Kansas
Opponent: South Dakota
Date & Time: Friday, September 3rd @ 7:00 pm
TV: ESPN+
Line: Currently unavailable.
Commentary: I have a feeling that Kansas will be better than they’ve been in previous years. Maybe not an absolute disaster. Lance Leipold was terrific at Buffalo, at not just winning games but at also developing NFL talent. I don’t think KU screwed up this coaching decision.
#2 Oklahoma
Opponent: @ Tulane
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 11:00 am
TV: ABC
Line: Oklahoma -27
Commentary: Considering the current situation in New Orleans, I am not sure how this game gets played. I think I read where the entire city was without power last night. I had read that the Tulane team is in Birmingham, hosts of UAB, but don’t know how they play on Saturday. Maybe they play somewhere else that’s neutral or maybe Oklahoma hosts them and then returns the favor next year? I’m not sure.
Kansas State
Opponent: Stanford
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 11:00 am
TV: FS1
Line: Kansas State -2.5
Commentary: This should be a fun game to start the season, but to be honest, I don’t know anything about Stanford and how good/bad they’ll be this year, but the pro-style offense in a sea of spread offenses will be something fun to watch. And the fact that this game is in Manhattan should be a fun game to watch. Too bad it is relegated to FS1, while the Oklahoma game against probably a terrible Tulane team is on ABC.
West Virginia
Opponent: @ Maryland
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 2:30 pm
TV: ESPN
Line: West Virginia -3.0
Commentary: Another fun match-up, I tend to think that Maryland is trending up, but they’re another program that I’m not sure the status of right now. The pressure is on Neal Brown and Jarret Doege to perform, Doege has never been dynamic, but solid. Will be interesting to see if he can trend upwards this year.
#7 Iowa State
Opponent: Northern Iowa
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 3:30 pm
TV: BIG12/ESPN+
Line: Currently unavailable.
Commentary: This is the type of game that Iowa State would lose to start the season and then proceed to run the table. I’d like to think that Iowa State knows what’s in front of them and Matt Campbell will probably have them ready to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them.
#21 Texas
Opponent: #23 Louisiana
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 3:30 pm
TV: FOX
Line: Texas -8.0 to -9.5
Commentary: You could have bet me $100 and I would have guessed wrong that Louisiana is ranked. The debut of Steve Sarkisian and I’m sure it will all be fine. Just fine. I am a bit surprised that Sarkisian went with Hudson Card at quarterback. They also lost a lot of skill players, but return Bijan Robinson and he’s quite good.
Texas Tech
Opponent: @ Houston
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 6:00 pm
TV: ESPN
Line: Texas Tech -1.5
Commentary: I am excited about this game, although I think Houston is going to be much better than their record indicated last year. I’m also not sod on Dana Holgorsen, there’s something amiss there. As an aside, the big 7 Points preview will be coming in on Friday.
Oklahoma State
Opponent: Missouri State
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 6:00 pm
TV: BIG12/ESPN+
Line: Currently unavailable.
Commentary: Every team has a patsy, this is probably the Cowboys’ for the year. Will be interesting to see if Spencer Sanders can reduce the turnovers, which has been his biggest issue. OSU also loses quite a bit of skill position talent, so that may make it more difficult for Sanders.
Baylor
Opponent: @ Texas State
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 6:00 pm
TV: ESPN+
Line: Baylor -10
Commentary: Going on the road to start the season against Texas State. Huh. That’s not what I would have expected. Baylor’s breaking in a new quarterback, Gerry Bohanon, who is ridiculously athletic and has a big arm. I think Baylor will be better at quarterback than they were last year.
TCU
Opponent: Duquesne
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4th @ 7:00 pm
TV: BIG12/ESPN+
Line: Currently unavailable.
Commentary: The other patsy probably, and should maybe watch how the TCU offense plays without Cumbie, but it may remain mostly the same with Meachum still at the offensive helm. Despite me not knowing who is there on the defensive side of the ball and losing some excellent players to the draft, I’d imagine the Horned Frogs will still be good there.