Uthinkuknowsports

Category: College Football

  • Missouri vs. Kansas preview: Border War returns to Lawrence

    Missouri vs. Kansas preview: Border War returns to Lawrence

    Friday, 2026-09-11 | 7:00 PM CT | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS | FOX
    DraftKings snapshot: MIZ -6.5 | Over/under: 51.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    The Border War came back last season after a 14-year break, and Missouri rallied from 15 points down to win 42-31. Now the rivalry returns to Lawrence for the first time since 2005. Both teams opened with comfortable FCS wins, but this is the first game that can show whether those huge offensive numbers will hold up against a comparable roster. [S4/S6]

    This is also an early résumé game between an SEC team and a Big 12 team. The winner leaves Week 2 with a rivalry trophy, a real nonconference win and far more evidence than either opener provided. [S1]

    Three things to know

    1. Two new quarterbacks looked immediately comfortable: Missouri’s Austin Simmons completed 17 of 19 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns in less than a full game. Kansas’ Isaiah Marshall went 14 of 19 for 246 yards and two touchdowns, then added 49 rushing yards. The question is which debut travels better when the opposing defense can punish a late read. [S2/S3/S8/S9]
    2. Kansas can test Missouri’s run blocking: Missouri finished with 205 rushing yards, but lead back Jamal Roberts needed 13 carries for 47 yards and Eli Drinkwitz acknowledged that the early run game was not efficient enough. Kansas produced 11 tackles for loss against LIU, including four by Leroy Harris III. That is a far more revealing matchup than the final scores. [S2/S3]
    3. Even the record book is part of the rivalry: Missouri says it leads the series 58-54-9, while Kansas counts it as 57-55-9. The one-game swing comes from a 1960 Kansas win that Missouri records as a forfeit because Kansas used an ineligible player. The schools disagree, but both agree Missouri has won five of the last six meetings. [S4/S5/S10]

    Stat comparison

    MetricMissouri 2026Kansas 2026Missouri 2025 rankKansas 2025 rank
    Points per game54.0 (No. 23*)51.0 (No. 26*)No. 33No. 72
    Points allowed per game14.0 (No. 54*)6.0 (No. 21*)No. 16No. 87
    Yards per game562.0 (No. 18*)613.0 (No. 16*)No. 32No. 67
    Yards allowed per game386.0 (No. 90*)255.0 (No. 48*)No. 8No. 86
    Passing yards per game357.0 (No. 15*)336.0 (No. 22*)No. 104No. 72
    Passing yards allowed per game232.0 (No. 91*)184.0 (No. 63*)No. 11No. 57
    Turnover margin+1 (No. 30*)+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

    • Missouri — Austin Simmons: His 17-of-19, 252-yard, four-touchdown first half made him the sixth Missouri quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in one half. [S2/S8]
    • Kansas — Nik McMillan: He caught six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in his Kansas debut, giving Marshall a proven downfield target before the competition rises sharply. [S3/S9]

    HE SAID IT

    • Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz: “We had multiple third and longs early, with an inability to run the ball at the efficiency that we need to.” Kansas made 11 tackles for loss in its opener, so Missouri’s own concern about early run efficiency points directly at a Week 2 matchup test. Source
    • Kansas coach Lance Leipold: “It took us a little bit to get our game speed underneath us, but we settled down, and then started taking control up front.” Kansas eventually controlled an FCS opponent up front; Missouri is the first test of whether that advantage carries over against a comparable roster. Source

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

  • Norfolk State vs. Virginia preview: First meeting between in-state rivals

    Norfolk State vs. Virginia preview: First meeting between in-state rivals

    Friday, 2026-09-11 | 6:00 PM CT | Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA | ACCNX
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted

    What’s at stake

    Virginia’s 34-8 win over NC State was not just a comfortable opener. It was the Cavaliers’ 700th victory, and they held a conference opponent to 168 yards while controlling the ball for more than 38 minutes. Norfolk State is coming off the opposite kind of reality check: after a 56-0 opener, the Spartans managed 220 yards and committed three turnovers in a 31-10 loss at Old Dominion. [S2/S3/S8/S9]

    The two Virginia schools are separated by fewer than 175 miles but have never played football. For the Cavaliers, this is a chance to show the NC State performance was a new baseline. For Norfolk State, it is a short-week opportunity to prove one difficult FBS road game did not erase what looked so promising in its 56-0 Week 0 win. [S4/S5/S11]

    Three things to know

    1. Virginia can squeeze the life out of a game: The Cavaliers ran 57 times for 258 yards and finished a 23-play touchdown drive that lasted 12:15 against NC State. Norfolk State held the ball for 32:19 at Old Dominion, but 12 first downs and an 0-for-3 night on fourth down meant that possession rarely became real pressure. [S2/S3/S8/S9]
    2. Beau Pribula changes the math: Pribula completed 9 of 11 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns, then led Virginia with 110 rushing yards. Norfolk State quarterback Deljay Bailey completed 14 of 20 at Old Dominion, but his throws produced only 94 yards and his 21 official rushing attempts netted 12. Virginia can make the Spartans defend every gap; Norfolk State needs more than short completions and quarterback scrambles. [S2/S3/S8/S9]
    3. Jalyn Daniels is Norfolk State’s best counterpunch: Daniels gained 84 yards on only 11 carries against Old Dominion, a strong 7.6 yards per attempt. The problem was volume: he had barely half as many carries as Bailey. Giving Daniels enough touches to keep Virginia’s offense off the field is the clearest way for the Spartans to stay competitive. [S2/S6]

    Stat comparison

    MetricNorfolk St 2026Virginia 2026Norfolk St 2025 rankVirginia 2025 rank
    Points per game33.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)34.0 (No. 60*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 30
    Points allowed per game15.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)8.0 (No. 34*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 20
    Yards per game338.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)413.0 (No. 60*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 29
    Yards allowed per game212.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)168.0 (No. 20*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 20
    Passing yards per game122.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)155.0 (No. 105*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 55
    Passing yards allowed per game112.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)92.0 (No. 17*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 33
    Turnover margin+2 (FCS; no FBS rank)+2 (No. 12*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 23

    *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

    • Norfolk State — Jalyn Daniels: He rushed 11 times for 84 yards at Old Dominion, including a 35-yard run. He was the one Norfolk State skill player who consistently created room against an FBS defense. [S2/S6]
    • Virginia — Beau Pribula: His Virginia debut produced 155 passing yards, two touchdown passes and a game-high 110 rushing yards without a turnover. [S3/S7/S9]

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  • Richmond vs. NC State preview: How does Wolfpack respond after stinker against UVA?

    Richmond vs. NC State preview: How does Wolfpack respond after stinker against UVA?

    Friday, 2026-09-11 | 6:00 PM CT | Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | ESPNU
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted

    What’s at stake

    NC State does not need a routine home win as much as it needs proof that its offense still has a pulse. The Wolfpack opened with only 168 yards and eight points against Virginia, its first 0-1 start since 2017 and its first scoreless first half in a season opener since 2009. Richmond arrives 2-0 after a 28-21 road win at Howard, so this is not a useful week for NC State to carry the opener’s frustration into the fourth quarter. [S2/S3/S4/S11]

    NC State owns an 18-1-1 series lead and has sold out 29 straight home games. Richmond’s opportunity is bigger than its opponent’s record: the Spiders can turn a strong start into a program-defining FBS upset, while the Wolfpack needs a convincing response before its schedule gets harder. [S5/S6/S7]

    Three things to know

    1. Richmond just won without a running game: The Spiders finished with only 39 rushing yards and 1.2 yards per carry at Howard, but Ashten Snelsire threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. NC State allowed only 155 passing yards to Virginia but was run over for 258. Richmond cannot assume the same one-dimensional formula will travel to Carter-Finley. [S2/S3/S4]
    2. NC State has to find ordinary offense again: The Wolfpack had 10 first downs, 92 passing yards and two turnovers against Virginia. Howard completed only 9 of 28 passes and gained 240 yards against Richmond, which means this is the level drop NC State needs—but the Pack still has to prove it can create easy throws and a dependable run game. [S2/S3/S4]
    3. Third down can keep the pressure on the Pack: Virginia held the ball for 38:03 and finished a 23-play touchdown drive that lasted 12:15. Richmond then converted 8 of 16 third downs at Howard and possessed the ball for 32:30. If NC State cannot get off the field, a nervous home opener can become uncomfortable quickly. [S2/S3/S4]

    Stat comparison

    MetricRichmond 2026NC State 2026Richmond 2025 rankNC State 2025 rank
    Points per game31.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)8.0 (No. 121*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 57
    Points allowed per game17.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)34.0 (No. 104*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 91
    Yards per game346.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)168.0 (No. 123*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 64
    Yards allowed per game213.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)413.0 (No. 101*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 111
    Passing yards per game230.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)92.0 (No. 120*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 49
    Passing yards allowed per game132.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)155.0 (No. 49*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 132
    Turnover margin+1 (FCS; no FBS rank)-2 (No. 107*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 49

    *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

    • Richmond — Ashten Snelsire: He threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns without an interception at Howard. Through two games he has six touchdown passes and no picks. [S2/S8/S11]
    • NC State — Popo Aguirre: The linebacker made 18 tackles against Virginia, more than twice as many as any other Wolfpack defender. Richmond’s ball-control offense will keep him involved. [S3/S9]

    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.

  • Rutgers vs. Boston College preview: How will Scarlet Knights respond after historic upset?

    Rutgers vs. Boston College preview: How will Scarlet Knights respond after historic upset?

    Friday, 2026-09-11 | 6:30 PM CT | Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA), Chestnut Hill, MA | ESPN2
    DraftKings snapshot: BC -3.5 | Over/under: 55.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Rutgers is not trying to shrug off a normal Week 1 loss. The Scarlet Knights lost 37-21 at home to a UMass team that went 0-12 last season and entered with the longest active losing streak in the FBS at 16 games. After Rutgers scored first, UMass ripped off 30 straight points; Greg Schiano said his team was outplayed and out-coached. This is a response game for the entire Rutgers program, not simply a chance to avoid 0-2. [S2/S6/S9/S10]

    Boston College’s opening problem was less shocking but hardly encouraging: the Eagles were scoreless at halftime, fell behind Cincinnati 24-0 and did not reach the end zone until late in the third quarter. BC eventually gained 388 yards and got 301 total yards from quarterback Mason McKenzie, but produced only 15 points. Now the Eagles return home for an emotional Red Bandanna Game against an old Eastern rival that beat them in the most recent meeting. [S3/S4/S5/S7/S11]

    Three things to know

    1. Rutgers has to prove the UMass collapse will not continue: Rutgers threw three interceptions, lost a fumble and rushed for only 30 yards while UMass scored 30 unanswered points. The loss ended the longest active losing streak in the FBS. Repeating even one piece of that performance would put the Scarlet Knights in immediate trouble at Boston College. [S2/S6/S9/S10]
    2. Boston College moved the ball without threatening early: The Eagles gained 388 yards and Mason McKenzie accounted for 301, but BC was shut out in the first half and trailed 24-0 before scoring late in the third quarter. Movement between the 20s means little if drives keep ending without touchdowns. [S3/S7/S11]
    3. Neither defense controlled the run: UMass rushed for 200 yards against Rutgers, while Cincinnati ran for 254 against Boston College. McKenzie also ran for 78 yards, so Rutgers must repair its run defense while accounting for a quarterback who can escape pressure. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricRutgers 2026Boston College 2026Rutgers 2025 rankBoston College 2025 rank
    Points per game21.0 (No. 87*)15.0 (No. 104*)No. 68No. 95
    Points allowed per game37.0 (No. 109*)34.0 (No. 104*)No. 107No. 116
    Yards per game349.0 (No. 93*)388.0 (No. 79*)No. 44No. 73
    Yards allowed per game397.0 (No. 95*)339.0 (No. 73*)No. 127No. 128
    Passing yards per game319.0 (No. 29*)223.0 (No. 72*)No. 25No. 15
    Passing yards allowed per game197.0 (No. 72*)85.0 (No. 12*)No. 76No. 123
    Turnover margin-4 (No. 129*)-2 (No. 107*)No. 73No. 122

    *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

    • Rutgers — KJ Duff: He set a career high with three touchdown catches and matched his career best with nine receptions while piling up 196 yards against UMass. [S2/S6]
    • Boston College — Mason McKenzie: In his first BC start, he threw for 223 yards and added 78 on the ground. He accounted for 78% of an offense that gained 388 yards but scored only 15 points. [S3/S7]

    HE SAID IT

    • Rutgers coach Greg Schiano: “I didn’t have them ready to play.” There was no attempt to soften the loss. Rutgers now has a short week to show whether that shock produces a response or exposes a deeper problem before Big Ten play. Source
    • Boston College coach Bill O’Brien: “We can’t do those things and expect to win. We don’t have that type of team. No team can do that.” Boston College’s problem was not just a quiet offense; false starts, bad snaps, a failed fake punt and empty scoring chances kept making the job harder. Against a shaken Rutgers team, cleaner football may matter more than style. Source

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  • Iowa State-Iowa preview: Can the Cyclones pull the upset and win the CyHawk trophy?

    Iowa State-Iowa preview: Can the Cyclones pull the upset and win the CyHawk trophy?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 6:30 PM CT | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA | NBC
    DraftKings snapshot: IOWA -14.5 | Over/under: 41.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Iowa State has won three of the last four Cy-Hawk games, including a 16-13 win last season, but Iowa opened 2026 with a far louder performance. The Hawkeyes gained 507 yards and shut out Northern Illinois 40-0; the Cyclones beat Southeast Missouri 38-10 while gaining only 303. [S2/S3/S4]

    This is just the third Cy-Hawk game played in prime time at Iowa City. A third straight win at Kinnick would strengthen the first season of Jimmy Rogers’ Iowa State rebuild; Iowa can reclaim the trophy while validating an opener that looked much more complete than last year’s offense. [S4/S5]

    Three things to know

    1. Iowa’s run game was the biggest Week 1 change: The Hawkeyes rushed for 289 yards at 7.6 per carry, led by Kamari Moulton’s 183 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State allowed Southeast Missouri only 67 rushing yards, so this is the clearest strength-on-strength matchup in the game. [S2/S3]
    2. The Cyclones’ score was bigger than their offense: Iowa State scored 38 points but gained 303 yards and had only 15 first downs. Three takeaways helped create the separation. Against an Iowa defense that allowed 120 total yards, the Cyclones may have to drive the long field instead of waiting for another mistake. [S2/S3]
    3. Iowa finally showed balance: The Hawkeyes paired their 289 rushing yards with 218 passing yards, while Northern Illinois managed only seven rushing yards. Iowa State’s best chance is to force Hank Brown and/or Jeremy Hecklinski into obvious passing situations before the run game controls the night. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricIowa State 2026Iowa 2026Iowa State 2025 rankIowa 2025 rank
    Points per game38.0 (No. 48*)40.0 (No. 46*)No. 81No. 41
    Points allowed per game10.0 (No. 38*)0.0 (No. 1*)No. 24No. 11
    Yards per game303.0 (No. 107*)507.0 (No. 38*)No. 60No. 119
    Yards allowed per game209.0 (No. 31*)120.0 (No. 8*)No. 54No. 9
    Passing yards per game195.0 (No. 90*)218.0 (No. 75*)No. 74No. 129
    Passing yards allowed per game142.0 (No. 44*)113.0 (No. 27*)No. 64No. 10
    Turnover margin+2 (No. 12*)+1 (No. 30*)No. 44No. 67

    *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

    • Iowa State — Jaylen Raynor: He threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns without an interception in his Iowa State debut. The rivalry will demand more consistency than an 8-for-16 opener. [S2/S6]
    • Iowa — Kamari Moulton: He rushed 11 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 16.6 yards per carry. [S3/S7]

    HE SAID IT

    • Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers: “We didn’t tackle live all camp. I was nervous about that.” Iowa immediately presents the stress test: the Hawkeyes rushed for 289 yards against Northern Illinois, and Kamari Moulton gained 183 on 11 carries. Source
    • Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz: “I thought both quarterbacks were productive. It was a good first start for both of them.” The Hawkeyes enter the Cy-Hawk rivalry without a publicly settled one-quarterback answer, giving Iowa State two different passers to prepare for. Source

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    Sources

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

  • Arkansas-Utah preview: Can the Razorbacks pull the upset over the Utes?

    Arkansas-Utah preview: Can the Razorbacks pull the upset over the Utes?

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 9:15 PM CT | Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT | ESPN
    DraftKings snapshot: UTAH -11.5 | Over/under: 56.5 [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Arkansas and Utah meet for the first time, and both programs are starting new coaching eras. Ryan Silverfield’s Razorbacks beat North Alabama 31-14; Morgan Scalley’s Utes opened with 633 yards in a 66-14 rout of Idaho. Week 2 is the first Power Four test for either staff. [S2/S3/S4/S5]

    Utah is trying to protect a playoff résumé at home. Arkansas makes its first trip to Utah and gets an early chance to change the conversation after a two-win 2025 season. [S4/S6/S9]

    Three things to know

    1. Utah’s run game meets the one thing Arkansas clearly stopped: Utah rushed for 364 yards at 7.4 per carry. Arkansas held North Alabama to 40 rushing yards and 153 total, so this is a real test of whether the Razorbacks’ front can survive a massive jump in size and speed. [S2/S3]
    2. Arkansas cannot waste another possession: The Razorbacks controlled the ball for 41:25 and ran 84 plays, but lost two fumbles and threw an interception. Utah did not turn it over and forced two. That three-possession difference would be far more damaging against an offense that just scored 66. [S2/S3]
    3. The rushing efficiency gap was enormous: Arkansas ran 49 times for 148 yards—3.0 per carry. Utah also had 49 rushing attempts but gained 364. The Razorbacks need more from their backs so KJ Jackson is not asked to carry the offense in his first road start. [S2/S3]

    Stat comparison

    MetricArkansas 2026Utah 2026Arkansas 2025 rankUtah 2025 rank
    Points per game31.0 (No. 69*)66.0 (No. 6*)No. 32No. 6
    Points allowed per game14.0 (No. 54*)14.0 (No. 54*)No. 125No. 15
    Yards per game415.0 (No. 59*)633.0 (No. 13*)No. 13No. 4
    Yards allowed per game153.0 (No. 15*)225.0 (No. 39*)No. 122No. 59
    Passing yards per game267.0 (No. 50*)269.0 (No. 48*)No. 30No. 82
    Passing yards allowed per game113.0 (No. 27*)119.0 (No. 31*)No. 104No. 17
    Turnover margin-2 (No. 107*)+2 (No. 12*)No. 128No. 30

    *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

    • Arkansas — KJ Jackson: He completed 24 of 35 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns in his Arkansas debut, although he also threw one interception. [S2/S7]
    • Utah — Wayshawn Parker: He scored a career-high three touchdowns against Idaho, giving Utah a finishing threat to match a rushing attack that piled up 364 yards. [S3/S6]

    Looking for a prediction?

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    Sources

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  • Stony Brook-Ball State preview: What to watch in Week 2

    Stony Brook-Ball State preview: What to watch in Week 2

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 1:00 PM CT | Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, IN | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Ball State’s first useful measuring stick comes in its home opener. A 56-3 loss at No. 1 Ohio State revealed almost nothing about how the Cardinals compare with a more manageable opponent, while Stony Brook has already played two one-score games and just completed a 19-point fourth-quarter comeback. [S2/S4/S7]

    This is the first meeting between the programs. Stony Brook can earn an FBS win; Ball State can avoid letting an expected opening loss turn into an 0-2 start. [S1/S7]

    Three things to know

    1. Stony Brook brings a real passing threat: Quinn Boyd has completed 49 of 76 passes for 621 yards, five touchdowns and one interception through two games. Seth Sweitzer has 17 catches for 238 yards and two scores. Ohio State threw for 434 yards against Ball State, but this matchup will say much more about whether the Cardinals can handle a passing game closer to their own talent level. [S2/S3/S4/S8]
    2. Ball State finally gets a chance to run a normal offense: The Cardinals gained 165 yards, rushed for 45 and converted 3 of 14 third downs against Ohio State. Stony Brook has allowed 439 yards and 36.5 points per game to two FCS opponents, so Ball State should have opportunities that simply did not exist in Columbus. [S3/S4]
    3. Stony Brook keeps turning games into fourth-quarter chaos: The Seawolves erased an 18-point third-quarter deficit to tie Delaware State before losing late, then scored the final 19 points to beat Lindenwood 36-32. Ball State has to finish because Stony Brook has already shown twice that a double-digit lead is not safe. [S2/S3/S8]

    Stat comparison

    MetricStony Brook 2026Ball State 2026Stony Brook 2025 rankBall State 2025 rank
    Points per game35.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)3.0 (No. 124*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 77
    Points allowed per game36.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)56.0 (No. 126*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 93
    Yards per game429.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)165.0 (No. 124*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 134
    Yards allowed per game439.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)671.0 (No. 130*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 104
    Passing yards per game310.5 (FCS; no FBS rank)120.0 (No. 114*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 130
    Passing yards allowed per game234.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)434.0 (No. 130*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 83
    Turnover margin-2 (FCS; no FBS rank)0 (No. 60*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 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. [S9]

    Players to watch

    • Stony Brook — Seth Sweitzer: The Merrimack transfer caught 12 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown against Lindenwood. He is listed on Stony Brook’s current roster and already has 17 catches in two games. [S2/S3/S6]
    • Ball State — Brody Boehm: The Missouri transfer made a 54-yard field goal for Ball State’s only points at Ohio State. He is listed on the 2026 roster and gives the Cardinals a scoring option if drives stall again. [S4/S5]

    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.

  • C Connecticut-Toledo preview: What to watch in Week 2

    C Connecticut-Toledo preview: What to watch in Week 2

    Saturday, 2026-09-12 | 2:30 PM CT | Glass Bowl, Toledo, OH | ESPN+
    DraftKings snapshot: not yet posted in the ESPN/DraftKings feed | Over/under: not yet posted [S1]

    What’s at stake

    Toledo’s 30-20 loss at Michigan State was more competitive than the final score looks: the Rockets briefly took a fourth-quarter lead. Central Connecticut’s opener went the other direction, a 59-20 loss at South Dakota in which the Blue Devils allowed 594 yards. Toledo’s home opener is a get-right opportunity; Central Connecticut is trying to show that one ugly day did not erase the form that produced back-to-back NEC championships. [S2/S3/S4/S5/S6]

    Three things to know

    1. Toledo has to stay on the field: Michigan State ran 83 plays and held the ball for 43:16; Toledo ran only 41 plays and possessed it for 16:44. The Rockets converted only one of eight third downs. Central Connecticut also struggled on third down at 4 of 14, so whichever offense avoids another string of empty drives can control the game. [S4/S6]
    2. Three explosive plays kept Toledo alive: John Alan Richter hit Adjatay Dabbs for a 60-yard touchdown, the pair connected again from six yards, and Connor Walendzak broke a 71-yard touchdown run that gave Toledo a 20-19 lead. The rest of the offense produced only 142 yards, so Toledo needs more routine gains instead of waiting for another home run. [S4/S6]
    3. Central Connecticut’s defense gets no soft landing: South Dakota gained 327 yards through the air and 267 on the ground against the Blue Devils. Toledo averaged 33.2 points in 2025, so even after a 20-point opener, the Rockets have a recent offensive baseline capable of attacking both parts of that defense. [S2/S3/S7]

    Stat comparison

    MetricC Connecticut 2026Toledo 2026C Connecticut 2025 rankToledo 2025 rank
    Points per game20.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)20.0 (No. 93*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 29
    Points allowed per game59.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)30.0 (No. 100*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 4
    Yards per game250.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)273.0 (No. 116*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 34
    Yards allowed per game594.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)397.0 (No. 95*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 2
    Passing yards per game115.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)196.0 (No. 89*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 57
    Passing yards allowed per game327.0 (FCS; no FBS rank)247.0 (No. 98*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 5
    Turnover margin+1 (FCS; no FBS rank)-1 (No. 86*)FCS — not ranked with FBSNo. 30

    *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

    • Central Connecticut — Michael Trovarelli: He caught five passes for 45 yards and Central Connecticut’s only passing touchdown. In a game where the Blue Devils used two quarterbacks, he was their most reliable target. [S3/S5]
    • Toledo — Adjatay Dabbs: Four catches produced 101 yards and caught both Toledo touchdown passes, including a 60-yarder. He accounted for more than half of the Rockets’ passing yards. [S4/S6]

    Looking for a prediction?

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

    Sources

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

  • UNLV-Hawai’i preview: What to watch in Week 1

    UNLV-Hawai’i preview: What to watch in Week 1

    Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 9:00 PM CT
    Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex
    TV: CW
    DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UNLV -3
    Over/under: 58.5

    The setup

    The Island Showdown Trophy game is being played for an 18th straight season, Hawai’i’s longest active run against one opponent. The full series is nearly a coin flip: Hawai’i leads 19-16 after 35 meetings.

    What I’m watching

    Both teams have current film now. UNLV lost 27-21 to Memphis in Week 0, with Jackson Arnold completing 25 of 37 for 291 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. Hawai’i lost 37-27 to Stanford in Week 0, with Micah Alejado completing 30 of 50 for 269 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT. The clearest early pressure point is Hawai’i’s offense after it produced 322 yards; this game will show whether that Week 0 result was opponent-driven or a real warning.

    Personnel snapshot

    • Continuity is nearly even: UNLV’s Dan Mullen is in Year 2; Hawai’i’s Timmy Chang is in Year 5. The returning-starter totals are close—UNLV has 7 (3 offense, 4 defense), while Hawai’i has 7 (4 offense, 3 defense). Both teams kept their head coach and offensive coordinator, making last year’s styles more useful than they are in most openers.
    • The protection problem: UNLV brings back two starting offensive linemen, led by Austin Boyd and Will Thomas. Hawai’i produced 31 sacks last season and returns 3 defensive starters, including Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina and Jamih Otis. Protection is the personnel battle most likely to change the game.
    • The pressure test: Jackson Arnold led UNLV’s passing in Week 0 (25 of 37 for 291 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT); Micah Alejado led Hawai’i’s passing in Week 0 (30 of 50 for 269 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT). The tougher first assignment belongs to Jackson Arnold: Hawai’i produced 31 sacks last season.

    Three quick analysis points

    • Third down sank UNLV in Week 0: UNLV converted only 3 of 15 third downs in its opener (20%). That is the first problem it has to fix.
    • The scoring trend: This rivalry has a serious home-field tax: the home team won 14 of the last 17 meetings, and Hawai’i is 13-4 against UNLV in Honolulu. The Warriors are also 8-1 in their last nine at Ching Complex, averaging 31.8 points.
    • The roster reset: This is a Las Vegas high-school reunion wearing Hawai’i uniforms. Fifteen Warriors attended Bishop Gorman – the most players from one high school on any FBS roster – and all four Hawai’i captains are Bishop Gorman graduates from Las Vegas.

    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.

  • Morgan St-Arizona St preview: What to watch in Week 1

    Morgan St-Arizona St preview: What to watch in Week 1

    Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 9:00 PM CT
    Location: Mountain America Stadium
    TV: ESPN+
    DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ASU -41.5
    Over/under: 52.5

    The setup

    This is Arizona State’s first game against an HBCU and its first FCS opponent from outside the Big Sky since Division I split in 1978. Morgan State is also walking into 26 straight ASU home-opener wins – the nation’s second-longest active streak – and 23 straight Opening Day wins in this stadium.

    What I’m watching

    Morgan St beat North Carolina A&T 17-7 in Week 0, with Cameron Edge completing 13 of 19 for 167 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 276 yards—167 passing and 109 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

    Personnel snapshot

    • The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Morgan St’s Damon Wilson is in Year 5; Arizona St’s Kenny Dillingham is in Year 4. Arizona St returns 3 starters—1 on offense and 2 on defense.
    • The protection problem: Arizona St brings back one starting offensive lineman, led by Wade Helton. Morgan St produced 34 sacks last season.
    • Familiarity versus a new offense: Cameron Edge led Morgan St’s passing in Week 0 (13 of 19 for 167 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT); Cutter Boley is the projected starter for Arizona St (2,160 yards, 15 TD and 12 INT at Kentucky in 2025).

    Three quick analysis points

    • The recent trend: Morgan State’s 17-7 Week 0 win was a master class in winning ugly: the Bears trailed through three quarters, had 12 first downs to North Carolina A&T’s 19, lost total yardage 328-276 and held the ball only 24:19. As a 41.5-point underdog, that survive-now-and-steal-it-late script is far more realistic than trading drives with ASU.
    • The scoring trend: Morgan State’s 68-yard touchdown pass accounted for 41% of Cameron Edge’s 167 passing yards in the opener. Arizona State has allowed only 28 plays of 50-plus yards in 94 games since 2018, tied for fourth-fewest in the FBS versus an average of 51.3, so Morgan’s biggest Week 0 shortcut runs into ASU’s defining defensive strength.
    • The quarterback follow-up: Cameron Edge handled 19 pass attempts for Morgan St in Week 0. He completed 13 of 19 for 167 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. Arizona St returns 2 defensive starters and ranked No. 22 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, making pressure a proven strength.

    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.