CONFERENCE TITLE IMPLICATIONS
Sam Houston @ Western Kentucky (7:00 EST on August 23rd): Each team finished 6-2 in CUSA last season and begins this year top 5 in the the conference preseason FPI rankings. The winner of this game will have an inside track at a conference championship game appearance.
A CHANCE AT A POWER OPPONENT
Stanford @ Hawai'i (7:30 EST on August 23rd): Hawai'i is favored at home. A big opportunity to snag some clout for the Mountain West with a P4 victory early in the season. Stanford had the #129 pass defense last season and Hawai'i returns 2 receivers that each had 600+ yards last season. This isn't just blind hope.
ECU @ NC State (7:00 EST on August 28th): The Pirates finished last season strong earning Blake Harrell the full time gig. That finish included a win over NC State in their bowl game. If they can pull it off again they could be in for a magical season.
Mississippi State @ Southern Miss (Noon EST on August 30th): A ripe opportunity for the Charles Huff era to start off with a bang. Getting the most vulnerable SEC team at home to start things off. Can he continue where he left off at Marshall?
Toledo @ Kentucky (12:45 EST on August 30th): The top team in the MAC is looking to make a statement against a SEC school whose coach is starting to feel the pressure. Toledo picked off 2 P4 opponents last year, Jason Candle is ready for this moment.
UTSA @ Texas A&M (7:00 EST on August 30th): The roadrunners are big underdogs, but may have have the best offense in the G5 this season. If they can put up points at Kyle Field they'll put the rest of the American on notice.
Cal @ Oregon State (10:30 EST on August 30th): The Beavers are favored by 2.5 at home against an old conference rival. A chance to make a statement that they shouldn't have been the ones left behind.
PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS
Boise State @ South Florida (5:30 EST on August 28th): The best of the Mountain West vs one of the best in the American. At the end of the season this will likely be a large data point looked at when deciding which conference gets a playoff bid.
Northwestern @ Tulane (Noon EST on August 30th): Tulane is looked at as a top contender for the G5 playoff spot, thats predicated on the assumption they can take care of business vs a P5 opponent to kick off the season.
Georgia Southern @ Fresno State (7:30 EST on August 30th): Fresno are 2 point favorites at home so this one is pretty even. According to FPI its the #3 Mountain West team vs the #4 Sun Belt team, so the result could be looked back at when deciding the G5 playoff bid.
