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The college football season is kicking off in full swing this Saturday (September 5) with defending national champion Indiana starting their title defense against North Texas. Indiana, ranked number six, will play at home, eager to showcase their talent after a historic 16-0 championship season. The Hoosiers have brought in Josh Hoover, a top passer from TCU, to fill the shoes of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Indiana's success in the transfer portal, ranked eighth by 247Sports, promises a strong lineup.
In other notable games, top-ranked Ohio State will host Ball State, while number two Oregon faces Boise State. Oregon, a College Football Playoff contender, returns 11 starters and will play their first game with Boise State as a new Pac-12 member. Meanwhile, third-ranked Georgia welcomes Tennessee State, and number four Texas meets Texas State in Austin.
Saturday night features number eight Texas A&M against Missouri State, with the Aggies aiming for a strong start after last season's College Football Playoff appearance. LSU, under new head coach Lane Kiffin, will face Clemson in a primetime matchup. LSU is ranked 11th, while Clemson enters the season unranked for the first time since 2011.
Sunday's schedule includes three games involving ranked teams. The Apple Cup sees number 17 Washington against Washington State in Seattle. Tenth-ranked Ole Miss hosts Louisville in Nashville, and number five Notre Dame takes on Wisconsin at Green Bay's Lambeau Field.
For fans and bettors, the opening weekend offers a plethora of games and betting opportunities. According to CBS Sports, Oregon is favored by 24.5 points against Boise State, and LSU is favored by 10.5 points against Clemson. With online sports betting legal in many states, fans have numerous options to engage with the games.