Preview Roundups
September 05, 2015
Stanford at Northwestern 12:00 PM ET
No. 21 Stanford looks to return to prominence following a down year when it hits the road to face Northwestern on Saturday in the season opener for both teams. The Cardinal went 8-5 last year to finish outside of the Top 25 for the first time since 2009 after winning at least a share of the Pac-12 North Division title in each of the previous three seasons.
Tennessee-Martin at Mississippi 12:00 PM ET
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Chad Kelly will start at quarterback when the No. 15 Rebels host UT Martin on Saturday, culminating a troubled return to the FBS level for the junior. Kelly, who led East Mississippi CC to the NJCAA national championship in 2014 after being dismissed from Clemson for conduct detrimental to the team, was  arrested on assault, harassment, menacing, obstruction and resisting arrest charges in January after an incident outside a Buffalo nightclub.
Illinois State at Iowa 12:00 PM ET
Iowa looks to bounce back from another underwhelming season when it kicks off the 2015 campaign by hosting Illinois State on Saturday. Kirk Ferentz is the longest-tenured head coach in the Big Ten but is firmly on the hot seat after the Hawkeyes dropped four of their last five games last year, including a 45-28 loss to Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl.
Richmond at Maryland 12:00 PM ET
After a three-year wait, Perry Hills will be once again be the starting quarterback when Maryland hosts Richmond in the season opener for both teams Saturday. In 2012, Hills became the first true freshman in program history to start a season opener for the Terps but he tore his ACL later in the season and has played sparingly ever since.
Norfolk State at Rutgers 12:00 PM ET
Things have been far from smooth for Rutgers in its transition into the Big Ten Conference. The Scarlet Knights begin another season already steeped in controversy when they host FCS foe Norfolk State in the opener for both teams Saturday.
South Dakota State at Kansas 12:00 PM ET
New coach David Beaty is trying a new approach to help Kansas get back on the road to respectability after six straight losing seasons. The Jayhawks begin that quest Saturday when they host South Dakota State, an FCS program from the Missouri Valley Conference.
Colgate at Navy 12:00 PM ET
After playing as an Independent for its first 134 seasons, Navy debuts Saturday as a member of the American Athletic Conference when FCS member Colgate visits. Led by record-setting quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the Midshipmen return 11 starters from a team that beat Army for a record 13th consecutive year and won a bowl game in consecutive seasons for just the second time in school history.
UL Monroe at Georgia 12:00 PM ET
Georgia turns to Nick Chubb to continue its tradition of star running backs, but who plays quarterback is less certain as the ninth-ranked Bulldogs entering Saturday’s season opener at home against ULM. Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert will start the opener under center, but sophomore Brice Ramsey figures to push for playing time throughout a season Georgia hopes will result in a SEC championship.
Wofford at Clemson 12:30 PM ET

Expectations are high in Death Valley as 12th-ranked Clemson prepares to host in-state foe Wofford in what should be an easy tune-up for the Tigers. Tougher tests are ahead for Clemson, but it shouldn’t have much trouble against the Terriers of the FCS, especially at home, where the Tigers have won their last nine games.

Youngstown State at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM ET
With a potent offense and a new coach with a great defensive pedigree, Pittsburgh looks to gain some stability for a program that is working on its fourth head coach in six years and has finished 6-6 in the regular seasons in each of the past four years. The process begins Saturday when Youngstown State visits three years after knocking off the Panthers in the 2012 opener.
Maine at Boston College 1:00 PM ET
Steve Addazio has managed to guide Boston College to back-to-back bowl games in his first two seasons at the helm in Chestnut Hill, but that might be a difficult task in 2015. The Eagles' quest for another winning season begins Saturday when they host Maine for the second straight year.
Portland State at Washington State 2:00 PM ET
Washington State underachieved last season, winning three games despite leading the nation in passing at 477.7 yards per game, but the Cougars get a fresh start in Saturday's home opener against Portland State. Quarterback Luke Falk, who started the final three games last season as a redshirt freshman, was recently named the starter for the 2015 campaign, and the Vikings have also named a starter under center - junior college transfer Alex Kuresa.
Virginia at UCLA 3:30 PM ET
A true freshman will start a season opener at quarterback for the first time in UCLA history Saturday when the No. 14 Bruins host Virginia at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Josh Rosen earned the nod from coach Jim Mora after a solid spring and summer and he’ll get his first test against a blitz-heavy Virginia defense led by free safety Quin Blanding, who led all FBS freshmen with 123 total tackles last season.
Texas El Paso at Arkansas 3:30 PM ET
After a strong finish last season, Arkansas is expected to be among the most improved teams in the SEC in 2015. The 20th-ranked Razorbacks begin their most highly anticipated season under third-year head coach Bret Bielema on Saturday when they host UTEP.
Louisville at Auburn 3:30 PM ET
The only thing standing between Auburn and another shot at the National Championship is its traditionally brutal schedule. The Tigers jump right in Saturday in Atlanta, where they host ACC power Louisville in the 2015 opener for both teams.
Penn State at Temple 3:30 PM ET
All eyes will be on Christian Hackenberg as the Penn State quarterback begins a junior year that could conclude with him going No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Hackenberg looks to get his third campaign for the Nittany Lions off to a promising start against host Temple on Saturday afternoon.
Sam Houston State at Texas Tech 3:30 PM ET

Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury knows who will start at quarterback but won't reveal the answer until the Red Raiders start the season Saturday afternoon against visiting FCS power Sam Houston. Patrick Mahomes and Davis Webb are listed with an "or" on the depth chart after sharing starting duties last season.

Florida Atlantic at Tulsa 3:30 PM ET
Two teams looking to improve upon disappointing 2014 campaigns will clash on Saturday when Florida Atlantic visits Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane will play their first game under new coach Philip Montgomery, who takes the helm of the Tulsa football program after seven seasons as an assistant at Baylor -- including the last three as offensive coordinator.
Brigham Young at Nebraska 3:30 PM ET
One of the reasons Nebraska fired Bo Pelini – a coach that won at least nine games every season in his seven-year stay in Lincoln – last December was because his teams “weren’t good enough in the games that mattered”, according to athletic director Shawn Eichorst. The Cornhuskers aren’t going to waste any time in seeing if Mike Riley can succeed where Pelini failed as they hope to extend their FBS-best season-opening win streak to 30 games on Saturday when they host BYU.
SE Missouri State at Missouri 4:00 PM ET

When his Missouri football team returned to campus in January, coach Gary Pinkel brought out a countdown board showing the number of days until the Tigers would clash with another team. The clock hits zero Saturday, as the 23rd-ranked Tigers host in-state foe Southeast Missouri State to open the 2015 campaign. 

Bowling Green at Tennessee 4:00 PM ET
Plenty of teams in the SEC enter the season seeking stability at quarterback, but Tennessee opens the 2015 campaign at home Saturday against Bowling Green with no questions under center. Junior Joshua Dobbs won four of his five starts and earned MVP honors in the Taxslayer Bowl last season, and the talented duo of Derek Barnett and Curt Maggitt on defense gives the 25th-ranked Volunteers reason to believe they can win the SEC East for the first time since 2007.
Southern Illinois at Indiana 4:00 PM ET
Despite a 4-8 record in 2014, Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson feels good about the previous season and the looming season as the Hoosiers head into their season opener against visiting Southern Illinois on Saturday. Indiana lost a pair of NFL draft picks on offense, but there are seven starters back on the unit, including senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who had his 2014 campaign shortened to six games because of a shoulder injury.
Grambling State at California 5:00 PM ET
California figures to light up the scoreboard again this season, but its much-maligned defense remains a question mark heading into Saturday’s opener against visiting Grambling State. Despite lingering concerns about the defense, the Golden Bears are riding a wave of optimism behind junior quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 3,973 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.
Bethune Cookman at Miami 6:00 PM ET
Miami (Fla.) quarterback Brad Kaaya looks to pick up where he left off in his standout freshman season when the Hurricanes host Bethune-Cookman to open the season on Saturday. The 6-foot-4 California native was one of 15 signal callers to throw for 3,000 yards (3,198) a year ago while tossing 26 touchdown passes overall and suffering only three interceptions in his last seven games.
Towson at East Carolina 6:00 PM ET
East Carolina's second season in the American Athletic Conference is not getting off to a promising start as it was announced last week that recently named starting quarterback Kurt Benkert suffered a season-ending knee injury. But for sixth-year coach Ruffin McNeill, the show must go on, and the Pirates have named Blake Kemp their starter for Saturday's home opener against FCS member Towson.
Troy at North Carolina State 6:00 PM ET
North Carolina State made significant improvements in head coach Dave Doeren's second season at the helm. Doeren has even higher hopes heading into Year 3 as he and the Wolfpack open their regular season Saturday evening against visiting Troy.
Arizona State at Texas A&M 7:00 PM ET
Bragging rights will be on the line when 16th-ranked Arizona State takes on Texas A&M on Saturday night in a neutral site matchup called "The Texas Kickoff" at NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans. It's the only regular season game scheduled between the Pac-12 and the SEC, considered by many to be the top two conferences in college football this year.
Akron at Oklahoma 7:00 PM ET
The last time Bob Stoops’ team generated such little respect from his peers before the start of the season, Oklahoma was able to win the last of its seven national championships. Entering the 2015 campaign with its lowest preseason ranking in 15 years, the 19th-ranked Sooners look to follow a similar script beginning on Saturday when they host Akron in the first meeting between the schools.
Florida A&M at South Florida 7:00 PM ET
USF begins the quest for its first winning season since 2010, and its first under coach Willie Taggart, when the Bulls host Florida A&M on Saturday. With only six wins in their last 24 games, the Bulls will turn the offensive play calling over to the head coach while new defensive coordinator Tom Allen has revamped that unit into an unconventional 4-2-5 formation.
Missouri State at Memphis 7:00 PM ET
After an outstanding season was marred at the end by a post-bowl fight, Memphis looks to focus back on its winning ways when it hosts Missouri State in both teams' season opener on Saturday. The Tigers reached 10 victories with their Miami Beach Bowl double-overtime win over Brigham Young, but after the game, a fight on the field between the two teams dominated the highlights.
Alabama A&M at Cincinnati 7:00 PM ET
Cincinnati kick off its third season under coach Tommy Tuberville with a shot at winning the American Athletic Conference after tying for the title in 2014. The Bearcats christen their newly renovated Nippert Stadium on Saturday with a game against FCS member Alabama A&M.
UL Lafayette at Kentucky 7:00 PM ET
Kentucky have gone from SEC afterthought to fringe bowl candidate after two seasons under coach Mark Stoops. The Wildcats' quest for its first winning season since 2009 begins Saturday when it hosts Louisiana.
South Dakota at Kansas State 7:10 PM ET
Kansas State will begin its quest for a fifth straight season of eight or more wins when it hosts South Dakota of the Missouri Valley Conference on Saturday night. The Wildcats return 16 starters from a squad that finished 9-4 a year ago and lost to UCLA, 40-35, in the Alamo Bowl.
New Mexico State at Florida 7:30 PM ET
Improvement on offense is expected when the Jim McElwain era begins at Florida on Saturday night as the Gators host New Mexico State to open the season. McElwain, the former Alabama offensive coordinator who led Colorado State to a 10-2 record and almost 500 yards per game last season, looks to rejuvenate a team that went a combined 11-13 the past two years.
McNeese State at Louisiana State 7:30 PM ET
Even though LSU and McNeese State are located just 129 miles apart, the Louisiana-based schools will be meeting for only the second time Saturday when they square off in Baton Rouge. The 13th-ranked Tigers aim to win their season opener for the 13th straight year while extending their national-best streak to 50 consecutive regular-season victories against non-conference foes.
Texas at Notre Dame 7:30 PM ET
There have been years where a season-opener between Texas and Notre Dame would be the marquee game on the schedule, but both programs are struggling for consistency in recent years. The Fighting Irish look to be in better shape entering the season and will serve as the host when they meet the Longhorns on Saturday.
Georgia Southern at West Virginia 7:30 PM ET
West Virginia’s first three seasons in the Big 12 haven’t exactly gone as planned with the Mountaineers posting an 11-16 league record while going 18-20 overall. Now armed with one of his most experienced rosters in his five seasons with the program, coach Dana Holgorsen’s Mountaineers are aiming higher this season, which begins with Saturday’s home game against defending Sun Belt champion Georgia Southern.
Northern Iowa at Iowa State 8:00 PM ET
Iowa State has lost its last two season openers to FCS teams and the Cyclones will try to buck that trend when they host Northern Iowa on Saturday night at Jack Trice Stadium. Preparing for the Panthers won’t be easy as Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley has said he may wait until late in the week to determine his starting quarterback among four candidates.
Tennessee Tech at Houston 8:00 PM ET

Tom Herman will have to adjust to a new view in his first game as a head coach when his Houston squad hosts FCS opponent Tennessee Tech on Saturday. Herman, who was hired a week after winning the 2014 Frank Broyles Award for the nation's top assistant, helped Ohio State win the national title last season and has spent the past 10 years calling plays from the pressbox.

Texas State at Florida State 8:00 PM ET
When quarterback Everett Golson went shopping for a place to play during the offseason after graduating from Notre Dame, Florida State offered a challenging course he could not resist: Replacing Jameis Winston 101. Golson, who led the Fighting Irish to the 2012 national championship game, has one season of eligibility remaining and hopes to pass his first test Saturday when the No. 8 Seminoles host Texas State.
Wisconsin at Alabama 8:00 PM ET
Third-ranked Alabama and No. 18 Wisconsin aren't timidly entering the season as the two powerhouses square off Saturday in a showdown in Arlington, Texas. The Crimson Tide are seeking to win 10 or more games for the eighth straight season while the Badgers are breaking in a new coach in Paul Chryst.
Eastern Washington at Oregon 8:00 PM ET
Fifth-ranked Oregon breaks in new quarterback Vernon Adams on Saturday and his home debut comes against the same Eastern Washington team that he starred for the past three seasons. Adams has a tough act to follow in replacing Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and faces added pressure by opening against the Eagles, ranked sixth in the FCS Coaches Poll.
Mississippi State at Southern Mississippi 10:00 PM ET
Regardless of where Mississippi State winds up in the competitive Southeastern Conference, the team will be a treat to watch. Quarterback Dak Prescott leads the high-powered Bulldogs offense into action Saturday night against host Southern Mississippi, which has won just four games in the past three seasons combined.
Arkansas State at Southern California 11:00 PM ET
Following an eventful training camp, No. 10 USC turns its focus toward the field for Saturday’s season opener against visiting Arkansas State. Senior quarterback Cody Kessler is primed to lead the Trojans to national championship contention, but he’ll need to navigate a difficult schedule that includes games at Notre Dame and Oregon.