Category: Featured

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)
TV: FOX
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): IU -40.5
Over/under: 55.5

The setup

Indiana opens its title defense after going 16-0, the first major-college team to reach that record since Yale in 1894.

What I’m watching

Man, if only it were 2025. Last season, North Texas finished No. 3 nationally at 7.6 yards each time it snapped the ball; Indiana was No. 16 at stopping offenses, allowing 5.2.  But 0 starters return for North Texas, and 8 starters are back from a dominant defensive unit for the Hoosiers.

Personnel snapshot

• North Texas: Neal Brown enters Year 1 as head coach. 0 starters return—0 on offense and 0 on defense. The North Texas defense allowed 381.9 yards and 26.5 points per game last season.
• North Texas quarterback: Tayven Jackson is projected to start for North Texas. Last season at UCF, he threw for 2,151 yards, 10 TD and 8 INT.
• Indiana: Curt Cignetti enters Year 3 as head coach. 12 starters return—4 on offense and 8 on defense. Key defenders back include Stephen Daley, Mario Landino, and Tyrique Tucker. That defense allowed 266.0 yards and 11.7 points per game last season.
• Indiana quarterback: Josh Hoover is projected to start for Indiana. Last season at TCU, he threw for 3,472 yards, 29 TD and 13 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The coaching angle: Curt Cignetti is 27-2 at Indiana, the most wins by an FBS coach in his first two seasons at a school. The Hoosiers went from turnaround story to national champion before he collected loss No. 3.
• The history: Indiana is 27-3 in nonconference home openers since 1953 and has won 13 straight since 2001. North Texas’s last win in this series came in Denton in 2011; Bloomington has been a different assignment.
• The quarterback angle: For the third straight season, Indiana will start a first-year Hoosier transfer at quarterback. Josh Hoover follows Heisman winner and No. 1 NFL pick Fernando Mendoza, so the most pressurized handoff in college football is becoming an annual Bloomington routine.

How the game is decided

First down decides it. If North Texas stays on schedule, its quarterback gets the full playbook; if Indiana creates second-and-long, the defense can dictate the next two snaps.

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 11:00 AM CT
Location: Bridgeforth Stadium
TV: ESPNU
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): JMU -6.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

Billy Napier’s first game at James Madison comes with James Madison as the 6.5-point favorite. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. James Madison won last year’s meeting 31-13.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Liberty can move the ball without living in third-and-long. Last season, the Liberty offense ranked No. 63 nationally at 6.0 yards each time it snapped the ball; James Madison’s defense ranked No. 9 and allowed only 5.0. 6 starters from that offensive unit return. Only 2 starters from that defensive unit return, so the old ranking may not carry cleanly into 2026. That is the matchup most likely to tilt field position.

Personnel snapshot

• Liberty: Jamey Chadwell enters Year 4 as head coach. 10 starters return—6 on offense and 4 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Joep Engbers, Aaron Fenimore, and D.J. Geth. The Flames offense averaged 389.5 yards and 25.6 points per game last season.
• Liberty quarterback: Deshawn Purdie is projected to start for Liberty. Last season at Wake Forest, he threw for 618 yards, 6 TD and 3 INT.
• James Madison: Billy Napier enters Year 1 as head coach. 3 starters return—1 on offense and 2 on defense. A key defender back is Amar Thomas. The JMU defense allowed 266.6 yards and 18.4 points per game last season.
• James Madison quarterback: Either Camden Coleman and JC Evans will start for JMU, but Napier is remaining tight-lipped about it.

How the game is decided

This feels like a coin flip. It’s hard to know what James Madison will look like in 2026 after the change in head coach and so few starters back. And Liberty has 10 starters back and a former Power 4 QB at the helm.

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 11:00 AM CT
Location: JMA Wireless Dome
TV: ACC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): SYR -33.5
Over/under: 55.5

The setup

Syracuse is 23-0 against FCS opponents since the major-college split in 1978. New Hampshire is trying to become the first exception in nearly half a century.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly Syracuse’s rebuilt offense settles in. Syracuse averaged 20.2 points per game last season and returns 2 offensive starters. New Hampshire allowed 23.2 points per game.

Personnel snapshot

• New Hampshire: Sean Goldrich enters Year 1 as head coach.
• New Hampshire quarterback: Brooks Bentley is New Hampshire’s most experienced returning passer. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• Syracuse: Fran Brown enters Year 3 as head coach. 7 starters return—2 on offense and 5 on defense. Key defenders back include Antoine Deslauriers, Gary Bryant III, and Demetres Samuel Jr.. The Syracuse defense allowed 427.7 yards and 34.9 points per game last season.
• Syracuse quarterback: Steve Angeli is projected to start for Syracuse. Last season, he threw for 1,317 yards, 10 TD and 2 INT before being hurt about Clemson. Angeli doesn’t mind throwing it deep and testing defenses. He was among the nation’s leaders in 20-plus yard attempts before his injury.

Three quick analysis points

• The location wrinkle: The Orange have won 22 straight Dome games against FCS teams. The venue-specific streak is one game shorter than the entire category streak because Syracuse has been just as automatic indoors.
• The opener trend: Syracuse is 96-34-4 in home openers and has won 10 of the last 12. This first-ever meeting begins in one of the program’s most comfortable calendar slots.
• A first real test at quarterback: Brooks Bentley is New Hampshire’s most experienced returning passer. \Syracuse returns 5 defensive starters and ranked only No. 109 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Brooks Bentley a chance to settle in. New Hampshire returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

Syracuse’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. New Hampshire must turn every early stop into field position or points if it hopes to hang around.

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 11:00 AM CT
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium
TV: TV TBD
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): CONN -19.5
Over/under: 58.5

The setup

Jason Candle’s first game at UConn comes with UConn as the 19.5-point favorite. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. Lafayette has lost 7 straight season openers.

What I’m watching

The thing to watch is how quickly UConn’s rebuilt offense settles in. UConn averaged 35.3 points per game last season and returns just one offensive starter. Lafayette allowed 28.8 points per game. Lafayette 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

• Lafayette: John Troxell enters Year 5 as head coach.
• Lafayette quarterback: Jason Penza is Lafayette’s most experienced returning passer. He had no meaningful passing sample in 2025.
• UConn: Jason Candle enters Year 1 as head coach. 1 starter returns—1 on offense and 0 on defense. A key offensive lineman back is Ty Chan. That offense averaged 445.2 yards and 35.3 points per game last season.
• UConn quarterback: Jake Merklinger is projected to start for UConn. Last season at Tennessee, he threw for 173 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

UConn’s first job is avoiding three-and-outs while the new offensive pieces settle in. Lafayette must turn every early stop into field position or points; empty possessions will eventually let the home 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 11:00 AM CT
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: ABC
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ALA -28.5
Over/under: 53.5

The setup

Alabama is expected to win comfortably as a 28.5-point favorite. Alabama has not lost to a team outside today’s power-conference tier since 2007 when it fell to Louisiana Monroe in Nick Saban’s first year at the helm.

What I’m watching

All eyes will be on Crimson Tide QB Keelon Russell as he makes his first start, but Alabama fans should pay close attention to the run game, which must be better than last season. Alabama was one of the worst teams in the nation at running the ball last year, ranking well outside the top 100 in FBS.

Personnel snapshot

• East Carolina: Blake Harrell enters Year 3 as head coach. 3 starters return—1 on offense and 2 on defense. Key defenders back include Jasiyah Robinson and DJ Johnson Jr.. The ECU defense allowed 351.0 yards and 20.2 points per game last season.
• East Carolina quarterback: Mitch Griffis is projected to start for East Carolina. Last season at Texas Tech, he threw for 357 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.
• Alabama: Kalen DeBoer enters Year 3 as head coach. 7 starters return—3 on offense and 4 on defense. Key defenders back include Yhonzae Pierre, Zabien Brown, and Bray Hubbard. The Alabama defense allowed 296.8 yards and 19.2 points per game last season.
• Alabama quarterback: Alabama has named Russell its starter. Last season, he threw for 143 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

Alabama should win on what is expected to be a hot day in Tuscaloosa. But keep an eye on Ryan Williams-Coleman, who hopes his 2026 season is more like his 2024 freshman year than his 2025 sophomore season.

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 11:00 AM CT
Location: Michie Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): ARMY -36.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

Army is expected to win comfortably as a 36.5-point favorite, but this will be an early test before the Black Knight see South Florida next week.

What I’m watching

The early question is whether Army’s rebuilt defense lets Bryant hang around. Bryant averaged 22.7 points per game last season. Army allowed 22.1 points per game and returns 3 defensive starters.  Army’s triple option offense can drain the clock, so a few turnovers can keep a game close that should not be.

Personnel snapshot

• Bryant: Chris Merritt enters Year 8 as head coach.
• Bryant quarterback: Brennan Myer is Bryant’s most experienced returning passer. Last season, he threw for 1,193 yards, 7 TD and 7 INT.
• Army: Jeff Monken enters Year 13 as head coach. 11 starters return—8 on offense and 3 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Henry Appleton and Paolo Gennarelli. That offense averaged 335.8 yards and 24.0 points per game last season.
• Army quarterback: Cale Hellums returns as Army’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 504 yards, 3 TD and 2 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The easiest path for Army’s offense: Army allowed a disruptive play on 6.5% of its snaps, No. 1 nationally. Bryant allowed 30.7 points per game at the FCS level last season. That is the part of the offense Army can use to establish control before depth becomes the larger advantage. The same head coach and OC return with 8 starters from that offensive unit, making the strength more likely to carry into 2026.
• The underdog’s opening against Army: Army’s defense created a disruptive play on 8.9% of snaps, No. 130 nationally. Bryant scored 22.7 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the one area Bryant should test immediately. One successful early drive could turn a depth mismatch into a pressure game for a quarter or two. Army changed its defensive leadership and returns 3 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• Ball security under pressure: Brennan Myer is Bryant’s most experienced returning passer. Last year he threw for 1,193 yards, 7 TD and 7 INT; 3.9% of his throws were picked off. Army returns 3 defensive starters and ranked only No. 130 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving Brennan Myer a chance to settle in. Bryant returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

Bryant has to test the rebuilt defense immediately and make its first good drive count. Army should be fine if it tackles cleanly and avoids short fields, but early mistakes are how a heavy favorite gives an underdog belief.

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 11:00 AM CT
Location: Milan Puskar Stadium
TV: TNT
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): WVU -21.5
Over/under: 56.5

The setup

Ryan Beard’s first game at Coastal comes with Coastal as the 21.5-point underdog. The result matters, but so does whether the new identity is visible immediately. West Virginia won the last matchup 31-0 in 2010.

What I’m watching

Something has to give when Coastal has the ball. Its offense ranked No. 111 nationally, but West Virginia’s defense was only No. 119. One struggling unit gets a chance to look much better in Week 1.

Personnel snapshot

• Coastal: Ryan Beard enters Year 1 as head coach. 5 starters return—1 on offense and 4 on defense. That defense allowed 443.8 yards and 33.1 points per game last season.
• Coastal quarterback: Deuce Bailey is projected to start for Coastal. Last season at Missouri St, he threw for 335 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT.
• West Virginia: Rich Rodriguez enters Year 2 as head coach. 3 starters return—3 on offense and 0 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Nick Krahe and Landen Livingston. That offense averaged 349.5 yards and 21.8 points per game last season.
• West Virginia quarterback: Michael Hawkins Jr. is projected to start for West Virginia. Last season at Oklahoma, he threw for 167 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT.

How the game is decided

The winner is probably the team that makes fewer bad situations worse. A modest run game and a quarterback willing to take the easy throw may matter more than highlight plays.

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: Friday, September 4 at 8:00 PM CT
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
TV: FOX
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USC -23.5
Over/under: 51.5

The setup

By the end of Friday night, USC will have played twice before 65% of the FBS has played once. The Trojans are speed-running September while Fresno State opens its season.

What I’m watching

This is the cleanest strength-on-strength part of the game. USC finished No. 4 nationally at 7.4 yards each time it snapped the ball; Fresno St was No. 24 at stopping offenses, allowing 5.3. Those units return 9 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters, so both old rankings still carry weight. Whichever side still looks like its 2025 version probably controls the game.

Personnel snapshot

• Fresno St: Matt Entz enters Year 2 as head coach. 13 starters return—6 on offense and 7 on defense. Key defenders back include Jahzon Jacks, Deijon Laffitte, and Martin Owusu. That defense allowed 285.7 yards and 21.2 points per game last season.
• Fresno St quarterback: Khristian Martin is projected to start for Fresno St. Last season at Maryland, he threw for 105 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT.
• USC: Lincoln Riley enters Year 5 as head coach. 15 starters return—9 on offense and 6 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Alani Noa, Kilian O'Connor, and Elijah Paige. That offense averaged 465.5 yards and 44.2 points per game last season.
• USC quarterback: Jayden Maiava returns as USC's starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 3,431 yards, 23 TD and 8 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• The youth movement: USC started five true freshmen against San Jose State and played 20. Fresno State is not getting the nervous first snap from that youth movement; it is getting a freshman class with a full game's rehearsal.
• The scoring trend: USC converted 9 of 13 third downs and produced five touchdown drives of at least 74 yards in its opener. Fresno State counters with a defense that allowed only 18.8 points and 285.7 yards per game last year and intercepted 20 passes.
• The quarterback angle: Jayden Maiava completed 25 of 29 passes, including 14 straight, and produced three touchdowns in Week 0. He now owns 5,198 USC passing yards; Fresno State's opener begins against a quarterback already in midseason rhythm.

How the game is decided

First down decides it. If USC stays on schedule, its quarterback gets the full playbook; if Fresno St creates second-and-long, the defense can dictate the next two snaps. One or two third downs may tell us which returning unit is actually as good as last year's ranking.

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: Friday, September 4 at 8:00 PM CT
Location: Stanford Stadium
TV: ESPN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): MIA -24.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Stanford already has a 37-27 win and 483 yards without a turnover. That was its first turnover-free regulation victory since 2017. But can the Cardinal keep it going against the ACC favorites? Miami may show some week 1 rust, especially when you consider the Hurricanes have to travel all the way to California.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether Stanford can move the ball without living in third-and-long. That offense ranked No. 124 nationally at 5.1 yards each time it snapped the ball; Miami’s defense ranked No. 25 and allowed only 5.4. 5 starters from that offensive unit return. 7 starters from that defensive unit are back, so the old ranking still matters. That is the matchup most likely to tilt field position.

Personnel snapshot

• Miami: Mario Cristobal enters Year 5 as head coach. 10 starters return—3 on offense and 7 on defense. Key defenders back include Justin Scott, Ahmad Moten Sr., and Mohamed Toure. That defense allowed 294.1 yards and 14.8 points per game last season.
• Miami quarterback: Darian Mensah is projected to start for Miami. Last season at Duke, he threw for 3,646 yards, 30 TD and 5 INT.
• Stanford: Tavita Pritchard enters Year 1 as head coach. 12 starters return—5 on offense and 7 on defense. Key defenders back include Ernest Cooper, Jahsiah Galvan, and Matt Rose. That defense allowed 408.2 yards and 32.0 points per game last season.
• Stanford quarterback: Stanford has named Davis Warren its starter. He had over 300 yards in last week’s win over Hawaii.

Three quick analysis points

• The scoring trend: Micah Ford ran for 99 yards and three scores last week vs Hawaii, the first Stanford back with at least 90 and three touchdowns since Bryce Love in 2017. Miami’s defense gets a live, modern version of an old Cardinal formula.
• The turnover test: Davis Warren threw for 310 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers – Stanford’s first season-opening 300-yard, turnover-free quarterback game since Andrew Luck in 2010. The new starter already owns a very Stanford comparison.
• The pressure point: Miami beat Stanford 42-7 last year, but the Cardinal scored first before the game split open. Stanford now brings an extra game of rhythm; Miami brings last year’s No. 1-rated pass rush against a line that graded 128th in pass protection.

How the game is decided

Stanford needs Miami’s help to stick around in this one. Will the Hurricanes be rusty in week 1 after making the three time zone trip to Palo Alto?

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: Friday, September 4 at 7:00 PM CT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Norman, OK)
TV: SECN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): OU -41.5
Over/under: 50.5

The setup

Oklahoma is expected to win comfortably as a 41.5-point favorite. A win is expected; how quickly it takes control may tell us more about what comes next. Since 2004, Oklahoma leads 3-0 in 3 meetings; Oklahoma has won 3 straight in the series. OU won the last meeting 45-13 in 2022.

What I’m watching

The biggest test is whether UTEP can move the ball without living in third-and-long. That offense ranked No. 115 nationally at 5.3 yards each time it snapped the ball; Oklahoma’s defense ranked No. 5 and allowed only 4.9. UTEP doesn’t return any starters on offense, while Oklahoma returns 6 starters on defense.

Personnel snapshot

• UTEP: Scotty Walden enters Year 3 as head coach. 4 starters return—0 on offense and 4 on defense. Key defenders back include Ashton Coker, Justin Content, and Xavier Smith. That defense allowed 391.3 yards and 33.3 points per game last season.
• UTEP quarterback: EJ Colson is projected to start for UTEP. Last season at Incarnate Word, he threw for 2,142 yards, 16 TD and 4 INT.
• Oklahoma: Brent Venables enters Year 5 as head coach. 14 starters return—8 on offense and 6 on defense. Key offensive linemen back include Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje, and Jake Maikkula. That offense averaged 354.3 yards and 31.2 points per game last season.
• Oklahoma quarterback: John Mateer returns as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback. Last season, he threw for 2,578 yards, 12 TD and 10 INT.

Three quick analysis points

• Oklahoma should have time to throw: PFF graded Oklahoma’s pass blocking No. 11 among 136 FBS teams last season; UTEP’s pass rush ranked No. 119. That points to a cleaner pocket than UTEP can afford to give up. Oklahoma also kept the same head coach and offensive coordinator, with 8 offensive starters back. UTEP kept the same head coach and returns 4 defensive starters.
• UTEP’s toughest run game test: UTEP averaged 4.14 yards per rush play, No. 126 nationally. Oklahoma’s defense allowed 3.53 yards per rush play, No. 2 nationally. That puts a proven Oklahoma strength directly against one of UTEP’s biggest 2025 problems. UTEP changed its offensive leadership and returns 0 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• Making the jump from FCS to FBS: EJ Colson, a transfer from Incarnate Word, is expected to make his first start for UTEP after playing at the FCS level. Last year he threw for 2,142 yards, 16 TD and 4 INT; 1.4% of his throws were picked off. Oklahoma returns 6 defensive starters and led the FBS with 3.46 sacks per game, finishing with 45. UTEP returns no listed starting offensive linemen, making protection the immediate question.

How the game is decided

UTEP needs easy offense: a short field, a quarterback run or a quick pass that breaks a tackle. If Oklahoma makes every drive travel the full field, its advantage should grow with each obvious passing down.

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.