Sac State is now gunning for its third consecutive win over an FBS foe, having beaten Stanford last year and routed Colorado State the year before. Since Troy Taylor arrived in California’s capital in 2019, Sac State has earned a reputation as a tough out against FBS competition.
Whether the Panthers can cover depends on whether the Illini has the defense figured out. Illinois played great defense in 2022, but the defense allowed 29.4 points per game in 2023.
Even though the Tigers have the talent to rout Murray State, this might be too many points. Missouri certainly has the talent to win by 50, but only if it keeps the starters on the field the entire game.
While Deion Sanders has spent the offseason fighting with Denver columnists and taking offense to something from CBS, North Dakota State has primed itself to pull yet another upset.
Outside of their annual loss to Georgia Tech, the only teams to beat Carolina outside of Chapel Hill the past two seasons are Clemson and NC State. Even though this game’s in Minneapolis, it will be anything but easy for the Gophers.
On one hand, you’ve got the newest member of the Power 4 conferences. SMU bought its way into the ACC, but the Mustangs would deserve to be at this level on their own merits. On the other hand, Nevada might be the worst in the Mountain West.
If ever a team could legitimately play the disrespect card, it’s New Mexico. The Lobos are at home, and they’re an FBS squad from the Mountain West against a team from the Big Sky. And yet, they’re a 13.5-point underdog.
Hawai’i wasn’t a good team last year, but the Rainbow Warriors showed signs of turning things around near the end of the year. This isn’t necessarily your older brother’s Hawai’i, as coach Timmy Chang now appears to understand that running the ball sometimes makes sense.
The Seminoles are simultaneously a team on a mission and a team with a lot of questions. They open with an opponent that’s on the rise in Georgia Tech. Is the Jackets’ defense ready to handle the Seminoles?