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)

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Texas @ Tennessee (ABC): The battle for the “real UT” gets us underway. That said, I really lean Texas here, they seem better all around. Neyland is a tough road environment for sure, but I think the Horns can get it done.
• Illinois @ Ohio State (FOX): Ohio State has some issues, and Illinois is good… but I think the Buckeyes will be fine here.
• Wake Forest @ Louisville (ESPN): Louisville moved into the 2nd best team in the ACC slot by beating SMU last week, now they have to prove they belong there by taking care of business here.
• Colorado @ Baylor (ESPN2): It sure seemed like the Buffs had figured some things out, but… you get destroyed by Northwestern like that and well, I’m going to be hesitant to pick you again.
• Sam Houston State @ Texas Tech (TNT): Tech will be okay here.
• Colorado State @ Texas-San Antonio (ESPNU): I don’t know if either of these teams is good, but I’ll take UTSA at home.
• Virginia Tech @ Boston College (ACCN): The Hokies took care of Maryland last week, now comes a relative layup at Chestnut Hill.
• San Diego State @ Toledo (CBSS): I have to say, maybe I need to reserve a section in the OOC preview for G6 bangers. Of course, the Aztec’s issue is always that they can’t really score points. So even though I think they out-talent Toledo, I’ll take the Rockets to get to 21 points and the win.
• Ball State @ Kent State (ESPN+)
• Nevada-Las Vegas @ Akron (ESPN+)

12:45: South Alabama @ Kentucky (SEC): A layup for the Cayuts.

1:00: Lindenwood @ Eastern Michigan (ESPN+)

1:30: California-Los Angeles @ Maryland (BTN): September Maryland never really even got off the ground this season, but maybe that’ll work in the Terps’ favor? I still like the Bruins here.

2:00:

• Notre Dame @ Purdue (Peacock/NBCSN): Purdue, congrats, you’re no longer one of the worst Power 4 teams! Hope you like getting pummeled by your other in-state rival at home!
• Northern Illinois @ Georgia State (ESPN+)

3:00:

• Hawaii @ Wyoming (The CW):
• Central Arkansas @ Florida State (ACCN)

3:30:

• Utah @ Iowa State (FOX): Iowa State seems kinda bad? I like the Utes.
• Iowa @ Michigan (CBS): Speaking of first to 21… though honestly I think Iowa is actually good in games that don’t involve Iowa State. I like the Hawkeyes here.
• Mississippi @ Florida (ABC): Florida is favored in this game, which caused John Summerall to remark that they have “good drugs” these days. Unlike a lot of coach quotes along these lines, I think he’s right. The Rebels just took care of LSU at home, and they have the most dynamic QB in the SEC. I like them straight up here.
• Oklahoma @ Georgia (ESPN): OU is an unserious team this season.
• Boise State @ Western Michigan (ESPN2): Speaking of G6 bangers! Broncos on Broncos! Western probably should be undefeated, but without rehashing all of that they’re still pretty good. I’m still going to lean Boise just on a talent standpoint, but this could be fun.
• Texas Christian @ Central Florida (FS1): UCF is just kinda bad this year.
• New Mexico @ New Mexico State (“Rio Grande Rivalry”; CBSS): It’s a rivalry game, but New Mexico is just more talented and better resourced. Of course, that’s kinda always the case in this game. I don’t think this will be close, but it’ll be fun if the Aggies can make this a game.
• William & Mary @ Duke (ACCNX)
• Connecticut @ Miami (ESPN+)
• Stonehill @ Ohio (ESPN+)
• Gardner-Webb @ Marshall (ESPN+)
• Robert Morris @ Buffalo (ESPN+)

4:00:

• Houston @ Georgia Southern (ESPNU): Cougs all the way.
• North Carolina Central @ East Carolina (ESPN+)

4:15: Vanderbilt @ Auburn (SEC): Vandy? Sure, let’s go with that. I legit have no idea for this one.

5:00:

• Nebraska @ Michigan State (BTN): Speaking of teams that I don’t think are very good, Sparty hasn’t done much to inspire confidence, whereas Nebraska has sailed to 3-0. This is a crucial test for the Huskers to prove that the progress is real.
• Wisconsin @ Pennsylvania State (Peacock/NBCSN): This could really set the tone of the rest of either of these team’s seasons, but I think it’s more likely to be negative for the Badgerse.

6:00:

• Incarnate Word @ Texas State (USA)
• Delaware @ Virginia (ACCN): Hoos roll.
• James Madison @ Old Dominion (“Royal Rivalry”; ESPN+)
• Long Island @ Florida International (ESPN+)

6:30:

• Central Michigan @ Miami (The CW): I still kinda like Miami here.
• Louisiana @ Charlotte (ESPN+)

7:00:

• South Carolina @ Alabama (ESPN): Bama is just better.
• Kansas State @ Cincinnati (ESPN2): We’re getting to the point of the season where teams will start to take their first loss, but definitely not their last, and that’ll be true for either of these teams. Neither of these teams has much for me to go, so in that case I just sorta lean K-State? Ask me again about these teams next week.
• Oklahoma State @ West Virginia (FS1): I hadn’t paid a lot of attention to West Virginia this season, and then they up and beat Virginia. Naturally, of course, Oklahoma State has the upset of the year so far, and if they keep the offense rolling they’ll probably be fine here. But this game as “sneaky good” written all over it.
• Kennesaw State @ Arkansas State (ESPN+)
• Southern Mississippi @ Tulane (ESPN+)
• Mercyhurst @ Western Kentucky (ESPN+)
• Middle Tennessee State @ Jacksonville State (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Arizona @ Washington State (CBS): Zona all the way, unfortunately.
• Texas A&M @ Louisiana State (ABC): Weird seeing this one this early in the season, but Lane will have to pick up the pieces quickly after last week. I certainly like his chances against a team that just lost to… Kentucky? Aggies, what the heck?
• Oregon @ Southern California (NBC): This probably should’ve been the game of the week in the pick ’ems that I run, whoops. But anyway, we welcome a big West Coast matchup, though Oregon FAFO’d a bit over in Stillwater and comes in with a loss. Is this finally the USC team that can both score points and keep opponents from scoring every time? This will be their toughest test so far, and while I do like the Trojans here, they’ll have to prove it.
• Appalachian State @ North Carolina State (ESPNU): Low-key North Carolina rivalry here. Unfortunately I just don’t think App will be able to hang, but if this is close in the 4th quarter, get your eyes here.
• Troy @ Utah State (CBSS): The Aggies are turbobad, Troy rolls.
• Houston Christian @ North Texas (ESPN+)

7:45: Missouri @ Mississippi State (SEC): I didn’t know Missouri was ranked? I’ll guess they won’t be after this.

8:00:

• Tulsa @ Arkansas (SEC+)
• Florida Atlantic @ Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN+)

9:00:

• Missouri State @ Southern Methodist (ACCN): Pnies roll.
• Massachusetts @ Sacramento State (ESPN+)
• Oregon State @ Texas-El Paso (MWN)

10:00: Rice @ Fresno State (The CW): Bulldogs roll.

10:30:

• Georgia Tech @ Stanford (ESPN): After years of “all coast conference” jokes, my alma mater finally makes it to California. My brother and I will be in attendance, and we definitely need to see some improvement in basically… everything. The defense is bad, Alberto has a tendency throw awful picks, and the special teams aren’t that great. The Cardinal are in the running for one of the worst teams in the Power 4, and if we want to avoid being lumped into that group, we really need to show something against FBS competition that we just haven’t so far.
• Air Force @ Nevada (FS1): Air Force will be fine here.
• Northern Arizona @ Montana State (ESPN2)

11:00: Minnesota @ Washington (FOX): Who’s ready for some B1G After Dark? The Huskies are 3-0, but the Utah State result is very sketchy. Of course, the Gophers got mauled by Miss State, so.. yet another P4 tossup. I like the Huskies, but overall, I need this one to be fun.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

11:30: Coastal Carolina @ Delaware (CBSS): Both schools are 1-1 with losses to P4 teams, but the details matter. Delaware gave Vanderbilt all they wanted, Coastal gave West Virginia all they wanted. This favors the Blue Hens.

Noon:

• Georgia @ Arkansas (ABC): It figures to be a long season for the Hogs.
• Kent State @ Ohio State (FOX): The Buckeyes will grind the Flashes into a fine paste, but that won’t do much to help them move on from the collapse in Austin last weekend.
• North Carolina @ Clemson (ESPN): In my corner of the college sports take-industrial complex, an “anxiety bowl” is a game where a loss will send an already troubled program into a deep spiral, from which they may not recover. That’s certainly possible here, especially if Carolina wins.
• Tulane @ Kansas State (ESPN2): I admired Tulane’s bold scheduling for this season, but a loss to Duke and a 4 point win over South Alabama (that game has to be the “Madri Gras Bowl”, right?) doesn’t do a lot to inspire confidence against a K-State team that has had a very strong start.
• North Texas @ Texas State (USA): Texas State scheduled all of their out-of-conference games in the I-35 corridor, but it hasn’t exactly worked out for them, with two bad losses to Texas and UTSA. The Mean Green, meanwhile, took it on the chin against Indiana, but then they blasted UNLV and showed they’re still G6 contenders. I like them here.
• Arizona State vs. Kansas (Union Jack Classic @ London, England; FS1): Oy wots a Sun Devil, m8? (ahem) Anyway, I don’t know if either of these teams is any good, so I’ll pick the Sun Devils.
• Buffalo @ Pennsylvania State (BTN): Penn State all the way here.
• Akron @ Minnesota (BTN): It won’t be a problem here, but y’all, Minnesota was bad against Miss State last week.
• Bowling Green @ Iowa State (ESPNU): Clones all the way.
• Mercer @ Georgia Tech (ACCN): An 0-2 start isn’t surprising, though if you’d asked me I figured we would’ve started 1-1. But the way we wound up 0-2 is surprising. The defense is bad bad. An offense that prides itself on running the ball can’t. It’s my hope that once the schedule eases up a bit and the team plays more “normal” opponents that we can figure this thing out, because otherwise it’ll be a long season.

12:30: Eastern Michigan @ Wisconsin (Peacock/NBCSN): Wisconsin isn’t good, but that won’t be a problem here.

12:45: North Carolina State @ Vanderbilt (SEC): This is kind of a weird game. Vandy is 2-0 but the second was a 35-26 win over Delaware. NC State got punked by Virginia in game one, but they don’t figure to be bad. I like Vandy here, but I think ultimately we’re going to learn a lot about these teams.

1:00: Wyoming @ Central Michigan (ESPN+)

2:00:

• Southern Illinois @ Illinois (Peacock)
• Maine @ Boston College (ACCNX)

3:00: Temple @ Toledo (CBSS): It’s hard to pick a MAC team in most of their OOC games, but I like the Rockets here?

3:30:

• Southern California @ Rutgers (CBS): Rutgers is 0-2 with losses to the worst team in FBS the last several years (UMass) and the worst P4 team from last year (Boston College). Provided that the Trojans schedule travel better than the Rams do, they’ll win easily here.
• Florida State @ Alabama (ABC): Okay, so FSU did win this game last year. But this feels like the beginning of the end for Mike Norvell.
• Utah State @ Utah (“Battle of the Brothers”; FOX): This is actually a long, storied rivalry… but then BYU and Utah started moving up the tiers, and the Aggies didn’t. This game hasn’t been played much since 2009. Utah State did pip that 2012 game (their first win since 1997), but the Utes have won the three game since, I don’t see that changing here.
• Kentucky @ Texas A&M (ESPN): Aggies roll.
• Southern Methodist @ Louisville (ESPN2): It’s only mid-September, and yet here’s the game that could very well decide 2nd place in the ACC. I slightly like the Cards here, but this is a coin flip in the best way.
• Duquesne @ Washington State (USA)
• Texas-El Paso @ Michigan (BTN): Michigan should be 2-1 after this, since they’re going in at 1-1 and all.
• Wagner @ California (ACCN)
• Stonehill @ Massachusetts (ESPN+)
• Miami vs. Cincinnati (“Battle for the Bell” @ Cincinnati, OH; ESPN+)

4:00:

• Northern Iowa @ Iowa (FS1)
• Stanford @ Duke (The CW): Stanford and Rutgers are definitely vying for the “worst P4 team” slot this season. I guess I should take some solace in that they have to play an East Coast road game before playing us.
• Louisiana Tech @ Baylor (ESPNU): Bears roll.
• Western Kentucky @ Indiana (Peacock/NBCSN): Hoosiers roll.
• Ball State @ Liberty (ESPN+)

4:15: Mississippi State @ South Carolina (SEC): This figures to be a massive reality check for the Gamecocks, who are 2-0, yes, but those wins are over Kent State and Towson.

6:00:

• East Carolina @ Old Dominion (ESPN+)
• Charlotte @ Appalachian State (ESPN+)
• Florida International @ Florida Atlantic (“Shula Bowl”; ESPN+)

6:30: Marshall @ Missouri State (CBSS): I’m going to go with Marshall here.

7:00:

• Florida @ Auburn (ESPN): It’s a September SEC game, so expect cramps. Outside of that, I have no idea. Both of these teams have been rebuilt from the ground up, and we don’t have a lot of data. I’m favoring the Gators, but I can’t say that I really know why. I’ll mostly read all that as “keep an eye on this one”.
• Troy @ Missouri (SEC+)
• Nicholls @ Sam Houston State (ESPN+)
• Connecticut @ Southern Mississippi (ESPN+)
• Tennessee-Martin @ Memphis (ESPN+)
• Georgia Southern @ Jacksonville State (ESPN+)
• Western Michigan @ Rice (ESPN+)
• Delaware State @ South Florida (ESPN+)
• Georgia State @ Central Florida (ESPN+)
• Ohio @ South Alabama (ESPN+)
• Nevada @ Middle Tennessee State (ESPN+)
• Murray State @ Oklahoma State (ESPN+)

7:15:

• North Dakota @ Nebraska (BTN)
• Eastern Washington @ Washington (BTN)

7:30:

• Colorado @ Northwestern (FOX): Northwestern took a bye week… last week for some reason? If I had to guess they wanted to get as many games in the new Ryan Field as possible. So they’re 1-0, but with a big win over a usually strong FCS team (South Dakota State). Colorado has a new-look offense that may be the most sort of… honest? offense they’ve had under Deion. I like the Buffs here.
• Brigham Young @ Colorado State (CBS): BYU all the way.
• Michigan State @ Notre Dame (NBC): Irish roll.
• Louisiana State @ Mississippi (“Magnolia Bowl”; ABC): I don’t think this game will be all that interesting, given all the hype. My thinking is that LSU is just “that good”, and the Rebels aren’t. The main thing is that this isn’t being played in Baton Rouge or a neutral site: it’s in Oxford, and the usually genteel crowd figures to frothing at the bit to put one over Lane. Whether that’s enough to get the team past LSU is the question. I don’t think it is, personally, but the off-the-field may be enough to keep an eye on this one.
• New Mexico @ Oklahoma (ESPN2): Sooners roll.
• Virginia Tech @ Maryland (FS1): Speaking of things on in my corner of the college football internet, we’ve had this one circled for a while. Sure, LSU and Lane Kiffin returning to Oxford is the more hyped version of this story, but all off season we’ve talked about this game. James Franklin was a coordinator and “head coach in waiting” on Ralph Friedgen’s late Maryland staffs. But when Maryland fired Friedgen in late 2010, they passed over Franklin and hired Randy Edsall instead. Franklin went to Vandy, and then got hired by Penn State in 2014. Reportedly, Franklin has never forgotten the slight by Maryland. Here’s a sampling of some Penn State-Maryland scores from Franklin’s tenure in State College: 38-14, 66-3, 38-3, 59-0, 31-14, 30-0, 51-15, and 44-7. Sure, the Terps have been bad for a lot of that time, but c’mon. So yeah, I’ve got the Hokies all the way here.
• West Virginia vs. Virginia (@Charlotte, NC; ACCN): We may need to have a discussion about whether Virginia is Actually Good at some point this fall.

7:45: Kennesaw State @ Tennessee (SEC): Vols roll.

8:00:

• Texas-San Antonio @ Texas (SEC+)
• Alabama-Birmingham @ Louisiana (ESPN+)
• East Texas A&M @ Tulsa (ESPN+)

10:00:

• James Madison @ San Diego State (The CW): This game has very “unstoppable force vs. immovable object” energy and I am very here for it. I think I like the Aztecs at home, but it will definitely favor them if the score is more like “12-7” than “35-31”.
• South Dakota @ Boise State (CBSS)

10:30:

• North Dakota State @ Sacramento State (ESPN): This game has to be here because both teams needed a FBS opponent at the last minute, and well, here we are. That said, the Bison have looked ready for the jump and the Hornets… not so much.
• Northern Illinois @ Arizona (TNT): It’s not going well for NIU so far, and this doesn’t figure to help things.

11:00:

• Montana @ Oregon State (USA)
• Fresno State @ San Jose State (FS1): This is a rivalry game that’s now a non-con game (again), though I do find it baffling SJSU didn’t make it into the new-look Pac-12 (after all, they have “state” in their name). And this figures to be the most even test for the two teams so far. I think I’m leaning slightly toward the Silicon Spartans, but keep an eye on it.
• Purdue @ California-Los Angeles (BTN): Purdue is still… not good, but they’re not “worst team in the P4” contenders this year, I think. UCLA looks ascendant, though.