As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Arkansas @ Oklahoma State (ABC): Let’s face it, most of the early games are going to be overshadowed by the next game, so the angle is: is there a reason to keep an eye on any of the other ones? In this case, no. I like the Pokes.
• Texas @ Michigan (FOX): Early last season was defined by Texas and Alabama’s excellent tilt in Austin, that helped put the Horns on the to the playoff. Michigan, of course, won that playoff. This is an all-time helmet game between two programs that have met just once: in the 2004-05 Rose Bowl, where Texas won 38-37 on a walk-off field goal by Dusty Magnum. (Vince Young of course featured prominently for the Longhorns.) This time around, the game may not be that close: Michigan is replacing a lot from last year’s team and may not really have a quarterback, whereas Texas sort of has the opposite problem. The main factor will be the true road game aspect of this, but I still have to pick Texas.
• Kansas State @ Tulane (ESPN): I don’t know that Tulane can win this game, but I think they can make it interesting.
• Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati (ESPN2): Once again, I love the regional matchup aspect of this, but this one doesn’t figure to be anything other than a Pitt rout.
• Bowling Green @ Pennsylvania State (BTN): Penn State rolls.
• Akron @ Rutgers (BTN): Rutgers rolls.
• Troy @ Memphis (ESPNU): This definitely a match up of two totally different approaches to offense and game management in general. I’ll take the Tigers here, but it may be worth keeping an eye on this one.
• Army @ Florida Atlantic (CBS): I think there’s a way Army can win here, but if FAU can just force the issue with their speed it’ll be all but over.
• Georgia Tech @ Syracuse (ACCN): So as Florida State was getting thrashed by Boston College last Monday, my favorite joke was “wow the Noles are really devaluing Georgia Tech’s strength of schedule”. That said, unlike FSU, Syracuse appears to have a quarterback that can throw the ball downfield, which is definitely going to be a new test for our defense.
• Rhode Island @ Minnesota (Peacock)

12:45: McNeese State @ Texas A&M (SEC)

2:00:

• Tennessee Tech @ Georgia (ESPN+)
• Missouri State @ Ball State (ESPN+)

2:30: Saint Francis @ Kent State (ESPN+)

3:00: Utah Tech @ Nevada-Las Vegas (MWN)

3:30:

• Baylor @ Utah (FOX): Talking about “styles make fights”, Utah would prefer this to be a literal rockfight. This isn’t the high-flying RGIII Baylor days of course, and overall, it figures that the Bears will struggle in this trip to Salt Lake City.
• South Carolina @ Kentucky (ABC): South Carolina might be kind of bad? I mean, I have no idea about Kentucky, but just based on that I’ll take the Cayuts at home.
• Northern Illinois @ Notre Dame (NBC): ND should roll.
• Iowa State @ Iowa (“El Assico”; CBS): Ah, here’s how you know it’s really Week 2 of the season. Of course, why CBS decided the nation needed to see this oddest of rivalries is beyond me. What not to expect: offense. What to expect: ??? I think the Hawkeyes are more talented and it is in Kinnick, but there’s a reason why there’s a non-zero chance the phrase “sickos” will be used on the broadcast.
• California @ Auburn (ESPN2): So I went to last year’s edition of the this game in Berkeley, and Cal had plenty of chances to the win the game. They basically just… didn’t. I won’t be in Alabama for this one, but there’s reasons for optimism for Cal. At a minimum, they probably have an edge at quarterback. I think they’ll get the dub this time.
• South Dakota @ Wisconsin (FS1)
• Idaho @ Wyoming (truTV)
• Eastern Michigan @ Washington (BTN): UDub gets a head start on scheduling MAC opponents, like a proper Big Ten team.
• Michigan State @ Maryland (BTN): Meanwhile in College Park, an early test for both of these teams. That said, it’s September, which means the Terps are basically unstoppable.
• Temple @ Navy (CBSS): There’s not going to be a lot of chances for Navy to obliterate a conference opponent this year. This is very much one of them.
• Charlotte @ North Carolina (ACCC): Heels should roll.
• Jacksonville State @ Louisville (ACCNX)
• Duquesne @ Boston College (ACCNX)
• Massachusetts @ Toledo (ESPN+)

4:00: Texas-San Antonio @ Texas State (“I-35 Rivalry”; ESPNU): This is definitely the G5 game of the day, and perhaps one of the best games of any sort. UTSA is the steady hand here, while Texas State went on a major talent acquisition spree this off-season. This may well be the biggest game in the history of Texas State at this level, and it’ll be interesting to see if they can pack it in in San Marcos. That said, I still like the Roadrunners.

4:15: Middle Tennessee State @ Mississippi (SEC): Lane Kiiffin can name his score in this one.

4:30: Marshall @ Virginia Tech (CW): I don’t think Virginia Tech is good or any thing, but Marshall sure has a chance to be very, very bad.

6:00:

• Florida A&M @ Miami (ACCNX)
• Central Michigan @ Florida International ESPN+)
• Albany @ West Virginia (ESPN+)
• South Alabama @ Ohio (ESPN+)
• Gardner-Webb @ James Madison (ESPN+)
• East Carolina @ Old Dominion (ESPN+)

6:30: Sam Houston State @ Central Florida (ESPN+)

7:00:

• South Florida @ Alabama (ESPN): So many will remember last year’s contest in Tampa, where Bama won but it sure wasn’t comfortable. The caveat, of course, is that they really didn’t have a quarterback. USF is actually not a bad team, but I don’t think Bama will be in much of a mood to mess around in this one. If they do, well, it’ll certainly make things challenging for DeBoer going forward.
• Virginia @ Wake Forest (ESPN2): I have absolutely no read on this game. Ask me next week. For now, I’ll just pick Wake.
• Kansas @ Illinois (FS1): Okay, so more “styles make fights” football here. Kansas, of course, is going to move the ball, the question is just how much will Illinois keep them out of the end zone. This feels like either a very narrow Illinois win in a low-scoring, defensive contest, or a Kansas absolute blowout. The latter feels more likely.
• Georgia Southern @ Nevada (truTV): Southern is in a bit of disarray after last week’s loss to a Mountain West team, and going to the Reno doesn’t seem like it’ll solve any of their problems.
• San Jose State @ Air Force (CBSS): I like Air Force here.
• Northern Colorado @ Colorado State (MWN)
• California Polytechnic @ Stanford (ACCNX)
• Samford @ Florida (ESPN+)
• Buffalo @ Missouri (ESPN+)
• Southeastern Louisiana @ Southern Mississippi (ESPN+)
• Tennessee-Chattanooga @ Georgia State (ESPN+)
• Tulsa @ Arkansas State (ESPN+)
• William & Mary @ Coastal Carolina (ESPN+)
• Eastern Kentucky @ Western Kentucky (ESPN+)
• Louisiana @ Kennesaw State (ESPN+)
• Texas Southern @ Rice (ESPN+)
• Alabama-Birmingham @ Louisiana-Monroe (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Tennessee vs. North Carolina State (Duke’s Mayo Classic @ Charlotte, NC; ABC): I don’t think anyone thinks NC State is bad, per se, just that Tennessee might be really good. In particular, I’m not sure the Wolfpack defense is going to be able to stop the Vols.
• Colorado @ Nebraska (NBC): Nebraska’s decent again, Colorado still has major problems in the trenches, the game is at night in Lincoln, and this is an old, old rivalry. It… might get ugly for the Buffs.
• Western Michigan @ Ohio State (BTN):  Bucks roll.
• Alcorn State @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU)
• Nicholls State @ Louisiana State (ESPN+)
• Stephen F. Austin @ North Texas (ESPN+)

7:45: Houston @ Oklahoma (SEC): The Sooners may, no joke, score 100.

8:00:

• Appalachian State @ Clemson (ACCN): If Clemson has some things figured out, and a quarterback, then this one won’t be close. But… if things in upstate South Carolina are as bleak as they looked against Georgia, App State may be looking for yet another ACC team to upset. To be clear, I can’t pick the Mountaineers, but I’m not going to be surprised if they pull this off.
• Long Island @ Texas Christian (ESPN+)

9:00: Southern Utah @ Texas-El Paso (ESPN+)

10:00:

• Texas Tech @ Washington State (FOX): I think I kind of like Wazzu in this one, but it’s hard to tell where these two teams are at at the moment. Once again, as me next week.
• Sacramento State @ Fresno State (MWN)
• Boise State @ Oregon (Peacock)
• Northern Arizona @ Arizona (ESPN+)

10:15: Liberty @ New Mexico State (ESPN2): Ugh, Liberty’s going to win, aren’t they.

10:30:

• Mississippi State @ Arizona State (ESPN): This is possibly the most random game of the day. Anything could happen here and I wouldn’t be surprised. Which is partially why I love that this involves a SEC team kickoff at 9:30 their time back in Mississippi, because this could get weird for the folks back east. Also, I kind of like the Sun Devils anyway.
• Oregon State @ San Diego State (CBSS): Beavers all the way here.

11:00: Utah State @ Southern California (BTN): Welcome to… B1G After Dark. Ugh, they’re going to co-opt that aren’t they? At any rate, I’ll be shocked if there’s a reason to actually tune in for any other reason.

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Saturday

Noon:

• Pennsylvania State @ West Virginia (FOX): And finally, welcome back to College Football Saturday! Y’all, I think this is a perfectly wonderful way to come back. Well, maybe not this particular game, which will kind of be a theme of this weekend. Penn State should have this one easy.
• Clemson vs. Georgia (Aflac Kickoff Game @ Atlanta, GA; ABC): That said, this is a game of the day, and it’s kind of weirdly… early? Like, why isn’t this in prime time? Oh, sure, the “dawgs” are a huge favorite, and, well, I don’t have a lot of reasons to disagree. That said, this Clemson team should still be game enough to test them, and this should be worth watching.
• Virginia Tech @ Vanderbilt (ESPN): Whereas, well, I suspect the Hokies got this…
• Connecticut @ Maryland (FS1): … and so do the Terps.
• Illinois State @ Iowa (BTN)
• Indiana State @ Purdue (BTN)
• Kent State @ Pittsburgh (ESPNU): Y’all, I promise to try to talk about every FBS vs. FBS game, but, look, I may need until we get into conference season in a week or two.
• Bucknell @ Navy (CBSS)
• Austin Peay @ Louisville (ACCN)

12:45: Tennessee-Chattanooga @ Tennessee (SEC)

2:00: South Dakota State @ Oklahoma State (ESPN+)

2:30: Towson @ Cincinnati (ESPN+)

3:00: Portland State @ Washington State (CW)

3:30:

• Miami @ Florida (ABC): There’s not really a fantastic name for this rivalry, but it’s a rivalry nonetheless. I personally… do not understand any of the hype around the Canes at all, and also, it really feeds into the “ACC is imploding” memes if Florida wins, so I’m going with that.
• Akron @ Ohio State (CBS): Yeah, we’re in season two of the “B1G on CBS”, but still, the idea of CBS showing football this early is somewhat disorienting. I suspect that the first weekend of the US Open might be slightly better content than this, but, well, I’ve never talked about tennis on here, so I’m probably wrong.
• Texas-El Paso @ Nebraska (FOX): As usual, I want UTEP to be fun, but I’ll need some results before Is tart calling them to beat Nebraska.
• Colorado State @ Texas (ESPN): Unlike the above, I have zero worries about the Longhorns being able to handle business here.
• North Dakota @ Iowa State (FS1)
• Miami @ Northwestern (BTN): The main reason to watch most Northwestern home games this season will be to see if a wayward kick goes into Lake Michigan. That said, no worries for the Cats here.
• Florida International @ Indiana (BTN): 9Windiana has to get started somewhere, eh?
• Merrimack @ Air Force (CBSS)
• Ohio @ Syracuse (ACCN): I have no idea what to expect from the Orange here, so how the handle a… probably not very good MAC team will indicate a lot to me for the rest of the season.
• Kennesaw State @ Texas-San Antonio (ESPN+)
• Eastern Michigan @ Massachusetts (ESPN+)
• Western Illinois @ Northern Illinois (ESPN+)
• East Tennessee State @ Appalachian State (ESPN+)

4:00: Boise State @ Georgia Southern (ESPNU): This, low-key, may be one of the games of the day. Regional G5 teams traveling to play at home is a wonderful thing and we’d definitely like to see more of it. I definitely think that, on paper, Boise has the edge here, but y’all, we’re talking about a 4:00 PM Eastern kick below the gnat belt down in Statesboro. I think just about anything can happen in this one. I still like Boise, but this could be one of the best games of the day.

4:15: Old Dominion @ South Carolina (SEC): Whereas, well, I’m not sure what the Gamecocks have now, but it’s probably(?) enough to beat ODU.

5:00:

• California-Davis @ California (ACCNX)
• Stony Brook @ Marshall (ESPN+)
• North Texas @ South Alabama (ESPN+)

6:00:

• Richmond @ Virginia (ACCNX)
• Norfolk State @ East Carolina (ESPN+)
• Campbell @ Liberty (ESPN+)
• Eastern Kentucky @ Mississippi STate (ESPN+)

6:30: Idaho State @ Oregon State (CW)

7:00:

• Western Kentucky @ Alabama (ESPN): Well, there’s a new sheriff in town down in Tuscaloosa, but the real tests won’t start for another couple of weeks. If you’re young, though, please let me remind you: it is not manifest destiny for the Crimson Tide to be one of the major powers in this sport. Trust me.
• Nevada-Las Vegas @ Houston (FS1): UNLV is definitely getting a bit of a glow-up this offseason, whereas no one seems to know what to do with post-Dana Houston. So I guess I like the Runnin’ Rebels here?
• Tarleton State @ Baylor (ESPN+)
• Tennessee-Martin @ Kansas State (ESPN+)
• Tennessee Tech @ Middle Tennessee State (ESPN+)
• Furman @ Mississippi (ESPN+)
• North Alabama @ Memphis (ESPN+)
• Sam Houston State @ Rice (ESPN+)
• Bethune-Cookman @ South Florida (ESPN+)
• Central Arkansas @ Arkansas State (ESPN+)
• Nevada @ Troy (ESPN+)

7:30:

• Fresno State @ Michigan (NBC): Michigan has no idea who their quarterback is, but that has no bearing on this game.
• Notre Dame @ Texas A&M (ABC): Speaking of new eras, it’s A&M’s first post-Jimbo game, because, well, they actually did the thing! And, well, they’ll probably lose this one.
• California-Los Angeles @ Hawaii (CBS): UCLA gets some exercise, fresh air, and an easy win over in the islands before heading for the Midwest.
• Idaho @ Oregon (BTN)
• Alabama A&M @ Auburn (ESPN+)
• Abilene Christian @ Texas Tech (ESPN+)

7:45: Southern Mississippi @ Kentucky (SEC): In addition to being old enough to remember when Alabama was bad, I remember when Southern Miss was good, which included beating Bama. Alas, well, I don’t like their chances these days against the SEC.

8:00:

• Texas A&M-Commerce @ San Diego State (truTV)
• James Madison @ Charlotte (ESPNU): Charlotte weirdly has a lot of starters missing, so I’m going JMU in this one.
• Georgia State @ Georgia Tech (ACCN): Y’all. Where do I even start? Like, we ran straight down their throats in Dublin. Is that just, like, how good we are, or more “game in Ireland” weirdness. I dunno, we lost to Bowling Green last season, so for both myself and my fellow Tech friends… stay frosty, y’all.
• Robert Morris @ Utah State (MWN)
• Houston Christian @ Southern Methodist (ACCNX)
• Southern Illinois @ Brigham Young (ESPN+)
• Nicholls State @ Louisiana Tech (ESPN+)
• Grambling State @ Louisiana (ESPN+
• Lamar @ Texas State (ESPN+)

9:00: Southeast Missouri State @ New Mexico State (ESPN+)

10:30:

• New Mexico @ Arizona (ESPN): Zona has this, right?
• Wyoming @ Arizona State (FS1): State has this, right? (Actually, I have way more doubt about State here.)

11:00: Weber State @ Washington (BTN)

Sunday

7:30: Southern California vs. Louisiana State (Vegas Kickoff Classic @ Las Vegas, NV; ABC): This may be legitimately one of the best games of the opening weekend. Obviously, we’re not much for NFL stadium neutral games this early in the season, but these teams are both playoff contenders with tons of questions. Like, can USC actually move the ball? Can LSU both replace all the talent they lost and rise to the level expected based on the talent they lost? It’s a huge conundrum that will require several weeks of this season to resolve, but we’ll likely be writing in a week that we have a read on these teams based on this one. So who knows? I tend to prefer LSU, but I won’t be surprised by any result here.

Monday

7:30: Boston College @ Florida State (ESPN): And finally… FSU will win an ACC game this season. I guarantee it.

 

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon: Florida State vs. Georgia Tech (@Dublin, Ireland; ESPN): Okay, here we go. So, for starters, I am doing the OOC preview, but it’ll come out next week. I just simply didn’t have time to get it done now. Anyway, the game! So I was recently on a trip that took me to this part of Europe, and I have to say… that doesn’t provide me with any particular insight into this game. I’m not especially optimistic, but I am pretty sure we’re not going to get blown out. I think that counts for something, given where we’ve been the past few years. I’ll type the rest of this out quickly because I’d like to be awake for this game, so if you don’t mind…

3:30: McNeese State @ Tarleton State (ESPN2)

4:00: Montana State @ New Mexico (FS1)

7:00: North Alabama @ Southeast Missouri State (FCS Kickoff Classic @ Montgomery, AL; ESPN)

7:30: Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State (MEAC/SWAC Challenge @ Atlanta, GA; ABC)

8:00: Southern Methodist @ Nevada (CBSS): In the other FBS vs. FBS matchup of the day, new ACC member SMU heads to Reno, where they should win handily.

Midnight: Delaware State @ Hawaii (Team1Sports)

 

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Villanova @ South Dakota State (NCAA Division I Quaterfinals; ESPN)
• Lenoir-Rhyme @ Hardin (NCAA Division II Semifinals; ESPN+)
• Courtland @ Randolph-Macon (NCAA Division III Semifnals; ESPN+)

2:30: North Dakota State @ South Dakota (NCAA Division I Quaterfinals; ABC)

3:00: Navy vs. Army (@Foxborough, MA; CBS): In a somewhat unexpected development, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is on the line in this game. I say this because most of this season made it look as though it would be Air Force’s for the taking, which is about when Army rolled into Colorado Springs and completely disrupted everything and/or the Falcons forgot how to hold on to the ball. Either way, if Army wins they get the CiC Trophy, and if Navy wins it’s split. I like Army in this contest, though I do have some concerns that sort of go either way.

3:30:

• Kutztown @ Colorado School of Mines (NCAA Division II Semifinals; ESPN+)
• North Central @ Wartburg (NCAA Division III Semifinals; ESPN+)

10:00: Albany @ Idaho (NCAA Division I Quarterfinals; ESPN+)

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Friday

7:00: New Mexico State @ Liberty (Conference USA Championship; CBSSN): I suspect Liberty will win, but that won’t stop me from pulling hard for the Aggies here. And if the Aggies do pull it off, Jerry Kill should merit some serious Coach of the Year consideration.

8:00: Washington vs. Oregon (Pacific 12 Championship @ Las Vegas, NV; ABC): There’s still a chance I may just up and off out to Vegas today because this game is not only the last ever Pac-12 Championship game (at least, as we know it) it should also be an absolute banger of a game. These are two of the best teams in the country in what is functionally a playoff quarterfinal. I am rolling with the conventional wisdom and predicting Oregon to win, but it is impossible to discount the Huskies, who seem to have a knack for getting out of close games.

Saturday

Noon:

• Oklahoma State vs. Texas (Big 12 Championship @ Arlington, TX; ABC): This would be a super bad time for the version of Texas that existed before this season to show up. That said, so far Texas hasn’t really Texas’d this season, and there’s not any reason to think they’ll start now.
• Toledo vs. Miami (Mid-American Championship @ Detroit, MI; ESPN): This may secretly be the better game. These are clearly the two best teams in the MAC. Toledo is rightly favored as the Rockets have shaken off their reputation for not being able to win the big game. It should be a good game, though, and may be a refuge if Texas is taking care of business.
• Youngstown State @ Villanova (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)
• Richmond @ State University of New York at Albany (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)

1:00: Tennessee-Chattanooga @ Furman (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)

2:00:

• Mercer @ South Dakota State (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)
• Sacramento State @ South Dakota (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)

3:00: Boise State @ Nevada-Las Vegas (Mountain West Championship; FOX): It’s not often that a team in a conference championship game fired their coach less than a month before said game, but that’s what the Broncos did. It does seem to have some impact, but they’re also here because the computers said they were better than San Jose State, which is the tiebreaker the Mountain West had to go with because none of the the three teams played the other. That said, it’s been a heckuva year for the Runnin’ Rebels and I don’t see it stopping here.

4:00:

• Southern Methodist @ Tulane (American Championship; ABC): SMU got better as the year went on, but Tulane just figures to still be the class of the conference.
• Georgia vs. Alabama (Southeastern Championship @ Atlanta, GA; CBS): Both of these teams kinda seemed to take it easy in their rivalry games. That put the Tide in real danger that took converting what might become the most famous “4th and goal from the 31” play in history. And while I’m not complaining, the Bulldogs looked pretty one-dimensional against us as they opted to rest McConkey and Bowers. (That said, when you average seven yards per carry, there’s not any reason to stop doing that.) At any rate, unlike the past couple seasons, Bama doesn’t feel like the team most capable of stopping Georgia: I would say both Michigan and Oregon could beat them. This Bama team isn’t perfect either, though they have figured what they can do with their QB the past few weeks. So, in summary, this Georgia team can get got, and while I don’t think it will happen here, I wouldn’t be surprised either.
• Appalachian State @ Troy (Sun Belt Championship; ESPN): While JMU obviously deserves to be here, at least App beat them. Troy, though, continues to be Troy: play (relatively) great defense and run the ball. App is just too inconsistent to make me think they have a chance here.
• Prairie View A&M @ Florida A&M (Southwestern Championship; ESPN2)

6:00: North Dakota State @ Montana State (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)

8:00:

• Florida State vs. Louisville (Atlantic Coast Championship @ Charlotte, NC; ABC): You can discount rivalry week or not, but it’s really hard not to think about how those games might carry over to this one. FSU rallied to beat Florida and show that can still work an offense without their best player. Louisville missed a chance to finally show Kentucky who’s boss (indeed, it’s as though Kentucky’s chances of beating the Cardinals is inversely proportional to how good the Cards are that season). Add that to the sort of general “they can’t keep getting away with this!” vibe the Cardinals have been doing all season, and it’s hard to see how FSU doesn’t win this.
• Iowa vs. Michigan (Big Ten Championship @ Indianapolis, IN; FOX): It’s very difficult to see how this will be any different from the 2021 version of this game that the Wolverines won 42-3.

9:00: Delaware @ Montana (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)

10:00: Southern Illinois @ Idaho (NCAA Division I Second Round; ESPN+)