Week one is finally here! And there are many solid games on the slate for the Group of 5 teams. Will there be upsets? Most likely there will be a few. Here some games to watch out for this week with the Group of 5.
Friday, August 31
Syracuse at Western Michigan, 6 p.m. ET, CBSSN
Anytime an ACC school plays at a MAC school, you know it will be a goodie. At least we can hope. The Orange are a 5 point favorite, but this could be an upset by the Broncos at home.
Colorado State vs. Colorado, 9:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN
Though Colorado State lost its home opener to Hawai’i, the Rams will play Colorado in Denver for what could be a great game. There’s no better way to get over a disappointing loss than to beat your rival. Buffs are 7 point favorites.
Saturday, Sept. 1
Florida Atlantic at No. 7 Oklahoma, Noon ET, FOX
We’re gonna find out right away if FAU is any good. Of course winning in Norman would be an amazing feat, just keeping it close would be a major boost to the Owls’ resume. OU is favored by three TDs.
Northern Illinois at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN
NIU has the reputation of beating Power 5 teams and it’ll get a shot right out of the gate. The Huskies are coming off an 8-5 season with a disappointing bowl loss to Duke. But remember, NIU beat Nebraska last year in Lincoln. Iowa is a 10-point favorite.
Washington State at Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN
Washington State had a solid season last year, falling flat, however, in the Holiday Bowl. The Cougars will head to Laramie to play Wyoming, a team that allowed less than 150 total yards last week at New Mexico State. WAZZU is a 3 point favorite.
No. 22 Boise State at Troy, 5 p.m. ET, ESPNews
Boise State will head to the South to battle a very good Troy team. The Broncos won last year in Boise, 24-13. Expect a similar type of game even though Boise State is a 10.5 point favorite.
BYU at Arizona, 10:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
This is an interesting matchup as BYU had its worst season in decades, while Kevin Sumlin takes over a program with a Heisman Trophy candidate in Khalil Tate. Arizona is an 11-point favorite.
Other games of note: Navy at Hawai’i (11 p.m. ET, CBSSN); Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt (7:30 p.m. ET, SECN); Indiana at FIU (7 p.m. ET, CBSN)
Photo: Florida Atlantic will need a huge game from Devin Singletary if the Owls want to keep it close on Saturday against Oklahoma. (Courtesy FAU athletics)
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