Our Pick: Iowa vs. Rutgers

We see another Iowa win. Hawkeyes seeking to open 2-0 for sixth straight season.

IOWA 3️⃣5️⃣
Rutgers 1️⃣6️⃣

GameDay: Iowa (1-0) vs. Rutgers from Kinnick Stadium

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team are set to play in their first Big Ten game of the seaso, as they face one another for the first time at Kinnick Stadium Iowa on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon 11 a.m. local kickoff.

It will be the fourth time in five years the Scarlet Knights begin league competition on the road. It will be the third straight Big Ten home opener, after years of typically opening on the road in the Kirk Ferentz era.
 
Watch live on Fox Sports 1 with Justin Kutcher (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst) and Shane Vereen (analyst) in the booth.

Chris Carlin (play-by-play), Ray Lucas (analyst) and Anthony Fucilli (sideline) are set to deliver the action on the Rutgers Sports Network (WCTC 1450-AM, WOR 710-AM, WENJ 97.3-FM, WNJE 920-AM, XM 382). The WRSU 88.7-FM student radio broadcast will have Jake Ostrove and Justin Sontupe on the call.

On the Hawkeye Sports Network it will Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak on the call.
 
This game marks a homecoming for head coach Chris Ash, who is from Ottumwa, Iowa. In addition, defensive line coach Corey Brown was a member of the Hawkeyes football team from 1995-99 and wide receivers coach Lester Erb spent 13 seasons on the Iowa staff.
 
Jay Niemann. Jay Niemann was named assistant defensive line coach and defensive recruiting coordinator in May, 2019. Niemann joined the Hawkeye coaching staff after serving as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Rutgers University for three seasons (2016-18).

Saturday will be Rutgers' first trip to Kinnick Stadium. There are two other Big Ten venues the team has not played at: Northwestern (scheduled 2021) and Purdue (2020).
 
The 2019 season marks the 150^th anniversary of the first college football game, which took place between Rutgers and Princeton on Nov. 6, 1869. The historic contest took place on a plot of ground where the present-day Rutgers gymnasium now stands in New Brunswick. RU won that first game, 6-4.

Iowa won the only other meeting between the programs in 2016 in Piscataway. Rutgers had more total offense, 383-355, but the Hawkeyes posted a go-ahead touchdown with 8:35 left in the game to win, 14-7. RU scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chris Laviano to Andre Patton to cap a 13-play drive. Robert Martin contributed 106 rushing yards on the day. Damon Hayes, Tyreek Maddox-Williams and Kamaal Seymour are the only Scarlet Knights on the current roster that played in that game.

RUTGERS SCOUTING IOWA

The Hawkeyes, ranked 20^th in the preseason AP poll and 19^th in the coaches' poll, notched a 38-14 home win over Miami (Ohio) to start the season. The offense picked up 465 yards (252 passing, 213 rushing). Senior quarterback Nate Stanley threw three touchdown passes, completing passes to 10 different receivers. Mekhi Sargent led the ground game with 91 rushing yards. Defensively, Iowa permitted 11 first downs and 245 yards, with Michael Ojemudia collecting an interception.
 
Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured head football coach in the nation, now in his 21^st season at Iowa.

SCOUTING RUTGERS

The Scarlet Knights seek to start 2-0 for the first time since 2014 after posting a 48-21 season-opening win over Massachusetts Friday at SHI Stadium. Over the last three quarters, the offense scored 41 points and the defense allowed zero.
 
Sophomore Isaih Pacheco posted four rushing touchdowns, the most in the nation, to become one of nine players in program history to achieve the feat in a game. He finished with 156 rushing yards with an average of 7.8 per carry for his third career game topping the century mark.
 
Fifth-year senior McLane Carter passed for 340 yards, the most in a starting debut for a Rutgers quarterback since 1997 and first 300-yard game since 2015. Junior Bo Melton had a career-high 127 receiving yards with his first touchdown, while classmate Raheem Blackshear also caught a score as one of his nine receptions for 126 yards.
 
Overall, Rutgers is currently ranked third nationally with only two tackles-for-loss allowed, 17^th with 15.82 yards per completion, 18^th with 48 points, 19^th with 554 yards of total offense, and 19th with 348 passing yards. The eight plays gaining at least 20 yards were the most since having nine at Indiana in 2015.
 
The defense was led by junior Tyshon Fogg registering a game-high 11 tackles in his first collegiate start. Both junior Tre Avery and sophomore Avery Young brought down their first career interception in the victory, as junior Elorm Lumor assisted on a pair of sacks.
 
Junior Justin Davidovicz converted both field goals attempts to improve to 11-for-13 in his career, including 8-for-8 inside 40 yards.

Game Day: #24 Iowa vs. #31 Iowa State for the CyHawk Trophy

Check out @HawkeyeFootball’s Tweet:
https://twitter.com/HawkeyeFootball/status/1038411955881627649?s=09

Iowa City, IA --- The 66th meeting of the CyHawk Game kicks off at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as a sell out crowd is expected to watch the #24 Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) vs. the #31 Iowa State Cyclones (0-0) with a 4 PM start on FOX. The series resumed back in 1977, after it was dark for over four decades.

Both teams finished off 8-5 last season, though Iowa pulled off a 44-41 OT victory over Iowa State in Ames. The Hawkeyes lead the series 43-22. The Hawkeyes are going for their fourth straight win.

Kirk Ferentz is in his 20th season leading the Hawkeyes. As a head coach, he has never won four straight, though he was on hand, as OL coach, during the Hayden Fry era, when the Hawkeyes ran off 15 straight over the Cyclones. He is 10-9 in the series, as a head coach, 17-11 at Iowa.

Twenty years ago, as a 28 point underdog, the Cyclones pulled out a 27-9 win, under coach Dan McCarney, ending the 15 game win streak, in Fry's final season in Iowa City.

In 2002, the Cyclones were a 3 point underdog, but pulled out a monster 36-31 win, again in Iowa City over the Hawkeyes.  The Hawkeyes dropped the game after a series of miscues and turnovers, despite an early 24-7 lead.

Last year, the Hawkeyes took an early 14-0 lead, only to fall behind by two possessions, but grinded their way back to force overtime in Ames. The Hawkeyes finished the game with a walk off TD from QB Nate Stanley to WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

For Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, he is entering his third season at the helm, leading the Cyclones.  His first visit to Iowa City in 2016, the Cyclones lost big, 42-3 against the #16 Hawkeyes. So, as head coach, Campbell is 0-2 searching his first win in the series.

Back in 1977, when the series resumed in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes pulled out the upset win 12-10 to kickoff the renewed series, as the late Bob Commings for Iowa and late Earle Bruce for ISU lead the programs.

The 2018 game should be a competitive match up between two young programs coming off bowl wins and entering with positive expectations for the new season. Mutual respect is the tone from both head coaches and opposing players.

Confidence appears to be present on both sides. So, how should the breakdowns fall between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones

Week 2: Saturday Game Day

Saturday, September 8th

Arizona at Houston 11:00 am ABC or ESPN2

Duke at Northwestern 11:00 am ESPNU /

Eastern Michigan at Purdue 11:00 am BTN

Georgia Tech at South Florida 11:00 am  ABC or ESPN2

Liberty at Army 11:00 am CBSSN

Mississippi State at Kansas State 11:00 am ESPN

Nevada at Vanderbilt 11:00 am SEC Network

New Mexico at Wisconsin 11:00 am BTN 

Western Michigan at Michigan 11:00 am FS1

Georgia State at North Carolina State 11:30 am ESPN Extra / ACC RSN 

UCLA at Oklahoma 12:00 pm FOX

Portland State at Oregon 1:00 pm PAC-12 Network

Arkansas State at Alabama 2:30 pm ESPN2

Ball State at Notre Dame 2:30 pm NBC

Buffalo at Temple 2:30 pm ESPN Extra

Colorado at Nebraska 2:30 pm ABC

Georgia at South Carolina 2:30 pm CBS

Memphis at Navy 2:30 pm CBSSN

North Carolina at East Carolina 2:30 pm ESPNU

Rutgers at Ohio State 2:30 pm BTN 

ETSU at Tennessee 3:00 pm SEC Network

Lamar at Texas Tech 3:00 pm FSN

Southern Illinois at Ole Miss 3:00 pm SEC

Iowa State at Iowa 4:00 pm FOX
Prediction in CyHawk Game: Hawkeyes 24, Cyclones 20, in a competitive game that may turn out, like 2002 ....

North Dakota at Washington 4:00 pm PAC-12 Network 

Youngstown State at West Virginia 5:00 pm ATTPI / Video

Clemson at Texas A&M 6:00 pm ESPN

Louisiana Monroe at Southern Miss 6:00 pm ESPN Extra

Southeastern Louisiana at LSU 6:00 pm ESPN2

Texas Southern at Texas State 6:00 pm ESPN Extra

Wyoming at Missouri 6:00 pm ESPNU

Samford at Florida State 6:20 pm ESPN Extra / ACC Network 

Alabama State at Auburn 6:30 pm SEC Network alternate 

Arkansas at Colorado State 6:30 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video

Florida International at Old Dominion 6:30 pmbeIN / Video

Fresno State at Minnesota 6:30 pm FS1 

Kentucky at Florida 6:30 pm SEC Network 

Utah at Northern Illinois 6:30 pm ESPN News 

Virginia at Indiana 6:30 pm BTN 

Western Illinois at Illinois 6:30 pm BTN 

Cincinnati vs. Miami-OH 7:00 pm ESPN Extra 

Nicholls at Tulane 7:00 pm ESPN Extra

Penn State at Pittsburgh 7:00 pm ABC 

South Alabama at Oklahoma State 7:00 pm FSN 

Southern Utah at Oregon State 7:00 pm PAC-12 Network 

Tulsa at Texas 7:00 pm LHN 

USC at Stanford 7:30 pm FOX 

UTEP at UNLV 8:00 pm ATTRM / ATTSW 

California at BYU 9:15 pm ESPN2 

UConn at Boise State 9:15 pm ESPNU 

Michigan State at Arizona State 9:45 pm ESPN 

San Jose State at Washington State 10:00 pm PAC-12 Network 

Air Force at Florida Atlantic 1:00 pm Facebook Video

Appalachian State at Charlotte 5:00 pm $espn+ Video

Baylor at UTSA 6:00 pm Facebook Video

Florida A&M at Troy 6:00 pm $espn+ Video

Eastern Kentucky at Marshall 5:30 pm $espn+ Video

Holy Cross at Boston College 12:00 pm ACC Video

Howard at Kent State 2:30 pm $espn+ Video

Incarnate Word at North Texas 6:30 pm $espn+ Video

Indiana State at Louisville 6:00 pm ACC Video

Kansas at Central Michigan 2:00 pm $espn+ Video

Maine at Western Kentucky 6:30 pm $espn+ Video

Maryland at Bowling Green 5:00 pm $espn+ Video

Morgan State at Akron 2:30 pm $espn+ Video

New Mexico State at Utah State 7:00 pm Facebook Video 

Rice at Hawaii 11:00 pm Stadium App / Spectrum PPV (HI cable)

Sacramento State at San Diego State 8:00 pm

Savannah State at Miami-FL 5:00 pm ACC Video

South Carolina State at UCF 5:00 pm espn3 Video

Southern at Louisiana Tech 6:00 pm $espn+ Video

Towson at Wake Forest 11:00 am ACC Video

UAB at Coastal Carolina 6:00 pm $espn+ Video 

UMass at Georgia Southern 5:00 pm $espn+ Video

UT Martin at Middle Tennessee 6:00 pm $espn+ Video

Wagner at Syracuse 2:30 pm ACC Video

William & Mary at Virginia Tech 1:00 pm ACC Video

Week 2 kicks off Friday night with one Top 25 on the Field

Friday, September 7th

#16 TCU at SMU
7:00 pm
ESPN2 

Horned Frogs look to get to 2-0 ahead of Week 3 showdown with #6 Ohio State in Arlington.

Week 2 will spotlight B1G match ups around the Big Ten

Check out @IowaOnBTN’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/IowaOnBTN/status/1037785764581584896?s=09

Game Day: Prime Time Game at Kinnick, as Iowa Hawkeyes host the Iowa State Cyclones for the Cy-Hawk Game!

Can Iowa carry the trophy off for the second straight game?
The series has favored by ISU in 3 of the last five games, including past two
in Iowa City, as Cy-Hawk Game kicks off today at 6:30 p.m.

Iowa City, IA -- In 1977, the Hawkeye State welcomed the return of the Cy-Hawk Game, as the Iowa Hawkeyes outlasted the Iowa State Cyclones 12-10 at Kinnick Stadium. Today's game is the 40th meeting, since the series resumed, as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones kickoff at 6:30 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium, as the Big Ten Network will the Cy-Hawk Game.

This is the 18th game for Kirk Ferentz, as head coach for Iowa, leading the
Hawkeyes in the Cy-Hawk Game. AD Gary Barta extended Ferentz through
the 2026 season this week, but the Cyclones have been a thorn for Ferentz.

There has been dominance by Iowa in the Cy-Hawk Series, with a 15 game win streak from 1983 to 1997. Iowa State has owned both three and five game win streak winning streaks, since the series resumed. In the past 17 games, since Kirk Ferentz was hired as Iowa's head coach in 1999, Iowa State leads the series 9 to 8. Iowa (1-0) comes into today's match at #10 nationally, while ISU (0-1) is unranked ...

Iowa State (0-1) against #10 Iowa (1-0), in this Big 12 vs. Big Ten match up!

The Hawkeyes haven't carried the trophy off the field at Kinnick Stadium, since Iowa's 35-7 win in 2010. Iowa State has won two straight at Kinnick, including a 9-6 game in 2012, where there was little offense.

Iowa carried the trophy off last year, but the Hawkeyes haven't in Iowa City,
since 2010, so there is a desire to keep it here for another year.

Iowa hosted the first four games in the renewal, with a 2-2 record.

It would be easy to pick an Iowa B1G win, since Iowa State factors to be in rebuilding mode in 2016, with a young offensive line and concerns in the line back corp. It is also Year 1 of the Matt Campbell era, who replaced Paul Rhoads after a 3-9 season.

The renewal of the series was tied 1-1, when Hayden Fry arrived in Iowa City.
Fry won his first Cy-Hawk Game in 1979, in Iowa City, 30-14. The Hawkeyes
would love to pull off another win in the series, as they lead 39-19 overall.
Fry's first win at Iowa was against Iowa State, back in 1979.

But, in rivalry games, the Cyclones have won in this series, with teams not succeeding in the W-L column before. Look back at 1982 or 1998 against Hayden Fry teams, then 2007 or 2014 against Kirk Ferentz teams ... three of those four games came in Iowa City.

Since the series renewed in 1977, Iowa has won 25, lost 14. The Hawkeyes own a better percentage in Ames, but Iowa is 13-8 at Kinnick. Iowa is 39-19 overall in the series, so Iowa is going for its 40th win overall in the 40th renewal game, since 1977.

Does Kirk Ferentz get to .500 against Iowa State today in the Cy-Hawk Series?

In many ways, this play at Iowa State, may have set the tone for Iowa QB 16
C.J. Beathard and the 2015 Hawkeyes, as Beathard avoided a safety in
the first half, with Iowa's back against the wall.

At quarterback, Iowa returns senior C.J. Beathard, while ISU will turn to junior Joel Lanning, after he took over for Sam B. Richardson during the 2015 season. Iowa is coming off a 12-2 season, and Beathard is 14-2 as Iowa's starting quarterback, including the 31-17 win in Ames. Both Beathard and Lanning have shown success both in the passing game and using their feet. Beathard edges Lanning though  in experience and decision making.

Iowa QB 16 C.J. Beathard broke out of the end zone last year and lead the
Hawkeyes to a B1G win over Iowa State to put Iowa 2-0 on way to a record
12-0 regular season in 2015. The Hawkeyes are looking for a repeat in 2016 ...

In the loss against UNI last Saturday night, Iowa State had three costly turnovers against the Panthers, in the 25-20 loss. The last time ISU lost in the season opener (2013), the Cyclones followed up with a 27-21 loss in Ames, the following week.

Today's kickoff is 6:30 p.m., but the Cyclones spoiled the Hawkeyes back in 2002, with 36-31, as the lights turned on at Kinnick.

The Hawkeyes need to step up today at Kinnick. The Cyclones will be seeking its first win in the Matt Campbell era, while Kirk Ferentz looks to get to .500. He was 7-2 as an offensive line coach under Fry from 1981 to 1982. Iowa lost the first two, but found momentum, as they began the historic 15 game winning streak, which Ferentz was part of seven of those 15 years, as OL coach.

The offensive lines have some rework with both units today. Iowa State is going through an overhaul with five new starters. ISU opened fall camp, with the loss of junior Jake Campos, the only returning starter. After the 45-21 win last week over Miami-OH, the Hawkeyes will ask sophomore center Lucas LeGrand to make his first career start, as reports are coming out of Iowa City that sophomore center James Daniels is injured. So, who gets the most production today?

Both head coaches believe in strong play at the line of scrimmage. This will be a key to today's game, as will turnovers, special teams and explosive plays.

The old saying says, teams improve most between Game 1 and Game 2 of a season.

Iowa's defense will keep a close eye on ISU sophomore RB 2 Mike Warren today.

At running back, the Cyclones return a thousand yard back, in sophomore RB Mike Warren. The Hawkeyes are deep at RB, with senior LeShun Daniels, junior Akrum Wadley, who ran for 121 yards in the season opener; but don't forget true freshman Toks Akinribade and junior Derrick Mitchell. The Cyclones are younger at running back, then Iowa, with true freshman David Montgomery. The offensive line for ISU didn't get the running game going in the opener. Iowa will likely unveil a new center today, but the Hawkeyes will seek to be balanced, but you know, with the experience at running back, it will be an important part of the game for Iowa.

In 2014, Iowa State PK 1 Cole Netton last second FG lead the Cyclones to a
20-17 over Iowa in Iowa City.

Iowa needs to find separation typically against ISU. In 2014, the Cyclones hung around and pulled out a 20-17 win with a last second field goal by PK Cole Netten, who is now a senior. ISU has experience at placekicker and returns junior punter Colin Downing. Iowa has a true freshman at PK, as Keith Duncan debuted last Saturday, along with graduate transfer Ron Coluzzi, out of Central Michigan, who will handle the Hawkeyes' punting and kickoff duties today.

Special teams can be very important in rivalry games. A miscue, a block, an explosive return ... Iowa and Iowa State will look for an advantage there, as well.

Iowa State returns junior WR Allen Lazard, former UNI track runner, junior WR Trever Ryen, senior WR Dondre Daley and 6-6 redshirt WR Hakeem Butler, who all will need to be watched closely in Iowa back 7, who will face a bigger test today. Iowa gave up 410 yards of offense to Miami-OH last week. The Cyclones have a new TE and will look to get the passing game going today.  

The 4th quarter TD reception by Iowa WR 83 Riley McCarren changed the
game in the Hawkeyes favor last year.

The Hawkeyes return three key upperclassmen in the passing game, with seniors TE George Kittle, WRs Matt VandeBerg and Riley McCarren, who have all contributed in the Cy-Hawk Game previously. Sophomore WR Jerminic Smith will be making his debut in the series, as will hopefully WR Jay Scheel, who missed the season opener, due to injury. Sophomore walk on WR Ronald Nash is an in-state player making his first Cy-Hawk game, as well for Iowa. Explosive plays will be an important part of today's game.

Iowa State won back to back games in Iowa City, 9-6 in 2012, then 20-17,
in 2014. Iowa won last in Iowa City, back in 2010, 35-7, as senior QB Ricky
Stanzi lead Iowa to back to back wins over ISU. Iowa returns senior
QB C.J. Beathard, who lead the Hawkeyes to a 31-17 win in Ames, last year.

An important area to watch, will be the front seven of both teams. Though, there has been some talk about ISU's new 4-2-5 defense, you may see more 4-3 look, against Iowa? We shall see. Iowa is known for a 4-3 base, but the Hawkeyes will use six defensive backs and maybe a Raider/Radar package in the pass rush on passing downs.

ISU senior NG 97 Demond Tucker anchors the Cyclones line of scrimmage.

Who wins the line of scrimmage game, will likely determine heavily the outcome of today's game. ISU senior NG Demond Tucker is the anchor of the Cyclones front line, while Iowa is lead by senior DT Jaleel Johnson, junior DT Nathan Bazata, with senior DT Faith Ekakitite. Iowa will not be 100% on the edge, since sophomore DE Parker Hesse is slowed with a hamstring, but the Full Nelson debuted in the season opener with sophomore Matt Nelson and redshirt freshman Anthony Nelson, no relation, at the defensive end positions for the Hawkeyes. ISU true freshman LEO JaQuan Bailey recorded his first sack against UNI in his debut last week.

Iowa is strong at linebacker, lead by junior MLB Josey Jewell, while ISU is lean there. Jewell was disqualified last week, after the first series, due to a head to head penalty, so many are interested to see, if the Iowa defense plays better this week, with its captain back? Iowa juniors Ben Niemann and Bo Bower are at the OLB and WLB positions and have both experienced Cy-Hawk games, as well. They lead Iowa in the season opener in tackles. ISU sophomore WLB Reggan Northrup lead the Cyclones with 13 tackles, one sack, in the season opener against UNI. Senior MLB Kane Seeley had a sack against UNI, as well. Don't be surprised to see ISU bring the blitz against Iowa in disrupting either the run or the pass against the Hawkeyes today.

The strength of both defenses are the secondaries for both Iowa and Iowa State. Iowa returns and is lead by senior all-American CB Desmond King, along with senior CB Greg Mabin, junior SS Mike Taylor and the only new starter is sophomore FS Brandon Snyder, who played special teams last year. The Cyclones feature junior LS Kamari Cotton-Moya and sophomore RC Brain Peavy, who lead ISU in tackles last year. Generally, who don't want your CB leading your team in tackles. Cotton-Moya is the only that leads the secondary.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is 0-1, after a 25-20 loss against UNI.

The chess match begins at 6:30 p.m. Iowa's offensive coordinator Greg Davis and defensive coordinator Phil Parker, both were elevated to those positions in 2012. They are 2-2 against Iowa State as coordinators. Parker has been Iowa's secondary coach, since 1999, with one year off, during his first season as a coordinator, so he knows the series well, 

It is Kirk Ferentz's 27th Cy-Hawk Game, while it is ISU coach Matt Campbell's first one. His offensive coordinator Tom Manning, is also an OL coach. While his defensive coordinator Jon Hancock, who also coaches safeties, both came with Campbell from Toledo.

Iowa State @ #10 Iowa, 6:30 p.m. from Kinnick Stadium

Keys to the Game:

1. Line of scrimmage
2. Explosive Plays
3. Turnovers and miscues
4. Running Game
5. In game, adjustments 

While this looks like a game Iowa could be a blowout, it is a rivalry game and look at Iowa's recent track record ...

OUR PICK ...

• #10 Iowa 30
• Iowa State 28

We see Iowa winning, but we see the Cyclones taking this one down the wire, maybe after an early lead by Iowa. In 2002, Iowa won the first half, but ISU came back, upset Iowa ...

Game Day Saturday: Week 2 of the 2016 College Football season brings us the Cy-Hawk Game in Iowa City

Saturday, September 10th 

• Boston College at UMass 11:00 am on NESN / SNY / (CSNC / CSBA) / espn3 / ASN  - the Eagles lost a close ACC opener in Dublin on Saturday, as they travel to meet the Minutemen carrying a 19-2 record, since 1966 against them ... upset alert?
• Central Michigan at Oklahoma State 11:00 am on FS1 - the game was semi-close in Michigan last year, in the season opener, but the Cowboys should take down the Chippewas at home ...
• Cincinnati at Purdue 11:00 am on BTN - the Boilermakers are 1-0, now turning to the FBS side of the 2016 schedule, against the Bearcats out of the AAC ... this game was an ugly loss for Darrell Hazel in his Purdue debut, so can the Boilermakers get some payback in '16?
• Howard at Rutgers 11:00 am on BTN - two 0-1 teams after the Bison got shot down at Maryland, so the Scarlet Knights can expect a nice rebound after the opening week loss @ Washington!
• Indiana State at Minnesota 11:00 am on ESPN News - the Golden Gophers took out the Oregon State Beavers in Week 1, so Sycamores are today's red meat in Week 2 ... 
• Lamar at Houston 11:00 am on CSNC+ / espn3 / ASN - the Cougars open on home field after taking care of business against OU in NRG Stadium in season opener, as the Cardinals are 0-6 against FBS ...
• Nicholls State at Georgia 11:00 am on SECN - the Bulldogs kickoff coach Kirby Smart's home opener with the FCS Colonels, who went down 95-0 last year against two FBS opponents ...
• North Carolina State at East Carolina 11:00 am on ESPNU - the Pirates took down the Wolfpack in 2010, in the last visit to ECU, so coach Dave Doeren needs to pull this one out ... 
• Penn State at Pittsburgh 11:00 am on ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - haven't played each other, since 2000, so the Nittany Lions-Panthers renewal should be one of the better match ups in Week 2 ... Go Panthers!
• Prairie View at Texas A&M 11:00 am on SECN alternate - the Aggies are 10-0 in this series and the Panthers just missed the FCS playoffs last season ...
• Rice at Army 11:00 am on CBSSN / CBSSN - the Black Knights won in Week 1 @ Temple, so Army needs pick it up at home, with a 1-4-1 record against the Owls in the past ...
• UCF at Michigan 11:00 am on ABC / espn3 - the Scott Frost era began, after a 0-12 season in 2015 for the Knights, but a road trip to Ann Arbor isn't likely to be pretty, as they kickoff the FBS slate in 2016 ...
• Wyoming at Nebraska 11:00 am on ESPN2 - the Cornhuskers are 7-0 in this series, though the 2013 season opener went down to the wire, so 2nd year Mike Riley team is expected to simply take care of business in this one!
• Charleston Southern at Florida State 11:30 am on ESPN Extra/ FSN Affiliates- with 14 players suspended for the Buccaneers, this will be an ugly and early one in Tallahassee for the Seminoles ...
• Troy at Clemson 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC Network - the Trojans in 2011 lead at the half against the Tigers in previous meeting, only to lose 43-19 in the season opener ...
• Utah State at USC 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - the Aggies in 2013 lost a close one 17-14 in coach Matt Wells first season, so the Trojans need to take care of business, after a 52-6 disaster against Bama in Arlington to kickoff 2016 ...
• Youngstown State at West Virginia 1:00 pm on RSPI - Bo Pelini lost last year in his debut season with the Penguins @ Pitt, so fitting the Panthers' old rivals, the Mountaineers, are his next FBS showdown, where coach Dan Holgorsen is 6-0 against FCS foes ...
• Ohio U at Kansas 1:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - the Bobcats are coming off a 0-1 start, as former Huskers coach Frank Solich heads back to Lawrence against his old Big 12 foe, the Jayhawks, who opened with an FCS win over RI ...
• Akron at Wisconsin 2:30 pm on BTN - the Badgers got off to a great start with a win in Lambeau over LSU, so Wisconsin now looks to get to 3-0 in the series against the Zips ...
• Eastern Washington at North Dakota State 2:30 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 / NBC ND (cable) 
• Illinois State at Northwestern 2:30 pm on BTN - last year the Redbirds opened with Hawkeyes in a 31-14 loss, so how will the Wildcats rebound coming off the opening game 22-21 loss vs. Western Michigan?
• Kentucky at Florida 2:30 pm on CBS - the Wildcats fell late in season opener against Southern Miss, while the Gators took care of business against UMass, as Stoops' Wildcats head to Gainsville for the SEC East opener ...  
• Nevada at Notre Dame 2:30 pm on NBC - the Wolf Pack won a 30-27 game over Cal Poly, as the Fighting Irish fell down in Austin in OT, so this one could get ugly quick, as Notre Dame readies for a rivalry game in Week 3 ...
• North Dakota at Bowling Green 2:30 pm on ALT / NESN Plus / espn3 / ASN (cable) - wow, what did the Falcons do at Ohio State last week? The Fighting Hawks won @ Wyoming last year ... 
• Old Dominion at Appalachian State 2:30 pm on CSMA+ / CSBA / espn3 / ASN  - C-USA vs. Sun Belt showdown as Monarchs turn to FBS slate, while Mountaineers are coming off OT loss @ Tennessee ... can't afford a letdown game with Miami-FL next weekend!
• SMU at Baylor 2:30 pm on FS1 - it is the sixth meeting in this rivalry, since the SWC days!
• UConn at Navy 2:30 pm on CBSSN - time to kickoff AAC play in this inter-division match up, that went 28-16 for the Midshipment last year ... the Huskies are 1-7 in this season, so tough game today for Bob Diaco's team!
• Tulsa at Ohio State 2:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Golden Hurricane and Buckeyes have never meet, but road games at Power 5 opponents haven't been good for Tulsa ...
• Wake Forest at Duke 2:30 pm on ESPNU - after closing ACC play the past two seasons, the Demon Deacons and Blue Devils open conference play in this inter-division showdown ...
• Western Kentucky at #1 Alabama 2:30 pm ESPN2 - coach Jeff Brohm is entering Year 3 and the Hilltoppers finished #24 and 12-2 last seaosn, including a bowl win over USF, but the Crimson Tide won 35-0 in 2012 ...
• Ball State at Indiana 3:00 pm on ESPN News - IU is coming off a bowl season and a road win to open 2016, so doesn't want to take lightly a meeting against a little brother in-state school out of the MAC, as the Cardinals arrive in Bloomington ...
• Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt 3:00 pm on SECN alternate - the Blue Raiders seek to be the next C-USA programs working to earn a win on the road in the SEC? Won last time @ Vandy!
• Wofford at Ole Miss 3:00 pm on SECN - the Rebels rebound against the Terriers, but huge SEC opener at home in Week 3 against #1 ...
• Idaho at Washington 4:00 pm PAC-12 Network - the Huskies may be the dark horse in some peoples minds to win the Pac 12, but they may be the favorite, as Chris Petersen leads in Year 3 in Seattle ...
• Montana at Northern Iowa 4:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 / PSN (cable) - the Panthers beat ISU 25-20 in Ames, as the Grizzles come to town, as UNI seeks a strong September start in '16 ...
• Idaho State at Colorado 4:30 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 - the Buffalos took care of business in the Colorado rivalry in Denver, now the home opener in Boulder against the Bengals ...
• Morgan State at Marshall 5:00 pm on beIN Sports / beIN Video / Facebook Video - We are ... hosts the Bears to kickoff the 2016 season, as the Thundering Herd didn't open in Week 1 ...
• Arkansas at TCU 6:00 pm ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - time for Being Bret Bielema to pull off a solid September Power 5 road win!
• Louisiana Monroe at Oklahoma 6:00 pm on PPV -
• Northern Illinois at South Florida 6:00 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• South Carolina at Mississippi State 6:00 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• UTEP at Texas 6:00 pm LHN / WatchESPN 
• Arkansas State at Auburn 6:30 pm SECN / WatchESPN 
• BYU at Utah 6:30 pm FOX / FSGo Video 
• Eastern Michigan at Missouri 6:30 pm SECN alternate / WatchESPN 
• Iowa State at Iowa 6:30 pm BTN - Kirk Ferentz was given a contract extension through 2026 this week, as he looks to even the Cy-Hawks series in his 18th season at .500, as the Cyclones have been one of his biggest thorns head to head, since 1999 ...
• Jacksonville State at LSU 6:30 pm ESPNU / WatchESPN 
• North Carolina at Illinois 6:30 pm BTN - the Lovie Smith era kicked off last week; opportunity knocks to pull off upset as Tar Heels come to town to take on Fighting Illini ...
• New Mexico at New Mexico State 7:00 pm on ESPN Extra / FSAZ+ / FSSW+ / FSPT / espn3 / AggieVision 
• Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech (Bristol) 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 
• UNLV at UCLA 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network
• Texas Tech at Arizona State 9:00 pm FS1 / FSGo Video 
• Washington State at Boise State 9:15 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• California at San Diego State 9:30 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• Virginia at Oregon 9:30 pm ESPN / WatchESPN -
• Grambling at Arizona 9:45 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 
• Bethune Cookman at North Texas 6:00 pm on $CUSA Video 
• Eastern Illinois at Miami-OH 2:30 pm espn3 
• Florida Atlantic at Miami-FL 5:00 pm WatchESPN 
• Georgia Southern at South Alabama 6:00 pm espn3 / ASN (affiliates) 
• Georgia State at Air Force 1:00 pm MWC Video
• Maine at Toledo 6:00 pm espn3 
• McNeese State at Louisiana Lafayette 6:00 pm espn3 
• Mercer at Georgia Tech 2:00 pm WatchESPN 
• NC Central at Western Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Broncos are coming off a B1G road opener, as they kickoff the home slate, as the Eagles come to Kalamazoo! 
• Portland State at San Jose State 3:30 pm -  
• Sacramento State at Fresno State on 9:00 pm -
• South Carolina State at Louisiana Tech 6:00 pm on $CUSA -
• Southern at Tulane 7:00 pm on espn3 - 
• Stony Brook at Temple 12:00 pm espn3 - the Owls fell at home against Army in the opening week, so the Seahawks get a bruised program coming off a strong season, but opening 2016 very different ...
• UT Martin at Hawaii' 11:00 pm on Oceanic PPV - the Warriors opened 0-2 playing in Australia and in Ann Arbor, so when a FCS comes to the island, you have to take care of business!
• UTSA at Colorado State 3:00 pm on MWC Video - the Rams won 33-31 last year on the road, so coming off rivalry game, they don't want to take this one lightly ...

Week 2: Friday Night College Football

Cedar Rapids, IA --Friday night, September 9th, the Big Ten for the second straight week heads to Miami for another game against Florida International (0-1).  This week it is the Maryland Terrapins (1-0). The other game tonight in the FBS division is an Atlantic division match up in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Another Big Ten team headed to Miami to take on FIU in September.

• Maryland at Florida International 6:30 pm CBSSN - first meeting between in this Big Ten vs. C-USA match up. 
• Louisville at Syracuse 7:00 pm ESPN2 - Bobby Petrino is his third season, since he returned to lead the Cardinals. The Orange welcomed Dino Barbers 

Was it an average affair in Ames? Iowa Hawkeyes 31, Iowa State Cyclones 17

Iowa senior WR 4 Tevaun Smith ties
the game at 10-10 in the 2nd quarter,
on ISU freshman 10 Brian Peavy.

Ames, IA -- Iowa and Iowa State both looked improved over last year's 20-17 win in Iowa City. Heading into the halfway point of the fourth quarter, it looked like another field goal could win this game for either team. However, Iowa scored two final touchdowns, to break a 17-17 tie late, to win the Cy-Hawk Game 31-17 in Ames on Saturday.

Iowa took an early three point lead early, as placekicker Marshall Koehn hit a field goal from 49 yards. The Hawkeyes showed an ability to get to Iowa State quarterback Sam B. Richardson early. Iowa's defense, slowed down in the second quarter, after Iowa's leading defensive lineman Drew Ott, left the game with a severe wrist injury. Iowa had to turn to redshirt freshman Parker Hesse at Ott's defensive end spot.

Iowa got early pressure on ISU's senior QB 12 Sam B.
Richardson in the first quarter, as senior Iowa WLB 36
Cole Fisher gets to the Cyclones signal caller. In second half,
Iowa's defense warmed up again and the Hawkeyes were
able to keep ISU off the scoreboard, outscoring them 21-0.

Saturday is the first of four trophy games on Iowa's 2015 schedule:

• Iowa State (Cy-Hawk)
• Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale)
• Wisconsin (Heartland)
• Nebraska (Heroes) 

Only Minnesota visits Iowa City, as three of Iowa's trophy games are on the road during the 2015 College Football season.

The visiting team has won the last four meetings in the Cy-Hawk Series. Today's score marked the first time in five years the game wasn't decided by one possession.
The Iowa defense allowed 66 yards on 31 plays in the second half after allowing 244 yards on 31 plays in the first half.

Iowa RB LeShun Daniels got his first
start in a Cy-Hawk Game, but left the
game early, due to ankle injury.

The Hawkeyes converted 5-of-7 third downs in the second half, and 2-of-7 third downs in the first half.

Iowa (2-0) defeated Iowa State (1-1), 31-17, Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa has won 3 of the last 4 games played in Ames.

Since 1981, the average score is Iowa 31, Iowa State 17, the point total in today's contest.

The Iowa Hawkeyes pull off two late scores to win second in a row
in Ames, in the Cy-Hawk Game. Two scores in final 3 minutes put 
Iowa on top for good, breaking a 17-17 tie. ISU lead at half 17-10,
after an early 3-3 tie after one quarter. It was a tight, close game.

Iowa outscored the Cyclones 21-0 in the second half and improves to 41-22 all-time against Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk Game.

Iowa regained possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy and leads the 2015 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 7-0, following wins in soccer, volleyball, and football.

INDIVIDUAL SUPERLATIVES
Junior QB C.J. Beathard improved to 3-0 in his career as a starter. He is 1-0 at home, and 2-0 on the road (Purdue, 2014; Iowa State, 2015). He was 15-of-25 for 215 yards passing and a career high three touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 77 yards. The 10 rushing attempts was a career high.

Senior RB Jordan Canzeri career a career-high 24 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. He scored from eight yards on Iowa's final scoring drive. It was his fourth career rushing touchdown and second this season. Canzeri had had over 100 all-purpose yards for the second straight week. He had 143 total yards against Iowa State (124 rushing and 19 receiving).

Junior WR Matt VandeBerg has scored a touchdown in three straight games. He caught touchdowns against Tennessee and Illinois State, and returned a fumble three yards today for a touchdown. VandeBerg played 22 career games before catching his first touchdown.

VandeBerg had career highs in receptions (9) and yards (114). His 47-yard reception in the fourth quarter was a career long.

Iowa junior WR 83 Riley McCarron's 25 yard TD reception,
gave the Hawkeyes the lead, breaking a 17-17 tie in Ames.

Junior WR Riley McCarron's first catch of the season was a 25-yard, eventual game-winning touchdown. It was his first career touchdown.

Senior TE Henry Krieger Coble had a career best 34 yards receiving.

Senior DE Drew Ott left the game with three minutes left in the first quarter and did not return.

Sophomore RB LeShun Daniels left the game in the second quarter and did not return. Daniels had 8 carries for 56 yards, with a long of 24 yards, before leaving the game early, due to an ankle injury.

Redshirt freshman TE Jameer Outsey made his first career start.

K Marshall Koehn has connected on five consecutive field goal attempts over the last five games. Koehn is 5-of-6 in his career on field goals 40-plus yards.

P Dillon Kidd punted five times for 237 yards. Kidd downed two punts inside the 20 and had two punts over 50 yards (55, 50, 49, 46, 37). He averaged 47.4 yards per punt.

Iowa QB C.J. Beathard provided offense both on the ground
and in the air, engineering the Hawkeye win, to go to 3-0,
as Hawkeye starting QB. He had 292 yards of total offense.

DB Desmond King returned a punt 37 yards (career long) to set up Iowa's go-ahead touchdown drive. On Iowa State's ensuring possession, King intercepted a pass (first this season, fourth of career) to set up another Hawkeye touchdown. King added five tackles on defense.

MISCELLANEOUS
Iowa State won the toss and deferred. Iowa received the opening kickoff. In 17 seasons as Iowa's head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff in 164-202 games (97-67). Iowa has started the game on defense in 38-of-202 games under Ferentz (20-18).

The Hawkeyes have played 58 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the longest streak of any school in the nation. Iowa has converted on 176 consecutive PATs during the streak.

Instant replay was used three times today:

• Iowa State incomplete pass (confirmed)
• Iowa State third-down conversion: Lazard (overruled)
• Iowa State third-down conversion: Lazard (confirmed)

UP NEXT FOR IOWA
The Hawkeyes host Pittsburgh (2-0) on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. Central Time at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City. The Hawkeyes defeated the Panthers on the road, as C.J. Beathard lead a second half comeback last season, in the  24-20 win over the Panthers.

Iowa's  running backs celebrate Cy-Hawk Trophy in the locker
room, with RB coach Chris White, after the win, in Ames.

UP NEXT FOR IOWA STATE
The Cyclones travel to Toledo (1-0), who upset #18 Arkansas 16-12 on the road, on Saturday. Iowa State won 37-30 over Toledo at Jack Trice Stadium, last season. The Rockets season opener was cancelled, due to a thunderstorm.

After Iowa tied the game at 10-10 on a Beathard to T. Smith
reception for 6; Iowa State responded with a strike from
Richardson to sophomore WR Jauan Wesley to take a 17-10
lead. The Cyclones were not able to score in the 2nd half.

Cy-Hawk Saturday, as Week 2 Saturday has arrived in 2015

Saturday, September 12th of the 2015 College Football Season

• South Florida (1-0) at #10 Florida State (1-0) 10:30 am on ESPN - The rubber match in the series, after each team took one, as Seminoles vs. Bulls square off in a morning kickoff in Tallahassee.
• Army (0-1) at UConn (1-0) 11:00 am on CBSSN - The Huskies were only 2-10 in '14, but took care of business in opener over Villanova, unlike Army, who fell in opener to Fordham (1 of 4 FCS wins over FBS programs in Week 1), but Black Hawks won last year's game in Yankee Stadium 35-21 ...
• Bowling Green (0-1) at Maryland (1-0) 11:00 am on BTN - the Green Eagles were 1-1 vs. B1G in '14, as they travel to College Park, with a 6-17 overall record vs. B1G; first meeting for Terrapins, as junior Perry Hills leads offense and exciting CB William Likely leads secondary and special team, after setting B1G return record in Week 1, dropping Nile Kinnick from record books ...
• Buffalo (1-0) at Penn State (0-1) 11:00 am on ESPN2 - What is happening in Happy Valley in year 2 of the James Franklin era? The Nittany Lions were taken down hard in the road opener, losing for the first time, since 1941, to Temple 27-10; regroup in home opener in State College against Buffalo, as the the Bulls opened '15 with a 41-15 win over Albany ... 
• Houston (1-0) at Louisville (0-1) 11:00 am FSN Affiliates / ACC-RSN / espn3 - The Cardinals usually take care of business, after an OOC loss, as Bobby Petrino hasn't lost back to back games, since coming back in '13.
• Indiana State (1-0) at Purdue (0-1) 11:00 am on ESPN News - The Sycamores move up to play a Power 5 program, against a Boilermakers program that is 9-0 vs. FCS. This is Darrell Hazell's third season (4-21), so Black & Gold need to step up game in West Lafayette home opener ...
• Jacksonville State (1-0) at #7 Auburn (1-0) 11:00 am on SEC Network - The Tigers have won nine straight home openers, as they drop down into the FCS for this year's opener, as JSU were the #3 seed in the FCS playoffs, after dropping 45-7 loss in '14 to Michigan State.
• Kansas State (1-0) at UTSA (0-1) 11:00 am FS1 - This the first meeting between each school, but Larry Coker's Roadrunners opened at #22 Arizona, losing 42-32, as Bill Snyder's Wildcats opened with 34-0 blanking of South Dakota ... could this be a dangerous one, after last year's three point loss to the Arizona Wildcats?
• Miami-OH (1-0) at #26 Wisconsin (0-1) 11:00 am ESPNU - The Badgers 35-17 loss to #2 Bama knocked UW out of the Top 25, and rightfully so. UW returns to the safe quarters of Madison for four straight home games, including the B1G opener vs. Iowa, in October. First meeting between Badgers and RedHawks, who were 2-10 last year, in Chuck Martin's first season.
• Oregon State (1-0) at Michigan (0-1) 11:00 am on ABC - The Wolverines opened the Jim Harbaugh era with a tough 24-17 loss at Utah, as Michigan hosts another Pac 12 opponent in the home opener, as Gary Anderson makes a quick return to the Big Ten, after departing Wisconsin, after two years. Time for graduate, transfer QB Jake Rudock to clean up the turnovers for the Wolverines even the score vs. Pac 12 opponents in '15.
• Western Illinois (1-0) at Illinois (1-0) 11:00 am on BTN - The Fighting Illini won in '07 over the Leathernecks ... that was a Rose Bowl team for Illinois; Western Illinois is playing third B1G, in two season, as they lost 37-3 @ Wisconsin and 24-7 @ Northwestern ... note Fighting Illini are 11-0 vs. FCS over the last 12 years, as Bill Cubit seeks to make it 12-0 in his first year as interim head coach.
• Wake Forest (1-0) at Syracuse (1-0) 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC Network / espn3 - It's the ACC opener for both teams, as the Demon Deacons and Orange, both finished 3-9 last season, though Syracuse took down Wake 30-7 on the road last year.
• Eastern Washington (0-1) at Northern Iowa (0-1) 1:00 pm on ESPN Extra / (CSNC / espn3) / (SWX / PSN) (cable) - The Panthers fell hard 31-7 @ Iowa State; while Eastern Washington took their lumps @ #5 Oregon to open 2015 season, as these two FCS playoff teams seek to rebound, after the FBS roughed them up!
• Sacramento State (1-0) at Washington (0-1) 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Hornets have stung two Pac 12 opponents in seven outings, knocking off Oregon State and Colorado, in the past; but Huskies are 24-5 lately in home openers, as this is first meeting in series.
• UMass (0-0) at Colorado (0-1) 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Buffaloes lost opener @ Hawaii, as Pac 12 opened Week 1 at 7-5; UMass was one of two wins last year for Colorado, as Mike MacIntryre era enters year 3 with another 0-1 start, after a 4-8 first season.
• Liberty (1-0) at West Virginia (1-0) 2:00 pm on RSPI -  The Flame and Mountaineers have played once before, as WVU won 30-20 in '09, in this FCS vs. FBS showdown as Turner Gill tries to score one for the FCS in Morgantown.
• UTEP (0-1) at Texas Tech (1-0) 2:00 pm on on FSN Affiliates - A Lone Star battle in Lubbock, as last year's battle went back to back with Red Raiders winning 30-26. Big 12 has some challenges in Week 2?
• Austin Peay (0-1) at Southern Miss (0-1) 2:30 pm on (CSCN2 / CSBA) / ASN (affiliates) - The Governors come to Hattiesburg for first meeting between each school; Golden Eagles were more than tested in the opening season loss to #24 Mississippi State 34-16.
• Fresno State (1-0) at #15 Ole Miss (1-0) 2:30 pm on ESPN2 - MWC vs. SEC, as Bulldogs played once previously in Week 3 of 2010, when the Rebels took care of business 55-38, against the 8-5 FSU team.
• #8 Georgia (1-0) at Vanderbilt (0-1) 2:30 pm CBS / CBS Video - The SEC East opener for the Bulldogs and Commodores ... VU is only 5-45-1, but they did win two years ago 31-27 in James Franklin's final season; revenge of last road loss is common for Georgia in this series ...
• Hawaii (1-0) at #1 Ohio State 2:30 pm on BTN - The Rainbows opened with a home win over Colorado, as the #1 Buckeyes took care of business on Labor Day in Blacksburg over VA Tech; first meeting, as Ohio State enjoyed 35 game home winning streak, until last year's downer against the Hokies ...



CSU football's to-do list includes beating Minnesota - Denver Post
This could be a 0-2 start for Jerry Kill's Golden Gophers in '15.

• Minnesota (0-1) at Colorado State (1-0) 2:30 pm on CBSSN - The Golden Gophers defense will likely be leaned on in the first road opener for 2015; Jerry Kill's teams are 7-13 in road games, as he enters his fifth season in a Power 5 conference. Look for this one to be a close one.
• #11 Notre Dame (1-0) at Virginia (0-1) 2:30 pm on ABC - The Fighting Irish begin the first of six against ACC opponents in 2015; the only previous meeting was in the 1989 Kickoff Classic in the Meadowlands; where the Cavaliers lost 36-13.
• Stephen F. Austin (0-1) at #3 TCU (1-0) 2:30 pm on FS1 - The Horned Frogs may be off to a shaky start in their 4-2-5 defense. They defeated Minnesota 23-17, but entering Week 2, they have lost both starting linebackers, including a leave of absence by true freshman Mike Freeze, from his MLB spot.
• Tulane (0-1) at #16 Georgia Tech 2:30 pm on FSN Affiliates / ACC-RSN / espn3 - The Yellow Jackets will welcome the Green Wave into Atlanta after defeating Tulane 38-21 on the road in Week 2 in '14. The Yellow Jackets need to stay focused with road trip to South Bend on the horizon ...
• Washington State (0-1) at Rutgers (1-0) 2:30 pm on ESPNU - The Cougars are coming off a FCS loss against Portland State 24-17, so the Scarlet Knights may be in danger of looking ahead of the schedule, with B1G road opener @ Penn State next week ... last year's game was Rutgers win 41-38 in Seattle in last year's season opener.
• Weber State (0-1) at North Dakota State (0-1) 2:30 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 / NBC ND (cable) - The Bison fell in the Week 0 road opener at Montana 38-35, while Weber State lost at Oregon State last week, so this should be a hungry four-time defending FCS champion in home opener.
• Eastern Illinois (0-1) at Northwestern (1-0) 3:00 pm on ESPN News - The Wildcats have won eight straight over the FCS, as the Panthers come to town, they lost at Minnesota and Ohio U last season, so FBS programs are not new to them.
• Eastern Michigan (0-1) at Wyoming (0-1) 3:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM / RSSW / MWC Video - The Cowboys need to rebound; playing one of the weakest FBS programs as Craig Bohl has opened 4-9 in Laramie, after three FCS titles at North Dakota State, before making move last year.
• Middle Tennessee (1-0) at #2 Alabama (1-0) 3:00 pm on SEC Network - The Crimson Tide have won each of the previous games over Blue Raiders, but not in breakout style ... will we see style points today from Nick Saban's team?
• Toledo at #18 Arkansas 3:00 pm SEC Network Alternate / WatchESPN - The MAC travels to SEC Country, as Rockets now open 2015 season against the Razorbacks, who are 3-0 vs. MAC and took down Northern Illinois 52-14, last year.



Cy-Hawk Game kicks off on Fox at 3:45 p.m.

• Iowa (1-0) at Iowa State (1-0) 3:30 pm on FOX - The Hawkeyes are looking to take home the Cy-Hawk Trophy, as the trophy has switched hands in 8 of the last 11 meeting; it currently reigns in Ames, as the Cyclones have won three of last four in this one. Our pick: Hawkeyes 29, Cyclones 24
• San Diego State (1-0) at California (1-0) 4:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The last meeting, in '96 was an exciting 42-37 game; Aztecs vs. Golden Bears, in another MWC vs. Pac 12 game in Week 2 ... as Friday night's game: Utah 24, Utah State 14 (1-0 Pac 12)!
• Drake (1-0) at North Dakota (1-0) 5:00 pm on (FCSP / Midco (cable) / Video (FS Go / Big Sky)  - The Bulldogs visit North Dakota, who took down a FBS program in Week 1, for a Pioneer vs. Big Sky showdown in FCS ...
• #20 Oklahoma at #21 Tennessee 5:00 pm ESPN - A huge Big 12 vs. SEC showdown in Knoxville, as Bob Stoops saw Butch Jones rough up his alma mater 45-28 in last year's bowl game ... so can the Sooners make some noise carrying the Big 12 banner into SEC Country?
• #22 Arizona (1-0) at Nevada (1-0) 6:00 pm on CBSSN - Classic Pac 12 vs. MWC showdown in Reno, as Wildcats won home game last year 35-28, but now must travel to take on Wolf Pack ...
• Ball State at # 17 Texas A&M 6:00 pm on ESPNU - The Cardinals face the Aggies in their first meeting, but 2-17, including six straight road openers, losing last year at Iowa 17-13.
• East Carolina (1-0) at Florida (1-0) 6:00 pm on ESPN2 - The Pirates lost the only prior visit 24-13 in 1983, as they also lost Birmingham Bowl to Gators 28-20. Payback Game ...
• Marshall (1-0) at Ohio U (1-0) 6:00 pm on NESN2 / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Home openers for the Bobcats, facing a Marshall team that knocked off a Power 5 (Purdue) in their home opener to kick off 2015 ...
• #29 Memphis (1-0) at Kansas (0-1) 6:00 pm on ESPN Extra / Jayhawk TV / espn3 - The Tigers travel to Lawrence seeking a Power 5 win, in the first meeting between the Jayhawks and Tigers. Week 2 last year was a 42-35 loss @ UCLA, so Tigers should be ready ...
• North Texas (0-0) at SMU (0-1) 6:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 - The Mean Green took the Mustangs down 45-6, but home team has won series six straight, since 1989. Can Dan McCarney open 1-0 in '15?
• Central Arkansas (0-1) at #28 Oklahoma State (1-0) 6:30 pm FSN Affiliates / FS Go Video - Bears vs. Cowboys in Stillwater ... as Oklahoma State returns home for season home opener.
• Kentucky (1-0) at South Carolina (1-0) 6:30 pm on SEC Network - another SEC East opener, as the Wildcats travel to Columbia to face the Gamecocks ... where UK won 45-38 at home!
• Lamar (1-0) at #4 Baylor (1-0) 6:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - The Bears enjoy their home opener in Waco, with the Cardinals coming to town, who were victimized 73-3 last year @ Texas A&M.
• Georgia State (0-1) at New Mexico State (0-1) 7:00 pm on ALT2 / espn3 / Aggie Vision - Last year's cellar dwellers in the Sun Belt, open conference play against one another, as Aggies took care of business last year 34-31 on the road against the Panthers ...
• Florida International (1-0) at Indiana (1-0) 7:00 pm on BTN (alternate) / BTN2Go Video - The Golden Panthers are 1-20 on the road against Power 5 programs, as Ron Turner returns to Big Ten country, with FIU. He was 5-3 vs. Hoosiers, as head coach at Illinois, as Kevin Wilson squares off, after a scary first week win over SIU.
• Idaho (1-0) at #9 USC  (1-0) 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Vandals travel to Los Angeles to face the Trojans, in a Sun Belt vs. Pac 12 showdown, that shouldn't be much of a contest.





#6 Michigan State QB 18
Connor Cook leads Spartans in
College Game of the Week
vs. #5 Oregon in East Lansing

Game of the Week in College Football: #5 vs. #6
• #5 Oregon at #6 Michigan State 7:00 pm  on ABC / espn3 - The Spartans were on the short end of the stick in last yea'rs 46-27 loss at Oregon in Week 2; MSU senior QB Connor Cook leads Spartans program heading into a three season run; while Cedar Rapids Kennedy athlete Christian French, a senior DE for the Ducks, heads closer to home in Big Ten Country in this Big Ten vs. Pac 12 showdown!
• Rice (1-0) at Texas (1-0) 7:00 pm LHN / LHN Video - Another Lone Star battle, as the Longhorns try to pick up the pieces, after an opening season loss at Notre Dame; the Owls opened 2011 in Austin, where Texas pounded them 34-9 ... the Owls are better than that today.
• South Alabama (1-0) at Nebraska (0-1) 7:00 pm on BTN - The Jaguars program began football in 2009, as Joey Jones was hired in 2008. They are 3-2 in road openers, with back to back wins over Tulane and Kent State, who are clearly not the Cornhuskers. South Alabama is 0-5 vs. Power 5 programs, losing 35-3 last year at Mississippi State, but gave Butch Jones' first Vols team a 31-24 scare in '13.
• Temple (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0) 7:00 pm on ESPN News - It is the AAC East opener against two of the front runners, as the Owls come to Cincinnati, coming off biggest program win, since 1941 last week ... Bearcats have won five straight in this series, including 14-6 last year at Temple.
• #13 LSU at #24 Mississippi State 8:15 pm on ESPN - Big SEC West opener as Tigers open 2015 now, at Mississippi State, as Bulldogs host LSU, after 34-29 win in Week 4 to open SEC play last year.
• San Jose State (1-0) at Air Force (1-0) 9:15 pm on ESPNU - The MWC opener for both teams, as the Falcons and Spartans meet for the first time, since two WAC games in '96 and '97.
• #19 Boise State at BYU 9:15 pm on ESPN2 - The Broncos are 4-1 in this series, since '03, but lone loss was last meeting Provo. The Cougars are coming off an emotional final play win over Nebraska, so is a let down possible here?
• UCF (0-1) at Stanford (0-1) 9:30 pm on FS1 - Both teams opened with losses, but the Knights lost at home to FIU, as the Cardinal return home, after disappointing 16-6 loss at Northwestern. First meeting in this series, as UCF is 5-14, since '96 in road openers, but 3-2 in last five. Last year, the Knights opened 0-2, with losses to Penn State and at Missouri.
• #12 UCLA (1-0) at UNLV (0-1) 9:30 pm on CBSSN - The Bruins hit the road for Vegas for first meeting in this series. UCLA has won three straight in road openers ...
• Cal Poly (1-0) at #25 Arizona State (0-1) 10:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - This is the first game, since 1947 between these two programs, the Mustangs won at Montana last week; Todd Graham wants to see a solid rebound for the Sun Devils after a loss in Houston to Texas A&M in Week 1.
• Appalachian State (1-0) at #14 Clemson (1-0) 11:30 am on espn3 - Sun Belt vs. ACC, as Mountaineers open 2nd season as FBS program, coming off 7-5 season. Tigers don't want to be a victim here!
• Charleston Southern (1-0) at (0-1) Troy 6:00 pm on espn3 - Troy is 3-0 in games played '93-'95, the Buccaneers were 8-4 last year, but Georgia rolled them 55-9, so Trojans need to bring good game, coming off road loss at NC State. Troy was only 3-9 last season. Neal Brown seeking first win at Troy.
• Delaware State at Kent State 5:00 pm on espn3 - 
• Eastern Kentucky (1-0) at North Carolina State (1-0) 5:00 pm espn3 - The Wolfpack won 54-10 over the Colonels in '05; the Colonels were 1-1 last year vs. FBS with win over Miami-OH, but 52-3 loss at Florida.
• Furman (0-1) at Virginia Tech (0-1) 2:30 pm on espn3 - The Hokies get the Paladins to lick the wounds from the Labor Day openers vs. #1 Ohio State; Hokies are 5-0 in this series.
• Howard (0-1) at Boston College (1-0) 12:00 pm on espn3 - The Golden Eagles open back to back games with FCS opponents, so this one doesn't help in getting to bowl eligibility. BC must get to 7 wins this season to be bowling ...
• Missouri at Arkansas State 6:00 pm on espn3 - Last year, Missouri was knocked off by Indiana, so could this be a stumbling block in the '15 OOC for the Tigers? The Red Wolves have won ten straight home openers, but rarely are they against Power 5 opponents.
• Monmouth (0-1) at Central Michigan (0-1) 2:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas fell short in season opener vs. Power 5 program, now face the Hawks in first FCS match up, since lost to North Dakota State in '07.
• Murray State (1-0) at #30 Northern Illinois (1-0) 2:30 pm on espn3 -
• Nicholls (0-0) at Louisiana Monroe (0-1) 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Warhawks return to Monroe to lick wounds from Georgia defeat against in-state Colonels, who were winless in '14.
• Norfolk State (0-1) at Old Dominion (1-0) 6:00 pm on ASN (affiliates) - The Monarchs host the Norfolk State, in this cross city showdown. ODU is 2-0 in series with 27-24 win in '13, ahead of moving to FBS in '14. Monarchs are 5-1 in home openers and opened '15 with win at Eastern Michigan.
• North Carolina A&T at North Carolina 5:00 pm on espn3 - First meeting between these two Carolina programs, as Aggies were 9-3 last year, but Tar Heels should take care of business as ULL did in '14.
• North Carolina Central (1-0) at Duke (1-0) 5:00 pm on espn3 - The Eagles have lost three games previously to the Blue Devils, with back to back losses in '12 and '13 by an average of nearly 50-8 ...
• Northwestern State (0-1) at Louisiana Lafayette (0-1) 6:00 pm on espn3 - An in-state match up as Demons travel to Ragin' Cajuns for first visit, since '05. Demons beat LA Tech 30-27, so opportunity knocks for another FCS program?
• Pittsburgh (1-0) at Akron (0-1) 5:00 pm on espn3 - The Zips host a Power 5 program for just the second time, as Indiana played in '09 there. The Panthers hit the road for game 2 in the Pat Narduzzi, as Terry Bowden seeks another win over Pitt, after last year's 21-10 victory in the fourth game.
• Prairie View A&M (1-0) at Texas State (0-1) 6:00 pm on espn3 - Another Lone Star battle, as the Panthers have beat the Bobcats in the first two meetings back in '76 and '77 ... 129 miles separates this FCS program from this one in the FBS!
• Tulsa (1-0) at New Mexico (1-0) 7:00 pm on espn3 - AAC vs. MWC showdown, as Golden Hurricane travel to Albuquerque to face Lobos, as Bob Davie looks to open fourth season with his first 2-0 start ...
• Western Michigan (0-1) at Georgia Southern (0-1) 5:00 pm on espn3 - The Broncos were ruffed up at home vs. #6 Michigan State in season opener; now head to Statesboro to face the Eagles, who were blasted by West Virginia, week one.

Week 2: Thursday and Friday Night Lights in CUSA and with two in-state matchups

Thursday, September 10th 

Preview

• Louisiana Tech (1-0) at Western Kentucky (1-0) 7:00 pm on FS1 - The top two programs from each division square off in the C-USA opener for 2015. The Bulldogs made the title game last year and blew out the Hilltoppers at home last year, 59-10 with Iowa transfer Cody Sokol at quarterback. This year it is Florida transfer Jeff Driskel leading the LA Tech offense.

Friday, September 11th

C-USA vs. ACC match up in only second meeting in the new
in-state series. Miami-FL won and hosted the '13 game
34-6 to kickoff the season.

• Miami-FL (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1) 7:00 pm on FS1 - The Hurricane won home opener 45-0 against Bethune-Cookman; while the Owls lost road opener at Tulsa 47-44. Miami-FL will take the less than an hour drive up North I-95 to meet the Owls in Week 2.

In the State of Utah: The Beehive Boot is the trophy.

• Utah State (1-0) at Utah (1-0) 8:00 pm on ESPN2 - It is the Battle of Brothers for the rights to the Beehive Boot in this in-state series, along with BYU. The Aggies won their opener 12-9 over Southern Utah; while the Utes won 24-17 in a prime-time game over Michigan at home last Thursday night. It is the 112th meeting in the series. Home team has won three straight in this one. Last played in 2013, in season opener, Utah won 30-26, then won @ BYU in Week 4 20-13 to win the bragging rights in the Beehive State!

2015 College Football season line up ...