Charlotte at Louisville 7:00 PM ET
Lamar Jackson may have only been a part-time starter during his freshman year at Louisville, but there's little doubt he has already positioned himself to be one of the most electrifying players in college football. Labeled as "the face of our program" in July by coach Bobby Petrino, the dynamic dual-threat quarterback appears poised to help the 23rd-ranked Cardinals avoid a poor start for the second straight season Thursday when they host Charlotte.
Tulane at Wake Forest 7:00 PM ET
Tulane hit the reset button after a disappointing 2015 campaign and is hoping to make some noise in the American Athletic Conference with a new coach and a new quarterback. Glen Cuiellette will make his debut under center with new head coach Willie Fritz at the helm when the Green Wave kick off the 2016 campaign by visiting the ACC’s Wake Forest on Thursday.
Tennessee-Martin at Cincinnati 7:00 PM ET
Cincinnati, the preseason pick by the media to win the American Athletic Conference title last season, finished 4-4 in league play because of too many turnovers and injuries to the defense. Auditioning for a spot in the expanding Big 12 Conference and armed with a new quarterback, the Bearcats seek to put a disappointing season behind them when they open the 2016 campaign at home against FCS foe UT Martin on Thursday.
Maine at Connecticut 7:00 PM ET
Connecticut has made no secret about its desire to escape the American Athletic Conference for a spot in the prestigious Big 12 if it decides to expand again. The Huskies hope to become a bit more attractive to the Power Five conference with a big season and they kick things off against FCS member Maine at home on Thursday night.
Indiana at Florida International 7:30 PM ET
Winning seasons have been hard to come by at Indiana, but coach Kevin Wilson is hoping that won't be the case this season as the Hoosiers open on the road Thursday at Florida International. The Hoosiers have one winning season in the last 21 and came agonizingly close last year before finishing 6-7 following a 44-41 overtime loss to Duke in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, their first bowl appearance since 2007.
William & Mary at North Carolina State 7:30 PM ET
North Carolina State might be the most unlucky team outside of the SEC West, with National Championship contenders Florida State and Clemson sitting at the top of the ACC Atlantic Division. The Wolfpack will try not to look too far ahead and get off to a good start when they open the 2016 campaign by hosting William & Mary on Thursday.
Appalachian State at Tennessee 7:30 PM ET
Tennessee takes its highest preseason national ranking since 2005 into Thursday’s season opener when the No. 10 Volunteers host dangerous Appalachian State. Senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs and junior running back Jalen Hurd lead a talented offense and first-year coordinator Bob Shoop takes over a Tennessee defense that is capable of making an impact in the SEC East.
Southern Utah at Utah 8:00 PM ET
Utah breaks in a new quarterback and also aims to avoid being upset when
it hosts FCS program Southern Utah on Thursday. Junior quarterback Troy
Williams was the winner of a three-man derby in fall camp and this is
his second opportunity at the major-college level after beginning his
career at Washington.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt 8:00 PM ET
South Carolina hasn’t won an SEC road game since 2014 – a 23-20 overtime victory at Florida that led to Will Muschamp’s dismissal as the Gators’ head coach. Now Muschamp is on the other sideline and hopes to snap the Gamecocks’ road skid when they open the season at Vanderbilt on Thursday.
Oregon State at Minnesota 9:00 PM ET
Gary Andersen had Minnesota's number during his short run as a coach in the Big Ten, but his first foray against his former conference turned out just as poorly as his first year on the Oregon State sidelines. The second-year coach will attempt to keep the Beavers from matching their longest losing streak since 1995 on Thursday when they visit Minnesota.
