CFW Week 1 Forecast - Five-straight days of college football

 CFW Week 1 Forecast – Five-straight days of college football

‘Let the game take your mind’

 

“Baby, let’s cruise”

 

Last week was the appetizer – the shrimp cocktail, the calamari, the caprese. This week is the entre – the prime rib, the grouper, the ribeye. Last week there were eight games. This week there are 91 games. Last week was one day. This week is five days. Last week was diminutive, petite, dinky, pint-sized. This week is ginormous, humongous, mongo, gargantuan.

 

This week is Week 1. It’s the official start of college football. Of the 138 FBS teams, 134 are playing this week. This is the week college football fans have been waiting seven months for. It’s here. There is no more waiting.

 

“Baby, let’s cruise away from here

Don’t be confused, football is clear

And if you want it you got it forever”

 

It all begins tonight with 11 games and continues Friday with eight games. Saturday is the big day with 68 games on tap. Then it winds down quickly with three games on Sunday and one game Monday – Labor Day night. The only four teams not playing this week are North Carolina, NC State, TCU and Virginia. They played last week and are catching their breath this week.

 

Ninety-six of the games are being broadcast on network TV. The other 38 games are streaming on ESPN Plus, SECN Plus or MWC Plus. Here is a five-day suggested viewing itinerary of selected games that you may, or may not, want to follow, beginning with tonight – Thursday (11 games): College football 2026 officially kicks off at 6 pm ET with Massachusetts at Rutgers on BTN. The player you want to check out in this contest is Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond. Raymond is listed on a number of preseason All-American teams.

 

Two hours later, at 8 pm ET, tonight’s feature game is Colorado at Georgia Tech on ESPN. Deion Sanders is back for his fourth season at Colorado. This should be a good contest. However, if it isn’t, you can check out Idaho at #21Utah. The Vandals and the Utes begin at 9 pm ET on ESPNU. Utah has Devon Dampier, an exciting quarterback running and passing. He can be fun to watch.

 

“This is not a one-night stand

Let football take your mind

Just release and you will find”

 

Friday (8 games): The Friday schedule begins with two low-key games – Indiana State-Purdue at 7 pm ET on BTN and Toledo-Michigan State at 8 pm ET on FS1. Toledo has the potential to give Michigan State some serious problems.

 

The feature game tomorrow night is #7 Miami at Stanford  at 9 pm ET on ESPN. Miami has it all, including quarterback Darian Mensah, receivers Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate and running back Mark Fletcher. Stanford beat Hawaii last week and showed potential on offense with quarterback Davis Warren and running back Micah Ford. Unfortunately for the Trees, their defense is weak. If Miami-Stanford is not exciting, check out Fresno State at #14 USC on FOX. That game also begins at 9 pm ET. USC showcases quarterback Jayden Maiava and running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller.

 

“You’re gonna fly way

Glad you’re goin’ my way”

 

Saturday (68 games): The 12 noon ET lineup on Saturday is not great, but you can check out three ranked teams – #1 Ohio State, #6 Indiana and #13 Alabama. Ball State at Ohio State is on BTN. North Texas at Indiana is on FOX and East Carolina at Alabama is on ABC. Like Miami, Ohio State is loaded – quarterback Julian Sayin, receiver Jeremiah Smith and running back Bo Jackson. Indiana premiers quarterback Josh Hoover. Alabama introduces us to quarterback Keelon Russell.

 

Other 12 noon ET games Saturday of minor interest are Coastal Carolina at West Virginia on TNT, Ohio at Nebraska on FS1 and Liberty at James Madison on ESPNU.

 

There are four interesting games at 3:30 pm ET, with the featured game of the four being Boise State at #2 Oregon on CBS. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore does battle with Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen.

 

The other three enticing encounters on the docket at 3:30 pm ET on Saturday are Baylor vs. Auburn in Atlanta on ABC, Texas State at #5 Texas on ESPN and Marshall at #18 Penn State on FS1. Auburn coach Alex Golesh is debuting with the Tigers, while Baylor coach Dave Aranda is on thin ice this season. Texas State-Texas showcases Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Texas State has a good QB too in Brad Jackson. Jackson can run. And in Marshall-Penn State, Matt Campbell makes his coaching debut with the Nittany Lions.

 

“I love it when we’re cruisin’ together

Football is a game to love

Cruising is made for love

I love it when we’re cruisin’ together”

 

At 7 pm ET Saturday evening, you can take your pick between two games while waiting for the big one at 7:30. The two 7 pm games are Missouri State at #8 Texas A&M and Abilene Christian at #12 Texas Tech. A&M returns quarterback Marcel Reed, while Texas Tech returns running back Cameron Dickey.

 

The feature game Saturday night is Clemson at #11 LSU, 7:30 pm ET on ABC. Dabo Swinney vs. Lane Kiffin. It should be interesting. Another 7:30 pm ET affair has Western Michigan at #16 Michigan. Kyle Whittingham makes his debut, coaching the Wolverines.

 

Before going to bed on Saturday night, you can check in on UNLV at Hawaii, 10 pm ET on CWN, and/or UCLA at California, 10:30 pm ET on ESPN. Both UNLV and Hawaii stubbed their toes last week, but both have exciting quarterbacks – Arnold Jackson at UNLV and Micah Alejado at Hawaii. UCLA-Cal is going to be an intriguing game. I can’t wait to watch Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.

 

“Baby, tonight belongs to us

Everything’s right, do what you must

 

Sunday (3 games): The first of the three games on Sunday is Washington State at #17 Washington, 4 pm ET on NBC. This intrastate rivalry is always interesting. Washington features quarterback Demond Williams.

 

For the next two games on Sunday, it’s take your pick between #4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin on NBC or #9 Ole Miss vs. #24 Louisville on ABC. Both games start at 7:30 pm ET. Notre Dame-Wisconsin takes place in Green Bay, while Ole Miss-Louisville takes place in Nashville. Against Wisconsin, the Irish return quarterback C.J. Carr. Against Louisville, Ole Miss returns quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy.

 

And inch by inch we get closer and closer

To every little part of each other”

 

Monday (1 game): The five-day weekend all comes to an end Monday night in Tallahassee – #19 SMU at Florida State, 7:30 pm ET on ESPN. FSU’s pass defense looked weak last week against New Mexico State. Will SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings take advantage?

 

That’s your suggested viewing schedule for the five days of football.

 

But before you can watch the games, you have to be familiar with this year’s new rules in college football. They are as follows.

 

1.     Targeting Penalty Change – Targeting penalties assessed in the second half of a game will no longer require the offending player to sit out the first half of his team’s next game. A player disqualified for targeting for the first time in a season may participate in the following game. The rule will apply regardless of which half the targeting penalty is called. A player who draws his second targeting penalty of the season will be required to miss the first half of the next game. A player who draws his third targeting of the season must sit out the full length of the following game. A conference can choose to initiate an appeals process after a player’s second targeting penalty. The appeal would be sent to the NCAA national coordinator of officials for a video review. If the appeal is successful, the player would not be forced to sit out the first half of the following game. The targeting penalty changes are experimental for the 2026 season. After the 2026 season the changes may or may not become permanent.

2.     Offensive Pass Interference – The penalty for offensive pass interference is being adjusted from 15 yards to 10 yards. The rules reserve 15-yard penalties primarily for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. Defensive pass interference will remain a 15-yard penalty.

3.     Fair Catch Kick – In a change to align Division I rules with those in the NFL and high school football, a team can choose to attempt a fair catch kick after a completed or awarded fair catch. The kick will be a place kick with a holder or a drop kick from the spot where the returner caught the ball. The defense will be at least 10 yards from the kick. If the ensuing kick goes through the uprights, it will be worth three points. (Note: the rarely executed play was last used in the NFL in 2024.)

4.     Unsportsmanlike Conduct – An automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be called if a player initiates any of these five actions or gestures: (a) any act of simulating the brandishing of a weapon, (b) slashing of the throat or a nose wipe gesture, (c) removing your helmet after the ball is dead (with exceptions for timeouts and equipment adjustments), (d) dead-ball contact fouls, such as pushing, shoving or striking that occur clearly after the ball is dead and that are not part of the game action, and (e) using forcible contact to push or pull an opponent off the pile after the ball is dead.

5.     Two Replay Challenges – The head coach will now have two replay challenges per game. If a coach wins one of their first two challenges, they are awarded a third challenge. A challenge can only be made only if a team has a timeout remaining and available. If the challenge is successful, the team’s timeout will not be charged.

6.     Coach-To-Player Communications – Coach-to-player communications through the helmet is now permissible for all NCAA divisions.

7.     Helmet Attachments – Helmet attachments (Guardian Cap, SAFR Helmet Cover) that enhance player safety are allowed. All helmets, with or without the attachment, must be of the same color and design.

8.     Sponsor Patches – Up to two sponsor patches are allowed on the jersey, with conference approval. A third patch is allowed in conference championship and postseason games. Logos may not exceed four square inches. One Commercial logo, not to exceed four square inches, is permitted on the helmet.

 

You’re all set on the new rules.

 

“Let the game take your mind

Just release and you will find”

 

There was a lot of conference realignment activity during the offseason. It sure helps to know who has jumped or moved from one conference to another.

 

We’re now back to 10 FBS conferences this season. For several years, we had 5 Power Five conferences and 5 Group of Five conferences. But with the demise of the Pac-12, we were down to nine conferences the past two seasons – 4 Power Four Conferences and 5 Group of Five conferences.

 

“You’re gonna fly away

Glad you’re goin’ my way”

 

Guess what? The Pac is back. But not as a Power conference. The Pac-12 is back as a Group of Six conference. The revised Pac-12 is not your mother’s Pac-12. First of all, the revamped Pac-12 has only eight football members. And only two members from the original Pac-12 – Oregon State and Washington State. Joining the Beavers and the Cougars in the new Pac-12 are Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State left the Mountain West Conference to join the Pac-12. Texas State left the Sun Belt Conference. I said only eight football members because the ninth member –  Gonzaga – is a new member of the Pac-12 in all sports but football. The Zags don’t play football.

 

Having lost five members, the remnants of the Mountain West Conference (Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming) added North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and UTEP to make a 10-team MWC. Northern Illinois left the MAC and UTEP left C-USA to join the MWC. North Dakota State moves up from FCS football where the Bison were members of the Missouri Valley Conference.

 

“I love it when we’re cruisin’ together”

 

The Mid-American Conference lost Northern Illinois to the MWC but picked up Sacramento State in its place. Like North Dakota State, Sacramento State moves up from FCS football. The Hornets were members of the Big Sky Conference in FCS.

 

Conference USA lost UTEP to the MWC and Louisiana Tech to the Sun Belt Conference. C-USA did not pick up any new members.

 

“Football is a game to love

Cruising is made for love

I love it when we’re cruisin’ together”

 

The Sun Belt Conference lost Texas State to the Pac-12 but added Louisiana Tech who left C-USA.

 

The American Conference had no changes.

 

Believe it or not, there were no changes in the Power Four conferences. All the changes were in five of the six Group of Six conferences.

 

Notre Dame remains a Power Four Independent and UConn remains a Group of Six Independent. There are 68 Power Four teams and 70 Group of Six teams.

 

Got that?

 

(Now, just yesterday, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr sent a letter to the SEC urging the conference to suspend or expel LSU if the school puts former pro players on its rosters. Carr told SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to use every available tool to suspend or expel LSU.) 

 

“Baby, let’s cruise

Let’s float, let’s glide

Let’s open up and go for a ride”

 

Now that you know about the conference membership changes, let’s take a look at who the favorites, challengers, dark horses and cellar dwellers are forecast to be in each of the 10 conferences.

 

ACC

Favorite: Miami. Challengers: SMU and Louisville. Dark Horse: Clemson. Cellar Dwellers: Boston College and Stanford.

 

Big 12

Favorites: Texas Tech and BYU. Challengers: Utah and Houston. Dark Horse: Arizona. Cellar Dwellers: Colorado and Iowa State.

 

Big Ten

Favorite: Ohio State. Challengers: Indiana and Oregon. Dark Horses: USC and Michigan. Cellar Dwellers: Rutgers and Purdue.

 

SEC

Favorites: Georgia and Texas. Challenger: Ole Miss. Dark Horses: Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Alabama and LSU. Cellar Dweller: Arkansas.

 

AC

Favorite: Navy. Challengers: UTSA, Memphis and Tulane. Dark Horses: Army, East Carolina and South Florida. Cellar Dweller: Charlotte.

 

C-USA

Favorites: Western Kentucky and Liberty. Challengers: Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State. Dark Horse: Delaware. Cellar Dweller: Sam Houston.

 

MAC

Favorites: Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio). Challenger: Toledo. Dark Horse: Ohio and Central Michigan. Cellar Dweller: Massachusetts.

 

MWC

Favorites: New Mexico and UNLV. Challengers: Hawaii and North Dakota State. Dark Horse: Air Force. Cellar Dwellers: UTEP and Northern Illinois.

 

Pac-12

Favorite: Boise State. Challengers: San Diego State and Fresno State. Dark Horse: Washington State. Cellar Dweller: Oregon State.

 

Sun Belt

(East Division)

Favorite: James Madison. Challenger: Old Dominion. Dark Horses: Marshall and Georgia Southern. Cellar Dweller: Georgia State.

(West Division)

Favorite: Troy. Challengers: Louisiana and Arkansas State. Dark Horse: Louisiana Tech. Cellar Dweller: ULM.

 

“And if you want it you got it forever

Let football take your mind

Just release and you will find”

 

The College Football Playoff remains a 12-team playoff this season. The feeling is it will move to a 16-team or 24-team playoff next season, but don’t hold your breath. The Big Ten and the SEC remain in dispute over this. The Big Ten and the other conferences want a 24-team playoff. The SEC wants a 16-team playoff.

 

There are no changes to the number of bowl games this season – 41 bowls. We did lose two bowls – the LA Bowl in Los Angeles and the Game Above Sports Bowl in Detroit are kaput. However, there are two new bowls this season – the Puerto Rico Bowl in San Juan and Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. The Poinsettia Bowl is returning after an absence of a few years.

 

“You’re gonna fly away

Glad your goin’ my way”

 

On Saturday morning TV, ESPN’s “College GameDay” is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the Clemson-LSU game. FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” is in Bloomington, Indiana, for the North Texas-Indiana game. SECN’s “SEC Nation” is in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Baylor-Auburn game. ACCN’s “Huddle” is in Berkeley, California, for the UCLA-Cal game.

 

Before the games, you have to tailgate. According to College Football’s RedCup News (The Culture of College Sports), the Top 30 schools in the country with the best pregame tailgates are 1. LSU, 2. Ole Miss, 3. South Carolina, 4. Virginia Tech, 5. Ohio State, 6. Penn State, 7. West Virginia, 8. Tennessee, 9. Georgia, 10. NC State, 11. Alabama, 12. Texas, 13. Texas A&M, 14. Clemson, 15. Florida, 16. Michigan, 17. Oregon, 18. Florida State, 19. Wisconsin, 20. Michigan State, 21. Notre Dame, 22. Iowa, 23. Indiana, 24. Auburn, 25. James Madison, 26. Oklahoma, 27. Washington, 28. Miami (Florida), 29. Missouri and 30. Appalachian State.

 

Baby let’s cruise!

 

Touchdown Tom

September 3, 2026

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

“Cruisin’” is a song co-written, produced and performed by Smokey Robinson for Motown Records. The music was written by Marv Tarplin. The lyrics were written by Robinson. It was Robinson’s first Top 10 hit as a solo performer. “Cruisin’” peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart the week of February 2, 1980. The song entered Billboard’s Hot 100 on October 6, 1979. It spent an incredible 25 weeks on the chart. A few weeks ago, I had a “driveway moment” with “Cruisin’.” Tarplin first recorded the music on a guitar and gave the tape to Robinson. It took Robinson five years to come up with the right lyrics for the music. He said he was driving down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles and “Groovin’” by the Rascals came on the radio. Robinson loved that song and thought about what rhymes with groovin’. He came up with cruisin’. From that point on, the lyrics for the song came together. When asked what does the song mean? Robinson responded, “Whatever you want it to mean. Whatever you want it to be.”

 

Some 20 years later, Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow covered the song in a duet performance. It was part of the soundtrack from the movie “Duets.” The Lewis-Paltrow duet version of “Cruisin’” peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. It knocked my socks off when I first heard it. It still does when I hear it. It makes you melt. In college, my friend Bob Spiker and I used to say “melt” whenever a song like that came on the radio. Songs like “You Belong To Me” by the Duprees, “This Magic Moment” by the Drifters, “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” by the Casinos, etc. But I digress. My apologies to Smokey Robinson for tampering with the lyrics.

 

 

Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for

Week One’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some

 

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. #24 Louisville vs. #9 Ole Miss – (ACC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Sunday, ABC – This is a neutral site game, being played in Nashville, Tennessee. Both teams are ranked and both teams should have a big fan base at the game. Louisville will have a lot of new faces on offense. Running back Isaac Brown is one of the few exceptions. The Cardinals defense is more experienced. They may keep Louisville in this game. But the Cardinals defense is facing a big challenge – Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Ole Miss has several veterans returning on offense and defense. Ole Miss coach Pete Golding begins his first season with the Magnolias. No bird seed for the Cardinals – Ole Miss 30, Louisville 22.

 

RUNNER-UP: 2. Boise State at #2 Oregon – (Pac-12 vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Eugene, Oregon is the site of this game. Oregon is ranked. Boise State just missed the Top 25. With quarterback Maddux Madsen, running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines and experience on the offensive line, Boise State has an offense that can compete with Oregon. The problem is Oregon has one of the best defenses in the country. Boise State may have problems scoring. The weakest side of Oregon is its offense. However, there is nothing weak about quarterback Dante Moore. And to Dante’s advantage, the Boise State defense is weak. But I’m sure the Broncos will put up a fight. Both teams have experienced coaches – Spencer Danielson for Boise State and Dan Lanning  for Oregon. The Ducks quack in Autzen – Oregon 27, Boise State 15.

 

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Clemson at #11 LSU (ACC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the site of this game. LSU is ranked. Clemson just missed the Top 25. Many people think this could be Dabo Swinney’s last season coaching Clemson. The results of this game could be an indication. This is a new Clemson team on offense – a lot of new faces. The defense is better. LSU has a lot of new faces too. But the Cajun Tigers have a lot of talent. In fact, they are loaded with talent. LSU even has a new coach – Lane Kiffin. Kiffin has stirred up a lot of noise during the past two weeks. Has it affected his and/or the team’s focus? Kiffin seems to thrive on drama. LSU has a new quarterback. He is Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. Leavitt’s performance may determine the outcome. Both teams call their stadiums “Death Valley.” Clemson dies in this valley – LSU 27, Clemson 14.

 

4. #4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin – (Ind. Vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – This is a neutral site game, being played on Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. So, perhaps it is less neutral to Wisconsin than it is Notre Dame. Notre Dame is ranked. Wisconsin wasn’t close to being ranked. Badgers coach Luke Fickell is fighting for his job in Madison. Speaking of Madison, I was there in March 1998, doing some work at the Wisconsin State Journal. I had a great time on State Street on St. Patrick’s Day night. But I digress. At best, the Badgers are a question mark. Notre Dame is loaded on offense and defense. The leader of the Irish is quarterback C.J. Carr. Carr has Heisman Trophy potential. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is in his fifth season, coaching the Irish. O Fickell boy, the pink slips, the pink slips are calling – Notre Dame 28, Wisconsin 16.

 

5. #19 SMU at Florida State – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Monday, ESPN – The site of this game is Tallahassee, Florida. SMU is ranked. Florida State isn’t. This is Rhett Lashlee’s fifth season coaching the Mustangs. He has been a good coach for that program. Last year, SMU was one of only three teams to beat Miami. The Mustangs are supposed to be good again this year. With quarterback Kevin Jennings they should be. In its opening game last season, unranked Florida State surprised ranked Alabama, 31-17. That’s what the Noles will be out to do this week – surprise SMU. FSU has a game under its belt. The Noles beat New Mexico State last week, 34-17. SMU has yet to play. I’d say SMU knows more about the Noles than FSU knows about the Mustangs. But is SMU as good as predicted to be? FSU coach Mike Norvell can’t afford to lose. The Mustangs show no mercy – SMU 30, Florida State 23.

 

6. Baylor vs. Auburn – (Big 12 vs. SEC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This game is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta – a neutral site for both teams. But Auburn is closer to Atlanta than Baylor is – much closer. These teams opened against each other last year in Waco. Auburn beat Baylor, 38-24. The Bears will be out for revenge. Baylor coach Dave Aranda is one of those “hot seat” coaches. He needs the win. Baylor’s quarterback will look familiar to Florida fans. He is D.J. Lagway. Lagway was the Gators’ quarterback last year. He wasn’t exactly the most popular quarterback. He had his ups and downs. At Florida, Lagway threw too  many interceptions. Baylor fans hope he has gotten over that problem. Meanwhile, Auburn is out for a fresh new start this season under new coach Alex Golesh. Golesh has Tiger fans fired up. Golesh, the former South Florida coach, brought a lot of players with him from USF – including quarterback Byrum Brown. Brown can run and throw. Aubie skins a Bear – Auburn 24, Baylor 23.

 

7. #7 Miami at Stanford – (ACC vs. ACC) – 9 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – 9 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – Last year, Miami came one game and six points short of winning the national championship. The Canes are out to repeat that performance this year, with a better outcome in its final game. They could do it. Mario Cristobal, in his fifth season with the Canes, has the players to do it. You can’t get much better than quarterback Darian Mensah. He led Duke to the ACC championship last year. Miami also has two top receivers in Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. And the Canes have a top running back in Mark Fletcher. Miami also has a lot of returnees on defense. Stanford is probably going to have a rough season. And it doesn’t get much rougher than Miami. To the Trees benefit, they are hosting the Canes in Palo Alto. On offense, Stanford looked decent last week against Hawaii. Quarterback Davis Warren and running back Micah Ford had good games. Stanford beat Hawaii, 37-27. But Miami’s defense is better than Hawaii’s. And Hawaii’s offense, especially the passing, made Stanford look silly at times. Mensah and Toney make the Trees look silly – Miami 30, Stanford 18.

 

8. UCLA at California – (Big Ten vs. ACC) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Two former conference rivals go at each other in Berkeley. Nowadays, UCLA is in the Big Ten and Cal is in the ACC. But they are still rivals. UCLA has had its troubles in recent seasons. However, the Bruins had a couple of bright spots last year. One was shocking Penn State, 42-37. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava came alive that day. If UCLA is to have any success this season, Iamaleava needs to be alive every game. Both the Bruins and the Bears are under new coaches this season. Bob Chesney took over at UCLA. He had great success at James Madison. In fact Chesney has had success everywhere he has coached. Cal’s new coach is Tosh Lupoi. As a head coach, Lupoi is an unknown factor. But the Bears do have an exciting quarterback – Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. Bears leave the Bruins in ruins – Cal 24, UCLA 20.

 

9. Colorado at Georgia Tech – (Big 12 vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – The site for this game is Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Last year, these two teams opened against each other in Boulder. Tech won that game, 27-20. It was a thriller. Both teams are a mystery this year. They won’t be great, but they could potentially be good. Then again, they could potentially be bad. Deion Sanders basically has an entirely new team this year. But that could be dangerous for Tech. What you don’t know can be alarming. The best thing going for Tech may be two of its portal pickups – quarterback Alberto Mendoza from Indiana and running back Justice Haynes from Michigan. We all know who Alberto’s brother is. Ralphie is no Engineer – Georgia Tech 27, Colorado 22.

 

10. Tulane at Duke – (AC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – This game takes place at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Last year, in New Orleans, Duke lost to Tulane, 34-27. Tulane was coached by Jon Sumrall then. The Green Wave aren’t anymore. Sumrall is at Florida. This year, Tulane is coached by Will Hall. I never understood why Tulane hired Hall. He was fired at Southern Miss for being a loser. Duke is coached by Manny Diaz. This will be his third season in Durham. In two years, Diaz has an 18-9 record at Duke – not bad. Duke lost some key players from last season. But running back Nate Sheppard returns. Sheppard had an outstanding season last year. The Dookies put their Blue Dress on – Duke 21, Tulane 14.

 

 

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

 

Indiana State at Purdue – (MWC vs. Big Ten) – 7 pm ET, Friday, BTN – Purdue probably isn’t going to win many games this year. But this should and will be one game the Boilers will win. Second-year coach Barry Odom hopes to improve on last year’s 2-10 record. The Boilers are coming into this game on a 10-game losing streak. They last won on September 6, 2025. The Boilers are returning last year’s starting quarterback – Ryan Browne. The Boilers let off some steam – Purdue 27, Indiana State 12.

 

Coastal Carolina at West Virginia – (SBC vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, TNT – West Virginia fans are hoping for a winning season this year. Last year’s 4-8 record under first-year coach Rich Rodriguez was disappointing. WVU fans were hoping for 5 or 6 wins. Still, in those 4 wins, the Mountaineers beat Pitt. That was a positive. WVU’s backfield will have two transfers – quarterback Michael Hawkins from Oklahoma and running back Cam Cook from Jacksonville State. Cook was the leading rusher in the country last year. Last season’s offensive line and defense were WVU’s problem areas. They need to improve this year if the Mountaineers are to have any success. The receivers need to step up too. Coastal Carolina is under first-year coach Ryan Beard. Previously, he was the head coach at Missouri State for three seasons where he had a 19-16 record. Mountaineers roast the Chanticleers – West Virginia 34, Coastal Carolina 14.

 

Ohio at Nebraska – (MAC vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Nebraska begins its fourth season under head coach Matt Rhule. So far, Rhule is batting .500. He has a 19-19 record with the Huskers. He began last season on a three-game winning streak and ended it on a three-game losing streak. Husker fans are still waiting for the golden years. I’m not sure how much gold they will see this year. Meantime, Nebraska has become a volleyball and basketball school. The Huskers do return a fair share of starters from last year. Rhule went out to the portal and brought in quarterback Anthony Colandrea from UNLV. He led the Rebels to a 9-4 season last year. Nebraska doesn’t have it easy this year. Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and Iowa are all on the schedule. The good news is Indiana, Washington and Ohio State are home games. The Huskers can’t take Ohio for granted. The Bobcats are one of the better MAC teams. They can be feisty. Herbie tames a Cat – Nebraska 30, Ohio 14.

 

Tennessee State at #3 Georgia – (OVC vs. SEC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – With all the nonsense going on at LSU and all the attention on Arch Manning at Texas and Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss, Georgia has been overlooked at preseason. The Dawgs have been hiding under the radar. That could be a positive for Georgia. One thing is for certain. The opening game will be a positive. No way can the Dawgs lose to Tennessee State. Don’t let Georgia fool you. Kirby Smart has the Dawgs loaded this year. Loaded on both offense and defense. The offense begins with quarterback Gunner Stockton and running back Nate Frazier. It continues from there. Tennessee State will be out to collect a good pay check for playing in Athens. It should cover their finances for a while. Uga has a heyday – Georgia 48, Tennessee State 3.

 

Texas State at #5 Texas – (Pac-12 vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – This could well be the beginning of the last season for Arch Manning at Texas. Manning is just a junior, but I suspect he will be in the NFL draft next spring – especially if Texas has a good season. Texas has a lot of players returning, especially on offense. This is Steve Sarkisian’s sixth season coaching the Longhorns. He has a 48-20 record in Austin. Texas finished the season strong last year, handing Texas A&M its first loss and beating Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Texas State is the warm up game for Ohio State on September 12. Texas State does have a talented and exciting quarterback – Brad Jackson. He can be a threat running the ball. Bevo turns the Bobcat into a house cat – Texas 33, Texas State 17.

 

Florida Atlantic at Florida – (AC vs. SEC) – 7:45 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – So, the Jon Sumrall era begins in Gainesville. Let’s hope it lasts longer than the Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen and Billy Napier eras. Those eras only lasted three to five years each. Interesting to note that two of those coaches are head coaches today – Mullen at UNLV and Napier at James Madison. And Muschamp is the defensive coordinator at Texas. McElwain is probably still making his barbecue sauce somewhere. Sumrall has the Gator fans fired up. The Florida offense begins with running back Jadan Baugh. He was on a lot of preseason All-American teams. The best thing, and maybe the only thing, about Florida Atlantic is quarterback Caden Veltkamp. He put up some big and impressive numbers last season. The Owls are predicted to be no better than a middle-of-the-pack team in the American Conference. Albert chases the Owls out of The Swamp – Florida 38, Florida Atlantic 14.

 

 

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

 

Bethune-Cookman at UCF – (SWAC vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN+….

Webber International at Stetson – (Sun vs. Pioneer) – 11 am ET, Saturday….

 

West Florida at Central Arkansas – (UAC vs. UAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

 

FIU at South Florida – (C-USA vs. AC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….

South Carolina State at Florida A&M – (MEAC vs. SWAC) – 3 pm ET, Sunday, ESPN….

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“I just can’t spend all day long looking at Twitter or X to see what the next court ruling is. The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me. I think that’s wrong. That, morally, is wrong,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, on taking players from NFL rosters.

 

“After working to be in the mix this past coaching cycle, at Auburn specifically, Jimbo Fisher is ready for a return to the sideline,” USA Today sports columnist John Brice.

 

“I just think it is embarrassing where we are with college football,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, on NFL players returning to play college football.

 

“Lane Kiffin is the enfant terrible of college football. Everything about him gets attention,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum.

 

“I don’t think we expect anything from Dabo Swinney anymore. He has been devalued to the penny stocks, for the most part,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum.

 

“The stock answer here is he will go down in flames, and he will be sorry that he left Ole Miss. However, I think he will win a national championship. This isn’t Lane Kiffin at Tennessee – even though he still acts the same way, he does it more craftily. He’s a much more polished teenager than he was in 2009. And I think you have to really work at not winning a title at LSU. Two of the biggest buffoons in college football history – Les Miles and Ed Orgeron – both won titles there,” ESPN’s Paul Finebaum.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

The next CFW – Week 1 Results – will be posted Tuesday, September 8, the morning after Labor Day.