As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Boise State @ Utah Sate (CBS): Not entirely sure why this game is on CBs, but I’ll take it. That said, Utah State hasn’t done much to impress this season, which makes Boise the favorite.
• Texas Tech @ Texas (ABC): It’s kinda funny to me that this series has already been designated as at least one rivalry that will be preserved once the Longhorns leave for the SEC, but I suppose there’s just something to the Battle for the Chancellor’s Spurs that just wasn’t there for Texas-Texas A&M. Go figure. Anyway, I like the ‘Horns here.
• Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin (@Chicago, IL; FOX): Of these two Midwestern teams, I have no idea which is the favorite. The game is at Soldier Field, which figures to be a pro-Irish crowd. I’ll take them but I really have no feel for this one.
• Louisiana State @ Mississippi State (ESPN): Anxiety Bowl time! Is LSU now just kinda mediocre without a generational quarterback talent? Can the Mike Leach Air Raid work in the SEC? I don’t figure this to be a very watchable game, but there is some pressure on for these two schools. Still hard for for me to pick against LSU though.
• Missouri @ Boston College (ESPN2): Both of these teams are undefeated because… it’s week 4. At any rate, I figure BC will emerge unscathed.
• Southern Methodist @ Texas Christian (FS1): The Battle for the Iron Skillet! Unfortunately, not much of a rivalry these days. TCU all the way.
• Bowling Green @ Minnesota (ESPNU): Minnesota has this one easily.
• Georgia @ Vanderbilt (SEC): UGA.
• Villanova @ Pennsylvania State (BTN)
• Ohio @ Northwestern (BTN): Ohio has gone downhill with a quickness after Frank Solich retired, y’all.
• Miami @ Army (CBSS): This is the Miami in Ohio, so the Black Knights of the Hudson should be fine.
• Richmond @ Virginia Tech (ACCN)
• New Hampshire @ Pittsburgh (ACCNX)
• Florida International @ Central Michigan (ESPN+)

12:30: Central Connecticut @ Miami (ACC/RSN)

1:00: Massachusetts @ Coastal Carolina (ESPN+)

2:00:

• Toledo @ Ball State (ESPN+)
• San Jose State @ Western Michigan (ESPN+)
• Texas State @ Eastern Michigan (ESPN+)

2:30:

• Washington State @ Utah (Pac12): Anxiety Bowl, part 2. Of course, the Wazzu coach has proven to be quite the blowhard, so I’m going with the Utes.
• Maine @ Northern Illinois (espn3.com)

3:30:

• Iowa State @ Baylor (FOX): Iowa State got a “get-right” game last weekend against UNLV. I figure they’ll take that momentum into Waco.
• Rutgers @ Michigan (ABC): So Rutgers is slightly more competent than a few years ago when Michigan put those legendary pastings on them, so I figure they may keep it within, say, 4 touchdowns this time?
• Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (@Arlington, TX; CBS): I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE RESULT ON THIS ONE IS GONNA BE BUT THERE’S GONNA BE SOME WHOMPIN’. THOSE BIG OL’ NORTHWEST ARKANSAS BOYS ARE GONNA GET THEIR WHOMP ON FOR SURE IN JERRY JONES WORLD. TAMU IS PROBABLY MORE TALENTED, BUT WILL THAT TALENT STAND UP TO SOME WHOMPIN’? I SAY NAY.
• Clemson @ North Carolina State (ESPN): This is either going to go two ways. Either NCSU will bury Clemson once and for all, showing that this indeed a down year for the Tigers. Or, Clemson will remember that they’re Clemson and win by a few touchdowns. While I suspect the likeliest outcome is the one in-between, I still find it hard to bet against Clemson.
• Louisville @ Florida State (ESPN2): I have to pick Louisville here I guess? Oof.
• Colorado State @ Iowa (FS1): Hold on to your hats, folks, this looks like a Good Iowa year.
• Texas-San Antonio @ Memphis (ESPNU): Y’all, this might be the game of the day. UTSA is good. I’m telling you right now. You might not have ever heard of them, but just trust me on this one. Screw it, I’m even going to pick them.
• Illinois @ Purdue (BTN): Purdue, probably?
• Kent State @ Maryland (BTN): Maryland?
• Wyoming @ Connecticut (CBSS): Wyoming all the way here.
• Towson @ San Diego State (Stadium)

4:00:

• Georgia State @ Auburn (SEC): Tigers.
• Kansas @ Duke (ACCN): Y’all, Duke is a two touchdown favorite in this game. This about that one for a second. I was tempted to go with the basketball joke here, but I’m still just somehow astounded by how bad KU football has to be for Duke, especially this Duke team, to be a multi-score favorite.

5:00: Arkansas State @ Tulsa (ESPN+)

6:00:

• California-Los Angeles @ Stanford (Pac12): This is an unexpectedly big deal Pac-12 matchup, though UCLA did have that let down against Fresno last week. I still like the Bruins though.
• Buffalo @ Old Dominion (ESPN+)
• Charleston Southern @ East Carolina (ESPN+)

7:00:

• Tennessee @ Florida (ESPN): LIGHTNING ROUNG! Gators.
• Kentucky @ South Carolina (ESPN2): Wildcats.
• Nebraska @ Michigan State (FS1): Sparty.
• Navy @ Houston (ESPNU): Cougars.
• North Texas @ Louisiana Tech (Stadium)
• Kansas State @ Oklahoma State (ESPN+)

7:30:

• West Virginia @ Oklahoma (BTN): Sooners.
• Southern Mississippi @ Alabama (SEC): Tide.
• Akron @ Ohio State (BTN): Buckeyes.
• North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech (@Atlanta, GA; ACCN): Every game in a college football season feels so magnified because there’s only 12 of them. And here we are with the Jackets. What is more representative? Their awful, bad loss to Northern Illinois? Or the moral victory of having a chance to beat Clemson late in the 4th quarter? The thing is, this being college football, both of those things are entirely within the realm of possibility. Either way, I hope we put on a good show in Mercedes-Benz.

8:00:

• Florida Atlantic @ Air Force (FS2): Falcons.
• Indiana @ Western Kentucky (CBSS): Hooisers.
• Troy @ Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN+)
• Alabama-Birmingham @ Tulane (ESPN+)

9:00: New Mexico @ Texas-El Paso (ESPN+)

9:30: California @ Washington (Pac12): Y’all, I don’t know what the under is in this game, but take it. Good lord, Cal could well win this 5-3 or something.

10:15: South Florida @ Brigham Young (ESPN2): BYU is pretty good this year, y’all.

10:30:

• Arizona @ Oregon (ESPN): The Ducks remain the last, best hope for the Pac-12 with UCLA losing to Fresno, and I don’t think they’ll be much troubled by Arizona.
• Colorado @ Arizona State (ESPNU): I don’t know much about the Sun Devils, but I’m even less confident in the Buffs.
• Oregon State @ Southern California (FS1): USC should win this, so I’ll pick them, but the down side for them is that it could well be an interesting game.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Nebraska @ Oklahoma (FOX): This old Big 8 rivalry is back, but it doesn’t figure to be much of a game. Sooners all the way.
• Michigan State @ Miami (ABC): I just don’t trust the Canes all that much, so I’m going with Sparty here.
• Cincinnati @ Indiana (ESPN): Well, like everyone on the Internet, I like the Hooisers, but Cincy figures to just be too much for them this year.
• Coastal Carolina @ Buffalo (ESPN2): Coastaaaaallllllllllllllll
• Virginia Tech @ West Virginia (FS1): No idea what to make this one. I’ll take the home team.
• Boston College @ Temple (ESPNU): BC?
• New Mexico @ Texas A&M (SEC): TAMU
• Northern Illinois @ Michigan (BTN): Michigan
• Connecticut @ Army (CBSS): Army
• Albany @ Syracuse (ACC)
• Western Michigan @ Pittsburgh (ACC/RSN): Pitt

1:00: Minnesota @ Colorado (Pac12): The Buffs?

2:00: Nevada @ Kanas State (ESPN+)

2:30: Purdue @ Notre Dame (NBC): Purdue seems a little off from the past couple of years, though they’ve definitely got talent. I just think the Irish have too many weapons though.

3:30:

• Georgia Tech @ Clemson (ABC): Well, we didn’t lose to an FCS team last week. That’s good. But if this now a season about showing progress, well, then there’s going to have to be a ton of progress in a hurry for this one.
• Alabama @ Florida (CBS): Bama is a three score favorite in this one, which I don’t really see. I feel like I will be made foolish for saying that, but hey, I still have Bama to win here, just saying not by 21.
• Southern California @ Washington State (FOX): USC finally figured out what Clay Helton looks like so they could fire him. Wazzu isn’t that good this year,
• Wake Forest @ Florida State (ESPN): The nadir or a previous era of FSU football was a loss to Wake Forest. I’m figuring on that happening again here.
• Tulsa @ Ohio State (FS1): Buckeys
• Delaware @ Rutgers (BTN)
• Kent State @ Iowa (BTN): Iowa
• Southern Methodist @ Louisiana Tech (CBSS): LT
• Idaho @ Oregon State (Pac12)
• Baylor @ Kansas (ESPN+)

4:00:

• Mississippi State @ Memphis (ESPN2): The Bulldogs travel up to the unofficial capital of Mississippi, Memphis. Tigers fans may want the win here now that they’ve been jilted by some of their conference-mates bolting for the Big 12, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to get it.
• Georgia Southern @ Arkansas (SEC): While this may be fun, the Hogs just bullied Texas around for an entire game. If anyone is running all over anyone, it’s going to be Arkansas over Southern.
• Colorado State @ Toledo (ESPNU): This one seems dire. Toledo?
• Northwestern @ Duke (ACC): It’s time, Coach Cut.
• Sacramento State @ California (Pac12)
• Ball State @ Wyoming (Stadium): Wyoming

4:15: Arkansas State @ Washington (Pac12): UDub shouldn’t lose that one, but this season so far has been… oof. There’s just no way I can pick Arkansas State here, but Pac-12 play will be a different story.

6:00:

• East Carolina @ Marshall (Facebook)
• Middle Tennessee State @ Texas-San Antonio (ESPN+)

7:00:

• South Carolina @ Georgia (ESPN): It will be extremely funny if UGA loses, because UGA losing is both funny and losing to South Carolina will also be funny. That’s twice the funny! Unfortunately, the teams involved this year are 2021 Georgia and 2021 South Carolina, so the odds of a little primetime humor are low.
• Utah @ San Diego State (CBSS): Going with the Utes here.
• Troy @ Southern Mississippi (ESPN+)
• Charlotte @ Georgia State (ESPN+)
• Florida International @ Texas Tech (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Auburn @ Pennsylvania State (ABC): I haven’t seen much of either of these teams this year, but from what I can tell Penn State should be plenty game in this one.
• Central Michigan @ Louisiana State (SEC): LSU
• Utah State @ Air Force (FS2): AF
• Virginia @ North Carolina (“The South’s Oldest Rivalry”; ACC): I suppose I’ll pick UVA here, mostly just because I haven’t seen anything from the Tarheels this year to think that they’re any good.
• Stony Brook @ Oregon (Pac12)
• Furman @ North Carolina State (ACCN/RSN)
• Alabama-Birmingham @ North Texas (Stadium): UNT?

8:00:

• Tulane @ Mississippi (ESPN2): I don’t think Tulane will this one, but this one has the potential to be plenty fun. Ole Miss just figures to be too much for them, though.
• Stanford @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU): Stanford is… good? I’m still adjusting to this reality, but if that’s the case, they should be able to get the job done in Nashville.
• Rice @ Texas (LHN)

9:00: Oklahoma State @ Boise State (FS1): It’s going to be way more fun if Boise wins this one, so I’m going to pick them.

10:00: Northern Arizona @ Arizona (Pac12)

10:15: Arizona State @ Brigham Young (ESPN): I have considered Arizona State, and I find them wanting.

10:30: Iowa State @ Nevada-Las Vegas (CBSS): Cyclones should be able to handle this.

10:45: Fresno State @ California-Los Angeles (Pac12): Oh, man, UCLA looks good for the first time… in a long time, and Fresno is exactly they kind of team that could roll into the Rose Bowl and ruin it. I don’t think they will, but it’s worth watching to see if they do.

12:30: San Jose State @ Hawaii (FS1): And finally, it’s second primetime from Honolulu. The Rainbow Warriors aren’t terribly good, it’s something you can have on. Just remember to turn on sleep mode on the TV.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Illinois @ Virginia (ACCN): So I’ll be honest. I’m writing this way too late. This is going to be almost entirely lightning round. I’m so sorry. I’ll at least try to say if it’s watchable or not as well. This one probably won’t be. Virginia.
• Western Kentucky @ Army (CBSS): Army.
• Oregon @ Ohio State (FOX): Ohio State – geez, this day is kind of dire so far, but this may still be your best bet even if the Buckeyes win by 2 touchdowns.
• Pittsburgh @ Tennessee (ESPN): Pitt.
• South Carolina @ East Carolina (ESPN2): The fact I had to think about this should give any Gamecocks fan pause. Regardless, USC.
• Tulsa @ Oklahoma State (FS1): Pokes.
• Miami @ Minnesota (ESPNU): Gophers.
• Alabama State @ Auburn (SEC)
• Youngstown State @ Michigan State (BTN)
• Indiana State @ Northwestern (BTN)
• Kennesaw State @ Georgia Tech (ACC/RSN): My mood right now is that we need to start looking for a new head coach, regardless of the result of this game. I expected 4-6 wins this year. This is now virtually impossible after last week’s disaster against NIU.
• Norfolk State @ Wake Forest (ACCNX)

1:00: Florida @ South Florida (ABC): Gators

1:30: Wyoming @ Northern Illinois (ESPN+)

2:00:

• Rutgers @ Syracuse (ACCN): Cuse
• Middle Tennessee State @ Virginia Tech (ACCNX): VPI

2:30: Toledo @ Notre Dame (Peacock)

3:00: Purdue @ Connecticut (CBSS): Purdue. Oh my word… yeah, Purdue.

3:30:

• Texas A&M vs. Colorado (FOX): TAMU
• Air Force @ Navy (CBS): AF
• Alabama-Birmingham @ Georgia (ESPN2): UGA 🙁
• Ball State @ Pennsylvania State (FS1): Nittany Lions
• California @ Texas Christian (ESPNU): I suspect there will be fewer than 9 interceptions in this one. The question is whether TCU has enough coherence on offense to overcome Cal’s stifling defense. I suspect they do.
• Buffalo @ Nebraska (BTN): Nebraska… probably?
• Georgia Southern @ Florida Atlantic (Stadium): Southern
• Temple @ Akron (ESPN+)

4:00:

• Mercer @ Alabama (SEC)
• South Alabama @ Bowling Green (ESPN+)

4:30: Iowa @ Iowa State (“El Assico”; ABC): I’m picking Iow State because I want them to win, not necessarily that I think they will.

5:00: South Carolina State @ Clemson (ACCN)

6:00: Portland State @ Washington State (Pac12)

6:30: Houston @ Rice (CBSS):

7:00:

• Texas @ Arkansas (ESPN): Longhorns
• North Carolina State @ Mississippi State (ESPN2): Wolfpack
• Appalachian State @ Miami (ESPNU): Da U
• Eastern Michigan @ Wisconsin (FS1): Wisky
• New Mexico State @ New Mexico (“Rio Grande Rivalry”; Stadium): New Mexico, but they’re awful as well so the Aggies will probably still cover 18.5.
• North Texas @ Southern Methodist (ESPN+)
• Texas State @ Florida International (ESPN+)
• Liberty @ Troy (ESPN+)
• Memphis @ Arkansas State (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Missouri @ Kentucky (SEC): UK
• Howard @ Maryland (BTN)
• Idaho @ Indiana (BTN)
• Georgia State @ North Carolina (ACC/RSN): UNC

8:00:

• Washington @ Michigan (ABC): Wolverines
• Jacksonville State @ Florida State (ACCN)

10:00:

• Vanderbilt @ Colorado State (CBSS): Rams
• San Diego State @ Arizona (Pac12): Aztecs

10:15: Utah @ Brigham Young (“Holy War”; ESPN): Utah, but this will probably be the most watchable game of the day.

10:30:

• Stanford @ Southern California (FOX): Trojans
• Nevada-Las Vegas @ Arizona State (ESPN2): Consider… Arizona State
• Idaho State @ Nevada (Stadium)

11:00: Hawaii @ Oregon State (FS1): Beavers

As we get the season proper started, a quick reminder on the format of this post. I’ll do small descriptions of each contest involving two FBS teams on a regular linear television channel, otherwise it’s just listed here without commentary.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Saturday

Noon:

• Pennsylvania State @ Wisconsin (FOX): This is a real test for each time to see where they’re at going into a pivotal season for each. I think I have to prefer Wisky at home, but I can’t say I’m terrible confident about it.
• Oklahoma @ Tulane (ABC): Due to the events of Hurricane Ida, this is really Tulane going to Norman. Either way, the outcome would have been the same: the Sooners roll.
• Western Michigan @ Michigan (ESPN): Michigan fans have no idea what to expect in 2021, but I figure they’ll at least beat WMU.
• Stanford vs. Kansas State (Advocare Classic @ Arlington, TX; FS1): Well, for some reason Stanford and K-State are playing a neutral site game in Arlington. Good on them, I suppose. I like K-State here.
• Army @ Georgia State (ESPNU): Not sure how fun this will be. I’m not sure how good either team will be either. I’ll take Army as a Week 1 pick but I don’t feel good about it.
• Louisiana-Monroe @ Kentucky (SEC): Kentucky.
• Fordham @ Nebraska (BTN)
• Holy Cross @ Connecticut (CBSS)
• Colgate @ Boston College (ACCN)

2:00:

• Fresno State @ Oregon (Pac12): Oregon is a slight step up from UConn for Fresno. Just a “slight” one.
• Lafayette @ Air Force (Stadium)
• Rice @ Arkansas (ESPN+)

3:30:

• Alabama vs. Miami (Chik-fil-a Kickoff @ Atlanta, GA; ABC): I’ve heard Alabama may be worse this year, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
• West Virginia @ Maryland (ESPN): I still have zero confidence in Maryland, even with Tua’s younger brother up there in College Park.
• Indiana @ Iowa (BTN): Starting a Big Ten team in the first weekend of the season with another team in the same rough tier seems kind of unfortunate. I like Indiana here, but Iowa will be a test for them.
• Marshall @ Navy (CBSS): Navy.
• Miami @ Cincinnati (ESPN+)

4:00:

• Louisiana Tech @ Mississippi State (ESPNU): Miss State.
• Central Michigan @ Missouri (SEC): Mizzou.
• Massachusetts @ Pittsburgh (ACCN): Pitt.

4:30:

• Louisiana @ Texas (FOX): Texas. Yes, it’s fashionable to think the Cajuns (who are also Ragin’) will give them a run for this money, but that’s just it: it’s a fashion.
• Northern Iowa @ Iowa State (ESPN+)

5:00: San Jose State @ Southern California (Pac12): USC? Oh, right, what am I thinking, of course USC.

6:00:

• Gardner-Webb @ Georgia Southern (espn3.com)
• Campbell @ Liberty (espn3.com)

7:00:

• Texas Tech vs. Houston (Texas Kickoff @ Houston, TX; ESPN): If it’s Houston’s not going to be good now, then wen? I will pick them here though.
• Oregon State @ Purdue (FS1): In one of the odder inter-sectional matchups, I’m not sure which way to go. Purdue should be better, but I can’t say I’ve kept up whole-heartedly with whatever the Beavers have been up to. I’m picking Purdue, but tenatively.
• Syracuse @ Ohio (CBSS): Duke already lost to a FCS team as I type this early Saturday morning, so Syracuse, please, have your stuff together.
• Norfolk State @ Toledo (espn3.com)
• Monmouth @ Middle Tennessee State (espn3.com)
• Southern @ Troy (espn3.com)
• Central Arkansas @ Arkansas State (espn3.com)
• Baylor @ Texas State (ESPN+)
• Akron @ Auburn (ESPN+)
• Eastern Illinois @ South Carolina (ESPN+)
• Nicholls State @ Memphis (ESPN+)
• Missouri State @ Oklahoma State (ESPN+)
• Abilene Christian @ Southern Methodist (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Georgia vs. Clemson (Duke’s Mayo Classic @ Charlotte, NC; ABC): Here it is folks, the Big One. The game of the week of the century. A lot of discussion has been centered around if a loss here would really hurt the standing of either. Personally, I think there’s plenty to lose. Clemson’s remaining schedule is soft. Is it sufficient for them to recover if they have 1-loss versus other undefeated or 1-loss Power 5 teams? I’m not sure. Georgia has more chances to recover if the lose here and then wind up with 1-loss, but what are their chances of actually ending with 1-loss in that case? It should be a fantastic game regardless. I’m going with Clemson because #thwg.
• Florida Atlantic @ Florida (SEC): Gators roll easily.
• Texas-San Antonio @ Illinois (BTN): Fortunately for the Illini UTSA is really not good.
• Northern Illinois @ Georgia Tech (ACCN): It’s Year 3 for Geoff Collins and company. I’m… cautiously optimistic? We’ve got a brutal schedule so getting back to bowl eligibility might be a lofty goal, but honestly being able to handle business in a game like this may be sufficient proof already. At least I hope so.
• William & Mary @ Virginia (ACC/RSN)
• Northwestern State @ North Texas (espn3.com)

8:00:

• Kent State @ Texas A&M (ESPNU): Aggies roll.
• Montana @ Washington (Pac12)
• East Tennessee State @ Vanderbilt (ESPN+)
• Southern Mississippi @ South Alabama (ESPN+):
• Duquesne @ Texas Christian (ESPN+)

8:30: Louisiana State @ California-Los Angeles (FOX): UCLA looked better last week against Hawaii, but in a battle in the trenches I’ll take some SEC boys anyday.

9:00: Bethune-Cookman @ Texas-El Paso (espn3.com)

10:30:

• Brigham Young vs. Arizona (Las Vegas Kickoff Classic @ Paradise, NV; ESPN): No idea about either of these teams other than a vague recollection Zona is kinda bad, so sure, BYU, why nt.
• Nevada @ California (FS1): The Bears should roll.
• New Mexico State vs. San Diego State (@Carson, CA; CBSS): Aztecs.

11:00: Utah State @ Washington State (Pac12): Cougs.

Sunday

7:30: Notre Dame @ Florida State (ABC): I’ll tentatively take Notre Dame here, but  this should be a good measuring stick for both teams.

Monday

8:00: Louisville vs. Mississippi (Chick-fil-a Kickoff @ Atlanta, GA; ESPN): Lane will almost certainly take the chance to hang 60+ on possibly one of the worst P5 teams.