Category: Featured

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 PM CT
Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): UL -20.5
Over/under: 48.5

The setup

Louisiana is favored by 20.5. Lamar already has a full 2026 game on film, creating an advantage in live reps but also giving the opponent real tape to study.

What I’m watching

Lamar beat Abilene Christian 21-14 in Week 0, with Aiden McCown completing 17 of 32 for 183 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 278 yards—183 passing and 95 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Lamar’s Peter Rossomando is in Year 4; Louisiana’s Michael Desormeaux is in Year 5. Louisiana returns 9 starters—7 on offense and 2 on defense.
• Can the defense dominate: Louisiana allowed 31.7 points per game last season. The standard against Lamar should be higher than simply winning: the defense needs to control the game without help from the offense. That unit returns 2 starters.
• The pressure test: Aiden McCown led Lamar’s passing in Week 0 (17 of 32 for 183 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT); Lunch Winfield returns as Louisiana’s starter (1,539 yards, 11 TD and 7 INT in 2025).

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 PM CT
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
TV: BTN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): NU -12.5
Over/under: 46.5

The setup

Northwestern is favored by 12.5. S Dakota St already has a full 2026 game on film, creating an advantage in live reps but also giving the opponent real tape to study.

What I’m watching

S Dakota St beat Stetson 70-7 in Week 0, with Chase Mason completing 5 of 10 for 157 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. S Dakota St already established the run, finishing with 393 rushing yards. Northwestern allowed 136.3 rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes this a more meaningful follow-up test.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: S Dakota St’s Dan Jackson is in Year 2; Northwestern’s David Braun is in Year 4. Northwestern returns 10 starters—5 on offense and 5 on defense.
• The depth advantage has to show: Northwestern should have the deeper roster, but S Dakota St’s path is to force the new or lightly used starters into an uncomfortable first half.
• Familiarity versus a new offense: Chase Mason led S Dakota St’s passing in Week 0 (5 of 10 for 157 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT); Aidan Chiles is the projected starter for Northwestern (1,392 yards, 10 TD and 3 INT at Michigan St in 2025). Chase Mason was already on S Dakota St’s roster last season; Northwestern is asking its quarterback to translate past production into a new offense immediately.

Three quick analysis points

• S Dakota St already cleared 500 yards: S Dakota St gained 628 yards in Week 0—235 passing and 393 rushing. That is a much more useful early clue than a preseason projection.
• A low-risk test for Northwestern’s protection: Northwestern allowed a disruptive play on 14.7% of its snaps, No. 109 nationally. S Dakota St allowed 21.9 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the right opener for Northwestern to show that weakness has been repaired; if it still cannot create easy offense, the concern carries into FBS play. Northwestern changed its offensive leadership and returns 5 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• What S Dakota St must solve: Northwestern’s defense allowed 5.40 yards per rush play, No. 94 nationally. S Dakota St scored 29.1 points per game at the FCS level last season. S Dakota St needs to find one repeatable way to move the ball; isolated big plays will not be enough if most possessions end quickly. Northwestern kept the same head coach and DC, with 5 defensive starters returning.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 PM CT
Location: SECU Stadium
TV: BTN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): MD -45.5
Over/under: 56.5

The setup

Maryland is 19-0 against FCS teams since 2000, winning by 33.1 points on average while allowing only 10.6. Hampton is trying to turn the first meeting into the first exception in 26 years.

What I’m watching

Hampton beat Virginia Lynchburg 45-0 in Week 0, with Jalen Woods completing 15 of 26 for 191 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. The urgent issue is ball security after Hampton gave it away 3 times. That has to improve before any comparison with Maryland matters.

Personnel snapshot

• A veteran FBS core: Hampton’s Van Malone is in Year 1; Maryland’s Mike Locksley is in Year 8. Maryland returns 13 starters—6 on offense and 7 on defense.
• The favorite’s run-game test: Maryland averaged only 104.3 rushing yards per game last season. Against Hampton, winning is expected; showing a more dependable run game would be the more useful result. The offense brings back 6 starters.
• The quarterback matchup: Jalen Woods led Hampton’s passing in Week 0 (15 of 26 for 191 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT); Malik Washington returns as Maryland’s starter (2,963 yards, 17 TD and 9 INT in 2025). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• Ball security is already the flashing warning light for Hampton: Hampton gave the ball away 3 times in Week 0. No other statistic matters much if that repeats.
• The scoring trend: Maryland owns the nation’s longest active nonconference winning streak at 18. Under Mike Locksley, the Terps are 20-1 in those games and average 40.3 points, so Hampton’s upset path cannot become a track meet.
• The defensive challenge: Hampton already has a runner with 132 yards at 16.5 per carry, while Maryland ranked 99th nationally against the run last season at 175.6 yards allowed per game. The biggest underdog still found one matchup it can test immediately.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:30 PM CT
Location: Lane Stadium
TV: ACC Network
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): VT -51.5
Over/under: 57.5

The setup

Virginia Tech and VMI meet for the 80th time but the first since 1984. A rivalry that began in 1894 took a 42-year commercial break.

What I’m watching

VMI lost 38-10 to Idaho State in Week 0, with JoJo Crump completing 3 of 7 for 16 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT. The early warning is only 240 total yards. Virginia Tech allowed 378.1 yards per game last season, so this is a useful chance to see whether the opener was a one-game problem.

Personnel snapshot

• A veteran FBS core: VMI’s Ashley Ingram is in Year 1; Virginia Tech’s James Franklin is in Year 1. Virginia Tech returns 14 starters—8 on offense and 6 on defense.
• Can the defense dominate: Virginia Tech allowed 30.2 points per game last season. The standard against VMI should be higher than simply winning: the defense needs to control the game without help from the offense. That unit returns 6 starters.
• Familiarity versus a new offense: JoJo Crump led VMI’s passing in Week 0 (3 of 7 for 16 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT); Ethan Grunkemeyer is the projected starter for Virginia Tech (1,079 yards, 6 TD and 4 INT at Penn State in 2025).

Three quick analysis points

• The history: The Hokies lead 49-25-5, yet only seven previous meetings were played in Blacksburg. Tech has won five of the last six there, so the massive series was mostly built somewhere else.
• The coaching angle: James Franklin debuts at Virginia Tech with 128 career wins, the most ever by an African-American FBS head coach. His first game is against one of the program’s oldest opponents.
• The quarterback follow-up: JoJo Crump handled 7 pass attempts for VMI in Week 0. He completed 3 of 7 for 16 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT. Virginia Tech returns 6 defensive starters and ranked only No. 125 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, giving JoJo Crump a chance to settle in.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:30 PM CT
Location: Joe Aillet Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): LT -43.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

Louisiana Tech is expected to win comfortably as a 43.5-point favorite. A win is expected; how quickly it takes control may tell us more about what comes next. Since 2004, Louisiana Tech leads 2-1 in 3 meetings; Louisiana Tech has won 2 straight in the series; the last meeting was Northwestern State Demons 21, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 51 (2023).

What I’m watching

N’Western St lost 42-37 to Louisiana Christian in Week 0, with Abram Johnston completing 30 of 42 for 319 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The urgent issue is ball security after N’Western St gave it away 3 times. That has to improve before any comparison with Louisiana Tech matters.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: N’Western St’s Blaine McCorkle is in Year 3; Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Cumbie is in Year 5. Louisiana Tech returns 7 starters—5 on offense and 2 on defense.
• The depth advantage has to show: Louisiana Tech should have the deeper roster, but N’Western St’s path is to force the new or lightly used starters into an uncomfortable first half.
• The quarterback matchup: Abram Johnston led N’Western St’s passing in Week 0 (30 of 42 for 319 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Trey Kukuk is the projected starter for Louisiana Tech (526 yards, 2 TD and 3 INT in 2025). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• The easiest path for Louisiana Tech’s offense: Louisiana Tech averaged 5.41 yards per rush play, No. 37 nationally. N’Western St allowed 41.6 points per game at the FCS level last season. That is the part of the offense Louisiana Tech can use to establish control before depth becomes the larger advantage. Louisiana Tech changed its offensive leadership and returns 5 starters on that side, so last year’s number is a warning or opportunity—not a guarantee.
• Why normal offense may not work for N’Western St: Louisiana Tech’s defense created a disruptive play on 14.6% of snaps, No. 20 nationally. N’Western St scored 10.5 points per game at the FCS level last season. That suggests N’Western St needs a short field, a special-teams break or a busted coverage; trying to drive the full field repeatedly is the difficult path. Louisiana Tech kept the same head coach and DC, with 2 defensive starters returning.
• The quarterback follow-up: Abram Johnston handled 42 pass attempts for N’Western St in Week 0. He completed 30 of 42 for 319 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. Louisiana Tech returns 2 defensive starters and ranked No. 20 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, making pressure a proven strength. Week 0 identified who handled the passing game; this matchup is the first chance to see which parts of that performance carry over.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): KSU -40.5
Over/under: 55.5

The setup

Nicholls has visited Kansas State once, for Chris Klieman’s first game in 2019. Now it returns for Collin Klein’s first game – the Colonels have accidentally become the Wildcats’ new-coach ribbon-cutting crew.

What I’m watching

Nicholls beat Mississippi Valley State 44-10 in Week 0, with Ean Rodrigue completing 16 of 25 for 264 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. Nicholls put 347 passing yards on film. Kansas St allowed 222.4 passing yards per game last season, so the same approach gets a different test here.

Personnel snapshot

• A new staff with some carryover: Nicholls’s Tommy Rybacki is in Year 2; Kansas St’s Collin Klein is in Year 1. Kansas St returns 9 starters—6 on offense and 3 on defense.
• The depth advantage has to show: Kansas St should have the deeper roster, but Nicholls’s path is to force the new or lightly used starters into an uncomfortable first half.
• The quarterback matchup: Ean Rodrigue led Nicholls’s passing in Week 0 (16 of 25 for 264 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT); Avery Johnson returns as Kansas St’s starter (2,385 yards, 18 TD and 6 INT in 2025). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• Nicholls already put 300 passing yards on film: Nicholls threw for 347 yards in the opener and averaged 8.5 yards per attempt.
• The roster reset: More than half of Kansas State’s roster is new: 58 of 111 players, or 52.3%. The 26 transfers soften the reset with 473 combined games and 176 starts – new name tags, but not new football players.
• The quarterback angle: Avery Johnson is making career start No. 27 and his third straight season-opening start. Since 1990, only three Kansas State quarterbacks have opened three straight seasons; Johnson also ranks tied for second nationally in starts among quarterbacks who never transferred.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USA -12.5
Over/under: 52.5

The setup

South Alabama leads this tiny series 1-0 and is 10-7 in season openers. Southeastern Louisiana already has a game; the Jaguars own the history while the Lions own the live reps.

What I’m watching

SE Louisiana lost 34-28 to Houston Christian in Week 0, with Kyle Lowe completing 17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The urgent issue is ball security after SE Louisiana gave it away 3 times. That has to improve before any comparison with South Alabama matters.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: SE Louisiana’s Frank Scelfo is in Year 9; South Alabama’s Major Applewhite is in Year 3. South Alabama returns 5 starters—2 on offense and 3 on defense.
• The protection problem: South Alabama brings back one starting offensive lineman, led by Ethan Hubbard. SE Louisiana produced 38 sacks last season. Protection is the personnel battle most likely to change the game.
• The pressure test: Kyle Lowe led SE Louisiana’s passing in Week 0 (17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Bishop Davenport returns as South Alabama’s starter (2,073 yards, 12 TD and 6 INT in 2025). The tougher first assignment belongs to Bishop Davenport: SE Louisiana produced 38 sacks last season.

Three quick analysis points

• The running-game test: South Alabama returns three backs from a rushing attack that averaged 199.8 yards, 18th nationally. The offense may be rebuilding, but its most repeatable shortcut stayed on campus.
• The roster reset: The Jaguars have won three of their last four home openers. That is not an ancient dynasty stat; it is a current habit this roster has personally seen.
• The quarterback follow-up: Kyle Lowe handled 27 pass attempts for SE Louisiana in Week 0. He completed 17 of 27 for 150 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. South Alabama returns 3 defensive starters and ranked No. 98 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): Middle Tennessee -20.5
Over/under: 59.5

The setup

Middle Tennessee and Murray State have played 71 times, with MTSU leading 38-30-3. This is not a buy-game stranger; it is a dormant rivalry with more meetings than many conference series.

What I’m watching

Murray St lost 28-14 to Eastern Illinois in Week 0, with Collin Shannon completing 26 of 40 for 257 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT. Murray St could not establish the run, finishing with 63 rushing yards. MTSU allowed 143.1 rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes this a more meaningful follow-up test.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Murray St’s Jody Wright is in Year 3; MTSU’s Derek Mason is in Year 3. MTSU returns 4 starters—1 on offense and 3 on defense.
• The favorite’s run-game test: MTSU averaged only 105.5 rushing yards per game last season. Against Murray St, winning is expected; showing a more dependable run game would be the more useful result. The offense brings back 1 starter.
• The quarterback matchup: Collin Shannon led Murray St’s passing in Week 0 (26 of 40 for 257 yards, 2 TD and 2 INT); Roman Gagliano is the projected starter for MTSU (1,011 yards, 7 TD and 0 INT in 2025). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• The scoring trend: Middle Tennessee has scored in 162 straight home games. The last team to shut the Blue Raiders out in Murfreesboro was Murray State on Sept. 23, 1995, so this opener arrives with a 31-year callback built in.
• The turnover test: MTSU is 56-16 when it wins the turnover battle since the middle of 2012 and 14-6 over the last three seasons. Murray State threw two interceptions in Week 0, making ball security the underdog’s first price of admission.
• The recent trend: Roman Gagliano has topped 200 passing yards in all three career starts; MTSU went 2-1 while he produced 1,093 total yards, eight touchdowns and only one turnover. The new full-time starter already has more than a cameo’s worth of proof.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Rice Stadium
TV: ESPN+
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): RICE -22.5
Over/under: 47.5

The setup

Rice is favored by 22.5. Hou Christian already has a full 2026 game on film, creating an advantage in live reps but also giving the opponent real tape to study. Rice’s most recent win over a current power-conference program came in 2023 when it beat Houston.

What I’m watching

Houston Christian beat SE Louisiana 34-28 in Week 0, with Cutter Stewart completing 10 of 18 for 173 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. The Week 1 opponent changes the degree of difficulty, but 361 yards—200 passing and 161 rushing—gives us a real 2026 starting point instead of another projection.

Personnel snapshot

• The FBS roster is rebuilding too: Hou Christian’s Jason Bachtel is in Year 3; Rice’s Scott Abell is in Year 2. Rice returns 5 starters—3 on offense and 2 on defense.
• Can the defense dominate: Rice allowed 32.9 points per game last season. The standard against Houston Christian should be higher than simply winning: the defense needs to control the game without help from the offense. That unit returns 2 starters.
• One familiar option, one unknown: Cutter Stewart led Hou Christian’s passing in Week 0 (10 of 18 for 173 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT); Jacurri Brown is the projected starter for Rice (no meaningful 2025 passing sample).

Three quick analysis points

• Hou Christian is already 1-0: Hou Christian beat SE Louisiana 34-28 in its 2026 opener. Jamaal Hall II caught 2 passes for 71 yards and 1 TD.
• A low-risk test for Rice’s passing game: Rice averaged 5.35 yards per pass play, No. 131 nationally. Hou Christian allowed 30.3 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the right opener for Rice to show that weakness has been repaired; if it still cannot create easy offense, the concern carries into FBS play. Rice kept the same head coach and OC, with 3 offensive starters returning.
• The underdog’s opening against Rice: Rice’s defense allowed 7.74 yards per pass play, No. 114 nationally. Hou Christian scored 17.3 points per game at the FCS level last season. This is the one area Hou Christian should test immediately. One successful early drive could turn a depth mismatch into a pressure game for a quarter or two. Rice kept the same head coach and DC, with 2 defensive starters returning.

How the game is decided

Hou Christian owns the advantage of live game reps, but Rice owns a full game of film on the new offense. The result turns on whether the Week 0 strength travels—or whether the same weakness shows up once the opponent has had time to target it.

Prediction

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

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

Kickoff: Saturday, September 5 at 6:00 PM CT
Location: Maverik Stadium
TV: CBSSN
DraftKings line (Aug. 30): USU -12.5
Over/under: 63.5

The setup

Utah State is 19-2 against Idaho State, 16-1 at home and has won six straight in the series. The last meeting ended 78-28 – a 50-point memory the Bengals are carrying back to Logan.

What I’m watching

Idaho St beat VMI 38-10 in Week 0, with Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin combining to complete 23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT. Idaho St put 366 passing yards on film. Utah State allowed 258.8 passing yards per game last season, so the same approach gets a different test here.

Personnel snapshot

• What carries over for the FBS team: Idaho St’s Cody Hawkins is in Year 4; Utah State’s Bronco Mendenhall is in Year 2. Utah State returns 9 starters—4 on offense and 5 on defense.
• Where points should be available: Idaho St averaged 36.0 points per game last season; Utah State allowed 37.3. That gives the underdog a believable path: score early enough to make the favorite play with pressure.
• The quarterback matchup: Idaho St used Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin at quarterback in Week 0 (23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT); Utah State has officially named McCae Hillstead the starter (no meaningful 2025 passing sample). Neither passer should need to win the game alone; avoiding the first bad turnover is the more important opening-night test.

Three quick analysis points

• The opener trend: Idaho State already beat VMI 38-10, while Utah State is opening fresh. The Bengals bring game speed; the Aggies bring rest and a 16-game nonconference home-opener winning streak.
• The roster reset: Utah State returns only nine starters and 23 letterwinners while welcoming 67 newcomers. Its 35 four-year transfers bring 273 starts, so the roster is unfamiliar but not inexperienced.
• The quarterback follow-up: Idaho St used Jordan Cooke and Davis Harsin at quarterback in Week 0. They combined to complete 23 of 39 for 366 yards, 4 TD and 2 INT. Utah State returns 5 defensive starters and ranked No. 41 nationally at creating sacks and other disruptive plays, so this was not an overwhelming pressure mismatch last year. Week 0 identified who handled the passing game; this matchup is the first chance to see which parts of that performance carry over.

Prediction

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

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