WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 28
Saint Francis Red Flash (0-0) vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
The ULM Warhawks finished 2024 at 5–7 under head coach Bryant Vincent, opening 5–1 before a five-game skid derailed their campaign. Offensively, ULM averaged 21.0 points per game, leaning on a balanced attack that produced roughly 170 rushing and 135 passing yards each outing. Senior QB Aidan Armenta returns after accounting for over 1,200 yards last year, while the ground game loses star back Ahmad Hardy to Missouri but retains an experienced offensive line and incoming portal backs.
The Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash went 4–7 in 2024, posting just 17.6 points per contest, but boasted one of FCS’s stingiest defenses. They ranked second nationally in fewest first downs allowed and third against the run (just 83 yards per game), anchored by a front seven that created chaotic looks. QB Nick Whitfield Jr. led an inconsistent offense, while RB DeMarcus McElroy and WR Gavin Thomson provided big-play potential on the perimeter.
Tactical Breakdown
Saint Francis aims to force three-and-outs with aggressive disguises, but ULM must neutralize the Red Flash’s front-seven pressure to establish its run/pass balance.
Players to Watch
ULM Warhawks
Aidan Armenta (QB): Dual-threat leader who threw for 1,200+ yards and adds legs to chew clock.
Offensive Line: Veteran unit that must control the trenches if ULM is to avoid a one-dimensional attack.
Saint Francis Red Flash
Nick Whitfield Jr. (QB): Improviser whose play-making keeps SF in games, but turnover risk is high.
DeMarcus McElroy (RB): Physical runner tasked with sustaining drives against a stout Warhawks front.
Game Odds
Ball State Cardinals 45.5
Purdue Boilermakers – 23.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Friday, August 29
Appalachian State Mountaineers (0-0) vs. Charlotte 49ers (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: ESPNU
Team Overviews & Trends
Appalachian State enters Week 1 looking to rebound from a 5–6 finish in 2024. The Mountaineers averaged 26.6 points per game (76th nationally) while allowing 32.9 (115th), and went 4–6 against the spread last season. Charlotte also missed postseason play at 5–7. The 49ers put up 23.7 PPG (100th) offensively and surrendered 35.1 (123rd) on defense, covering five of 12 games versus the number in 2024.
Players to Watch
Appalachian State Mountaineers
QB Joey Aguilar: Threw for 3,002 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2024, leading ASU’s balanced attack.
RB Ahmani Marshall: Rushed for 713 yards and 7 TDs, providing down-hill grit between the tackles.
Charlotte 49ers
QB Deshawn Purdie: Passed for 1,802 yards and 10 TDs last season, his arm pivotal in late-game comebacks.
RB Hahsaun Wilson: Led Charlotte with 559 rushing yards and 7 scores, a reliable north-south runner.
Game Odds
Appalachian State Mountaineers – 5.5
Charlotte 49ers 49.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Saturday, August 30
Mississippi State Bulldogs (0-0) vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
Broadcast: ESPN
Team Overviews & Trends
Mississippi State enters Week 1 off a 2–10 finish in 2024, ranking 85th in the FBS with 25.8 points per game while allowing 34.1 (118th) defensively. The Bulldogs went 7–5–0 against the spread last season and covered both times they were 13.5-point favorites.
Southern Miss posted a 1–11 record a year ago, averaging just 15.3 points per game (132nd) and conceding 37.8 (128th). The Golden Eagles went 4–8–0 ATS and failed to win any of their seven games as double-digit underdogs.
Tactical Breakdown
Offensive Schemes
Mississippi State: Air-raid under second-year coach Jeff Lebby, emphasizing quick tempo and intermediate throws
Southern Miss: Pro-style balanced with a new-look staff blending zone reads and play-action
Defensive Schemes
Mississippi State: 4–2–5 nickel fronts focused on creating pressure and limiting big plays
Southern Miss: 4–3 base with gap-control principles and rotation-heavy fronts
Key Matchup
Mississippi State’s pass rush vs. Southern Miss’s revamped offensive line
X-Factor
Turnover margin—Bulldogs forced 18 takeaways in 2024 versus just 10 for the Golden Eagles
Players to Watch
Mississippi State Bulldogs
RB Davon Booth: Led the backfield with 759 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2024
WR Kevin Coleman Jr.: Hauled in 932 receiving yards and six scores, the top downfield threat
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Returning quarterback: Fifth-year signal-caller tasked with stabilizing an offense that struggled last season
Defensive captain: Veteran linebacker who paced the team in tackles and will anchor new front-seven packages
Game Odds
Mississippi State Bulldogs – 13.5
Southern Mississippi Eagles 61.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Old Dominion Monarchs (0-0) vs. Indiana Hoosiers (0-0)
Game Details
Kickoff: 2:30 PM ET
Stadium: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
TV: Fox Sports 1
Team Form & Trends
Indiana closed 2024 at 11–2, earning a College Football Playoff berth before a first-round exit. The Hoosiers led the nation with 41.3 points per game (2nd) and ranked sixth in scoring defense, allowing just 15.6. Old Dominion went 5–7 last year, failed to qualify for a bowl, and averaged 28.0 points per contest (69th) while surrendering 28.0 (87th).
Key Matchups
Indiana’s high-octane offense vs. ODU’s bend-but-don’t-break defense
ODU pass rush vs. Indiana’s rebuilt offensive line
Special-teams field position swings: Monarchs’ return game vs. Hoosiers’ coverage units
Players to Watch
Indiana Hoosiers
QB Kurtis Rourke: Completed 69.4% of passes for 3,042 yds, 29 TDs and added 2 rushing scores in 2024
RB Justice Ellison: Rushed for 848 yds and 10 TDs, also contributed as a receiver out of the backfield
Old Dominion Monarchs
QB Colton Joseph: Threw for 1,623 yds, 11 TDs and ran for 647 yds with 11 scores in 2024
RB Aaron Young: Powered the ground game with 887 rushing yds and 8 TDs on 172 carries
Game Odds
Old Dominion Monarchs 54.5
Indiana Hooisers – 23.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Marshall Thundering Herd (0-0) vs. #5 Georgia Bulldogs (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
Broadcast: ESPN
Team Overviews & Trends
Georgia enters Week 1 as a national title contender after an 11–3 finish in 2024, capped by a Sugar Bowl semifinal appearance. The Bulldogs averaged 31.5 points per game (38th nationally) while allowing just 20.6 (23rd) on defense last season.
Marshall rebounded to a 10–3 record in 2024 but narrowly missed postseason play. The Thundering Herd posted 31.8 PPG (37th) on offense and surrendered 23.1 (42nd) on defense, demonstrating big-play upside under new coach Tony Gibson.
Players to Watch
Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia): Expected to build on a promising spring and showcase downfield touch early at Sanford Stadium.
Zacariah Branch (WR, Georgia): New explosive target poised to stretch the field in Archie Manning’s absence.
Braylon Braxton (QB, Marshall): The returning signal-caller led the Herd with 1,624 passing yards, 19 TDs and added 610 rushing yards with four scores in 2024.
Christian Fitzpatrick (WR, Marshall): Entering his junior season after tallying 576 receiving yards and six touchdowns, he’ll challenge Georgia’s secondary.
Game Odds
Marshall Thundering Herd 53.5
Georgia Bulldogs – 38.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (0-0) vs. Virginia Cavaliers (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Location: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
Broadcast: ACC Network
Team Overviews & Trends
Virginia finished 2024 at 5–7, missing a bowl for the fifth straight year. The Cavaliers averaged 22.7 points per game (107th nationally) while surrendering 28.8 (93rd) on defense. Virginia went 6–4–2 against the spread last season and covered in its lone game as at least a 12-point favorite (1–0 ATS).
Coastal Carolina closed 2024 at 6–7 with a Myrtle Beach Bowl loss, putting up 28.7 points per game (61st nationally) while allowing 31.6 (108th). The Chanticleers went 5–8–0 ATS and failed to cover as double-digit underdogs last season (0–1 ATS when +12 or more).
Players to Watch
Virginia Cavaliers
Anthony Colandrea (QB): Threw for 2,125 yards, 13 TDs and 11 INTs while adding 277 rush yards and two scores on the ground in 2024.
Malachi Fields (WR): Hauled in 55 catches for 808 yards and five touchdowns, proving a reliable downfield target.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
MJ Morris (QB): Maryland transfer expected to push the Chanticleers’ tempo attack and reduce pressure on the running game.
Game Odds
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 58.5
Virginia Cavaliers – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Weber State Wildcats (0-0) vs. James Madison Dukes (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field, Harrisonburg, VA
TV: ESPN2
Team Overviews & Trends
James Madison rebounded to a 9–4 record in 2024, going 4–4 in Sun Belt play and capping the year with a 27–17 Boca Raton Bowl victory over Western Kentucky under second-year head coach Bob Chesney.
Weber State struggled last season, finishing 4–8 overall and 3–5 in Big Sky Conference action under veteran coach Mickey Mental, with their offense and defense both searching for consistency heading into non-conference play.
Tactical Breakdown
Offensive Scheme
James Madison: Balanced Sun Belt attack mixing zone runs with intermediate and vertical passing concepts.
Weber State: Up-tempo spread focusing on quick reads and rhythm passing.
Defensive Scheme
James Madison: Multiple fronts, often rotating linebackers into 4–2–5 nickel looks to limit chunk plays.
Weber State: Bend-but-don’t-break 4–2–5 nickel designed to force opponents into long drives.
Key Matchup
Dukes’ front seven vs. Wildcats’ offensive line will determine early down success.
X-Factor
Special teams execution and turnover margin could swing field position in a one-sided game.
Players to Watch
James Madison Dukes
JMU’s returning quarterback, who led the offense to over 30 points per game in Sun Belt action.
The Dukes’ veteran front-five that paved the way for a top-20 rushing attack in 2024.
Weber State Wildcats
The Wildcats’ signal-caller tasked with maintaining tempo and avoiding big defensive plays.
MSU’s lead pass-rusher, whose ability to pressure the quarterback provides their best chance at disruption.
Game Odds
Weber State Wildcats 54.5
James Madison Dukes – 26.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks (0-0) vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, AR
TV: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
Southeast Missouri State finished 2024 with a nine-win season under Tom Matukewicz but must replace 4,000-yard passer Paxton DeLaurent. Returning playmakers include RB Payton Brown and WRs Cam Pedro and Donnie Cheers, though the Redhawks’ new QB will face a steep learning curve in Year 1. Defensively, SEMO ranked among the FCS leaders in run defense thanks to McCoy Casey, Nasim Cairo and Jeremy Walton anchoring the front seven.
Arkansas State broke its postseason drought in 2024 under Butch Jones, winning eight games behind veteran QB Jaylen Raynor (5,300 yards, 33 TDs). The Red Wolves return 1,000-yard WR Corey Rucker and efficient RB Ja’Quez Cross (5.6 YPC), supported by one of the Sun Belt’s top OL units. New defensive coordinator Griff McCarley must integrate several transfers but will lean on returning tackler-leader Bryan Whitehead to stabilize the front seven.
Players to Watch
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Payton Brown (RB): Led SEMO with 1,100 rushing yards and 12 TDs in 2024, a workhorse in Matukewicz’s scheme.
Darius Simpson (LB): Returning second-team All-OVC selection, key to clogging lanes against A-State’s run game.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Jaylen Raynor (QB): Three-year starter with 5,300 pass yards and 33 TDs under his belt, his decision-making will dictate tempo.
Corey Rucker (WR): The 1,000-yard receiver stretches the field and creates matchup nightmares for SEMO’s secondary.
Game Odds
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks 57.5
Arkansas State Red Wolves – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Morgan State Bears (0-0) vs. South Alabama Jaguars (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 4:00 PM CDT
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
South Alabama broke even last season and enters 2025 coming off a 30–23 victory over Western Michigan in the Veterans Bowl. Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 2,559 yards with 18 touchdowns against five interceptions, while running backs Fluff Bothwell and Kentrel Bullock each surpassed 830 rushing yards. Wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett led the passing attack with 1,127 receiving yards, and the Jaguars have averaged 30.0 points per game over the past year, including 31.4 PPG in their last five outings.
Morgan State closed 2024 with a 35–21 win over Howard, fueled by quarterback Kobe Muasau (19-of-24, two TDs) and a balanced ground game featuring Jason Collins Jr. (620 rush yards) and Myles Miree (466 rush yards). Over the season, Duce Taylor added 833 passing yards with no interceptions, and Andre Crawley paced the receiving corps with 528 yards. The Bears averaged 24.3 points per contest in 2024 and bring a stingy FCS defense into Week 1 action.
Players to Watch
Gio Lopez (QB, South Alabama): A 2,500-yard passer whose accuracy and decision-making fuel the Jaguars’ tempo-driven attack.
Jamaal Pritchett (WR, South Alabama): Averaged over 80 yards receiving per game, the primary deep-ball threat in new coordinator schemes.
Kobe Muasau (QB, Morgan State): Poised and efficient after a 70% completion rate in last season’s finale, he’ll test South Alabama’s secondary.
Jason Collins Jr. (RB, Morgan State): Workhorse back tasked with controlling the clock and keeping the passing game off the field.
Game Odds
Morgan State Bears 51.5
South Alabama Jaguars – 28.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Nicholls Colonels (0-0) vs. Troy Trojans (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
Nicholls enters Week 1 off a 4–8 finish in 2024, ranking eighth in the Southland Conference. The Colonels averaged just 22.7 points per game last season and struggled to sustain drives, going 1–6 on the road before opening 2025 with a 20–6 win over Incarnate Word. Deuce Hogan led that victory, completing 21-of-36 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, while Nicholls forced four turnovers to one from UIW.
Troy rebounded from a 0–7 start in 2024 to win three of its final four games, finishing 4–8 (3–5 SBC). The Trojans averaged 26.0 PPG (82nd nationally) but allowed 28.4 PPG (92nd). Under head coach Jon Sumrall, Troy looks to build momentum at home, leaning on veteran QB Matthew Caldwell and a balanced run game to control tempo.
Players to Watch
Nicholls Colonels
Deuce Hogan (QB): Engineering a balanced attack, Hogan completed 58% of his passes for 221 yards and a score in last week’s opener.
Karaaz Johnson (WR): Deep-threat specialist who hauled in two catches for 58 yards and a touchdown vs. Incarnate Word.
Troy Trojans
Matthew Caldwell (QB): Threw for 1,608 yards, 13 TDs and 8 INTs in 2024, demonstrating poise in late-game comebacks.
Damien Taylor (RB): Rushed for 1,010 yards and provides downhill push to set up play-action.
Devonte Ross (WR): Torched defenses for 1,043 receiving yards and 7 TDs, the primary vertical threat for Caldwell.
Game Odds
Nicholls Colonels 48.5
Troy Trojans – 20.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Georgia State Panthers (0-0) vs. #21 Mississippi Rebels (0-0)
Game Details
Kickoff: 7:45 PM ET
Venue: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
Network: SEC Network
Team Overviews & Trends
Georgia State enters Week 1 after a 3–9 finish in 2024, averaging 23.8 points per game (98th nationally) and allowing 33.8 (117th) on defense. The Panthers went 3–8–1 against the spread and failed to cover as underdogs of more than three touchdowns last season.
Ole Miss closed 2024 at 10–3 with a Gator Bowl victory. Under Lane Kiffin, the Rebels ranked third in the nation in scoring at 38.6 PPG and second in scoring defense at 14.4 PPG allowed. Ole Miss posted an 8–5–0 ATS mark and covered all three games as a 35-point-or-greater favorite.
Tactical Breakdown
Georgia State must sustain drives and flip field position against one of college football’s most explosive offenses. Ole Miss will look to establish its pass rush and lean on play-action to attack the Panthers’ secondary.
Players to Watch
Georgia State Panthers
QB Christian Veilleux: Transfer signal-caller with dual-threat upside; must protect the football and orchestrate surprise chunks.
CB Tae Hayes Jr.: Senior ballhawk tasked with limiting Ole Miss’s deep passing concepts.
Ole Miss Rebels
QB Austin Simmons: Redshirt sophomore debuting as the starter; inherits a rifle offense built for downfield shots.
LB T.J. Lee III: Defensive co-captain and blitz-package architect; key in collapsing pockets and creating takeaways.
Game Odds
Georgia State Panthers 61.5
Mississippi Rebels – 34.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Rice Owls (0-0) vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Location: Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, Lafayette, LA
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
Rice enters Week 1 off a 4–8 finish in 2024, averaging 22.2 points per game (112th nationally) while allowing 25.4 (70th). The Owls failed to reach a bowl and went 6–6 against the spread, covering both times as double-digit underdogs last season.
Louisiana closed 2024 at 10–4 with a New Mexico Bowl loss, posting 30.9 PPG on offense (43rd) and surrendering 24.1 PPG (56th) defensively. The Ragin’ Cajuns went 7–6 ATS and were a perfect 3–0 when favored by at least 11.5 points.
Tactical Breakdown
Rice will look to shorten drives with its pro-style ground game, but Louisiana’s front seven must control the line and funnel plays to their bend-but-don’t-break secondary. The Cajuns aim to exploit matchups deep, while the Owls’ defense must generate three-and-outs to stay in this one.
Players to Watch
Rice Owls
QB Dean Connors: A dual-threat playmaker who led the Owls in rushing and passing last season, capable of improvising on scrambles.
WR E.J. Smith: Rice’s top downfield threat, averaging over 50 receiving yards per game and stretching defenses vertically.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
QB Ben Wooldridge: Returned starter who averaged 182 rushing yards and 16.5 rushing yards per game in 2024, adding a dynamic element to the spread.
WR Lance LeGendre: Tall boundary target who hauled in 826 yards and six touchdowns last year, anchoring the Cajuns’ vertical attack.
Game Odds
Rice Owls 47.5
La-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Eastern Michigan Eagles (0-0) vs. Texas State Bobcats (0-0)
Game Details
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: UFCU Stadium, San Marcos, TX
Broadcast: ESPN+
Team Overviews & Trends
Eastern Michigan closed 2024 at 5–7, missing out on the postseason. The Eagles averaged 25.9 points per game (83rd in FBS) while surrendering 27.9 (86th) and went 7–5–0 against the spread.
Texas State finished 2024 with an 8–5 record and a First Responder Bowl win. The Bobcats ranked seventh nationally in scoring at 36.5 PPG and allowed 24.5 (60th). They went 6–6–0 ATS and posted a 3–1 moneyline mark as double-digit favorites last season.
Players to Watch
Eastern Michigan Eagles
QB Duce Taylor: Led EMU with efficient ball-handling, posting 833 passing yards with zero interceptions in 2024.
RB De’Mon Moore: Highlighted by explosive runs, Moore’s ability to rip off chunk yardage will test Texas State’s edge containment.
Texas State Bobcats
QB Jordan McCloud: Threw for 3,222 yards, 30 TDs and added 278 rushing yards with seven scores en route to a First Responder Bowl title.
WR Jaden Williams: McCloud’s primary downfield target, logging 807 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Game Odds
Eastern Michigan Eagles 58.5
Texas State Bobcats – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
Georgia Southern Eagles (0-0) vs. Fresno State Bulldogs (0-0)
Game Details
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Location: Valley Children’s Stadium, Fresno, CA
Broadcast: FS1
Team Overviews & Trends
Georgia Southern Eagles
Georgia Southern enters Week 1 off an 8–5 finish capped by a New Orleans Bowl loss. The Eagles averaged 28.0 points per game (69th nationally) while allowing 27.6 per contest (85th). They went 8–5–0 ATS last season and covered two of six games as at least 1.5-point favorites.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State opened its season with a 31–7 defeat at Kansas, as QB E.J. Warner went 18-for-29 for 179 yards and two interceptions. The Bulldogs ranked 81st in scoring at 26.1 PPG and covered seven of 12 games ATS last year, including two of five as underdogs by 1.5 points or more.
Game Odds
Georgia Southern Eagles – 1.5
Fresno State Bulldogs 51.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, August 29, 2025
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
KICKOFF CONTESTS
ULM will officially open the Sun Belt football season for the second-straight year when it hosts Saint Francis at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, on ESPN+. The contest is 1-of-5 Sun Belt season-opener against FCS opposition in 2025. James Madison will host Weber State at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN+; Arkansas State will welcome Southeast Missouri State to Jonesboro at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN+; South Alabama will take on Morgan State at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN+; and Troy will host Nicholls at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN. The Sun Belt is 41-0 against FCS opposition since expanding to 14 football-playing members in 2022.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
App State will take on in-state foe Charlotte in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 29—a game that will be nationally televised on ESPNU. The Mountaineers are 3-0 all-time against the 49ers and are 1-0 all-time inside Bank of America Stadium, home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. App State defeated East Carolina, 33-19, in a Duke’s Mayo Classic game to open the 2021 season. Since joining the FBS—and the Sun Belt—in 2014, App State ranks 11th among all programs and second among nonautonomy teams—trailing only Boise State (106 wins)—with 100 victories. As they kick off the Dowell Loggains era, the Mountaineers will look to rebound from their first since sub-.500 season since 2013.
AT HOME IN HATTIESBURG
Southern Miss will open the Charles Huff era by welcoming in-state autonomy conference foe Mississippi State to Hattiesburg for the first time since 2015 and the third time since 1978. The nationally-televised game will kick off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN. The all-time series sits nearly even, with the Bulldogs owning a slight 16-14-1 advantage. The Golden Eagles have not defeated Mississippi State since 1988, but are 8-5 in 13 all-time meetings outside of Starkville, including a 2-3 mark on their home turf.
AGAINST AUTONOMY
The Sun Belt, which owns a non-autonomy leading 11 wins over autonomy conference foes since 2022, will have five opportunities against autonomy conference opposition in Week 1. In addition to Southern Miss’ home date with Mississippi State, the conference’s kickoff slate features four autonomy conference road clashes, including three against nationally-ranked opponents. Old Dominion will visit No. 20/19 Indiana at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on FS1; Marshall will travel to No. 5/4 Georgia at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN; Coastal Carolina will take on Virginia at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ACC Network; and Georgia State will visit No. 21/15 Ole Miss at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on SEC Network.
OPEN LATE Louisiana will officially open Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium when it hosts Rice at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN+. The Ragin’ Cajuns will unveil the results of the 19-month, $65 million project that represents the most significant upgrade to the facility since it opened in 1971. Texas State will also open its 2025 season at home at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, on ESPN+ against Eastern Michigan. Georgia Southern will round out the Sun Belt’s opening weekend with an 8:30 p.m. kickoff at Fresno State on FS1, the program’s first-ever game in the state of California.
