These two teams have not met since 1945. Presbyterian is off their 2nd losing season (0-11 LY) in a row with both coming since they moved from Division II to FCS. They do return 15 starters including their leading rusher, passer, and receiver on offense. Defensively they should be improved as they welcome back 8 of their top 9 tacklers from a defense that allowed 40.1 ppg. Meanwhile Wake Forest returns just 13 starters and loses QB Riley Skinner and 4 of their top 6 tacklers. Wake will be transitioning back to more of an option offense this year, which should take pressure of the passing game where the returning QB’s have 0 career attempts. The Demon Deacons were just 5-7 a year ago but had 5 losses by 3 points or less. Last year Wake beat a very solid FCS Elon team 35-7 at home as they outgained the Phoenix 426-263. Presbyterian also played Elon last year but were dominated 41-7 as Elon had 30-6 FD and 614-91 yd edges. Wake HC Grobe is 4-0 vs FCS teams here with the avg score being 33-9. Look for more of the same here.

SE Missouri St returns 13 starters from last year’s 2-9 team and are led by former New Mexico St HC Tony Samuel. The Redhawks averaged just 21.8 ppg offensively last year but do return QB Matt Scheible who threw for 1,596 yds (49.6% 11-13). Ball St went just 2-10 a year ago but were -7 in TO’s and had 4 net closes. This year the Cardinals return 18 starters and are a legit MAC West Contender with RB MiQuale Lewis 871 (4.8) back for a 5th year. SE Missouri St has been outscored by a 61-4 avg in their L/4 games against FCS teams but all of those came against BCS schools. The Redhawks have fared a little better against MAC schools being outscored 32-16 in their last 6 games. Last year Ball St lost to FCS New Hampshire and HC Stan Parrish has made sure his team has not forgotten that loss by adopting a “live and learn” motto, by making SEMO its primary focus this entire fall camp. Unlike last year, the Cardinals get off to a strong start.

First meeting since 1959. Rhode Island has had 13 losing seasons in the last 14 years including 8 straight and their 1-10 record LY (worse since ’99) included just 1 loss by 7 pts or less. This year they should be improved with 16 returning starters and have no major coaching changes for the first time in 3 years. Meanwhile Buffalo is in their 1st year under new HC Jeff Quinn who was the OC/OL coach at Cincinnati the last 3 years. Quinn has been the interim HC in two bowl games and steps into a good situation here with 14 returning starters including FS Davonte Shannon who is a 3-time 1st Tm MAC selection and will be looking to become just the fourth player in MAC history to be named 1st-Tm all four years. My only concern with the Bulls this year is the switch from the spread offense after being a dominating rush team under Gill and they could struggle early especially with non-conf games against Baylor, UCF and Connecticut on deck. Last year Buffalo crushed FCS Gardner-Webb 40-3 with a 508-214 yd edge. Buffalo is just 2-9 in home openers since joining the FBS in 1999 but get their 3rd win here over a Rhode Island team that is a year or two away from being more competitive.

This is the first meeting between these schools as Towson opens up with a FBS opp for the 3rd straight year (0-2, outscored by a 44-14 avg). The Tigers were just 2-9 last year and did not place a single player on the All-Colonial Athletic teams. Towson struggled finding consistent play at the QB position as 5 different QB’s played extensively (4 started) and this year the top 4 return along with 15 other starters on offense and defense in HC Rob Ambrose’s 2nd year. Indiana last year got off to a 3-0 start but a controversial 36-33 loss to Michigan sent them reeling to a 4-8 record. This year the Hoosiers should be more potent offensively with 9 returning starters including their top QB, RB and WR. Defensively the Hoosiers have several question marks with just 4 returning starters from a defense that gave up 29.5 ppg and 401 ypg. While Indiana has won 8 straight home openers by an avg score of 35-14, the Hoosiers have struggled with FCS teams recently including a pair a close victories (19-13 over E Kentucky LY and 35-31 over Nicholls St in ’05) and a 35-28 loss to Southern Illinois in ’06. Indiana should be more focused this year especially with a bye on deck and Towson has a long way to go to being competitive in the CAA let alone against BCS schools.

These two schools are less than 50 miles apart and the Green Wave are 4-0 all-time vs the Lions including a 28-21 victory in ’05 and a 35-27 win in ’07. SE Louisiana is fresh off their 1st winning season since joining the Southland Conference in 2005. This year the Lions return 16 starters but lose their top rusher and QB. They do bring back 9 defensive starters including 3 of their top 4 tacklers and bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the FCS. Tulane has had 7 straight losing seasons and went just 3-9 a year ago. This year they return 7 starters on offense but lose their top RB in Andre Anderson who ran for 1,016 yds (4.3) and their top WR Jeremy Williams who had 1,113 rec yds (13.3). Defensively they return just four starters from a unit that allowed 36.7 ppg last year (most since 2001) and lost their top two tacklers. Since 2001, Tulane is 7-0 vs FBS schools with an avg score of 36-21 but have won their last 3 all by 10 points or less. This looks like another difficult year for the Green Wave but they do get the win here in a close one.

These two teams were both members of the Big Sky Conference from 1984-91 and Nevada owns a 7-1 series edge. Last year the Eastern Washington went 8-4 making the FCS playoffs (lost 1st round) and this year they have made national news by taking a page out of Boise St’s handbook as the Eagles have installed red turf at their newly named stadium. They do return just 10 starters and lose Big Sky Offensive POY in QB Nichols but add in SMU transfer Bo Levi Mitchell who started 19 gms and has 4,590 career pass yds but only a 36-33 ratio. On defense the Eagles return 5 starters but one of them is JC Sherritt who is one of the best defensive players in the FCS (#2 Buchanan Award) with 170 tackles last year. Sherritt though will have his hands full trying to keep up with Nevada’s high-powered rushing attack which led the FBS in rush yds last year avg 345 ypg (7.4!). This year the Wolfpack return one of the NCAA’s most dangerous offensive players in QB Colin Kapernick who needs just 94 rush yards to become the 2nd QB in WAC history to have 3,000 yds rush/3,000 yds pass in his career (Beau Morgan, AF ’94-’96). The Wolfpack also return RB Vai Tau who led with 1,345 yds (7.8). Nevada is 7-2 in home openers (2 L’s vs BCS tms) and has won their L/5 vs FCS schools by an avg of 49-12. While Eastern Washington is no stranger to playing FBS schools (6 gms in the L/4 yrs) they have given up 40+ in five of those games and face one of the best offenses in the country here.  

This is only the 2nd meeting between these schools (1st was in 1950, FSU won 20-6) but they do have a recent tie-in as new Florida St HC Jimbo Fisher was a QB at Samford in 1987 and was the OC from 1991-’92. Meanwhile Samford is coached by former Auburn AA QB and Heisman winner Pat Sullivan who enters his 4th year here. Last year the Bulldogs went 5-6 including a heartbreaking loss to UCF where they had a 24-21 lead in the 4Q and had a 286-282 yd edge. This year they return 15 starters including their all-time leading rusher Chris Evans who will try to eclipse 1,000 yds for the the 4th straight year. Defensively the Bulldogs have 7 starters back from a unit that allowed just 284 ypg and 17.5 ppg last year and could be one of the best in the FCS this year. On the other side, it will be kind of odd not seeing Bobby Bowden walking the sidelines as he did for 34 years at FSU but Fisher does step into a good situation with 9 starters back on offense and Christian Ponder figures to be one of the top QB’s in the country. Defensively, the Noles were awful last year allowing 435 ypg and 30 ppg but this year bring in Mark Stoops who spent the last 6 yrs as the DC at Arizona under his brother Mike. Florida St should be on alert as they trailed FCS Jacksonville St late LY but scored twice in the final :35 to escape with the win. While the Seminoles will want to make an early statement under the new regime, they do have Oklahoma on deck and Fisher has sentimental value with his former school.

Eastern Illinois is our pick to win the Ohio Valley conference. They have 15 starters back from last years 8-4 playoff team including their top 5 tacklers from a D that allowed just 21.3 ppg. They do lose Iowa transfer Jake Christensen at QB. Iowa is a legitimate Big Ten and national title contender with 8 starters back from a D that allowed just 277 ypg and allowed Georgia Tech just 155 yards in the bowl. They have a veteran QB in Ricky Stanzi and our #13 rated special teams. Last year Iowa opened with FCS Northern Iowa and had Iowa St on deck. They needed TWO blocked FG's at the end to escape with a 17-16 win and were actually outgained 329-354. The previous two openers vs FCS they won 41-7 over a solid Montana in 2006 and 46-3 over Maine in 2008. After last years scare they should be more focused for this even with Iowa St off a bowl. Bob Spoo is in his 23rd year and uses these games as paycheck games. In the last 4 years vs FBS foes they have lost by an average of 45-11 and been outgained  516-265 and that included a couple of non-BCS teams. This year Iowa fans won’t be sweating out the opener. 

Weber St went 7-5 LY making it to the FCS playoffs but 2 of their losses came against FBS teams Wyoming (29-22) and Colorado St (24-23) and they easily could have won both if not for a -6 TO deficit. This year the Wildcats return 7 starters on offense including 3-yr starter Cameron Higgins who has thrown for 9,762 yds and 83 TD’s in his career. They do lose their all-time leading rusher, their top WR (NFL DC) and their top 2 OL so the offense may struggle early. Defensively they return 6 starters from a unit that allowed 21.7 ppg LY and return their top 2 tacklers. Boston College meanwhile returns 14 starters from LY’s 8-5 team and offensively are led by RB Montel Harris 1,457 yds (4.7). The Eagles have my #13 rated OL and feature one of the best OT’s in the entire country in Anthony Castonzo. Defensively, the Eagles have my #2 set of LB’s and welcome back 2008 ACC DPOY Mark Herzlich after battling back from cancer. His replacement Luke Kuechly had 158 tkls LY as a frosh. The Eagles are 11-2 in home openers (only losses to GT & WF) and have outscored their last 4 FCS opp’s by an avg of 36-4. While Weber St has been very competitive in the last 4 games vs FBS teams (outscored by an avg of 32-21), this one will not be as close especially with the emotional return of Herzlich.

The Chanticleers have been playing football since just 2003 and are the only Big South Conference team in its history to make the FCS playoffs (conf now has automatic bid TY). HC Dave Bennett is the only coach they have had and he enters his 8th year at the helm (50-29). Coastal Carolina returns 16 starters from LY’s 6-5 team and will be contenders in the BSC this year. Offensively, they lose their leading rusher but bring back their top 2 QB’s and WR’s. On defense they return 9 starters including their top 3 tacklers from a D that gave up 25.5 ppg. West Virginia also returns 16 starters including All-American candidate RB Noel Devine who ran for 1,465 yds (6.1) LY. The Mountaineers will be starting a new QB TY in Geno Smith (PS#4) but he has a lot of talent and there should be no drop-off. 9 starters return from a defense that gave up 21.7 ppg and all three defensive units rank in my top units in front of the magazine including their DL (#14). WV is 10-1 in home openers and Coastal Carolina is 0-3 all-time vs FBS teams (outscored 133-13). While the Mountaineers struggled in their opener vs FCS Liberty LY (33-20), they should be more focused this time around and will get an easy win.

These will be the 30th all-time meeting between these two schools (UVA 25-2-2) who are just 66 miles apart. This game is all about new Virginia coach Mike London who was the HC at Richmond the L/2 years (24-5) and won the FCS title in 2008. He is a Richmond grad and played for the Spiders from 1979-82. London isn’t the only former Richmond HC on the staff as his DC Jim Reid was the HC there from 1995-2003. On the other side new Richmond coach Latrell Scott is just 34 years old but was the Virginia WR’s coach LY and knows the Cavaliers personnel as well. The Spiders return just 7 starters this year and while talented, they will find it tough matching their 11 wins from LY. Virginia returns just 12 starters and lose their top 4 rushers including QB Jameel Sewell who also passed for 1,848 yds (53.8%, 7-7). Defensively, the Cavaliers gave up 26.3 ppg LY and bring back 3 of their top 5 tacklers including CB Ras-I Dowling who is one of the top CBs in the country. Richmond is 2-3 in their L/5 games vs FBS teams including a 24-16 win over Duke LY in the opener while Virginia dropped their home opener 26-14 to FCS William & Mary LY. This year will be different as London knows the strengths and weaknesses of all the Richmond players and the Cavs get the win even with USC on deck.

South Dakota is just in its 3rd year of transitioning from Div II to the FCS and this will be their first ever game against a FBS school. The Coyotes play in the Great West and were 5-5 LY. HC Ed Meierkort has done a tremendous job transitioning the program as they have not had a losing season in six years! This year they return 11 starters including RB Chris Ganious who ran for 828 yds (5.6). They do lose QB Noah Shepard who threw for 2,451 yds (63.3%, 21-10). On defense they return just 5 starters but do welcome back the top 5 tacklers from a year ago. UCF is my pick to win the CUSA East Division this year as they return 15 starters including DE Bruce Miller who is the NCAA’s active leader in career sacks with 27 (13 in ’09). UCF is 11-3 in home openers as an FBS member including 8-0 vs FCS (avg score 33-16 ) In LY’s opener they trailed FCS Samford 21-13 but rallied for a 28-24 win. Look for the Knights to be much more focused this year even with a home game against NC State on deck.

Stanford is 4-0 all time vs Big Sky opp’s (all vs Montana, L/gm 1948). The Hornets were 5-6 LY, including a 38-3 loss to UNLV in which they were outgained 466-228. This year they return 12 starters and welcome back RB Bryan Hilliard (1,908 career yds) who had to sit out last season after shoulder surgery. On defense they return 7 starters including their top 4 tacklers but did give up 433 ypg and 33.7 ppg a year ago. Stanford returns 15 starters from last year’s bowl team (1st since ’03) but lose Heisman runner-up Toby Gerhart who ran for 1,871 yds (5.5). The do have QB Andrew Luck back who many pro scouts feel is among the top 2 pro-style QB’s in the country. Defensively, the Cardinal must improve after allowing 26.5 ppg and 403 ypg LY. Stanford has not played a FCS school since their shocking 20-17 loss to UC Davis in 2005 which cost the Cardinal a bowl game and Sacramento St is 0-7 vs FBS schools since ’04 (outscored by a 41-5 avg). Expect Luck to carve up a Hornet secondary that gave up 287 pass ypg and 66.9% a year ago.

First meeting between these schools as the Terriers went 3-8 LY (1st losing ssn since ’01), which included losses to USF (40-7) and Wisconsin (44-14). Last year they were a classic Turnovers =Turnaround team as they went from 9-3 (+11 in TO’s) to 3-8 (-10 in TO’s). They also suffered a lot of injuries and had to play 11 true frosh with 4 of them earning starts on defense alone. This year they return 17 starters in HC Mike Ayers 23rd year and will be one of the most improved teams in the FCS with the added experienced depth.  Speaking of most improved teams, last year Ohio was my #2 most improved team and they didn’t disappoint as they went from 4-8 to 9-5 and bagged another MAC East title. This year they return 12 starters but lose their leading rusher, passer and receiver. Defensively they return LB Noah Keller (155 tkls LY) who will contend for MAC DPOY this season. Ohio has lost back-to-back home openers but that came against bowl teams Central Michigan and Connecticut. They have won six straight vs FCS schools (avg score 34-13) including a 28-10 win over Cal Poly LY (430-251 yd edge). The interesting match-up in this game will be Wofford’s option offense (avg 270 ypg LY) vs one of the MAC’s best DL (NT’s avg 316 lbs). Naturally Ohio HC Frank Solich knows the option well and expect the Bobcats to pull away late.

These two schools are just 40 miles apart but have not met since 1926 (Duke 5-0-1). LY the Phoenix were 9-3 including a 35-7 loss to Wake Forest but did make the FCS playoffs. This year they return 13 starters including QB Scott Riddle who threw for 3,345 yds (64.9%, 23-7) and their top 5 rushers. They do lose a great player in WR Terrell Hudgins who led the FCS with 1,633 (13.3, 16 TD) and was a 3-time 1st Tm SoCon selection. Defensively the top 3 tacklers return from a defense that allowed just 13.2 ppg and 248 ypg. Duke returns 15 starters from a team that flirted with their first bowl since 1994 but came up just short. While they must replace a 2-time All-ACC QB in Thaddeus Lewis, whoever starts at QB will have plenty of weapons surrounding him including WR Donovan Varner (1,047 yds, 16.1 LY). Duke is just 1-5 in their L/6 home openers including a 24-16 loss to FCS Richmond LY which ended up costing them a bowl berth. Couple that with Elon being one of the best teams in the FCS (we have them #6), the Phoenix should have the Blue Devils’ full attention here.

First meeting since 1935 between these schools that are only 120 miles apart. The Lumberjacks are fresh off a 10-3 season in which they advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. This year they return 13 starters including QB Jeremy Moses who threw for 4,124 yds (68%, 40-21) LY and was the Southland Co-POY. They do lose their top two rushers and top receivers from an offense that avg 34.8 ppg. Defensively they return 8 starters including their top 2 tacklers who combined for 250 tkls, 18.5 tfl and 10 pbu a year ago.  Their defense will be tested against an explosive Texas A&M offense which returns 7 starters from a unit that avg 32.8 ppg. The Aggies are led by QB Jerrod Johnson who threw for 3,579 yds (59.6%, 30-8) a year ago and has plenty of weapons surrounding him including my #4 set of WRs. On defense, the Aggies return 9 starters including All-American cand Von Miller who led the NCAA LY with 17 sacks. Prior to last year, the Lumberjacks had been outscored by an avg of 47-8 in their 3 games vs FBS teams but in LY’s opener they led SMU by 9 in the 4Q before losing 31-23 (outgained 460-355). This year will be a different story as the Aggie offense rolls throughout.

This will be the first meeting between these schools that are only 5 miles apart and is the inaugural “Port City Classic” which will be played in Shreveport. Grambling St returns 14 starters fro last year’s 7-4 team including RBs Frank Warren and Cornelius Walker who combined for 1,571 yds (5.6) and make up the best backfield in the SWAC. Defensively they return 7 starters from a unit that gave up 26.6 ppg (worst since 2004). The Tigers did suffer a huge loss this fall camp as FCS 1st Tm AA DE Christian Anthony suffered a heart attack and will not play this season. Louisiana Tech welcomes in new coach Sonny Dykes who will be installing a spread offense similar to the one at Texas Tech. The Bulldogs do return LY’s starting QB in Ross Jenkins who threw for 2,095 yds (59.3%, 17-5) but he has been in a heated battle with Sr Steven Ensminger who has thrived working in the new offense. Louisiana Tech crushed FCS Nicholls St 48-13 (558-274 yd edge) LY and have outscored their L/4 FCS opp’s by an avg of 37-17 while Grambling has lost their L/5 gms vs FBS tms by an avg of 46-12 and with the loss of their star will struggle against a high-octane offense.

First meeting between these two schools as the Colonels have to travel 1,567 miles and the kickoff will be at 10:00 CST for them! Nicholls St plays in the Southland conference and returns 9 starters from LY’s 3-8 team. This do have a new HC in Charlie Stubbs as they are switching from a spread offense to a multiple pro set offense which usually takes a team a few years to adjust fully. Stubbs has been the OC at Oregon St, Memphis, UNLV, Alabama and Louisville and he will coordinate the offense here as well. Defensively they return just 4 starters from a defense that allowed 38.8 ppg a year ago. San Diego St is looking for their first winning record since 1998 as they return 16 starters including 2-year starting QB Ryan Lindley who threw for 3,054 yds (54.7%, 23-16). The Aztecs have one of the best assistant coaching staffs in the country with former Auburn OC Al Borges and former New Mexico St HC Rocky Long serving as the DC. Defensively they improved significantly last year as the ppg went from 37.2 to 30.5 and the ypg went from 461 ypg to 382 ypg. LY Nicholls St opened with Air Force and lost 72-0 as they gave up 474 rush yds. Outside of that game and a 56-7 loss to Nebraska in ’06, the Colonels have been respectable vs FBS teams including a 16-14 win at Rice in ’07 and a 35-31 loss to Indiana in ’05. San Diego St is just 2-3 in home openers and were upset in ‘08 by FCS Cal-Poly and were outgained by 104 yds. However, Nicholls St with just 9 returning starters, a new HC and new schemes, will not be able to stay close in this one.

UTEP will be just the 2nd FBS opponent Arkansas-Pine Bluff has played in its history (lost 20-17 vs New Mexico St in’07). The Golden Lions are member of the SWAC conference and return 14 starters from last year’s 5-5 squad including QB Josh Bourdreaux. Defensively 6 starters are back from a unit that allowed 24.6 ppg but loses their top 5 tacklers. UTEP meanwhile returns 12 starters from last year’s disappointing 4-8 season. They are led by 3-year starting QB Trevor Vittatoe and one of the nation’s best RB’s in Donald Buckram who ran for 1,594 yds (6.2) and 18 TD’s a year ago. Defensively the unit has improved each of the past two seasons but still allowed 33.5 ppg and 447 ypg LY and do lose their top 2 tacklers. UTEP is just 1-3 in home openers but two of those losses came against Texas and Texas Tech. They have played just two games against FCS opponents in the past five years and have outscored them by an avg 49-6. UTEP HC Mike Price usually has his team playing well early in the year so expect the Miners to look impressive here as my computer calls for a 674-183 yd edge.

Northwestern St was 0-11 a year ago and two of the losses came against Houston (55-7 outgained 538-263) and Baylor (68-13 outgained 567-248). This year the Demons return 10 starters including 7 on offense. Offensively, they have nowhere to go but up after avg just 14.4 ppg a year ago and should be better with the top 2 QB’s back. Defensively, they allowed 36.5 ppg and lose their top 4 tacklers. They will have their hands full here against a Falcon rush attack that avg 283 ypg a year ago. While the Falcons return just 5 starters on offense, they do have all their key skill position players like QB Tim Jefferson, FB Jared Tew and RB Asher Clark back. Defensively, the Falcons gave up just 15.7 ppg and 288 ypg LY and have 4 All-MWC players returning. Air Force has opened up against a FCS opp in each of the L/3 yrs and have outscored them by a 49-3 avg including LY’s 72-0 win over Nicholls St (576-151 yd edge).  This one won’t be as ugly but expect the Falcons to roll.