A Look Ahead to Week 0
By Tucker Harlin
It’s been seven long months and the wait for college football is finally over!
Week 0 may not feature the most exciting slate of games, but for the hard core fans, it’s the appetizer in the four course meal that is the college football season.
At the FBS level, Week 0 features four standalone college football games.
Here’s a look at all four matchups.
#10 FLORIDA STATE vs GEORGIA TECH (Ireland)- NOON ET on ESPN
The Ireland game, per usual, is the most attractive looking option on the Week 0 charcuterie board.
The defending ACC champion Seminoles last faced Georgia Tech in 2022, emerging with a 41-16 beatdown in Tallahassee.
Florida State is favored by two scores over the Yellowjackets, but I can envision a closer game than that.
For one, the Seminoles over half of their starters on both sides of the ball.
Secondly, Georgia Tech’s offense returns eight major pieces from last year’s squad.
The Haynes King redemption tour has been overwhelmingly positive, Jamal Haynes is one of several returning thousand-yard rushers across the ACC, top receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton return, and center Weston Franklin received an honorable mention for All-America status in 2023.
I generally hate it when programs decide to remove a coach’s interim tag, but I think it’ll work with Brent Key. As long as he keeps the Yellowjackets bowl eligible in his tenure, Key is safe.
Florida State is definitely the more talented team, but don’t sleep on the fight Georgia Tech could bring.
MONTANA STATE @ NEW MEXICO- 4 ET on FS1
If you enjoy FCS over FBS upsets, I’d recommend checking this one out.
Montana State has figured in as an FCS playoff contender the last four seasons whereas the only two bowls New Mexico has played in the last 15 years have been at its home stadium.
The offense, particularly up front, is a serious weak point for the Lobos heading into the 2024 season.
The most exciting part of this New Mexico team to most college football fans is Bronco Mendenhall’s return to head coaching after a three year hiatus. Mendenhall posted a 135-81 record in stops at BYU and Virginia.
But it’s safe to assume Mendenhall will have his work cut out in his first year in Albuquerque.
The Bobcats are currently favored by two scores over the Lobos.
SMU @ NEVADA- 8 ET on CBSSN
This one may be worth tuning in for about a quarter or two, but you’d be foolish to expect a tight game between SMU and Nevada.
2024 is SMU’s first season in the ACC and the Mustangs are already projecting as a top five team in the conference.
Rhett Lashlee’s squad barely lost anything at the offensive skill positions in the offseason. The depth on that side of the ball was what helped the Mustangs win an AAC championship last season.
Nevada currently sits in the bottom of the Mountain West’s preseason media poll, and for good reason.
Jay Norvell’s departure at the end of the 2021 season brought the usual mass exodus via the transfer portal, so Ken Wilson had little to work with after taking the job.
Wilson went 4-20 in two seasons, prompting a coaching change in favor of Jeff Choate. Choate was 28-22 in five seasons at Montana State.
The Mustangs are four score favorites over the Wolf Pack.
DELAWARE STATE @ HAWAII- MIDNIGHT ET
If you’re on the east coast and decide to stay up and watch this one, then there’s a seat in the Sickos Committee with your name on it.
Not only are Hawaii and Delaware State kicking off at midnight, but the game isn’t scheduled to air on network television.
Timmy Chang’s run and shoot offense returns much of its production from last season, and the defense is also returning seven starters.
That said, the Rainbow Warriors are still projecting as the ninth best team in the Mountain West in 2024.
On the other side, Delaware State is coming off a pretty miserable 1-10 season in the FCS ranks. A good reason the Hornets are 40-point dogs.
If you are staying up into the wee hours of the morning to watch this one on the illegal streaming site of your choice, then I salute you.
I’ll probably be asleep.
