Wednesday
Best option: Abilene Christian at Georgia State, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Odds: Not listed, thank God, what kind of a degenerate would you have to ... wait, please don't answer that.
It's technically D-I football! It's on national TV! Neither of these teams is particularly good, of course. But this is America. Land of the free, home of the televised football.
Thursday
| Time | Road team | Home team | TV | Streaming |
| 6 p.m. | No. 21 Texas A&M | No. 9 South Carolina | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| 7 p.m. | Chattanooga | Central Michigan | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Eastern Illinois | Minnesota | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| 7 p.m. | Howard | Akron | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Presbyterian | Northern Illinois | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Wake Forest | ULM | ESPN U | WatchESPN |
| 7:30 p.m. | Idaho State | Utah | Pac-12 Network | Pac-12.com |
| 8 p.m. | Cal Poly | New Mexico State | WatchESPN | |
| 8 p.m. | Tulane | Tulsa | CBSSN | ulive.cbssports.com |
| 8 p.m. (Atlanta, GA) | Boise State | No. 18 Ole Miss | ESPN | WatchESPN |
| 9:15 p.m. | Temple | Vanderbilt | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| 10 p.m. | North Dakota | San Jose State | WatchESPN | |
| 10 p.m. (Seattle, WA) | Rutgers | Washington State | FS1 | Fox Sports GO |
| 10:30 p.m. | Weber State | No. 19 Arizona State | Pac-12 Network | Pac-12.com |
Best option: No. 21 Texas A&M at No. 9 South Carolina
Odds: South Carolina -10.5
Read: Good Bull Hunting (Texas A&M), Garnet and Black Attack (South Carolina), Team Speed Kills (SEC)
Texas A&M vs. South Carolina
Texas A&M vs. South Carolina
This could end up being the best of the weekend, especially if Aggies QB Kenny Hill lives up to the hype as he replaces Johnny Manziel. But goodness, does South Carolina have a lot of talent. Yes, Jadeveon Clowney is gone, but the physicality on both sides of the line might be the best it's been. Do not miss this game.
Plan B: Boise State vs. Ole Miss
Boise faces the unenviable task of replacing Chris Petersen, who replaced Steve Sarkisian at Washington, who replaced Lane Kiffin at USC. All roads lead to Kiffin. Ole Miss is as loaded as it's been in a long time, and Boise is a double-digit underdog for the first time since 2008 (at Oregon -- a game the Broncos won).
Keep it in mind: Rutgers at Washington State
Rutgers is a fringe bowl candidate, which means its shot at six wins could depend on this trip to face Mike Leach's air raid. The Scarlet Knight secondary was eviscerated last year, but an influx of talent may turn things around. This one shouldn't be boring.
In case of emergency: Weber State at No. 19 Arizona State
It's Todd Graham's high-powered offense dump-trucking a team that was really bad even by FCS standards in 2013. Put it on for 15 minutes, you'll see a couple touchdowns, and all will be well.
Friday
| Time | Road team | Home team | TV | Streaming |
| 7 p.m. | BYU | UConn | ESPN | WatchESPN |
| 7:30 p.m. | Jacksonville State | No. 8 Michigan State | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| 7:30 p.m. | Villanova | Syracuse | WatchESPN | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Bowling Green | Western Kentucky | CBSSN | ulive.cbssports.com |
| 9 p.m. (Denver, CO) | Colorado State | Colorado | FS1 | Fox Sports GO |
| 9 p.m. | UTSA | Houston | ESPN U | WatchESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | UNLV | Arizona | ESPN | WatchESPN |
Best option: UTSA at Houston
Odds: Houston -11
Read: Underdog Dynasty
It's not a big-name matchup, but these teams combined to go 15-10 and should contend for conference titles. UTSA is actually riding a five-game winning streak, one of the longest in FBS, but Houston QB John O'Korn will put that to a stiff test.
Plan B: BYU at UConn
BYU's been one of the surest things in football, currently riding a nine-year bowl streak after putting together a 17-bowl streak into the early-'90s. And the Cougars are almost certainly going bowling again, with dual-threat monster Taysom Hill leading the charge.
Keep it in mind: Jacksonville State at No. 8 Michigan State
In an effort to not give too much of the offensive playbook away, Mark Dantonio will kneel on the ball twice, then punt on third down all game long. The Spartan defense will score eight touchdowns en route to the 56-3 victory.
In case of emergency: UNLV at Arizona
Whatever, it's late-night RichRod football, so you're not going to be bored.
Saturday
| Time | Road team | Home team | TV | Streaming |
| 8:30 a.m. (Dublin, Ireland) | UCF | Penn State | ESPN 2 | WatchESPN |
| Noon | Youngstown State | Illinois | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| Noon | Indiana State | Indiana | ESPNews | WatchESPN |
| Noon | Northern Iowa | Iowa | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| Noon | North Dakota State | Iowa State | FS1 | Fox Sports GO |
| Noon | UT Martin | Kentucky | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| Noon | Appalachian State | Michigan | ESPN 2 | WatchESPN |
| Noon (Baltimore, MD) | No. 5 Ohio State | Navy | CBSSN | ulive.cbssports.com |
| Noon | Delaware | Pittsburgh | WatchESPN | |
| Noon | Western Michigan | Purdue | ESPN U | WatchESPN |
| Noon | Troy | UAB | FCS | |
| Noon | No. 7 UCLA | Virginia | ESPN | WatchESPN |
| 12:30 p.m. | Wofford | Georgia Tech | RSN | WatchESPN |
| 12:30 p.m. | Georgia Southern | NC State | ACC Network | WatchESPN |
| 2 p.m. | Nicholls | Air Force | WatchESPN | |
| 2 p.m. | Colgate | Ball State | WatchESPN | |
| 3 p.m. | Boston College | UMass | WatchESPN | |
| 3 p.m. | Southern Utah | Nevada | NevadaWolfPack.TV | |
| 3:30 p.m. (Atlanta, GA) | West Virginia | No. 2 Alabama | ESPN 2 | WatchESPN |
| 3:30 p.m. | Duquesne | Buffalo | WatchESPN | |
| 3:30 p.m. | James Madison | Maryland | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| 3:30 p.m. | Marshall | Miami (Ohio) | WatchESPN | |
| 3:30 p.m. | South Dakota State | No. 24 Missouri | ESPN U | WatchESPN |
| 3:30 p.m. | Florida Atlantic | No. 22 Nebraska | Big Ten Network | BTN2GO |
| 3:30 p.m. | California | Northwestern | ABC or ESPN2 | WatchESPN |
| 3:30 p.m. | Rice | No. 17 Notre Dame | NBC | NBCSports.com |
| 3:30 p.m. | Hampton | Old Dominion | MyTVZ 33 | |
| 4 p.m. | Arkansas | No. 6 Auburn | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| 4 p.m. | Portland State | Oregon State | Pac-12 Network | Pac-12.com |
| 4 p.m. | UC Davis | No. 11 Stanford | Pac-12 Network | Pac-12.com |
| 4 p.m. | William & Mary | Virginia Tech | ESPNews | WatchESPN |
| 4 p.m. | Montana | Wyoming | ROOT Sports | |
| 5:30 p.m. | No. 16 Clemson | No. 12 Georgia | ESPN | WatchESPN |
| 6 p.m. | Elon | Duke | WatchESPN | |
| 6 p.m. | Morgan State | Eastern Michigan | WatchESPN | |
| 6 p.m. | Ohio | Kent State | WatchESPN | |
| 6 p.m. | Liberty | No. 23 North Carolina | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Montana State | Arkansas State | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Bethune-Cookman | FIU | American Sports Network | |
| 7 p.m. | Idaho | Florida | ESPN U | WatchESPN |
| 7 p.m. | Southern | Louisiana | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Austin Peay | Memphis | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Savannah State | Middle Tennessee | goblueraiders.com | |
| 7 p.m. | Louisiana Tech | No. 4 Oklahoma | FSN-OK (PPV) | |
| 7 p.m. | Northern Arizona | San Diego State | CBSSN | ulive.cbssports.com |
| 7 p.m. | Western Carolina | USF | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Samford | TCU | FSN | Fox Sports GO |
| 7 p.m. | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Texas State | WatchESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Central Arkansas | Texas Tech | FSN | Fox Sports GO |
| 7 p.m. | New Hampshire | Toledo | WatchESPN | |
| 7:10 p.m. | Stephen F. Austin | No. 20 Kansas State | K-StateHD.TV | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Southern Miss | Mississippi State | SEC Network | WatchESPN |
| 7:30 p.m. | Fresno State | No. 15 USC | FOX | Fox Sports GO |
| 8 p.m. | NC Central | East Carolina | ESPNews | WatchESPN |
| 8 p.m. (Arlington, TX) | Oklahoma State | No. 1 Florida State | ABC | WatchESPN |
| 8 p.m. | UTEP | New Mexico | Mountain West Network | |
| 8 p.m. | North Texas | Texas | Longhorn Network | WatchESPN |
| 9 p.m. (Houston, TX) | No. 14 Wisconsin | No. 13 LSU | ESPN | WatchESPN |
| 10:30 p.m. | No. 25 Washington | Hawaii | CBSSN | ulive.cbssports.com |
| 10:30 p.m. | South Dakota | No. 3 Oregon | Pac-12 Network | Pac-12.com |
Early shift
Best option: No. 5 Ohio State at Navy
Odds: OSU -13.5
Read: Land-Grant Holy Land (OSU), Underdog Dynasty
What was already an intriguing game has turned into a must-see. Ohio State loses Braxton Miller for the year and must rely on redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett against a tough Navy squad that won nine games. The Buckeyes will be physically dominant, but if they don't play with gap integrity in the front seven, the Midshipmen option attack will punish.
Plan B: Penn State vs. UCF at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
This game may or may not happen in Ireland, on account of the impending Bardarbunga volcano eruption in Iceland, which could disrupt air travel. Bardarbunga. That's fun to say. Having the game in Ireland made a lot more sense when an O'Brien was coaching PSU, but UCF still has an O'Leary at the helm.
Keep it in mind: No. 7 UCLA at Virginia
Virginia's something of a fun vacuum -- you can watch, but you'll be wondering what else is on by the second quarter -- so if Brett Hundley's not on the field, it's okay if you're not paying attention. But hoo buddy, Hundley is fun to watch.
In case of emergency: Indiana State at Indiana
Last year's matchup of these bitter in-state rivals[citation needed] featured 108 points. This game won't be good, but it'll be ridiculous.
Middle shift
Best option: No. 16 Clemson at No. 12 Georgia
Odds: Georgia -7.5
Read: Shakin' The Southland (Clemson), Dawg Sports (Georgia)
Clemson vs. Georgia
There'll be some outstanding talent on display, and it's quite possible that Georgia RB Todd Gurley and Clemson DE Vic Beasley will be the offensive and defensive players of the year. Get psyched -- if both teams play up to the challenge it should be the game of the weekend.
Plan B: West Virginia vs. Alabama at Georgia Dome
The West Virginia defense has been woeful, ceding 33 points a game last year. And it's not as if the Mountaineers have been facing Alabama every week. This could get brutal in a hurry. Then again, Alabama is replacing a lot of talent, not to mention breaking in Lane Kiffin as offensive coordinator, so maybe this stays close? Maybe?
Keep it in mind: Arkansas at No. 6 Auburn
Bret Bielema guided Wisconsin to three straight Big Ten titles. That happened very, very recently! Just remember that as Auburn wins by roughly 90 points.
In case of emergency: California at Northwestern
There's no love lost when Cal and Northwestern lock horns! College football's most hilarious war of words continues, as Pat Fitzgerald has essentially guaranteed a win in this rematch from 2013, when the 'Cats set off the animosity with some, ahem, questionable injuries slowing down Cal.
Late shift
Best option: No. 14 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 LSU at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Odds: LSU -4.5
Read: Bucky's Fifth Quarter (Wisconsin), And The Valley Shook (LSU)
LSU vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen has fans on edge as he decides whether Tanner McEvoy or Joel Stave will start this season opener under center. And despite what his depth chart says, "both" is not an answer. However, against the ferocious LSU defense, it might not even matter if Wisconsin trots out Peyton Manning at QB. That's a bad plan, by the way. The NCAA would be furious.
Plan B: No. 1 Florida State vs. Oklahoma State
Don't look now, but Oklahoma State has turned into one of the better programs in the nation, averaging 10 wins a year over the last five seasons. The Cowboys reached sixth in the nation last year after blasting Baylor, a testament to the quality of ball in Stillwater under former human punchline Mike Gundy ("I'm a man," etc.).
Oh, and FSU is favored by 17.5 and is basically an NFL team. Good luck, Cowboys!
Keep it in mind: Fresno State at No. 15 USC
This is an oddly early kickoff at 7:30 ET, as one would expect these two to burn the midnight oil. Well, midnight-eastern-time oil, anyway. The point is, you think "Fresno State," you think "Weird Football." The Trojans look loaded, and Fresno's talent level isn't on par.
In case of emergency: South Dakota at No. 3 Oregon
You're a monster. Only a sick monster would tune in. And yet here you are.
Sunday
Best option: SMU at No. 10 Baylor, 7:30 p.m., FS1
Odds: Baylor -33
Read: Our Daily Bears (Baylor), Underdog Dynasty
A case can be made that June Jones and Art Briles are two of the top three or four football minds in the state of Texas. Plus, turning on a Baylor game is a decision that hardly needs justification; the points-happy Bears have become mandatory viewing.
Plan B: Utah State at Tennessee, 7 p.m., SEC Network
Electric Aggies QB Chuckie Keeton is back from a torn ACL and ready for action against the rapidly improving Volunteers. Tennessee's favored by less than a touchdown, and things could stay hairy late at Neyland.
Monday
Best option: Miami at Louisville, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Odds: Louisville -3
Read: State of the U (Miami), Card Chronicle (Louisville)
The Cardinals get a none-too-pleasant welcome to ACC ball by hosting Miami, a team that's dangerous but has been the subject of the "How aren't these guys better?" question for a decade. Please don't tell Miami LB Denzel Perryman we said that. The temptation is to think Louisville will struggle to replace Teddy Bridgewater, but if you're a gambler, don't count the Cards out -- Will Gardner has looked capable as Louisville's new signal-caller.