Week Zero Recap

Chaos has started early this year! Georgia Tech pulled out the shocking upset in Dublin over the weekend and Week Zero turned out to be a lot more interesting than we expected. All of the underdogs covered the spread (of course with a small sample size), and if this season ends up becoming the sequel to the chaos of 2007, then I’m very excited to see what the next 3 months have in store.

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from AP Poll (CFP Poll after release)

Thursday August 29:

• Western Carolina @ #24 NC State (ACCN)
• Murray State @ #11 Missouri (SECN)
• Lindenwood @ #22 Kansas (ESPN +)
• Southern Utah @ #12 Utah (ESPN+)

Friday August 30:

• Temple @ #16 Oklahoma (ESPN)

Saturday August 31:

12:00-3:00PM

• #14 Clemson @ #1 Georgia (ABC)
• #8 Penn State @ West Virginia (FOX)
• Illinois State @ #25 Iowa (BTN)
• Chattanooga @ #15 Tennessee (SECN)
• South Dakota State @ #17 Oklahoma State (ESPN+)

3:30PM-6:30PM

• Akron @ #2 Ohio State (CBS)
• Colorado State @ #4 Texas (ESPN)
• #19 Miami @ Florida (ABC)
• Western Kentucky @ #5 Alabama (ESPN)
• Furman @ #6 Ole Miss (ESPN+)
• UT Martin @ #18 Kansas State (ESPN+)

7:00-10:00PM

• Idaho @ #3 Oregon (BTN)
• #7 Notre Dame @ #20 Texas A&M (ABC)
• Fresno State @ #9 Michigan (NBC)
• New Mexico @ #21 Arizona (ESPN)

Sunday September 1

• #23 USC @ #13 LSU (ABC)

Monday September 2

• Boson College @ #10 Florida State (ESPN)

Most Interesting Matchups

Clemson @ Georgia: Nick Saban is gone from Georgia’s path, and the Bulldogs will be looking to assert themselves as the permanent top dog of the SEC against a solid, if not quite great, Tigers team.

South Dakota State @ Oklahoma State: The Cowboys should be heavily favored in Stillwater, but ask Virginia Tech and Iowa what happens if you underestimate a FCS powerhouse early in the season.

Miami @ Florida: Interstate non-conference rivalries are always fun, and the Swamp should be loud and rowdy this Saturday afternoon rooting against a Hurricanes team that’s looking to make some noise in the ACC.

Notre Dame @ Texas A&M: Can Notre Dame finally stop being overrated and can A&M finally stop being mediocre? The answer to both questions starts Saturday night in College Station.

USC @ LSU: The Big Ten/SEC rivalry restarts in earnest out in the Las Vegas desert. The winner of this one should get massive props from the rankings committee come November.

FCS Game of the Week

Youngstown State @ Villanova Thu 8/29, 6PM

The Penguins and Wildcats meet in a rematch of last year’s second round playoff game. Youngstown State will be hoping for a reversal of fortunes this time under the lights in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Selected Pick ATS

• Georgia (-14) vs Clemson
• USC @ LSU (-4.5)
• Miami @ Florida (+2.5)
• North Dakota State (+9.5) @ Colorado