As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Notre Dame vs. Navy (@Foxborough, MA; ABC): While this rivalry is somewhat defined by Navy’s history of futility in it, it’s definitely preferable that they at least have a chance. They do not have a chance here.
• Wisconsin @ Iowa (FOX): The low-scoring gods went against Iowa last week, so I don’t think it’ll happen two weeks in a row.
• Arizona @ Texas Tech (ESPN): Arizona is better than one might think, and this is not last year’s Texas Tech that ran roughshod over the Big 12. Zona definitely has a chance here, this should be a good watch. I think the Red Raiders will hold on, though.
• Southern Methodist @ Syracuse (ESPN2): SMU looks like the 2nd, or at least 3rd, best team in the ACC. Syracuse, not so much.
• Illinois @ Maryland (FS1): It’s Illinois all the way here.
• Boston College @ Duke (The CW): For maximum confusion, I’m certain that Duke (who lost to us) will beat BC here (who we just allowed 400 yards rushing to).
• Alabama-Birmingham @ South Florida (ESPNU): USF only has two losses, but they’re also to the only teams they’ve really played with a pulse. UAB has a pulse.
• California @ North Carolina State (ACCN): It was time for Dave Doeren, who was the longest tenured coach in the ACC. Cal, meanwhile, is wondering if they can get a refund on Tosh Lupoi, whose limitations as a coach have quickly come to roost. This is definitely a bad feelings bowl. I’m guessing it’ll be NC State here.
• Bowling Green @ Western Michigan (CBSS): WMU will be fine here.

12:30: Michigan @ Rutgers (BTN): Is it possible for negative points to be scored in a game, somehow? Michigan has an all-time defense and, in a very different sense, an all-time offense. Rutgers isn’t particularly good at anything, which means they probably won’t score. We have a real shot at 0-0 here. Michigan is better on paper, so who knows, maybe they’ll get a pick 6 or something.

12:45: Auburn @ Mississippi (SEC): Auburn’s actual level feels way more the 38-18 loss to LSU than the 27-24 win over Georgia, which doesn’t bode well for this visit to Oxford.

1:00: Marshall @ Old Dominion (ESPN+)

2:00:

• Kansas State @ Colorado (TNT): Speaking of “it’s time” coaches, yeah, the Deion thing seems pretty over.
• Coastal Carolina @ Georgia State (ESPN+)

3:00: Connecticut @ Air Force (MWN)

3:15: Stanford @ Louisville (ACCN): Stanford beat NC State, who beat Louisville. I expect the transitive property to be proven wrong once again here.

3:30:

• Florida vs. Georgia (“The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” @ Atlanta, GA; ABC): This year and next year, the cocktail party will still be a neutral site game, just not in Jacksonville. This one is likely to be indoors (I doubt the roof will be open). Similar to Auburn, I don’t think Florida is as good as their win over Texas or as bad as their loss to Mizzou, but either level is below Georgia’s.
• Minnesota @ Indiana (CBS): The warning signs are screaming for the Hoosiers after the tight loss to Ohio State and the narrow win over Michigan. While this Minnesota team is punchy, Indiana will probably feel a lot more comfortable on this ball in this one.
• Arizona State @ Brigham Young (FOX): As long as BYU doesn’t get caught looking ahead to the Holy War next week, they’ll be fine here.
• Colorado State @ Utah State (USA): Neither of these teams is especially good, but outside of last week’s win against San Diego State, Colorado State hasn’t shown much this season. I’ll take the Aggies.
• Kansas @ Texas Christian (FS1): Dave Aranda (now the former Baylor coach) might be watching this one and thinking about the two straight losses to these teams that got him fired. And yeah, both these teams are at the bottom of the Big 12, there’s not much to go one. Kansas just seems a little worse though.
• Florida International @ Liberty (CBSS): It brings me no pleasure to report that Liberty is apparently good again.
• Northwestern @ Oregon (NBCSN/Peacock): Oregon is cooked (as the kids say) after losing 21-10 to Illinois last week. Chip Kelly rolling into Eugene to really pile the dirt on while running college football’s most… unique offense will really be something to behold.
• Texas-El Paso @ North Dakota State (MWN)
• Southern Mississippi @ Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN+)

3:45:

• Utah @ Cincinnati (ESPN): Cincinnati is definitely more dangerous than Arizona State, but the Utes should also be fine as long as they aren’t looking ahead to next week.
• Virginia @ Wake Forest (ESPN2): Remember when UVA beat NC State 34-8 in Week 0? Yeah, that might well be the overreaction of the season, as the bottom fell out of the Wolfpack and the Cavs sport losses to West Virginia, Duke, and a blowout loss to Florida State. Wake, meanwhile, shares the “best team in the ACC that isn’t Miami” tier. Their last three ACC games feature the following score lines: 57-3, 38-14, and 41-7. Expect something similar here.

4:00: New Mexico @ San Jose State (NBCBA/MWN)

4:15:

• Purdue @ Pennsylvania State (BTN): What’s going on at Penn State? I’m sure Matt Campbell is wondering the same thing. With a loss here, which I feel pretty good about, it figures to from bad to worse in Campbell’s year 1.
• Nevada @ California-Los Angeles (BTN): Folks, there’s a real chance UCLA is going to win out. Nevada certainly won’t be able to stop them,
• South Carolina @ Oklahoma (SEC): LaNorris Sellers has been the Gamecocks’ talisman for a few years now, and in the last two games he’s made a difference. Meanwhile, Oklahoma another big time power program that just appears lost on offense. I like the Gamecocks to put up enough such that the Sooners can’t catch them, so let’s say… 21-0.

6:30: Appalachian State @ Georgia Southern (“Modern Day Hate”; ESPN+)

7:00:

• Oklahoma State @ Iowa State (FOX): The Cyclones are 1-4 against teams with a winning record so far. I expect it to be 1-5 after this.
• Clemson @ Florida State (ACCN): Well, it’s time for the Bad Vibes Game of the Week (yes, somehow worse than Michigan-Rutgers). But that said, there’s signs of life in Tallahassee, at least. The trick will be maintaining them a week after failing in their upset of one of their major rivals. But I still like them better than I do Clemson, which was last seen faceplanting at home against Virginia Tech.
• Washington State @ San Diego State (CBSS): It brings me no pleasure to report that Wazzu straight up stinks.

7:30:

• Miami @ North Carolina (ABC): Is UNC better than last year? Yes. Are they good? Well, not enough to overcome Miami, I’m pretty sure.
• Ohio State @ Southern California (NBC): The Buckeyes are Sayin-less for the rest of the season, but USC has a way of making many quarterbacks look good. I think the Bucks will be fine here.
• Mississippi State @ Texas (ESPN): Unfortunately, with Kamario Taylor out of the season, it appears the magic has run out for Miss State.
• Georgia Tech @ Pittsburgh (ESPN2): The defensive injuries are a thing, yes, but yet again we built a first half lead and completely melted down in the second. It’s just impossible to believe that this defense is capable of stopping anyone.

7:45: Missouri @ Arkansas (“Battle Line Rivalry”; SEC): Naturally, I finally believed in Mizzou and they went and lost 31-3 to Mississippi. Shows what I know. They should be fine here though.

8:00:

• Army @ Memphis (ESPNU): I think Army has the goods this year, though Memphis is definitely their stiffest remaining challenge.
• Washington @ Nebraska (BTN): These teams are defying the narrative a bit. Nebraska was supposed to be back, finally, but has now lost two in a row, the latter being to an Oregon team that has quarterback issues. UDub looked terrible, to the point where Jedd Fisch’s seat was getting warm, and then they beat Purdue. So that’s all to say… who knows. Thank goodness I don’t actually bet on this stuff. I’ll take the Huskers.

10:00: Texas State @ Boise State (The CW): Boise all the way here.

10:30: Northern Illinois @ Nevada-Las Vegas (CBSS): Rebels all the way here.

11:00: Oregon State @ Fresno State (USA): Beavers all the way here. (This will probably be the most fun of these last three, though.)

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Louisiana State @ Auburn (ABC): Tigers! Okay just kidding, but I am pretty confused about this one. Is LSU that bad? Is Auburn that good? Maybe I should stick to Tigers, but I’ll take the Plainsmen at home.
• Indiana @ Michigan (FOX): Indiana doesn’t have that gear this year, but they won’t need it here.
• Pittsburgh @ Miami (ESPN): If there ever were a time for the Pitt Superweapon thing to happen, would it make more or less sense for it happen with their third string QB? I’m not sure. But one cannot predict the Superweapon, at any rate. So I’ll take the Canes.
• West Virginia @ Texas Christian (ESPN2): The Neers have emerged not as the best college football team, not the worst college football team, but certainly the most college football team. They’re not great but they’re fun to watch. Will that get them a win in Fort Worth? Uh, ask me later. I’ll take the Frogs for now.
• Texas Tech @ Cincinnati (FS1): Texas Tech is also not as good as anyone involved would like, but that’ll be enough to get them past Cincy.
• California @ Southern Methodist (The CW): Cal is a disaster right now, thus will be Ponies all the way.
• Rice @ Florida Atlantic (ESPNU): Rice is sorta like West Virginia, except they’re bad. Owls all the way.
• Western Michigan @ Toledo (CBSS): This will be one of the most consequential games in the MAC this season, and yet I just keep thinking “man Toledo always kinda blows it”, so yeah, I like the Broncos.
• Rutgers @ Northwestern (Peacock/NBCSN): Northwestern is “fun” and also “good”? Somehow, yes. Turns out Chip Kelly can still call an offense.

Continue reading →

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Florida @ Texas (ABC): Florida’s initially promising start seems to have crashed at the altar of film and injuries. Obviously Texas fans are crestfallen at losing to Oklahoma, but they’ll be fine.
• Ohio State @ Indiana (FOX): The game of the day and a rematch of last year’s B1G Championship, that obviously went Indiana’s way last year. But this year’s Indiana a little worse than last year’s, and Ohio State is a little better. I think the Bucks get it done this time.
• Mississippi State @ Louisiana State (ESPN): Without Kamario Taylor, I’m not sure how the Bulldogs prevail down in Baton Rouge.
• Pittsburgh @ Boston College (ESPN2): BC remains one of the worse teams in the Power 4, the Panthers should be able to get this one done.
• Virginia @ Southern Methodist (The CW): Virginia has fallen off a bit of a cliff after a good start to the season, the Ponies should be good here.
• Cincinnati @ West Virginia (TNT): Is WVU good? Not especially. Are they fun? Heck yeah, and I still don’t know what to make of Cincy, so let’s go with the Neers.
• Kansas @ Kansas State (“Sunflower Showdown”; FS1): KU’s a little snakebit this season, but it’s crazy how long it’s been since the Jayhawks won this game (2008!). Will this be their year? I don’t think so, but both of these teams are kind of meh, so we’ll see.
• Georgia State @ James Madison (ESPNU): G-State is better this year, but JMU just seems inevitable.
• Charleston Southern @ Clemson (ACCN)
• Florida Atlantic @ Army (CBSS):
• Northwestern @ Michigan State (Peacock/NBCSN):
• Ball State @ Bowling Green (ESPN+)

12:30: Rutgers @ Maryland (BTN): This sure is a game that’s happening. Will either team keep their coach through this season? I think the Terps can do this, but the vibes here are so, so bad.

1:00:

• The Citadel @ Texas A&M (SEC+)
• Charlotte @ Temple (ESPN+)
• Massachusetts @ Buffalo (ESPN+)

1:30: Western Michigan @ Central Michigan (ESPN+)

3:30:

• Alabama @ Tennessee (“Third Saturday in October”; ABC): Unfortunately, Bama returned.
• Pennsylvania State @ Michigan (CBS): Speaking of terrible vibes, eeesh. Michigan is so bad offensively that I think it’s just up to Penn State to score, like, any points despite their own limitations.
• Arizona State @ Texas Tech (FOX): Red Raiders roll.
• Auburn @ Georgia (“The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”; ESPN): It’s great when the Tigers are capable of makijg a game of this. This isn’t one of those Auburn teams.
• North Carolina @ Duke (ESPN2): Signs of life at UNC? At least on defense? Obviously I think Duke was a tad overrated last week, but they can move the ball even against teams that aren’t us, so I still like them here.
• Northern Illinois @ Wyoming (The CW): A rough first year in the Mountain West figures to continue for the Huskies.
• Missouri @ Mississippi (SEC): I still refuse to believe Mizzou is good, but I guess they’ll just keep winning for now?
• Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech (“Techmo Bowl”; ACCN): Our defense still sucks, and we still have a ton of injuries. I don’t have a ton of optimism here. And besides, no matter the result, we’re the real Tech.
• Nevada-Las Vegas @ Air Force (CBSS): I think UNLV rolls here.
• Toledo @ Eastern Michigan (ESPN+)
• Akron @ Miami (ESPN+)

4:30: Tulsa @ Rice (ESPN+)

5:00: Troy @ Louisiana (ESPN+)

6:00: Washington State @ Oregon State (USA): Oregon State is back, and Wazzu is unback. Beavs all the way here.

7:00:

• Florida State @ Miami (ESPN): There was a time when this game was appointment television. This is not the case these days, and the Canes will absolutely nuke them.
• Arkansas @ Vanderbilt (ESPN2):  Vandy is not good this year, but are they not good enough to lose to Arkansas? TBD, but I guess I’ll take the Dores?
• Texas Christian @ Baylor (“The Revivalry”; FS1): Baylor?
• Nevada @ North Dakota State (CBSS): The Bison took their first loss to a stingy UNLV, but the folks up in Reno are not a talented, so they should be good.
• Arkansas State @ Southern Mississippi (ESPN+)
• Kent State @ South Florida (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Notre Dame @ Brigham Young (ABC): The other game of the day; it’s actually kinda hard to see the Irish losing here, but this should be fun regardless.
• Oklahoma State @ Houston (FOX):. Oh and pay attention to this as well. After the hiccup against Tulsa the Pokes have looked good. This is a tossup. I’ll pick the Cougs.
• Wisconsin @ California-Los Angeles (NBC): I need to LIGHTNING ROUND the rest of this. Bruins!
• Kentucky @ Oklahoma (SEC): Cayuts!
• Louisville @ Syracuse (ACCN): Cards!
• Elon @ Stanford (ACCNX)

8:00:

• Navy @ Texas-San Antonio (ESPNU): Road Runners!
• Louisiana Tech @ Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN+)

9:00: San Jose State @ Texas-El Paso (MWN)

10:00: Ohio @ Sacramento State (ESPN+)

10:15: Utah @ Colorado (“Rumble in the Rockies”; ESPN): Utes!

10:30:

• Wake Forest @ California (ESPN2): Wake!
• New Mexico @ Hawaii (FS1): Lobos!
• Fresno State @ San Diego State (CBSS): Bulldogs!

11:00: Nebraska @ Oregon (FOX): Huskers?

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Texas A&M @ Missouri (ABC): Unfortunately I just haven’t had time for the post this week, and I’m going to do what I can. Expect a good sprinkling of lightning round picks throughout this. That said, this game is a great example of SEC hype for SEC hype’s sake. I think it’s pretty likely that the middle-to-bottom of the SEC will eat itself alive again, but also that everyone will forget that’s more proof a lot of those teams are pretty mid and not because they should all be in the playoff. As far as this one goes, uh, Mizzou?
• Indiana @ Nebraska (FOX): Any day now, Hoosiers. (They’ll be fine yet again here.)
• North Carolina @ Pittsburgh (ESPN): Pitt? I mean UNC is a tire fire, but Pitt is down a starting QB, so who knows.
• Central Florida @ Oklahoma State (ESPN2): Okie State is going to score a lot of points, and UCF isn’t.
• Wake Forest @ North Carolina State (The CW): Wake?
• Arizona @ West Virginia (TNT): Neers?
• Tulane @ Army (CBSS): It’s been a bummer for the Green Wave so far, and they can definitely get got by Army here. Still leaning toward Tulane though.
• Sacramento State @ Bowling Green (ESPN+)

12:30: Ball State @ Northwestern (BTN): Cats will be fine here.

12:45: South Carolina @ Florida (SEC): This should be a get right game for the Gators.

1:00: Old Dominion @ Appalachian State (ESPN+)

2:00: Miami @ Massachusetts (ESPN+)

3:30:

• Texas vs. Oklahoma (“Red River Shootout” @ Dallas, TX; ABC): This is one of the few rivalry games that has been as chaotic as everyone thinks their rivalry is. The thing is… Texas has kinda made that moot the past few seasons, and I think that’s what we’re looking at here.
• California-Los Angeles @ Oregon (CBS): This is a top-20 match up, but it sure feels like it’s going to be a major reality check for the Bruins.
• Houston @ Kansas State (FOX): Cougs!
• Stanford @ Notre Dame (NBC): Irish!
• Mississippi @ Vanderbilt (ESPN): Rebels!
• Duke @ Georgia Tech (ESPN2): I’m sure the bye week helped, but this thing already feels pretty ticketed for getting to the end of the season as soon as possible. This isn’t as bad as any of the Geoff years, but it’s close.
• Illinois @ Michigan State (FS1): Illini!
• Virginia Tech @ California (ACCN): Hokies!
• Tulsa @ Navy (CBSS): Tulsa?
• Charlotte @ North Texas (ESPN+)
• Buffalo @ Toledo (ESPN+)
• Central Michigan @ Ohio (ESPN+)
• Kent State @ Western Michigan (ESPN+)
• Eastern Michigan @ Akron (ESPN+)

3:45: Connecticut @ Temple (ESPNU): Temple?

4:00: Rice @ East Carolina (ESPN+)

4:15: Maryland @ Ohio State (BTN): Buckeyes!

6:00: San Diego State @ Oregon State (USA): Beavs!

7:00:

• Louisiana State @ Kentucky (ESPN): Tigers?
• Alabama-Birmingham @ Memphis (“Battle for the Bones”; ESPN2): Tigers!
• North Dakota State @ Nevada-Las Vegas (The CW): This could be the game of the day. Leaning Bison.
• Nevada @ Texas-El Paso (FS1): Miners?
• Coastal Carolina @ Marshall (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Georgia @ Alabama (ABC): If this is a wet slop fest, it probably will benefit Georgia. And it’s gonna be a slop fest.
• Southern California @ Pennsylvania State (NBC): USC’S defense is still awful, but luckily for them Penn State’s offense is kinda bad.
• James Madison @ Georgia Southern (ESPNU): Dukes?
• Syracuse @ Virginia (ACCN): Hoos?
• Air Force @ Northern Illinois (CBSS): Falcons!
• Louisiana @ Louisiana Tech (ESPN+)

8:00:

• Kansas @ Utah (ESPN?): Utes! (Note: I did get a chance to update this for a new kickoff time due to forecasted weather in Salt Lake City.)
• Minnesota @ Purdue (BTN): Gophers!

10:30:

• Boise State @ Fresno State (The CW): Broncos!
• Hawaii @ Arizona State (FS1): Sun Devils!

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Alabama @ Mississippi State (“Battle for Highway 82”; ABC): One of Bama’s few weaknesses, dating back to the Saban era, has been mobile, dynamic quarterbacks. Miss State has one of those in Kamario Taylor, and the game is in Starkville. This could be a fun one to start the day, and I’ll take the home team.
• Navy @ Air Force (CBS): Navy hasn’t looked great so far this season, and Air Force has at least been in their games. Maybe not the most compelling service academy matchup ever. I like the Falcons.
• Michigan @ Minnesota (FOX): The Little Brown Jug is back on the line, and frankly I’m sticking to my guns that Michigan isn’t good. I’ll go with the Gophers.
• Notre Dame @ North Carolina (ESPN): Irish all the way here.
• Central Florida @ Houston (ESPN2): UCF is going to try to make this game about space, but… yeah I’m going with the Cougs here.
• West Virginia @ Iowa State (TNT): There’s signs of life in Morgantown, while the Cyclones look a little listless in the post-Matt Campbell era. I’ll take the ‘Neers.
• Boston College @ Southern Methodist (The CW): SMU shouldn’t have any issues here.
• Middle Tennessee State @ Kansas (ESPNU): Kansas isn’t good, but they’re not “lose to MTSU” bad either.
• Stanford @ Wake Forest (ACCN): I don’t wanna talk about Stanford last week, especially since they’re going to lose by three touchdowns here.
• Syracuse @ Connecticut (CBSS): Things don’t see great at Cuse, but they should be able to deal with the Huskies.

12:30: Michigan State @ Wisconsin (BTN): I’m trying not to overindex on Wisconsin’s win over Penn State, but that win is definitely something that should inspire confidence for a win over a bunch of Spartans in disarray.

12:45: Vanderbilt @ Georgia (SEC): Oh hey, it’s Week 5 and Georgia is finally playing a team with a pulse. That’s nice, at least, but unfortunately I don’t think this version of Vandy is going to be able to do much in Athens.

1:00: Western Michigan @ Buffalo (ESPN+)

2:00: Texas-El Paso @ New Mexico (MWN)

3:30:

• Ohio State @ Iowa (CBS): Okay, yes, I know Iowa’s whole thing is that they take their Big Ten opponents and drag them down into the mud with them. But… I think Ohio State is just too good for that? I mean, maybe the Hawkeyes have a guy that can shut down Jeremiah Smith, but I suspect they don’t.
• Florida @ Missouri (ABC): Similar to Grampa Simpson, I just don’t believe in Missouri. At least, as a formidable SEC team.
• Auburn @ Tennessee (ESPN): This feels like a game where anything could happen, but I don’t really trust Auburn to execute it as such. I don’t think Tennessee is great or anything, but I do think they’re more put together.
• Virginia @ Florida State (ESPN2): This is a coin flip as far as I’m concerned. Is Virginia as good as they looked early or as bad as they looked against West Virginia? Is FSU just completely toasted? Who knows, but I have to go with the Hoos.
• Wyoming @ North Dakota State (The CW): I legit don’t know who the Bison won’t be favored against on their remaining schedule at this point. They legit have a chance to the be best ever FCS-to-FBS team.
• Louisville @ North Carolina State (ACCN): It’s been a frustrating campaign so far for Louisville, but this should help them get back on track.
• California @ Nevada-Las Vegas (CBSS): This is definitely a matchup that will be happening, and I’ve seen UNLV get some shine out there, but… this figures to be a get right game for JKS and company.
• Bowling Green @ Miami (ESPN+)
• Memphis @ Charlotte (ESPN+)
• Eastern Michigan @ Massachusetts (ESPN+)
• Samford @ Alabama-Birmingham (ESPN+)
• Old Dominion @ Georgia State (ESPN+)
• Akron @ Central Michigan (ESPN+)
• Ohio @ Kent State (ESPN+)

3:45: Marshall @ James Madison (ESPNU): JMU looks primed to repeat their claim as the best of the Sun Belt.

4:00: Maryland @ Nebraska (FS1): September Maryland, we hardly knew ye. Nebraska is rolling and it looks like the end of the Mike Locksley tenure in College Park is fast approaching, and that’s not even getting into the latest off-field issue for the Terps.

4:15:

• Purdue @ Illinois (BTN): Purdue is better, but probably not in a lot of ways that will necessarily show up in the win column.
• Kentucky @ South Carolina (SEC): Kentucky should roll here.

6:00:

• Oregon State @ Colorado State (USA): Definitely taking the Beavers here.
• Texas Southern @ Florida Atlantic (ESPN+)

7:00:

• Georgia Southern @ Coastal Carolina (ESPN+)
• Louisiana-Monroe @ South Alabama (ESPN+)
• Texas-San Antonio @ Rice (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Miami @ Clemson (ABC): I remember when this game was appointment viewing. And sure, it’s still on in primetime on broadcast television, but Miami is a multi-touchdown favorite and that feels like it shortchanges the Canes a little. I think it’d be good if this is close, but I don’t see it.
• Texas Tech @ Colorado (FOX): Colorado is a disaster and they will be blown out by Texas Tech.
• Washington @ Southern California (NBC): USC’s defense is still… problematic, but I don’t think this version of Washington will be able to expose them. But if they do, it’s over for USC in 2026.
• Temple @ South Florida (ESPNU): USF is good again. Temple is not. Next!
• Utah State @ Boise State (CBSS): Boise’s win over Western Michigan last week established them as one of the G6 frontrunners for the playoff bid, and I don’t see anything here to change that.
• Army @ Louisiana Tech (ESPN+)

7:45: McNeesee State @ Louisiana State (SEC)

8:00:

• Indiana @ Rutgers (BTN): Things have been a tad more difficult for the Hoosiers as champions than they did last year. This game will make it feel like 2025, at least for a bit.
• Arkansas State @ Louisiana (ESPN+)

9:30: Fresno State @ Washington State (USA): I always went to believe when it comes to the Cougs, but I don’t they have it this year. I’ll have to go with Fresno.

10:30:

• Baylor @ Arizona State (ESPN): Sun Devils all the way here.
• Texas State @ San Diego State (The CW): It’s weird to go with Texas State here, but SDSU’s offense is just so bad that it defies belief that a team could sustain such a retrograde offense for so long. (I mean, even Iowa eventually figured out that you’re allowed to proactively score points.)
• Eastern Washington @ California-Davis (ESPN2)

11:00: Cincinnati @ Arizona (FOX): Finally, in the designated “Eastern Time Zone team plays a west coast team” slot, we’ve got this. Did you know that Cincy is undefeated? Because I sure didn’t. The following question is, of course, “are they any good, despite that?” And the answer is unclear. Personally, I think they’re kind of “getting away with” and that Arizona will prevail here.

11:59: San Jose State @ Hawaii (MWN)