Saturday 9-8-18 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Nevada at Vanderbilt
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason recognizes there are adjustments to make from the season opener, and that is the focus this week as the team prepares for Saturday’s home contest against Nevada. The Commodores were solid - if not spectacular - in defeating Middle Tennessee State 35-7 last week, but Kyle Shurmur and the offense shook off a sluggish first half while the defense impressed in its first game under new coordinator Jason Tarver.

“It’s the first game,” Mason told reporters on Tuesday. “There will always be things to clean up afterward. In terms of things missing, it’s simple things.” Shurmur completed 4-of-5 passes for 93 yards in the third quarter to help the Commodores pull away, turning a 14-7 game into a comfortable margin of victory, and finished with 170 yards passing and two touchdowns. Defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo returned a fumble for a touchdown, Vanderbilt’s first such score since 2016, and the defense finished with six sacks. Nevada blasted Portland State 72-19 in its season opener, the highest output for the Wolf Pack since the program began playing in FBS in 1992.

TV: Noon ET, SEC Network. LINE: Vanderbilt -9

ABOUT NEVADA (1-0): The Wolf Pack took advantage of big plays in their season opener, scoring five touchdowns of 40-plus yards. Quarterback Ty Gangi completed 16-of-26 passes for 342 yards, hooking up with McLane Mannix for three touchdowns as Nevada scored 42 unanswered points in the second half. The Wolf Pack have struggled on the road, losing six in a row and 11 of their last 12.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (1-0): The Commodores were more conservative offensively in the first half as they tried to establish the running game, with Shurmur passing for only 28 yards before intermission. Jamauri Wakefield and Khari Blasingame each rushed for a touchdown and combined for 108 yards on 19 carries. Linebacker Kenny Hebert was one of five players to record a sack against Middle Tennessee State, registering a pair.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Commodores gave up 100 passing yards in the first quarter of their season opener but just 78 over the rest of the game.

2. Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, a transfer from Illinois, rushed for 37 yards on nine carries in his team debut.

3. The Commodores converted 7-of-13 third-down opportunities in the opener and were 2-for-2 on fourth down.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 41, Nevada 21

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Western Michigan at Michigan
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

No. 22 Michigan looks to bounce back from an opening week defeat when they host Western Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines fell in an early hole and never recovered in the 24-17 road loss to eighth-ranked Notre Dame, which extended their losing streak to four games dating back to last season, and they hope to turn their fortunes around by beating the Broncos for the seventh consecutive time.

"It's not the outcome we anticipated or wanted but we just gotta dig deep," Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "Just need to show some good old fashioned resolve and there's more we can do as this can be a very good football team." Michigan has dropped six of its last 10 contests but are 9-2 in non-conference regular-season games under Harbaugh, and Michigan aims to extend its winning streak in home openers to 10 in a row. The Wolverines haven't faced the Broncos since a 34-10 victory in 2011 and have won the last four meetings since 2001 by an average margin of 22 points. Western Michigan suffered a 55-42 setback to Syracuse in its season opener and hopes to recover in a big way by knocking off the Wolverines for the first time in program history.

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports1. LINE: Michigan -28.5

ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (0-1): Jon Wassink threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns in his first game since breaking his collarbone against Eastern Michigan on Oct. 21, 2017 while D'Wayne Eskridge was named the MAC-West Division Offensive Player of the Week after hauling in eight passes for a career-high 240 yards in the loss to Syracuse. "I have to give thanks to Jon as I couldn't have made the plays if he didn't put the ball where he did," Eskridge told reporters. "It felt great to finally show off all the work we have been doing since summer camp." Wide receiver Drake Harris, who spent four injury-plagued years at Michigan, caught one pass for 12 yards in his Western Michigan debut.

ABOUT MICHIGAN (0-1): Shea Patterson acquitted himself well in his Wolverines debut as he completed 20-of-30 passes for 227 yards in the loss to Notre Dame despite going back to the locker room for a series to get an IV. Starting safety Josh Metellus was ejected for targeting in the first quarter against the Fighting Irish, but is eligible to return from the opening snap against Western Michigan while All-American linebacker Devin Bush registered six tackles and a sack despite battling cramps for a majority of the second half. Ambry Thomas was named the Co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, which was Michigan's first since 2015.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Wolverines are 32-1 against Mid-American Conference opponents.

2. Michigan is 17-4 at home under Harbaugh.

3. Western Michigan racked up 621 yards of offense in Week 1.

PREDICTION: Michigan 37, Western Michigan 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Mississippi State at Kansas State
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

The Joe Moorhead era at Mississippi State got off to a bang with a convincing win in Week 1, and expectations remain high for the first-year coach and a talented roster. The 18th-ranked Bulldogs will try to continue living up to those expectations when the schedule gets tougher with a trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Backup quarterback Keytaon Thompson matched an SEC record with seven total touchdowns in Week 1 but will head back to the bench for Week 2 as starter Nick Fitzgerald returns to the lineup following a one-game suspension. "I think Fitzgerald handled it extremely well," Moorhead told reporters. "He was sent down to scout team for the week, so he worked to give our defense a good look. He was mature during the week in meetings and on the field. On game day, he was a vocal presence on the sideline. He was a great resource for Thompson." The Wildcats rotated two quarterbacks during a 27-24 victory over South Dakota in the opener and will continue using both Skylar Thompson and Alex Delton. "Skylar and Alex both had their positive moments, and both had their negative moments," Kansas State coach Bill Snyder told reporters. "I think, again, there wasn't a dramatic separation between the two."

TV: Noon, ET, ESPN. LINE: Mississippi State -9.5

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0): Fitzgerald is a dual threat like Thompson and finished last season with 1,782 yards passing and 15 TDs while rushing for 984 yards and 14 scores. The senior only completed 55.6 percent of his passes last season, and completion percentage is something Moorhead is examining. "We have 65 percent completion as our benchmark," Moorhead told reporters. "Certainly, for us to operate at the level that we need to throughout the season and against the type of schedule we are going to play, the completion percentage and the yards per completion need to improve. That is something we are definitely going to address."

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (1-0): While the Wildcats continue to figure things out on offense, the defense figures to get tested against the Bulldogs. Kansas State held the Coyotes scoreless in the second half last week, giving the offense enough time to pull out the win, but Snyder has some concerns moving forward. "Considering (South Dakota) threw it all night, I thought we defended reasonably well as far as completion percentage is concerned, but it's giving up those deep throws and converting to get first downs with substantial yardage plays, 20-plus yard plays, that was a concern."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State is playing its first true road game against a Power 5 non-conference opponent since 2008.

2. Wildcats RB Alex Barnes fumbled three times in Week 1, losing two.

3. Fitzgerald is 462 yards shy of breaking Tim Tebow's SEC record for rushing yards as a quarterback.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 38, Kansas State 34

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Eastern Michigan at Purdue
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

Purdue looks to put its season-opening loss in the rearview mirror when it hosts Eastern Michigan on Saturday. The Boilermakers dropped a 31-27 decision to Northwestern and hope to get back on track by beating the Eagles for the third time in program history following a 49-3 win in 1991 and a 54-16 victory in their most recent meeting in 2012.

Elijah Sindelar started against the Wildcats, but threw three interceptions that led to 21 points before he was replaced by David Blough. Purdue coach Jeff Brohm revealed that both quarterbacks will see significant action against Eastern Michigan. "Both quarterbacks will play and will play meaningful minutes," Brohm told reporters. "Elijah is disappointed in himself and he's taking it hard but he's going work hard to improve… and I think David came in and gave us a spark." The Boilermakers are 42-12-1 against Mid-American Conference foes, including a 44-21 victory over Ohio last season and hope the trend continues as they aim to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1996. Eastern Michigan opened the season with an impressive 51-17 win against Monmouth and hopes to knock off a Big Ten opponent for the second time in as many years after taking down Rutgers 16-13 in 2017.

TV: Noon ET, BTN2GO. LINE: Purdue -15

ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN (1-0): Tyler Wiegers was impressive in his first start for the Eagles as he set a program record for completion percentage (85.7) after going 18-of-21 for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win against Monmouth. Blake Banham was the main beneficiary of Wiegers' big day as he hauled in eight passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Backup quarterback Mike Glass threw for a pair of TDs and added another on the ground. "It's fun to win and it's been a long wait," Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton told reporters. "New personnel, new team and we're just trying to get the program to continue to get better."

ABOUT PURDUE (0-1): Sindelar completed 18-of-30 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown while Blough finished 12-of-16 for 74 yards in the loss to Northwestern. Brohm revealed that the starter will be named closer to kickoff. Rondale Moore was named the Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week after setting a new program record with 313 all-purpose yards while becoming the first Boilermaker to register a 100-yard receiving game in his collegiate debut. Moore hauled in 11 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown to go along with 79 rushing yards and a score on two carries while racking up 125 yards on kickoff returns to break the program record set by Otis Armstrong in 1972.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Purdue has split its last four meetings with MAC opponents.

2. Sindelar has thrown four interceptions in his last two starts.

3. Eastern Michigan is 1-38 against Big Ten foes.

PREDICTION: Purdue 38, Eastern Michigan 24

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Georgia State at North Carolina State
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

North Carolina State did enough in its season-opening victory over James Madison, and while hosting Georgia State on Saturday does not figure to pose much more of a challenge, the team still is defining roles after losing seven players from last season’s nine-win squad. The Wolfpack received a tremendous performance from Jakobi Meyers in last week’s 24-13 triumph, as the wide receiver set career highs with 14 receptions and 161 yards.

“A lot of positives and a lot of negatives, lot of things to work on,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren told reporters on Monday, “but a lot of things we were excited about.” Quarterback Ryan Finley passed for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, marking the 11th time in 27 career games he surpassed 300 yards. There are strides to be made for the team on defense, however, as the Wolfpack - who gave up 24.8 points per game last season - surrendered 365 yards and 23 first downs against James Madison. The Panthers, who won a bowl game for the first time in school history last campaign, defeated Kennesaw State 24-20 in their season opener.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, FS South, ACC Network. LINE: N.C. State -25 ½

ABOUT GEORGIA STATE (1-0): Quarterback Dan Ellington sparked a late rally in his first start for the Panthers, throwing the game-winning touchdown pass with 41 seconds left, and finished with 187 yards passing and three TDs, as well as 77 yards rushing. Wide receiver Penny Hart led the Sun Belt in receiving yards last season (1,121) and was 11th in FBS in yards per game (93.4). Hart caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the season opener.

ABOUT N.C. STATE (1-0): Running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr., who finished second on the team in rushing each of the previous two seasons, rushed 17 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in the opener, but the Wolfpack gained just 83 yards on the ground. Linebacker Germaine Pratt led the defense with 12 tackles, including six of the solo variety. One pleasant surprise in the season opener was redshirt freshman wide receiver Thayer Thomas, a former walk-on who returned a punt 40 yards and caught a 16-yard touchdown pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Meyers earned ACC Receiver of the Week honors for his efforts last Saturday despite playing with a sprained left ankle.

2. N.C. State has won 11 consecutive home games against non-conference opponents.

3. The Panthers are 0-7 all-time against Power 5 conference teams.

PREDICTION: N.C. State 44, Georgia State 14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Holy Cross at Boston College
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

Boston College was expected to showcase a powerful ground game this year, but it was the aerial assault that turned some heads in the season opener. Quarterback Anthony Brown and company will try to build off an impressive performance in the first outing when they host FCS foe Holy Cross on Saturday.

Brown, returning from a knee injury that abruptly ended his freshman campaign last fall, threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns in just one half of play in a 55-21 rout of Massachusetts last Saturday. "Coming back in game one, we were real careful with him in preseason camp," coach Steve Addazio told reporters of Brown's effort. "There were no signs there was going to be an issue, but my experience tells me there can be. It's over now in terms of hesitation and not being confident. He exceeded my expectations relative to that." The Eagles will be trying to open 2-0 for the first time since 2015 before the schedule intensifies with three of the next four on the road - all against power conference opponents. The Crusaders made a second-half push in coach Bob Chesney's debut before falling 24-17 in their opener at Colgate last Saturday.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra. LINE: None

ABOUT HOLY CROSS (0-1): The Crusaders scored 17 unanswered points after falling behind 24-0 at the break last week and running backs Domenic Cozier and Miles Alexander led the charge, finishing with a combined 203 total yards. Cozier found the end zone twice, once on a 41-yard connection from Emmett Clifford, who completed 14-of-23 passes for 113 yards and helped engineer the comeback. "In the first half, when the guys came to the sideline, they were wondering if the coaches would get all over them if they made a mistake," Chesney told reporters. "We just told them it's 24-0. It can't get any worse. It's our job to build them up. Now, I think they believe. We shut them down, 17-0, in the third and fourth."

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (1-0): Even AJ Dillon, who had 1,589 rushing yards and zero receptions in last year's dominant freshman campaign, got into the act with Brown by hauling in his first two career catches - one of which went for a TD. The offense compiled 598 total yards, including 455 with Brown under center in the first half en route to a 48-7 lead. "My teammates helped a lot and supported me all the way through the journey," Brown told the media. "I was really excited. I was like an 8-year-old. There weren't any jitters at all. We prepared for this day. I put a lot of time into this so my teammates could be ready and I could be ready. There was no nervousness."

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brown has 10 TD passes and two interceptions over his last seven games after throwing for five scores and seven interceptions through his first four contests as a collegiate.

2. Crusaders LB Ryan Brady had a game-high 14 tackles - four for a loss - in the season-opening defeat.

3. The regional rivals met 82 times between 1896 and 1986 with Boston College leading the series 48-31-3, but they have not played since then.

PREDICTION: Boston College 52, Holy Cross 13

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: UCLA at Oklahoma


Both Oklahoma and UCLA entered the season with question marks at quarterback after watching last year's starters become first-round NFL Draft picks, but only the Sooners escaped the season opener feeling good about their situation. After playing well in all facets of the game in a season-opening rout of Florida Atlantic, No. 5 Oklahoma hopes for a repeat performance Saturday when it hosts a UCLA team that may be forced to play without starting quarterback Wilton Speight.

The Sooners scored the first 56 points of the game and rolled to a 63-14 thumping of the Owls last weekend, averaging 10.5 yards per play and holding FAU to 4.4. In Oklahoma's first game without 2017 Heisman Trophy winner (and No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick) Baker Mayfield since 2014, Kyler Murray finished 9-of-11 for 209 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half of action. The Bruins also lost their record-setting quarterback to the pros (No. 10 overall pick Josh Rosen) but were not nearly as fortunate in coach Chip Kelly's return to college football, as Speight was forced from the game after getting hurt late in the first half of last weekend's 26-17 loss to Cincinnati. The graduate transfer, who injured his back while scrambling late in the first half, is day-to-day.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Oklahoma -30

ABOUT UCLA (0-1): If Speight cannot go on Saturday - he also suffered three broken vertebrae in his back in a game last October while still at Michigan - true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson would be expected to make his first career start after finishing 15-of-25 for 117 yards in relief of Speight last week. “(Thompson-Robinson) didn’t start until he was a senior in high school. … It’s just a matter of getting him more reps. And you saw him today, as he started to get a bit more comfortable, I thought that he made some more plays out there,” Kelly said. Freshman Kazmeir Allen (103 yards on five carries) accounted for over half of the Bruins' 144 total rushing yards on one play, breaking loose for a 74-yard score early in the third quarter.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA (1-0): Junior running back Rodney Anderson, who led all Power Five players with 1,333 yards from scrimmage from Oct. 21 on last season, needed only five carries to reach 100 yards thanks to first-half TD runs of 30 and 65 yards. Fellow preseason All-Big 12 selection Marquise Brown tallied six receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown while walk-on receiver Lee Morris scored from 65 yards out and remained perfect in converting catches to touchdowns (all three of his career catches have resulted in scores). Linebacker Curtis Bolton was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after registering a career-high six tackles; he also blocked and recovered a first-quarter punt for a score - giving Oklahoma its first such touchdown since 2002.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Three of Oklahoma's nine touchdowns against FAU covered exactly 65 yards.

2. The Bruins, who own the fourth-highest percentage of underclassmen in the country (71.7), have started 0-2 only once in the past 20 years (2010).

3. The Sooners were one of only four Power Five programs last weekend to run for at least 300 yards (316) and pass for 300 (334).

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 48, UCLA 17

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Portland State at Oregon
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

After kicking off the Mario Cristobal era with a convincing win over Bowling Green, Oregon continues its non-conference slate Saturday at home against FCS member Portland State. Quarterback Justin Herbert accounted for six touchdowns in last week’s season-opening 58-24 win over Bowling Green, while Portland State allowed 636 total yards and 42 unanswered points in a 72-19 loss to Nevada.

Herbert surpassed 4,000 career passing yards with a strong performance in the opener, throwing for 281 yards and running for 41 more in the Ducks’ first win under Cristobal, who became the team’s third head coach in the last three years after Willie Taggert left for Florida State. The only negative from the contest was the loss of starting tight end Cam McCormick, who will miss the rest of the season after breaking a bone in his left leg. Cristobal said Jacob Breeland, Kano Dillon and Ryan Bay will fill in for McCormick against Portland State, which has lost 14 straight games and 21 of their last 24. The Vikings’ losing streak figures to continue versus an Oregon team that has averaged 42.3 points in 16 games with Herbert in the starting lineup.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: None

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE (0-1): Linebacker Kasun Jackett made a team-high nine tackles in the loss to Nevada, which had five 40-plus-yard touchdowns and finished with 420 passing yards. The Vikings are 4-37 all-time against members of the FBS and feature 57 true and redshirt freshmen. The offense revolves around junior tight end Charlie Taumoepeau, an All-Big Sky Conference selection who had two long touchdown receptions in the opener.

ABOUT OREGON (1-0): One of the few surprises from the opener was the light workload for senior running back Tony Brooks-James, who rushed five times for 27 yards while teammates Travis Dye, Darrian Felix and CJ Verdell combined for 28 carries. Brooks-James has surpassed 1,000 all-purpose yard in each of the past two seasons and is expected receive the bulk of the carries moving forward, especially once Pac-12 play begins Sept. 22 against Stanford. The defense is led by linebackers Jalen Jelks and Troy Dye, who combined for 17 tackles against Bowling Green.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has won 21 consecutive home non-conference games dating back to 2008.

2. The teams are meeting for the first time since Sept. 18, 2010, when Oregon rolled to a 69-0 victory.

3. Oregon is 78-0 all-time when scoring 50-plus points in a game – including 44-0 at Autzen Stadium.

PREDICTION: Oregon 58, Portland State 9

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: William & Mary at Virginia Tech
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

Despite yielding fewer than 15 points and 320 yards per game last season, longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster referred to his unit, which returned just four starters, as "no-names." After holding Florida State without a touchdown for the first time in a home game in nearly 10 years, the 14th-ranked Hokies will try to remain humble and hungry when they host FCS foe William & Mary on Saturday.

Behind a defense that forced five turnovers (three interceptions), returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and recorded five sacks, Virginia Tech demolished the Seminoles 24-3 and snapped an eight-game losing streak in Tallahassee dating back to 1974. Sophomore linebacker Rayshard Ashby had seven tackles, two for loss, and forced a fumble in his first career start, freshman defensive back Caleb Farley recorded a pair of interceptions and a sack in his first career game and defensive end Trevon Hill had three tackles for loss and two sacks. "It's gratifying tonight to come down here with a group of no-names, so to speak. And we stepped up," Foster said. "We told our kids, 'I don't care who they are. They don't know who you are.' Of the however many millions of people that watched the game tonight and the people that sat in the stadium and Hokie Nation, they're going to expect our kids to play a certain way - and that's our tradition. That's really what we wanted to focus on." Foster's crew got some help from talented sophomore quarterback Josh Jackson, who threw two touchdown passes and led an offense that didn't commit a turnover.

TV: 2 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra. LINE: None.

ABOUT WILLIAM & MARY (1-0): The Tribe won their opener 14-7 last weekend at Bucknell, outgaining the Bison 348-257 and holding nearly a 15-minute advantage in time of possession. Shon Mitchell completed 21-of-32 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown, including a 75-yard TD to DeVonte Dedmon who hauled in a short pass and raced down the sidelines with the deciding score with 11:55 remaining. Linebacker Arman Jones totaled a career-high 10 tackles while safety Isaiah Laster recorded an interception in the end zone to halt a Bucknell scoring opportunity on the Bison's first drive.

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (1-0): Jackson, who completed 16-of-26 passes for 207 yards, opened the scoring with a 10-yard TD pass to Ball State transfer Damon Hazelton, his first reception with the Hokies, before putting the game away when he hooked up with Eric Kumah on a nifty 49-yard pass-and-run TD. Kumah also scored on the blocked punt - the team's 75th blocked punt since 1987. Deshawn McClease led the ground attack with 77 yards on 13 carries while Kumah hauled in four passes for 86 more.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia Tech beat William & Mary 34-9 in the 2014 opener.

2. The Hokies have won seven straight games against FCS foes since losing to James Madison in 2010.

3. The Hokies defense held Florida State to no gain or a loss on 35 of the 63 plays.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 49, William & Mary 7

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Kansas at Central Michigan


It has been over a year since the Kansas Jayhawks last won a game, a season-opening 38-16 victory victory over FCS member Southeast Missouri State. But the Jayhawks, who have lost 12 games in a row since, will be out to snap an even longer and uglier losing streak Saturday afternoon when they travel to Central Michigan.

The Jayhawks, who were upset by FCS member Nichollls, 26-23, in overtime in their season opener Saturday, bring a FBS-record 46-game road losing streak with them to Mount Pleasant, Mich., and have dropped 49 in a row away from Lawrence, Kan. You have to go all the way back to Sept. 12, 2009, to find the last time Kansas picked up a road victory, a 34-7 win at UTEP. Needless to say the natives are more than a little restless at Kansas where head coach David Beaty fell to 3-34 in four seasons, especially after losing at home to an FCS school to begin the season, and forced new athletic director Jeff Long, the former Arkansas athletic director and College Football Playoff committee chairman, to issue a statement to Jayhawk fans asking for their patience. "We all expected a different outcome Saturday, but I continue to support our student-athletes and coaches and ask all Jayhawks to do the same," Long said. "Our evaluation of the program is ongoing without a predetermined timeline."

TV: 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+ streaming. LINE: Central Michigan -4.5

ABOUT KANSAS (0-1): The Jayhawks had rallied to take a 20-17 lead in the opener and looked like they were going to garner a rare win before star linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. was flagged for a key facemask penalty that enabled Nicholls to get into position for a game-tying field goal that forced overtime. Senior Peyton Bender, who threw for 323 yards in a 45-27 home loss to the Chippewas last season, completed 19-of-35 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns against Nicholls but was sacked six times and was replaced by mobile sophomore Miles Kendrick on a 3rd-and-6 play in overtime that resulted in a three-yard loss on a designed run and forced Kansas to settle for a field goal. Despite his key penalty, Dineen had a big game finishing with 16 tackles, including 12 solo, while All-Big 12 defensive tackle Daniel Wise added a career-best eight tackles, including one for loss.

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (0-1): The Chippewas dropped their opener at Kentucky, 35-20, despite forcing four turnovers, allowing 299 yards rushing while also getting flagged for 12 penalties for 106 yards. Central Michigan actually led 20-14 with just over a minute to go in the first half before the Wildcats scored the game's final 21 points. Tony Poljan, a 6-foot-7 redshirt sophomore who was the 2015 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year at Lansing Catholic High School, completed 17-of-27 passes for 137 yards and also rushed for a team best 47 yards in his starting debut while redshirt freshman defensive back Devonni Reed finished with a team-high 14 tackles and returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dineen, who led the nation in solo tackles (93) in 2017, now has 16 career games with 10 or more tackles.

2. The Jayhawks averaged just 3.6 yards per play against Nicholls, the worst average in an opener for KU since 2004.

3. Bender set a Kansas record with 62 passing attempts in last year's 45-27 loss to Central Michigan, completing 32 of them for 323 yards and two interceptions.

PREDICTION: Central Michigan 42, Kansas 35

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Georgia at South Carolina



Both teams eased into the season with decisive victories against overmatched opponents, but this week will be a lot different as 24th-ranked South Carolina hosts No. 2 Georgia on Saturday in the SEC opener for both teams. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks combined to win their openers by a total of 79 points, but the stakes are vastly higher this week as both look to avoid starting conference play with a defeat.

“We’ve talked to our kids about it a lot over the summer, an opportunity to go into an environment that’ll be as tough as any,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters on Monday, referencing the difference between smashing Austin Peay 45-0 at home and playing a conference road game. The Bulldogs rolled up 508 yards of total offense in the opener and displayed plenty of big-play potential, including a 72-yard touchdown run by California transfer Demetris Robertson. Likewise, the Gamecocks followed up on their plans to push the tempo on offense in a 49-15 rout of Coastal Carolina, getting four TD passes from Jake Bentley while averaging 6.9 yards per rushing attempt. “In order to create some explosive plays in the passing game especially, you need to be able to run the ball and stay balanced to create 1-on-1s down the field,” South Carolina coach Will Muschamp told reporters on Tuesday.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Georgia -10

ABOUT GEORGIA (1-0): Jake Fromm, last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year, completed 12-of-16 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty while freshman Justin Fields displayed his multi-facet talents – passing for 63 yards and a score while rushing three times for 33 yards. D’Andre Swift, the Bulldogs’ top returning running back, finished with 43 yards on eight carries and caught four passes out of the backfield. Georgia’s defense was not challenged much as it allowed only 152 yards.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-0): Rico Dowdle rushed 15 times for 105 yards and a touchdown while Ty’Son Williams recorded 82 yards and a score on 11 carries. That helped open the passing game for Bentley, who completed 22-of-29 attempts for 250 yards as the Gamecocks scored three TDs in the first 21 minutes. Linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams finished with five tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack, but the Gamecocks did lose defensive lineman D.J. Wonnum to a sprained left ankle in the third quarter.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Georgia WR Terry Godwin, the team's second-leading receiver last year who missed this season opener with a calf strain, is expected to play Saturday.

2. South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel, who broke his leg after scoring six touchdowns in three games last season, caught seven passes for 56 yards and a score in the opener.

3. Georgia leads the all-time series 50-18-2 and has won each of the last three meetings.

PREDICTION: Georgia 31, South Carolina 27

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Ball State at Notre Dame
Gracenote
Sep 5, 2018

Notre Dame looks to build off its huge opening win over Michigan as it welcomes Ball State on Saturday afternoon. The eighth-ranked Fighting Irish are heavy favorites against the Cardinals, who lost nine straight games to end the 2017 season but won their opener last week.

Irish quarterback Brandon Wimbush, last year’s starter who had to reclaim the No. 1 job in camp, came out throwing against the Wolverines and the senior had his team up 14-0 midway through the first quarter. “I thought he played with an edge to him, a confidence,” coach Brian Kelly told reporters after the game. Ball State is also looking to get to 2-0 on the season after dismantling Central Connecticut State, an FCS squad, 42-6 in its opener on Thursday. The Fighting Irish will be a much different test for the Cardinals, however, as these two Indiana-based schools meet for the first time.

TV: 3:30 pm ET, NBC LINE: Notre Dame -34.5

ABOUT BALL STATE (1-0): Ball State was led by quarterback Riley Neal and running back James Gilbert in the opener, both of whom missed the final nine games last season with injuries. Neal completed 23-of-30 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns against Central Connecticut, while Gilbert ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Cardinals feasted on Central Connecticut’s run defense, with Caleb Huntley going for 73 yards on eight attempts and fellow running back Malik Dunner gaining 100 total yards and a touchdown on five rushes and four receptions.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (1-0): Wimbush and the offense had things going early but skidded in the second half, managing only 69 yards and five first downs against a Wolverines' defense loaded with future NFL draft picks. The Irish defense deserves full credit for the win last week, holding Michigan’s offense without a touchdown until was 2:18 remaining in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame compiled three sacks, including a strip sack by Irish defensive lineman Jerry Tillery in the final minute sealed the victory.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Notre Dame outrushed Michigan 132-58.

2. The Fighting Irish haven’t started a season 2-0 since 2015.

3. Ball State’s 652 offensive yards in the opener was a school record.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 42, Ball State 10

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Buffalo at Temple

Temple's season got off to a disappointing start, but the Owls have little time to sulk. Temple returns to the field Saturday against visiting Buffalo aiming to avoid an 0-2 start.

The Owls were upended by local rival Villanova - an FCS program - in Week 1, suffering a 19-17 defeat as Frank Nutile was picked off on the team's final two possessions. Ryquell Armstead and the Temple rushing attack struggled to the tune of 22 carries for 46 yards, while the Owls' secondary allowed three touchdown passes as the team was outgained 405-251. Nutile finished 18-of-32 with a touchdown and those two late picks and expects a crisper performance this weekend. “I missed way too many throws and threw two picks,” Nutile told media members after the game. “I put us in a bad position to win the game and that’s why we lost.”

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET. LINE: Temple -4.5

ABOUT BUFFALO (1-0): The Bulls led 34-3 at halftime against FCS foe Delaware State last weekend and allowed only one touchdown - a meaningless score midway through the fourth quarter en route to a 48-10 win. Tyree Jackson threw six touchdown passes, including two apiece to George Rushing and K.J. Osborn, while the Bulls played turnover-free football in a crisp season opener. Buffalo also had to be pleased with its defense, which limited Delaware State to 76 passing yards and a respectable 3.7 yards per carry on more than 50 rushing attempts.

ABOUT TEMPLE (0-1): The Owls need Armstead to step up after the senior running back was limited to 31 yards on 14 carries, especially since Nutile is a non-threat on the ground. Ventell Bryant, who will likely become the Owls' all-time leading receiver later this season, caught five passes for 56 yards in the opener. Branden Mack led the way for Temple with seven catches for 78 yards, while fellow receiver Isaiah Wright registered the team's only offensive touchdown in Week 1.

EXTRA POINTS

1. In the last two meetings, Temple has outscored Buffalo 76-0.

2. The Owls are aiming to avoid losing back-to-back non-conference games for the first time since 2013.

3. Temple DE Quincy Roche will be a focus of Buffalo's special teams unit after blocking two kicks last week.

PREDICTION: Temple 31, Buffalo 28

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: Wagner at Syracuse

Syracuse has never lost to an FCS program -- a trend that the Orange hope continues Saturday against visiting Wagner. The Orange are 16-0 all-time against FCS schools and are facing a lower-tier program for the 11th straight season.

In its season opener, Syracuse topped Western Michigan 55-42 as Eric Dungey got his senior season off to a rousing start. The veteran quarterback ran for 200 yards and a touchdown and passed for 184 yards and two scores, prompting coach Dino Babers to note: “Dungey carries a lot of weight and people have to play him differently than everyone else. He’s got too much experience. He’s hard to get fooled on coverages. He’s hard to get fooled on blitzes.” Dungey is considered one of the nation's top multi-dimensional quarterbacks, but he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Wagner has lost all eight of its previous contests against FBS schools, including a 54-0 loss to Syracuse five years ago.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra. LINE: None

ABOUT WAGNER (1-0): The Seahawks jumped out to a 17-0 lead against Bowie State last weekend en route to a convincing 40-23 triumph. Ryan Fulse led all FCS players in Week 1 with 271 rushing yards for Wagner, which returns 17 starters from last year's team but will have its hands full Saturday. "Obviously it's a huge challenge playing an ACC school on the road," coach Jason Houghtaling told reporters. "They're big, fast and loaded with athletes. I'm looking for our players to compete whistle to whistle and I am hopeful that this game will help prepare us for our Northeast Conference schedule."

ABOUT SYRACUSE (1-0): The Orange put up 24 first-quarter points against Western Michigan and led 34-7 at intermission before holding off a late charge by the Broncos. Moe Neal and Dontae Strickland each scored two rushing touchdowns, while Jamal Custis grabbed six passes for 168 yards and two scores. Redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito saw some action under center, but the Orange gained only 55 yards on DeVito's 13 plays.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Dungey's 200 rushing yards last week were the most for a quarterback in Syracuse history - 44 more than the previous record.

2. In the 2013 matchup, Syracuse outgained Wagner 595-87.

3. Since the Carrier Dome opened, Syracuse is just 15-16 in home openers.

PREDICTION: Syracuse 44, Wagner 19

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Preview: North Carolina at East Carolina

North Carolina has a lot to clean up if it hopes to avoid an 0-2 start when it travels to face instate rival East Carolina on Saturday in a non-conference game. The Tar Heels turned the ball over four times and had 124 penalty yards in a season-opening loss, and to make matters worse, recent history is not on their side in the series with the Pirates.

"You hope the old saying is true that you make most improvement between the first and second game," coach Larry Fedora told the media. "Our guys will be very coachable, and they will understand what we need to do to get better." Nathan Elliott threw four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and led the offense to three points over the first three quarters before orchestrating two touchdown drives in the final stanza in a 24-17 defeat to California. The defense, led by Malik Carney and Dominique Ross, played well despite being on the field for nearly 36 minutes, limiting Cal to 13 points and 279 yards of offense. The Pirates, who soundly defeated the Tar Heels 55-31 and 70-41 in the last two meetings in 2013 and 2014, respectively, blew leads of 20-14 and 23-21 in the final quarter and a half in dropping their season opener to FCS opponent North Carolina A&T.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: North Carolina -17

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (0-1): Carney, a senior who had a team-leading 5.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, was a disruptive force in the opener, leading the team with eight tackles while recording three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Jonathan Smith hit for 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and Ross defended four passes. "What you saw from the linebackers and D-Ross, they're going to shrink gaps and allow me to play fast," senior safety J.K. Britt, who had six tackles, told the media. "Now we just have to build on it."

ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (0-1): The Pirate's running game led by Anthony Scott and Trace Christian struggled in the opener, averaging just 2.3 yards per carry, which forced quarterback Reid Herring to throw it 65 times in his first career start. The sophomore connected on 37 of those attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns, but threw a pair of interceptions in enemy territory, one of which was returned 100 yards for a score. Terrell Green, who entered the opener with eight receptions for 86 yards in his career, went for 10 and 85 against the Aggies and freshman Blake Proehl had a promising debut with nine catches and a score.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Tar Heels hold a 12-4-1 advantage in the series, including 2-2 in Greenville.

2. East Carolina coach Scottie Montgomery had a 1-10 record against North Carolina as a player and coach for Duke.

3. The Pirates have won four straight and six of eight against the ACC dating back to 2013.

PREDICTION: North Carolina 34, East Carolina 24