Even with FSU having played in Week 0 -- and even with SMU coach Rhett Lashlee opining that the Seminoles should be favorites by at least a touchdown -- let's side with the Mustangs. The 'Noles were unimpressive in a 17-point win, outgaining New Mexico State by a mere 100 yards. SMU welcomes back most of its offensive production. QB Kevin Jennings has accumulated 20 wins with the 'Stangs, including a demolishing of FSU two years ago, and should be in the early Heisman Trophy picture. The O-Line is loaded with NFL prospects. Until the 'Noles reverse their ATS trend -- 2-8 in the last 10 games -- they can't be trusted.

One definition of insanity might be backing a team with no -- as in zero -- defensive starters retuning. However, Washington State loaded up with veteran transfers, so the D's outlook is far from bleak. Further, this is a hefty spread for a rivalty game. In fact, the Cougars have pulled upsets in two of the past three treks to Seattle. Forced to replace NFL rookies Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman, both big gainers last season, Washington might struggle to score enough points for a cover. As well, the Huskies' O-line lacks their usual experience. Taking about two-dozen points seems quite sane.

It's an undesirable late show for Central Michigan. Toe meets leather in the Land of Enchantment at 10:10 p.m. (ET), when the Chippewas could be stifling yawns. The Lobos went 7-0 outright at home last season and were 6-0 on the money line as favorites. Projected QB starter Jack Layne was ruled out for the season this week, but there is a silver lining. New Mex coach Jason Eck has mastered operating a two-QB system, which seems likely to be on display here. The Chips evidently are shifting from a run-first to a more pass-minded offense, which could require time for the transition.

While Arkansas State practiced and chilled, Memphis not only got a head start with a Week 0 outing but tripped up UNLV in Vegas. Momentum carried into the home opener will be ratcheted up as the Tigers play in a fully renovated stadium after dealing with construction the past few seasons. Ark State must figure out how to repel a defense that racked up a half-dozen sacks and five more tackles for loss last week. The Red Wolves work in an unfamiliar QB while keeping fingers crossed that the defense is improved over its predecessor that ranked 112th in FBS.

Go figure. Colorado State is a money line fave despite coming off a two-win season and initiating a new coach. Jim Mora worked wonders at UConn, but still. The Rams’ defense ranked a woeful 113th in FBS offense last year, which was actually better than the more dreadful offense at 124th. Wyoming was barely superior, going 4-8 SU, but was much the best in a 28-0 blowout of the Rams. The Cowboys appear more set at QB with William & Mary transfer Tyler Hughes. Mora is keeping his choice under wraps. A C-State outright win would be its first in an opener since 2017.

Oregon State downed just one FBS foe a year ago and must break in a new QB. While Braden Atkinson shined at Mercer, he must take the leap from FCS. Seasoned Houston QB Conner Weigman figures to slice and dice O-State’s vulnerable secondary. The Beavers nearly knocked off Houston in 2025, bowing in overtime, so the Cougars should not take their undermanned guests lightly. Complicating the challenge, the Beavs must rise and shine early for a 9 a.m. (PT) kickoff in the Lone Star state.

When critics were not harping on USC's sparse attendance in its opener, they were ripping the 16-point margin against San Jose State. The gap is misleading. Trojans starters built a 35-3 lead through three quarters, then gave way to second- and third-stringers who yielded 23 points. Fresno is a cut above San Jose, so look for the regulars to log more snaps. New Bulldogs QB Jayden Mandai has launched just 17 career passes, and his supporting cast is shaky. Fresno hangs its hat on defense, but the unit will be stressed. The Trojans own the better Jayden at QB; J. Maiava was 25 of 29 in the debut. USC escaped it with no significant injuries, while Fresno is disadvantaged by not having played.

Mizzou has won its last two openers by 50-plus points. There are reasons to believe the Tigers might not three-peat with a half-century margin. Pine-Bluff has logged a game -- an easy win over a fellow small college foe. Missouri welcomed back just three starters on defense. Prolific RB Ahmad Hardy is still recovering from an offseason gunshot wound. The Tigers could call off the dogs early with border rival Kansas on next week's schedule.

Tennessee has sought out points in the preseason, with 10 scores registered. Only two have involved touchdowns, but PK Joey Slye is on fire, having nailed eight field goals. Titans coach Robert Saleh likes to win in the summer, perhaps because Ws were hard to come by in the regular season with the Jets. He has gone 12-3 SU and 11-2-2 ATS. Chicago is coming off an 18-point blowout defeat. As the final road team on the NFL exhibition schedule, the Bears might be inclined to get this over with ASAP and head home to prep for the regular season.

North Dakota State has done well in recent games versus FBS foes, going 6-2 SU with narrow defeats to Colorado and Arizona. Still, it's a big step up from the FCS level. Jacksonville State made the leap and has shined, having reached a bowl in all three seasons with two wins. The Gamecocks also claimed a CUSA title. No doubt the Bison crowd will be ignited for this landmark game, but laying a TD against an established FBS member seems a bit much.

Virginia did finish atop the ACC standings last season, but it was accomplished with a bit of smoke and mirrors. Three of its 11 wins came in overtime. What's more, the Cavaliers are rebuilding at key positions. QB Chandler Morris has departed, along with the top two rushers and three of the main receivers. N.C. State edged the Cavs last season behind QB C.J. Bailey, who is back for more. The Wolfpack can move the chains with their ground game against a defense that was so-so against the rush. The 'Pack closed out last season on a 3-1 SU run, and the momentum should carry over.

Denver's defense has yielded 20 points overall and under 200 yards per outing in the preseason. Minnesota has nearly matched the Broncos, allowing 23 points. The Vikings have scrounged out a measly 16 points. Even with the Broncos ringing up regular-season-type offensive numbers in their pair of games, the overall stats point to a modest score. Though a few semi-reputable QBs will take snaps, this has been the summer of rookies and lesser-knowns equaling -- if not bettering -- the bigger names.

Jesse Minter to John Harbaugh: I see your brilliant preseason record and raise you. Harbaugh went 47-17 SU and ATS with the Ravens. His new replacement, Jesse Minter, is not only 2-0 in both categories, but his team has outscored opponents 37-10. The only scores allowed were a field goal at the end of the first half and a fourth-quarter touchdown. QBs Tyler Huntley and Joe Fagnano have connected on three-fourths of their passes combined while battling for the backup role to Lamar Jackson. Commodores coach Dan Quinn seems less concerned about exhibition wins. His career record is 8-21 SU and 8-20-1 ATS.

Rams coach Sean McVay has gone against trends by winning outright in L.A.'s first two exhibition games. He would really be going against the grain with a straight-up victory here. Since the pandemic wiped out the summer games in 2020, the Rams have not only failed to win their preseason finale SU but have not scored beyond the teens. One loss was a shutout. McVay customarily deploys few players targeted for a roster spot in the preseason finale and might send out undrafted and unused free agent QB Matthew Caldwell for snaps. The Chargers are coming off a lopsided defeat, and coach Jim Harbaugh should take this more seriously than his counterpart.

“Preseason” Sean McVay should never be mistaken for “regular season” McVay. The accomplished L.A. coach is 11-16 SU in exhibitions, a stark contrast to his 92-57 ledger in games that count. He even hands off play-calling duties to assistants in the summer. While QB Stetson Bennett has done well in recent exhibitions, he remains without a regular season snap, an indication of his worth. He will share time here with rookie Ty Simpson. Kansas City counters with veteran Justin Fields. Though the Chiefs have not won outright in the preseason since 2024, coach Andy Reid stands 21-22 SU overall in K.C.