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The 2024 college football season is here. Sort of.
The season doesn’t officially start until Thursday, August 29, but we don’t have to wait until then to see the first real games of the season. Saturday’s schedule includes four games involving six FBS teams. Here’s a look at what’s coming up for the first unofficial weekend of the season.
(All times are Eastern.)
Noon, ESPN: No. 10 Florida State (-10.5) vs. Georgia Tech
The ACC opener will be played when the Seminoles and Yellow Jackets meet in Ireland. It’s the second consecutive season that Dublin has hosted the first game of the year, and that trend will continue next season when Kansas State and Iowa State cross the Atlantic.
This game is our first chance to see DJ Uiagalelei at Florida State. The former Clemson and Oregon State quarterback is playing his final season of college football in Tallahassee as the Seminoles look to make the College Football Playoff this season after being snubbed a year ago. Georgia Tech is a good test for Uiagalelei and Florida State’s revamped offense. In addition to quarterback Jordan Travis, the Seminoles need to replace running back Trey Benson and wide receivers Keon Coleman and Johnny Wilson.
Georgia Tech isn’t going to surprise anyone this season after improving from 3-9 in 2021 to 5-7 in 2022 and 7-6 a season ago under coach Brent Key. The Yellow Jackets bring back QB Haynes King after he threw for over 2,800 yards and rushed for over 700 with 37 total touchdowns a season ago. RB Jamal Haynes is also back after rushing for over six yards per carry last year. GT brings back its top two tacklers on defense but needs to replace the majority of its 2023 pass rush.
4:00 pm, Fox Sports 1: Montana State (-11.5) at New Mexico
Could we see our first FCS over FBS win of the season in Week 0? Montana State begins the season ranked No. 4 in the FCS preseason poll behind South Dakota State, North Dakota State and Montana. Quarterback Tommy Mellott is back and leading a dynamic rushing attack. Mellott averaged 8.1 yards per carry in nine games in 2023 while splitting time with former Wyoming quarterback Sean Chambers. Defensive end Brody Grebe is also back after having 9.5 sacks in 2023.
New Mexico is entering its first season of the Broncos Mendenhall era. The former BYU and Virginia coach is back in college football and looking to lead New Mexico to its first bowl game since the 2016 season.
That bowl game may be a year or two away, as the spread above shows. New Mexico has a lot to replace from last season’s 4-8 team and the schedule isn’t very favorable. After hosting Montana State, the Lobos visit Arizona and Auburn before Fresno State and New Mexico State close out the month of September.
8 p.m., CBS Sports Network: SMU (-24.5) at Nevada
The Mustangs will play their first game as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference as they head to a Nevada team that is also embarking on a rebuilding project.
Don’t be surprised if SMU is a contender in its first season in the ACC. Outside of back-to-back games against Florida State and Louisville, the Mustangs’ conference schedule is very manageable. Quarterback Preston Stone was one of the most productive passers in the country last season and could have a field day against the Wolf Pack. Leading rusher Jaylan Knighton is also back along with the team’s top seven receivers from 2023. Nevada is a nice opening game for an offensive line that only returns two starters.
Jeff Choate was hired by Nevada after two straight seasons with a 2-10 record. This is a team that has had a lot of turnover since Jay Norvell left for Colorado State after the 2021 season. After averaging over six yards per play in 2020 and 2021, Nevada has averaged just 4.5 yards per play over the past two seasons. It may take Choate a while to turn things around.
Midnight, Spectrum Hawaii PPV: Delaware State in Hawaii (-38.5)
Unless you live in Hawaii, you might have to search the internet a lot to watch this game. But we won’t blame you if you’re looking to watch football instead of get a good night’s sleep.
The Hornets should be an easy win for the Rainbow Warriors. Delaware State, which is at the FCS level, went 1-10 last season and lost by a combined score of 95-6 in its two losses against FBS opponents. Add to that this week’s travel issues and the situation could get out of hand quickly.
Hawaii has bowl hopes in former QB Timmy Chang’s third season as head coach. QB Brayden Schaeger threw for over 3,500 yards last season and needs to cut down on interceptions in 2024. The wide receiver position is very, very deep and the offense should be one of the best units in the Mountain West if Hawaii can get the running game going. The Warriors rushed for just 76 yards per game last year.
Delaware State was added to the schedule at the last minute to replace a canceled game against Oregon, so Hawaii will need to win seven games in 2024 to make a bowl with FCS opponent Northern Iowa also on the schedule. If you don’t get a chance to see Hawaii on Saturday night, you’ll have a good chance to see the Warriors in Week 1 on CBS against UCLA.
