Thursday, September 3
Florida International at CENTRAL FLORIDA- 5:00 PM
- CBSSN
- Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL
This is a game that is much closer on paper than it is on the field as both teams boast some of the better individual players in all of the G5 but both teams underachieved according to their standards with FIU completely flopping. As long as the Knight stay away from Richard Leonard when passing the ball, they should be in good shape. Expect UCF to roll to an opening night win in this game.
Villanova at CONNECTICUT
- 6:30 PM
- ESPN3
- Rentschler Field, East Hartford, CT
The tried and true idea of getting a FCS school to come to town for basically a paid win is normally a sure thing but not when you are UConn and you scheduled Villanova. The FCS program is one of the best at that level and should honestly be the favorite in this game with UConn expected to struggle again this fall. Expect Villanova to go into East Hartford and pull out the win over the Huskies in this Thursday night game.
Duke at TULANE
- 8:30 PM
- CBSSN
- Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
The Blue Devils come to town to play in the outdoor stadium of the Green Wave and will have to contend with the heat and humidity of New Orleans at the end of summer in this game. The weather may end up being the only real advantage of the Green Wave in this game as Duke is too talented and battle tested from playing in the AAC to let this game get away. Expect Duke to score early and often in this win.
Friday, September 4
Baylor at SMU- 6:00 PM
- ESPN/WatchESPN
- Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
Let's look at the positive first: the Mustangs were able to get a Big 12 program to come to SMU to play this game. That is literally the only positive in one of the biggest FBS-FBS mismatches in the nation this fall. SMU will struggle mightily in this game and Baylor will score and score and score. I would not be surprised to see Baylor at 50 by the half. This game will get very ugly and SMU will start 0-1.
Saturday, September 5
Colgate at NAVY- 11:00 AM
- CBSSN
- Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
The Naval Academy, led by star quarterback Keenan Reynolds, start out on their first year in the AAC with a visit from FCS program Colgate. This should be a very nice warm up game for the Midshipmen and Reynolds should move much closer to the coveted record for most rushing touchdowns in FBS history. Navy will have their way with Colgate from start to finish in a very dominating performance.
Penn State at TEMPLE
- 2:30 PM
- ESPN/WatchESPN
- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Getting the Nittany Lions to come to Philadelphia is a huge get for the Owls and should result in a large crowd for the season opener. Last season, the Owls were one of the better defensive teams in the nation but terrible on offense. Temple ended up 6-6 but could have pushed nine wins with a competent offense. Expect the offense to be better this fall but Temple does not have the horses on offense to keep up with Penn State in this game.
Florida Atlantic at TULSA
- 2:30 PM
- CBSSN
- Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK
In maybe the most evenly matched up game for AAC programs in Week One, FAU heads halfway across the country to face the Golden Hurricanes. Tulsa, small program darling for so many years, has fallen on tough times in recent years but is looking to make a reassurgance very soon. This fall may be too soon to ask Tulsa to return to glory but I expect them to find just enough in their tanks to defeat their Conference USA foe.
Towson at EAST CAROLINA
- 5:00 PM
- ESPN3
- Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC
Even with Benkert at quarterback, the Pirates would have been coming into this game with a new quarterback and a bit of uncertainty. Without Benkert, there is much more confusion and the Pirates will make sure that every quarterback that has a chance at taking the starting job will have a shot in this game. Towson is a solid FCS team but East Carolina should not have any trouble with them.
Alabama A&M at CINCINNATI
- 6:00 PM
- ESPN3
- Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
I could get detailed into this matchup but the TL;DR version is this: Cincinnati is way too talented to even get a small scare from Alabama A&M. This could get very ugly very quickly. Expect Cincinnati to roll to a big win.
Florida A&M at SOUTH FLORIDA
- 6:00 PM
- ESPN3
- Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
In a make or break year for head coach Willie Taggart, the Bulls start their season at home versus FCS foe Florida A&M. With Marlon Mack back for his sophomore year at running back, this season opening game should be a cakewalk for the Bulls and put them in good shape for a more difficult portion of their schedule.
Missouri State at MEMPHIS
- 6:00 PM
- ESPN3
- Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
It's hard to believe that just a couple of years ago, the Tigers were one of the worst teams in all of the FBS but are now one of the favorites for the AAC title this fall. Quarterback Paxton Lynch leads a Tigers offense that led the AAC in scoring last fall, beating out offensive juggernauts Cincinnati and East Carolina in the process. This game should be a nice easy warm up game to get the season started with a win.
Tennessee Tech at HOUSTON
- 7:00 PM
- ESPN3
- TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
If you are Houston, you name your score in this FBS-FCS matchup versus the OVC program from Cookeville, Tennessee. Houston has a tough overall schedule so this game will be a nice warm up to make sure that the defense is at a similar level as last season and the offense, led by Greg Ward Jr., is ready to score a ton of points. Expect Houston to break 50 points in this blowout win.
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