 2026 ranking is based on the 131 teams who had played by Saturday night. We did not wait on the Sunday and Monday college football games to publish the majority of our previews. [S13]

    Players to watch

    • Western Kentucky — Ajay Allen: The well-traveled senior was WKU’s bright spot at Nevada, rushing 21 times for 102 yards and both Hilltopper touchdowns. He accounted for 62% of WKU’s rushing yards. [S8/S10]
    • Georgia — Nate Frazier: Four carries produced 72 yards and three touchdowns. He scored from 48 yards on his first carry, from 14 on his second and from three on his fourth before Georgia emptied the bench. [S2/S3/S11]

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    Sources

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

  • Penn State vs. Temple preview: Remembering the 2015 upset

    Penn State vs. Temple preview: Remembering the 2015 upset

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 11:00 AM CT | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA | ESPN2
    DraftKings snapshot: PSU -21.5 | Over/under: 51.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Penn State opened the Matt Campbell era with a 45-0 shutout and now returns to Philadelphia for the first time since Temple’s landmark 27-10 upset in 2015. Temple also started 1-0, but a 38-14 win over Rhode Island is a very different test from facing a ranked in-state opponent. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    Temple has only four wins in 45 meetings, so an upset would immediately become the defining result of K.C. Keeler’s second season. Penn State is trying to show its clean opener was the start of a real reset, not just a comfortable afternoon against Marshall. [S4/S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Penn State’s passing debut was almost flawless: Rocco Becht threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns, while Koby Howard turned six catches into 161 yards. Temple allowed only 195 passing yards to Rhode Island, but Penn State’s combination of accuracy and explosive gains is a much larger problem. [S2/S3]
    2. Temple’s defense created its own points: Tyree Alualu and Jamarcus Pierre returned interceptions for touchdowns. Those two plays supplied 14 of Temple’s 38 points, so Penn State’s zero-turnover opener matters: the Owls’ clearest upset path is stealing a score rather than trying to match Penn State drive for drive. [S2/S3]
    3. The hidden concern is Temple’s quarterback split: Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik combined for only 142 passing yards against Rhode Island. Keveun Mason carried the offense with 158 rushing yards, but Penn State just held Marshall to 147 total yards. Temple may need more from the passing game before Penn State can crowd the line. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricPenn State 2026Temple 2026Penn State 2025 rankTemple 2025 rank
    Points per game45.0 (No. 35*)38.0 (No. 48*)No. 54No. 75
    Points allowed per game0.0 (No. 1*)14.0 (No. 54*)No. 27No. 92
    Yards per game487.0 (No. 45*)369.0 (No. 84*)No. 85No. 101
    Yards allowed per game147.0 (No. 12*)292.0 (No. 61*)No. 25No. 91
    Passing yards per game324.0 (No. 27*)142.0 (No. 107*)No. 105No. 98
    Passing yards allowed per game103.0 (No. 25*)195.0 (No. 69*)No. 20No. 38
    Turnover margin+2 (No. 12*)+2 (No. 12*)No. 49No. 10

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

    Players to watch

    • Penn State — Koby Howard: The true freshman caught six passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in his college debut. He immediately became Becht’s biggest-play target. [S2/S6]
    • Temple — Keveun Mason: He carried 20 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns, then added two catches for 34 yards. He accounted for more than half of the Owls’ offensive yards. [S3/S7]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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