WEEK 1 - FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ACTION
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Western Michigan at Wisconsin - 6 p.m. BIG10
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Kent State at Pitt - 9 a.m. ESPNU
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State - 12:30 p.m. CBS
Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
Ohio at Syracuse - 12:30 p.m. ACC
Western Illinois at Northern Illinois - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
Miami at Northwestern - 3:30 p.m. BIG10
Click Read More for Details . . .
Western Michigan at Wisconsin - 6 p.m. BIG10
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Kent State at Pitt - 9 a.m. ESPNU
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State - 12:30 p.m. CBS
Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
Ohio at Syracuse - 12:30 p.m. ACC
Western Illinois at Northern Illinois - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
Miami at Northwestern - 3:30 p.m. BIG10
Click Read More for Details . . .
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Western Michigan at Wisconsin - 6 p.m. BIG10
The Badgers struggled under former Cincinnati Bearcats Head Coach Luke Fickell in his first year leading UW. Two late regular season wins preceded a 35-31 Reliaquest Bowl loss to No. 13 LSU. That left the Badgers at 7-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten.
Statistically, Wisconsin was middle of the pack (to slightly lower) among conference teams in most categories. Fickell hopes to get the offense untracked, much as he was able to do at Cincinnati, in the upcoming year. To that end the Badgers will have transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke (Miami Hurricanes). He had an up-and-down 2023 season and was sometimes prone to turnovers. Sophomore Braedyn Locke is another possible option at QB.
There is plenty of experience on the outside, with WR Will Pauling returning after catching a team-high 74 balls for 837 yards and six TDs.
The UW offense could field eight returning starters, including five up front. Defensively, five starters return, but just one up front. The top two tacklers are back: Safety Hunter Wohler (120 tackles) and linebacker Jake Chaney (80 tackles) to anchor both those levels.
A preseason poll picked UW to finish seventh among 18 teams.
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Kent State at Pitt - 9 a.m. ESPNU
There is some irony in this matchup. Just a few years back, Sean Lewis "Flash Fast " Kent State offense was wearing out defenses. Now, the tables could be turned.
After his Panthers stumbled to a 3-9 record (2-6 ACC), Head Coach Pat Narduzzi hired Kade Bell to bring his ultra uptempo offense to Pittsburgh. That offense helped Western Carolina go 7-4 last year when the Catamounts averaged 37.4 ppg., passed for 3,533 yards and rushed for over 2,000 more. Pittsburgh averaged 20.2 ppg.
Junior QB Nate Yarnell saw limited action with Pitt last year, but completed 66.1 percent of his passes. He tossed four TDs and one interception. Reports were encouraging in the spring, but much depends on how Yarnell (or another QB) can operate the Panthers new offense. Christian Veilleux started five games in 2023 and Alabama transfer Eli Holstein could enter the mix.
Another transfer, Desmond Reid (5-9, 200, SR), was a productive runner at Western Carolina the past two years.
There is plenty of experience among receivers and three returnees up front. However, with the uptempo offense, developing depth will be a point of focus.
Defensively, a couple late outgoing transfers added to turnover, so there are a bunch of new/less experienced players atop the two-deep. Safeties Javon McIntyre and Donovan McMillion, however, led Pitt defenders with a combined 190 tackles.
Kicker Ben Sauls converted 11 of 13 kicks inside 50 yards. Punter Caleb Junko averaged 41.6 yards.
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State - 12:30 p.m. CBS
As if the Akron Zips didn't have enough troubles, they open against No. 2 Ohio State. It's the kind of matchup that makes it difficult to analyze just what will -- or will not -- work going forward.
The obvious is that any team ranked No. 2 nationally in preseason polls is going to be strong-to-excellent on both sides of the ball, sideline to sideline.
With Kyle McCord (Syracuse) gone, former Kansas State QB Will Howard could get the start for OSU. Devin Brown saw limited action in 2023 and former Alabama five-star Julian Sayin are available.
OSU lost one of the nation's best receivers in Marvin Harrison (NFL Arizona Cardinals) but nonetheless have reloaded with more of the nation's top receivers. Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate return. Even freshman Jeremiah Smith (a five-star recruit) proved outstanding in spring ball.
Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) figures to lead the running attack.
Ohio State is also expected to be one of the nation's top defensive teams. It starts upfront, where defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are expected to wreck havoc.
Linebacker Cody Simon registered 57 tackles last year and will anchor the middle tier of defense.
There are a pair of lockdown talents at the secondary corners and now former Alabama safety Caleb Downs has bought his top-tier talents to the back line.
Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
UMass is still one year out on official MAC football membership, but the Minutemen are playing five MAC teams in 2024. Eastern Michigan is first up.
UMass has been playing as an independence since 2016, so the schedule has at times been somewhere between cumbersome and difficult to manage. Likewise, it didn't exactly help the win-loss line. Last year, for instance, UMass finished 3-9. That included a seven-game losing streak.
The season low point was arguably a 63-0 loss at No. 6 Penn State. However, one week later, the Minutemen upset Army at West Point 21-14.
Perhaps the biggest task will be to get better on defense. UMass surrendered an FBS-worse 37.8 ppg in 2023. It starts up front, and the Minutemen allowed (another FBS-worst) 5.9 yards per rush.
Several transfers have entered the picture, so Head Coach Don Brown's team will hope to limit the bleeding with some new faces in the mix.
Offensively, the 2023 Minutemen leaned on a running attack led by Kay'Ron Lynch Adams. He averaged 4.9 ypc, totaling 1,157 yards with 12 touchdowns. If that sounds pretty good, it also sounded good to Michigan State where Lynch-Adams will play this year. Filling that void will be important.
Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh returns after a season of mixed performances in 2023.
He and the whole offense will be adjusting to new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Montgomery's system. Montgomery is quite familiar with the MAC. He was OC/QBC at Miami ffrom 2001-2004 and moved up to head coach (2005-2008). He also served as OC/QBC at Buffalo (2021-22). Montgomery's most recent coaching stint was at East Carolina as an offensive analyst.
Ohio at Syracuse - 12:30 p.m. ACC
After losing five straight ACC games in mid-season, the Orange won two of three to reach bowl eligibility in 2023. That bowl (Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl) appearance resulted in a 45-0 loss to South Florida and left SU with a final record of 6-7 (2-6 ACC).
Moving forward, the Orange will operate under new Head Coach Fran Brown. Most recently a part of Georgia's defensive staff, he is a coach known for recruiting skills.
Part of the prescription for improvement this year is scoring more points. The Orange were 10th among ACC teams, scoring an average of 25.5 ppg. SU has some nice pieces returning, but it also hopes to benefit via transfer infusion.
Last year, quarterback Kyle McCord was guiding Ohio State to an 11-1 regular season. This year he leads the Orange. He's more of a pure passer than what SU has used in recent seasons, but Syracuse is seeking different results. McCord completed 65.8 percent of his passes last year, producing 3,170 yards with 24 TDs (6 INTs).
There are several new faces among the receivers, with transfers available to give McCord some tantalizing targets. Oronde Gadsden II previously earned All-American honors but missed almost all of last year.
Transfers are also prominent along the front line. Running behind that group will be junior RB LeQuint Allen, who contributed 1,064 rushing yards, 9 TDs and 38 receptions.
Several transfers join five returning players on defense as SU attempts to improve under a head coach with significant defensive experience.
Western Illinois at Northern Illinois - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
The WIU Lumberjacks aren't hungry for a win. They are starving for a win!
The last Western Illinois football victory was back on Oct. 30, 2021. Since then, the Lumberjacks have lost 24 straight games.
This will be the first year for WIU as a member of the Big South-OVC Football Association. It previously fielded a team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Lumberjacks' offense ranked last among FCS teams in total offense and defense, so there is plenty of work to do. That mission will begin under the guidance of new head coach Joe Davis, who most recently shined as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Illinois.
Senior Nathan Lamb returns at QB after seeing limited action last year. Former St. Thomas RB Shawn Shipmen will be running behind an experienced line.
Linebackers Juan DeLaCruz and Ryan Crandall will be defensive keys, with the duo combining for 127 tackles last year. Cradyn Smith (team-high 73 tackles) and KJ Coleman (46 tackles) anchor the secondary.
Western Michigan at Wisconsin - 6 p.m. BIG10
The Badgers struggled under former Cincinnati Bearcats Head Coach Luke Fickell in his first year leading UW. Two late regular season wins preceded a 35-31 Reliaquest Bowl loss to No. 13 LSU. That left the Badgers at 7-6 overall, 5-4 Big Ten.
Statistically, Wisconsin was middle of the pack (to slightly lower) among conference teams in most categories. Fickell hopes to get the offense untracked, much as he was able to do at Cincinnati, in the upcoming year. To that end the Badgers will have transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke (Miami Hurricanes). He had an up-and-down 2023 season and was sometimes prone to turnovers. Sophomore Braedyn Locke is another possible option at QB.
There is plenty of experience on the outside, with WR Will Pauling returning after catching a team-high 74 balls for 837 yards and six TDs.
The UW offense could field eight returning starters, including five up front. Defensively, five starters return, but just one up front. The top two tacklers are back: Safety Hunter Wohler (120 tackles) and linebacker Jake Chaney (80 tackles) to anchor both those levels.
A preseason poll picked UW to finish seventh among 18 teams.
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Kent State at Pitt - 9 a.m. ESPNU
There is some irony in this matchup. Just a few years back, Sean Lewis "Flash Fast " Kent State offense was wearing out defenses. Now, the tables could be turned.
After his Panthers stumbled to a 3-9 record (2-6 ACC), Head Coach Pat Narduzzi hired Kade Bell to bring his ultra uptempo offense to Pittsburgh. That offense helped Western Carolina go 7-4 last year when the Catamounts averaged 37.4 ppg., passed for 3,533 yards and rushed for over 2,000 more. Pittsburgh averaged 20.2 ppg.
Junior QB Nate Yarnell saw limited action with Pitt last year, but completed 66.1 percent of his passes. He tossed four TDs and one interception. Reports were encouraging in the spring, but much depends on how Yarnell (or another QB) can operate the Panthers new offense. Christian Veilleux started five games in 2023 and Alabama transfer Eli Holstein could enter the mix.
Another transfer, Desmond Reid (5-9, 200, SR), was a productive runner at Western Carolina the past two years.
There is plenty of experience among receivers and three returnees up front. However, with the uptempo offense, developing depth will be a point of focus.
Defensively, a couple late outgoing transfers added to turnover, so there are a bunch of new/less experienced players atop the two-deep. Safeties Javon McIntyre and Donovan McMillion, however, led Pitt defenders with a combined 190 tackles.
Kicker Ben Sauls converted 11 of 13 kicks inside 50 yards. Punter Caleb Junko averaged 41.6 yards.
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State - 12:30 p.m. CBS
As if the Akron Zips didn't have enough troubles, they open against No. 2 Ohio State. It's the kind of matchup that makes it difficult to analyze just what will -- or will not -- work going forward.
The obvious is that any team ranked No. 2 nationally in preseason polls is going to be strong-to-excellent on both sides of the ball, sideline to sideline.
With Kyle McCord (Syracuse) gone, former Kansas State QB Will Howard could get the start for OSU. Devin Brown saw limited action in 2023 and former Alabama five-star Julian Sayin are available.
OSU lost one of the nation's best receivers in Marvin Harrison (NFL Arizona Cardinals) but nonetheless have reloaded with more of the nation's top receivers. Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate return. Even freshman Jeremiah Smith (a five-star recruit) proved outstanding in spring ball.
Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) figures to lead the running attack.
Ohio State is also expected to be one of the nation's top defensive teams. It starts upfront, where defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are expected to wreck havoc.
Linebacker Cody Simon registered 57 tackles last year and will anchor the middle tier of defense.
There are a pair of lockdown talents at the secondary corners and now former Alabama safety Caleb Downs has bought his top-tier talents to the back line.
Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
UMass is still one year out on official MAC football membership, but the Minutemen are playing five MAC teams in 2024. Eastern Michigan is first up.
UMass has been playing as an independence since 2016, so the schedule has at times been somewhere between cumbersome and difficult to manage. Likewise, it didn't exactly help the win-loss line. Last year, for instance, UMass finished 3-9. That included a seven-game losing streak.
The season low point was arguably a 63-0 loss at No. 6 Penn State. However, one week later, the Minutemen upset Army at West Point 21-14.
Perhaps the biggest task will be to get better on defense. UMass surrendered an FBS-worse 37.8 ppg in 2023. It starts up front, and the Minutemen allowed (another FBS-worst) 5.9 yards per rush.
Several transfers have entered the picture, so Head Coach Don Brown's team will hope to limit the bleeding with some new faces in the mix.
Offensively, the 2023 Minutemen leaned on a running attack led by Kay'Ron Lynch Adams. He averaged 4.9 ypc, totaling 1,157 yards with 12 touchdowns. If that sounds pretty good, it also sounded good to Michigan State where Lynch-Adams will play this year. Filling that void will be important.
Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh returns after a season of mixed performances in 2023.
He and the whole offense will be adjusting to new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shane Montgomery's system. Montgomery is quite familiar with the MAC. He was OC/QBC at Miami ffrom 2001-2004 and moved up to head coach (2005-2008). He also served as OC/QBC at Buffalo (2021-22). Montgomery's most recent coaching stint was at East Carolina as an offensive analyst.
Ohio at Syracuse - 12:30 p.m. ACC
After losing five straight ACC games in mid-season, the Orange won two of three to reach bowl eligibility in 2023. That bowl (Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl) appearance resulted in a 45-0 loss to South Florida and left SU with a final record of 6-7 (2-6 ACC).
Moving forward, the Orange will operate under new Head Coach Fran Brown. Most recently a part of Georgia's defensive staff, he is a coach known for recruiting skills.
Part of the prescription for improvement this year is scoring more points. The Orange were 10th among ACC teams, scoring an average of 25.5 ppg. SU has some nice pieces returning, but it also hopes to benefit via transfer infusion.
Last year, quarterback Kyle McCord was guiding Ohio State to an 11-1 regular season. This year he leads the Orange. He's more of a pure passer than what SU has used in recent seasons, but Syracuse is seeking different results. McCord completed 65.8 percent of his passes last year, producing 3,170 yards with 24 TDs (6 INTs).
There are several new faces among the receivers, with transfers available to give McCord some tantalizing targets. Oronde Gadsden II previously earned All-American honors but missed almost all of last year.
Transfers are also prominent along the front line. Running behind that group will be junior RB LeQuint Allen, who contributed 1,064 rushing yards, 9 TDs and 38 receptions.
Several transfers join five returning players on defense as SU attempts to improve under a head coach with significant defensive experience.
Western Illinois at Northern Illinois - 12:30 p.m. ESPN+
The WIU Lumberjacks aren't hungry for a win. They are starving for a win!
The last Western Illinois football victory was back on Oct. 30, 2021. Since then, the Lumberjacks have lost 24 straight games.
This will be the first year for WIU as a member of the Big South-OVC Football Association. It previously fielded a team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Lumberjacks' offense ranked last among FCS teams in total offense and defense, so there is plenty of work to do. That mission will begin under the guidance of new head coach Joe Davis, who most recently shined as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Illinois.
Senior Nathan Lamb returns at QB after seeing limited action last year. Former St. Thomas RB Shawn Shipmen will be running behind an experienced line.
Linebackers Juan DeLaCruz and Ryan Crandall will be defensive keys, with the duo combining for 127 tackles last year. Cradyn Smith (team-high 73 tackles) and KJ Coleman (46 tackles) anchor the secondary.
Miami at Northwestern - 3:30 p.m. BIG10 -- CLICK HERE
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